Making your own candle? The secret starts with the wick. Today, I’m sharing how to make candle wicks using simple, all-natural materials you may already have at home. With just cotton twine and beeswax, you can create DIY candle wicks that are non-toxic, long-burning, and beautiful for any homemade candle project.

Whether you’re making beeswax candles or reusing old candle wax, this simple method gives you control over the size and quality of your wick, and it’s so satisfying to make them yourself.

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Why Make Your Own Candle Wicks

Making your own candle wicks isn’t just fun, it’s practical. Store-bought cotton wicks sometimes contain synthetic fibers that melt instead of burning, creating more smoke than glow. By learning how to make candle wicks at home, you’ll have complete confidence that your wicks are natural and safe.

Plus, you can customize the length and thickness for different candle sizes. Thick candles? Make thicker wicks by twisting a few strands of twine together. Small jars? A single strand works perfectly.

And if you’ve ever asked, “What can I use as a candle wick?” the answer is right here: 100% cotton string dipped in melted beeswax. It’s the simplest and most natural option for a clean burning candle wick.

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What You’ll Need

Before we begin, let’s gather your supplies. Having everything ready makes this project go smoothly from start to finish.

• 100% cotton twine or cotton cord (avoid polyester blends or synthetics)
• Beeswax pellets or chunks (you can find them online, at craft stores, or from local bee farmers)
• Double boiler (basically a pot in a pot. This is my wax meling pot)
• Tweezers or tongs (using something long is safer)
• Parchment paper or foil
• Scissors
• Wooden dowel or jumbo popsicle stick for stirring (I trash mine when done)
• Optional: a few drops of essential oils if you’re scenting candles later (I use Rocky Mountain)

This easy list is all you need for homemade candle wicks that pair beautifully with your favorite beeswax candles or DIY projects.

*Note: Please be very careful when melting wax because it is very hot and can burn you.

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How to Make Candle Wicks

Here’s the step-by-step process, simple, quick, and perfect for beginners.

1. Melt the Beeswax

Start by creating a double boiler on your stovetop. Fill the bottom pot with water, then place a smaller pot or glass jar on top. My top pot came from Hobby Lobby. I found it in the cake decorating section and I only use it for melting natural waxs like beeswax and coconut.

Next, add your beeswax pellets to the upper pot and let them melt slowly over medium heat. Stir frequently and do not leave the wax while it is melting.

As the melted wax becomes smooth and golden, you’ll notice that lovely honey-like scent filling your kitchen. While the wax is melting, let's prepare the cotton string.

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2. Prepare the Cotton String

While the wax melts, cut your cotton string into pieces a little longer than you’ll need or into long pieces to cut later. If you want to cut your string exactly to fit your project, make sure to add about 1/2″ of twine.

If you’re unsure your twine is 100% cotton, here’s a quick test: cut a long piece about 12″ and light the end with a lighter or match. If it burns cleanly and turns to ash rather than melting, it’s all-natural and safe to use.

This step ensures your cotton wicks will burn cleanly and evenly when dipped in wax.

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3. Dip and Coat the Wicks

Now comes the fun part! Using your tongs or tweezers, dip each piece of cotton twine into the melted beeswax. Make sure it’s fully submerged so the wax can soak deep into the fibers.

Let it stay in the wax for about 30 seconds. Then carefully lift it over the pot, letting the extra wax drip off. Lay each wick straight on a sheet of parchment paper or foil to cool.

This step transforms your cotton string into a natural, homemade candle wick that’s ready to use.

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4. Let the Wicks Cool and Dry

In just a few minutes, the wicks will stiffen as the wax hardens. Once cooled, they’re ready to trim and roll into beeswax sheets for candles or your favorite jar candle project.

Lift the wicks off the parchment paper, and if there is any wax buildup on the sides, smooth it out with your fingers.

If you’re making rolled beeswax candles, make the wicks about half an inch longer than the candle’s height. Remember, we can trim the excess off later. That little extra makes lighting easier later.

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Extra Candle-Making Tips

Now that you know how to make a wick for a candle, here are a few helpful tips to make your candles burn even better.

• If your flame is too small, try using a thicker wick or double the strands of twine.
• If it’s too smoky, your wick might be too thick or made of synthetic fibers. Try a single strand of 100% cotton twine instead.
• For a light scent, add a drop or two of essential oils to your melted wax before pouring. (note: I have never tried)
• Reuse old candles by melting leftover wax and giving it new life.

Once you’ve made your wicks, they store beautifully in a jar or foil pouch until you’re ready for your next candle-making day.

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Common Questions About Making Candle Wicks

What can I use as a candle wick?
The best option is 100% cotton twine or cotton string dipped in beeswax. Avoid anything synthetic, like nylon or polyester — they melt rather than burn. A few ideas are cotton cooking twine and cotton craft cord.

Can I make candle wicks without wax?
It’s possible, but waxed wicks burn much better. The beeswax coating helps your wick stay upright and burn evenly.

How do I make my wick thicker?
Twist two or three cotton strands together before dipping in wax to create thick wicks for larger candles.

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Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to make candle wicks, you can bring warm, chemical-free light into your home one candle at a time. Whether you’re crafting beeswax candles for gifts or reusing old candle wax, these homemade wicks make each one feel a little more special.

Why exactly did I make these long candle wicks? Well, I bought a beeswax wrap candle-making kit, and it came with string instead of wax wicks, so I decided to make my own wax wicks and test both. Here is the blog post on how to make beeswax rolled candles if you would like to create one.

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Want to keep going on your candle-making journey? Take a peek at these posts:

• Best clean burning candle ingredients
• How to make a tea cup candle
• How to make jar beeswax candles

Happy Crafting!