Do You Need To Soak Wood Wicks For Candles?

Wood wicks used in candle making provide a unique rustic crackling sound and natural look compared to conventional cotton wicks. They are popular among many candle enthusiasts and crafters. Wood wicks have a wood core, usually made from bamboo, that is wrapped in cotton, paper, or other fibers. The natural wood material burns in a way that creates a pleasant crackling sound as the candle burns. Wood wicks also tend to have a visible glow at the tip, creating a charming ambiance.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, wood wicks have practical benefits as well. The wood core allows the wick to remain rigid and upright as the wax pool gets deeper, preventing issues like tunneling, poor wax melt pools, and smoking. Wood wicks tend to hold up better over time compared to all-cotton wicks, improving the consistency of the candle burn. With proper care, wood wicks can enhance the candle making process and provide an appealing finished product.

Purpose of Soaking

Soaking wood wicks before using them in candles serves an important purpose. When wood wicks are manufactured, small dust particles and debris can get trapped in the fibers. If the wicks are not cleaned before being put into candles, these contaminants can end up in the melted wax. This looks unsightly and can clog the wick, preventing it from burning properly.

Soaking wood wicks in water helps remove this dust and debris from the fibers. The water acts as a rinse, washing away any trapped particles. This helps ensure a clean wick that will burn evenly without issues. Soaking fulfills an important cleansing step, resulting in a smoother, cleaner burn.

How Long to Soak

The recommended soaking time for wood wicks depends on the size and type of wicks you are using. For most standard wood wicks, experts advise soaking for at least 2-4 hours. Specific soaking times per wick size include:

• Small wood wicks (2-3mm): Soak for 2-3 hours

• Medium wood wicks(4-5mm): Soak for 3-4 hours

• Large wood wicks (6mm+): Soak for 4+ hours

These soaking times help ensure the wicks are thoroughly saturated. Shorter soaks may lead to dry spots. For convenience, many candle makers soak their wicks overnight. Just make sure to drain and dry the wicks after removing from the water to prevent mold growth.

Water Temperature for Soaking Wooden Wicks

When soaking wooden wicks for candles, the temperature of the water is an important consideration. Using hot versus cold water leads to different results.

Hot water can speed up the soaking process, allowing the wicks to absorb moisture more quickly. However, soaking in hot water above 140°F/60°C runs the risk of damaging or weakening the fibers in some types of natural wicks like cotton.

Cold or room temperature water between 60-80°F/15-25°C is gentler and will not risk damaging wick fibers. Soaking in cold water just takes more time for the wicks to fully saturate and absorb the moisture.

To balance speed and safety, many recommend soaking wicks in warm water around 100-120°F/35-50°C. This allows the wicks to absorb moisture at a moderate pace without risk of high heat damaging the fibers.

Test soaking a few wicks at different temperatures to see what works best for each wick type and your desired soak time. In general, slower soaking in cold or warm water is safest for natural fiber wicks.

Soaking Container

When selecting a container for soaking wood wicks, you’ll want to choose a non-porous material that won’t absorb any of the water or other additives in your soaking solution. Glass, ceramic, or metal are ideal options.

Glass works very well, as it allows you to easily monitor the wicks during soaking. Canning jars or other glass jars make convenient soaking containers. Just be cautious when handling to avoid breaking.

Ceramic bowls, cups, or mugs also get the job done. Make sure any ceramic doesn’t have cracks that could allow absorption. Enamel or glazed ceramics are best.

Metal soaking containers like stainless steel bowls are durable, non-porous, and easily cleaned. Some metals could react with additives in the soak, so stainless steel, enameled steel, or aluminum are good options.

The key is selecting a non-porous material that won’t compromise your wicks or soak solution. Glass, glazed ceramic, and stainless steel offer reliability.

Drying Wood Wicks

After soaking wood wicks, it’s important to properly dry them before use. Laying the wicks flat or hanging them to dry are two effective methods.

Laying the wicks flat on a towel or drying rack provides an even surface for drying. Make sure the wicks are spread out and not overlapping. Rotate periodically for even drying. Wicks should be dried until completely stiff when preparing to use for candle making.

Hanging wicks to dry on a line or rack can also work well. Use clothespins or clips to hold each end of the wick in place. Hanging allows air circulation all around the wick for quick and even drying. Again, wicks should be left until fully dried and rigid.

Proper drying helps wood wicks maintain their structure and burn properties. Take care not to rush the drying process. Once dried, wicks are ready for candle making and lighting.

Soaking Solution

When it comes to soaking wood wicks, you have a choice between using plain water or adding other solutions. Using just water is the simplest method. However, some candle makers believe adding other ingredients to the water provides additional benefits.

The two most common additives are salt and borax. Adding a small amount of salt helps remove any dirt or residue from the wick. It can also increase the stiffness of the fibers slightly. Borax is a natural mineral salt that helps remove oils and increase flame brightness. If using borax, be sure to fully rinse and dry the wicks afterwards.

Vinegar is another option some candle makers use. The acidic vinegar helps break down the fibers a bit more, allowing them to absorb water better. Any acidic smell dissipates as the wicks dry. Essential oils can also be added to provide a nice scent during the soaking process.

In the end, plain water is usually sufficient for soaking wood wicks. But if you want to experiment, adding salt, vinegar, borax, or essential oils can provide potential benefits without much downside. Thoroughly rinsing and drying the wicks afterwards will remove any leftover solution.

Soaking Safety

When soaking wood wicks, it’s important to take precautions against mold and bacteria growth. Here are some tips:

• Use clean, filtered or distilled water. Tap water can contain minerals and contaminants that encourage mold.
• Don’t use old soaking water. Always use fresh water each time you soak wicks.
• Change the water daily if soaking for multiple days. Stagnant water is more prone to mold.
• Add a capful of bleach to the soaking water as a disinfectant.
• Wash and thoroughly rinse containers used for soaking between each use.
• Dry wicks completely before storage or use. Moisture encourages mold growth.
• Discard any wicks that smell musty or show tiny threadlike mold filaments.
• Store unused dry wicks in an airtight container to prevent moisture absorption.

Following these guidelines will help prevent contamination and keep your wood wicks safe for candle making.

Soaking New vs Used Wicks

There are some key differences in the soaking process for new wood wicks versus used wood wicks. New wood wicks have likely never been exposed to wax or fragrance oils. Therefore, they do not have any buildup on them that needs to be cleaned off prior to use. With new wicks, the main purpose of soaking is to ensure the fibers are thoroughly saturated with water before being used in a candle. This helps prevent the wick from burning too quickly or unevenly when first lit.

Used wood wicks, on the other hand, have been previously burned in a candle. This means wax, fragrance oil, and carbon deposits have built up on the wick. Soaking used wicks serves the dual purpose of saturating the fibers as well as loosening and removing any residue. To get used wicks fully clean, it is recommended to soak them for a longer period of time, use warmer water, and use a degreasing solution in the water such as baking soda or detergent. Gently rubbing the wick while soaking can also help dislodge stubborn buildup. Fully removing buildup allows the wick to burn properly when reused.

Conclusion

Proper soaking of wood wicks before making candles is an important step that should not be overlooked. The ideal approach is to soak new wicks in room temperature distilled water for at least 30-60 minutes in a tall narrow container. Used wicks that have been burned should soak for at least 2 hours, and can be soaked in a citric acid solution for extra cleaning. After soaking, wicks should be patted dry with a paper towel or lint-free cloth and allowed to completely air dry before being used in candles. Following these best practices for soaking wood wicks will help remove excess dye, condition the fibers, and improve wick performance for a better burn. Taking the time to properly soak wicks is a simple but critical part of the candle making process.