Q&A for How to Make Candle Wicks

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I substitute TSP, washing soda, borax substitute, or citric acid for Borax?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    No, Borax is the best solution to use on a cotton wick. However, you don't have to use Borax at all. Just soak the cotton twine in a saltwater mixture to stiffen it. Or, simply dip it in melted wax.
  • Question
    Can toothpicks be used in place of balsa sticks?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, you can use toothpicks for small candles like tea candles. Just trim the toothpick so it is a bit taller than your candle container. Then, soak it in olive oil like you would with the balsa stick.
  • Question
    Is there an easier way to make candle wicks?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can simply dip a string in melted wax and allow it to dry. Then you can make a candle without using borax or wood.
  • Question
    Can I use hemp twine for a candle wick?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    Can I use coconut oil or avocado oil instead of olive oil for balsa sticks?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will work the same, just follow the directions given in method two, substituting olive oil with avocado or coconut oil.
  • Question
    Can I make a wick without using Borax?
    Community Answer
    Yes. All you need is a cotton string, which you dip in the wax quickly, so it is covered in wax.
  • Question
    Can I put perfume in a candle?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the perfume, but 9 times out of 10, no. Most perfumes that you buy are alcohol-based and wouldn't mix with the wax. You can get some scented wax pellets (or just shave some off a block) to mix with the wax you're using or use some essential oils. With oils or other liquid scents, you don't want to add too much; it will mess with the consistency of the wax.
  • Question
    Is borax needed?
    Community Answer
    No, I make candles and I just use wax and wick. I have never needed any chemicals for mine.
  • Question
    Can I use bamboo skewers for a wick if I soak in olive oil like the balsa sticks?
    Community Answer
    Yes, this will work.
  • Question
    Can I dip string into wax instead?
    Community Answer
    You are supposed to get your string and dip it in the wax quickly, and then let it dry. You don't have to dip it at all; it's just that when it is dipped, it burns longer. So yes, you may use wax instead.
  • Question
    Can I use something other than borax to make candle wicks?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use bamboo dipped in olive oil.
  • Question
    After soaking the butcher twine for 24 hours, it had crystals attached to it. Will these crystals burn, or should I attempt to scrap them off?
    Community Answer
    The crystals are just crystallized borax, but they don't burn. So scrape them off.
  • Question
    Can you use paracord as a wick?
    Community Answer
    No. Paracord is made of nylon (plastic) which quickly melts on flame contact. This is why when it is cut, people often singe the ends to get it to not unravel. Aside from that, burning plastic puts nasty stuff in the air that can give you cancer if you're exposed to enough.
  • Question
    Where can I get balsa wood strips?
    Community Answer
    Hobby Lobby has them, as should any other craft store.
  • Question
    Can I dip twine in essential oil first, then in wax so it has more of a scent?
    Community Answer
    Dipping twine in essential oil will not increase the scent, it will only burn off. Essential oil is most fragrant when it is warmed up and evaporated into the air instead of burned; this is best done by the essential oil being mixed into the melted candle paraffin (before pouring into your candle container).
  • Question
    Has anyone compared bamboo stick wicks with balsa?
    Community Answer
    Yes, I have tried this and they work just as well.
  • Question
    Can I use a cotton shirt?
    Community Answer
    Yes, Cut in thin strips 1/4 inch or so and dip in wax,. Then twist on first dip (twist is not mandatory, but can help shape), then repeat dipping in wax (no twisting) 2 to 5 more times.
  • Question
    Can I use a piece of yarn instead?
    Community Answer
    Yarn doesn't work. Use a cotton floor mop: cut off what you need to make the wick.
  • Question
    Can I dry the candle wick in a dryer?
    Community Answer
    No, do not dry the candle wick in a dryer.
  • Question
    Does the olive oil have to be the edible kind?
    Community Answer
    You can use any kind of olive oil, but they are all edible.
  • Question
    Can I dip a toothpick in olive oil, wrap it in string, then dip it in wax to make a candle wick?
    Community Answer
    Yes, absolutely. I've done this before. It works a lot better if you wrap twine around a toothpick and then douse it in olive oil as a wick.
  • Question
    Can I use a show string to make a candle wick?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as it is thoroughly dipped in wax prior. It must be 100 percent cotton. Nylon would cause a fire problem.
  • Question
    Could I use wooden skewers as a wick?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as stated above, bamboo skewers will work as well in same regard.
  • Question
    Can I use a toothpick as a wick by soaking it in olive oil?
    Community Answer
    You can, but it will not last very long.
  • Question
    Would vegetable oil work with wood?
    Community Answer
    It could work with seasoned wood, but it is not ideal if there are other resources available.
  • Question
    Do I have to use balsa wood specifically?
    Community Answer
    No. You can use regular bamboo skewers if you have those.
  • Question
    Can I leave the wick in oil for longer than an hour?
    Community Answer
    You can soak it longer, but it is unnecessary. After an hour, the wood will have maximized its oil capacity and will be ready for the next step.
  • Question
    Can I dip a string in wax and hot glue it to the base of my container to make a candle wick?
    Community Answer
    Hot glue melts when it gets hot. When the candle is lit and burns down, it may make the wick come lose and fall down into the wax.
  • Question
    Will toothpicks dipped in wax work?
    Community Answer
    They would work, but it's better if you dip them in some olive oil. Since they are short (unless you mean skewers), don't use them for tall candles.
  • Question
    What can I use in place of borax?
    Tait Smith
    Community Answer
    Borax is a detergent, which is a wetting agent; this means that it breaks the surface tension of liquids so that they are allowed to flow freely. The use of borax aids in soaking the candle wick fully when dipped in wax. It is not necessary, but it should improve the quality of your wicks. It is negligible on thin (normal) wicks, but on thicker wicks, it would be better to use the borax solution.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article