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Step 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.
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Step 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.
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Step 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.
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Step 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.








