Are Wooden Candle Wicks Safe?

Candles (and our love for them) have been around for centuries, whether for religious ceremonies, to illuminate a home, or to light up a pathway.  Nowadays, we like to use candles in all sorts of fun and relaxing situations, from soothing nights chilling in the bath to romantic meals in atmospheric locations. 

This eternal obsession with candles has generated a thriving market that is forecast to reach over 14 billion U.S. dollars worldwide by 2030. The future looks bright, and that’s because it’s filled with candles! Most homes will have a candle somewhere, waiting to be lit to create a cosy, intimate mood. 

Candles have evolved over time. Sustainability is a current trend in candles, reflecting a general move towards more environmentally-friendly materials being used in the manufacture of our favourite goods. 

Using a wooden wick is one way a candle can become more sustainable. This is because wood is seen to be a sustainable material to source and emits fewer harsh chemicals when lit.

Contents

• What are wooden candle wicks?
• Advantages of wooden candle wicks.
• Are wooden candle wicks safe?
• Natural sustainability with The Essence Vault. 

What are wooden candle wicks?

Put simply, wooden candle wicks are thin pieces of wood specifically made to be the taper for lighting within a candle. You will typically find these centred in the wax of a candle; however, there may be more than one, depending on the size of the candle. 

Wooden wicks can be made from a wide variety of different woods, including cherry, birch, maple, and oak. They also come in the following designs:

• Single-ply wicks

Single-ply wicks are a flat, thin type of wick and the most common to be found in candles. These wooden wicks perform best in non-natural wax blends, usually containing paraffin or coconut-based waxes. 

• Booster wicks

A booster wick contains a single-ply wick and has an additional strip attached to make the wick stronger and thicker. Particularly good for fragranced candles, a booster wick works well with a wax containing fragrance oil. As the thicker wooden wick helps to lower the heat within the wax, the candle will last longer and not burn so quickly. 

•  Spiral wicks

A spiral wick is a thin piece of wood that has been spiralled to have a hollow centre. As a result, the spiral wick is great for any type of candle wax and burns at a higher heat, creating waxen pools. Many people love spiral wooden wick candles as they have an elegant and chic appearance. 

Benefits of wooden candle wicks

Apart from the fact that the look and feel of wooden candle wicks is beautiful while being better for the environment than many alternatives, wooden wicks have plenty of other advantages:

1. As they don’t require pesticides or other production chemicals, wooden wicks are more environmentally friendly than conventional wicks. 
2. Wooden wicks retain heat for longer and burn at a slower rate than other wicks, making them perfect for your home. 
3. Due to the fact that wooden candle wicks can be used in a wide range of candles and with lots of different waxes, they are a more flexible and versatile option. 

Are wooden candle wicks safe?

In general, wooden candle wicks are considered a safe option as they are non-toxic and do not require any coating or treatment. Many are made from sustainably sourced wood stores and produce a clean burn with less carbon residue than alternative wick materials. 

However, just like any candle or naked flame, it is advised that proper care and safety precautions are taken when using a wooden wick candle. For example, following the guidance to never leave a burning candle unattended is a sensible precaution so that candles can be enjoyed in a safe environment. 

Natural sustainability with The Essence Vault

The Essence Vault creates premium-quality wooden wick candles that look beautiful and smell divine. However, what you might not know is how sustainable our candles are. Each candle is hand-crafted with quality, vegan-friendly ingredients that have less of an impact on our planet and atmosphere. 

In addition, we like to go one step further with our promise of sustainability, as many of our customers love the fact that our candles are made from rapeseed and coconut wax as opposed to beeswax or soy. These waxes have a lower impact on the environment and help make your home smell sensational for longer.