Wicks: Cotton vs Wood (and What Actually Matters)

I’m starting a monthly candle safety note series, not to argue or take sides, but to offer clear information in a space that gets confusing fast.

Fear-mongering has become a marketing strategy. I’m over it. And I’m also over industry-baseline practices being sold like rare virtues. Following standards matters, but it’s the entry fee, not a trophy.

Most artisans are careful and thoughtful about what they make. I’m simply tired of blanket claims that sound true because they sell well.

A small note: I’m not asking you to take my word for it. Read beyond headlines. Ask makers real questions. My goal is to lower the noise, share the why, and help you feel steady about what you bring into your home.

Now, let’s talk wicks.

A candle wick looks like a small detail. It isn’t.

The wick decides how the candle burns.

Cotton wicks (what I use)

Cotton wicks are reliable. They burn steady, and they’re consistent when they’re properly matched to the jar and wax.

That’s why I use them at Lunahrin.

Wood wicks (why I don’t use them)

I love wood wicks. The sound is beautiful.

But they can be unreliable.

They’re more likely to struggle staying lit, especially with any draft or if the wick isn’t trimmed just right. And I don’t want you fighting with your candle. I want you to be able to use the entire thing without babysitting it.

If you love the crackle, I get it. Put a fireplace sound on your phone and let the candle do its actual job. A little romance is great. A high-maintenance flame, to me, is not.

That’s why I stick with cotton.

Soot (what causes it)

Soot usually comes from the flame burning too hot.

The most common causes are:

• the wick is too long (not trimmed)

• the candle is burning in a draft

• the candle is burned too long at a time

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Sometimes soot can also come down to wick choice. A good maker tests for that ahead of time.

The only wick rule you really need (and how to do it)

Trim your wick to roughly 1/4 inch before each new burn. That one habit solves most candle problems before they start.

My favorite way is a wick trimmer, because it’s built for the job and the shape makes it easy to get the right length without guessing.

If you’ve got a bit of buildup on the wick, you can also pinch or snap off the very tip with a tissue. Just do it when the candle is cold and unlit.

Scissors work too. They’re not fancy, but they get it done.

A shorter wick keeps the flame smaller, steadier, and cleaner.

With Warmth & Wonder,

Jenn