Post by Granny Smith on Mar 6, 2008 8:38:35 GMT -5
Homemade Wicks
making your own wicks for homemade candles
To get started making a basic braided wick, take 3 strips of heavy cotton string or cotton yarn and soak them in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of boric acid and 1 cup of water for 12 hours. (Or if you prefer, you can use a mixture of turpentine, lime water and vinegar.) Hang them to dry. When dried, braid the three strands together to make a wick. Be sure to cut the strips into lengths that are four to six inches longer than you want the candles to be. A pair or scissors or a knife will suffice as a trimming tool.
The next step is to prime the wick or wicks. To do this, dip the wick or wicks into hot wax until the wick is completely saturated with wax. You will know when it is saturated because it will start to release bubbles. (Use a small paperclip to dip them so as to not burn your fingers.) Remove them from the wax, pull them tight, and dip them into water, then lay on wax paper. Dab the excess moisture off with a paper towel. Let them dry on the wax paper for at least 30 seconds. For a stiffer wick, it is recommended to repeat this step more than once. Primed wicks can be stored in rolled up newspaper.
General Warnings:
Be very careful when using hot wax. At its boiling point, it is flammable. Never use water to put out a wax fire, as it will just spread the wax and thus spread the fire. Instead, use a fire extinguisher or baking soda to put out the fire.
Always use a double boiler when heating wax.
Always keep children and pets away from the candle making area.
Never pour hot wax down your sink. It will cool there and plug the pipes up.
Don’t leave hot wax unattended, even if in a double boiler.
making your own wicks for homemade candles
To get started making a basic braided wick, take 3 strips of heavy cotton string or cotton yarn and soak them in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of boric acid and 1 cup of water for 12 hours. (Or if you prefer, you can use a mixture of turpentine, lime water and vinegar.) Hang them to dry. When dried, braid the three strands together to make a wick. Be sure to cut the strips into lengths that are four to six inches longer than you want the candles to be. A pair or scissors or a knife will suffice as a trimming tool.
The next step is to prime the wick or wicks. To do this, dip the wick or wicks into hot wax until the wick is completely saturated with wax. You will know when it is saturated because it will start to release bubbles. (Use a small paperclip to dip them so as to not burn your fingers.) Remove them from the wax, pull them tight, and dip them into water, then lay on wax paper. Dab the excess moisture off with a paper towel. Let them dry on the wax paper for at least 30 seconds. For a stiffer wick, it is recommended to repeat this step more than once. Primed wicks can be stored in rolled up newspaper.
General Warnings:
Be very careful when using hot wax. At its boiling point, it is flammable. Never use water to put out a wax fire, as it will just spread the wax and thus spread the fire. Instead, use a fire extinguisher or baking soda to put out the fire.
Always use a double boiler when heating wax.
Always keep children and pets away from the candle making area.
Never pour hot wax down your sink. It will cool there and plug the pipes up.
Don’t leave hot wax unattended, even if in a double boiler.