How to Choose a Candle Wick

A burning candle creates a pleasant atmosphere, but using the wrong candlewick may put your health and that of your family's in danger. Read on to familiarize yourself with the different types of wicks in order to choose the right one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose candlewicks only from trusted companies and countries. Some imported candles and wicks contain chemicals that are unsafe to use and no longer allowed in North America.

2. Look for non-cored, cotton or hemp wicks because they are the safest. They're normally made of twisted or braided plant fiber (usually cotton) and are naturally absorbent. This is important since the wick absorbs liquid wax and moves it upward to keep the candle burning.

3. Be aware that although a metal-core wick might be advantageous when used with certain kinds of wax because it burns at a higher temperature, the metals normally used are zinc, tin and lead. The National Candle Association of the United States stopped using metal-core candles in 1974 due to the health hazards of lead.

4. Find out what metal is in the wick, if you like a metal-core candle. If the seller unable or unwilling to tell you, choose a different wick or go to a different store.

Tips & Warnings

• Lead can cause serious health problems, especially in children. The Public Citizen's Health Research Group reported in 2000 that even a candle containing the least amount of lead could produce enough air lead after burning for 3 hours for a 6-year-old to exceed the daily recommended limit in 45 minutes.