Ben Carter
There are several ways to rewick a candle, depending on the type of wick you are using. If you are using a matchstick, you can stab it down into the wax alongside the original wick. If you are using a paper wick, you can wrap it around the existing wick and press the bottom into the wax. If you are using a wooden wick, place it beside the old wick and push it into the candle. You can also use a lighter or hairdryer to melt the wax around the wick, exposing it so that it can be lit.
Rewicking a candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to rewick a candle | When the wick is covered in wax or when candle tunneling occurs |
| What to use to rewick | A matchstick, a paper wick, a wooden wick, or a cotton ball |
| How to rewick | Stab the matchstick/wick into the wax alongside the old wick, or wrap a paper wick around the existing wick |
| How to prevent wax from covering the wick | Use a lighter or hair dryer to melt the wax, then pour the excess wax into a separate container |
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What You'll Learn
Use a matchstick as a new wick
If your candle's wick is broken or too short, you can use a matchstick as a new wick. To do this, first break the matchstick's head off. Then, stab the matchstick down into the wax next to the existing wick. You can also use a lighter or hair dryer to soften the wax first, which will make it easier to push the matchstick in. Make sure that the matchstick is pushed deep down into the candle, and use sharp shears to trim it so that only about 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) is exposed.
It is important that the matchstick is placed next to the existing wick, rather than simply digging a hole in the wax to expose the wick. If you only dig out the wax, the candle will burn down in a tunnel, and the wax will eventually drown the wick again.
The matchstick will become a new wick and will burn well. However, be cautious when doing this, as one person who tried this method reported that the whole candle caught on fire.
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Create a paper wick
If your candle wick is too short, you can create a paper wick as a quick fix. Take a scrap of paper and roll it up tightly. It is best to use a thicker paper, such as notebook or copy paper, as it will burn more slowly. Avoid using coloured paper or magazine pages, as the ink fumes can be toxic.
The wick should be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, but you can roll it longer if that is easier and trim it down later. You can use tweezers to hold the paper wick and stop it from unrolling. Dip the paper wick in wax to help it burn more slowly and evenly. Once the wax has dried, wrap the paper wick around the existing wick and gently press the bottom into the wax.
If your wick is completely buried in wax, you will need to expose it before adding your paper wick. You can use a spoon or a butter knife to scrape away the wax. Alternatively, you can use a lighter or a hairdryer to melt the wax, then pour it into a separate container.
It is important to note that a paper wick is only a temporary solution. For a longer-lasting fix, you may need to replace the wick with a new store-bought wick or use a wooden wick.
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Melt wax with a hairdryer or lighter
If your candle's wick is buried under a layer of wax, you can use a hairdryer or a lighter to melt the wax and expose the wick. You don't need to melt all the wax, just heat it up enough to soften the top layer. This will make it easier to dig out the wick.
Place the excess wax in a separate heat-safe container. You can reuse this wax later if you wish.
If you are using a lighter, hold the flame directly on top of the wick for up to 30 seconds to melt the surrounding wax. You can also try holding the candle upside down as you light it, but don't do this for more than 10-15 seconds to avoid wax dripping onto your hand.
If you are using a hairdryer, simply heat up the top layer of the candle until the wax liquefies evenly across the surface.
Once you have exposed the wick, you can light the candle and let it burn for a few hours until the wax on the surface has melted evenly.
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Scrape away wax with a spoon or knife
If your candle wick is buried under a layer of wax, you can carefully scrape away the wax with a spoon or a butter knife. Be careful not to scrape too deeply, as you want to expose the wick, not dig a hole. The hole will cause the candle to burn down the centre, eventually drowning the wick. Once you have exposed the wick, you can add a new one alongside it.
You can use a lighter or hairdryer to melt the wax, making it easier to scrape away. If you do this, remember to pour the excess wax into a separate heat-safe container. You can use this wax to make new candles or to extend the wick of the current candle.
If you want to extend the wick, you can dip it in wax first. This will help it burn more slowly and evenly. You can also use a paper wick for a quick fix. Take a scrap of paper and roll it up tightly, then wrap it around the existing wick and press the bottom into the wax.
If you are using a wooden wick, place it beside the old wick and push it deep into the candle. You may need to use a mallet or hammer to do this gently. Remember to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) before lighting it.
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Use a wooden wick
If your candle's wick is too short, you can opt for a wooden wick. To make a wooden wick, you'll need a balsa wood stick, olive oil, and a metal wick tab.
First, trim a balsa wood stick to fit your container. The wooden wick should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) taller than your chosen candle container. Both round and flat balsa wood strips can be used as wicks. Ensure they are about 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.25-3.75 cm) wide. If you don't have balsa wood, you can use wooden dowels or thin strips of untreated wood like oak, cherry, or birch.
Next, soak the balsa wood stick in olive oil for 20 minutes. This will help prepare the wood for burning. After soaking, attach the wood to a metal wick tab. Open the tab with a pair of small pliers and push one end of the treated wood into the opening. Then, clamp the metal around the wick to secure it in place.
Now that your wooden wick is ready, it's time to insert it into your candle. If the old wick is very short, place the new wooden wick beside it and push it deep down into the candle. If needed, use a mallet or hammer to lightly tap the wick into place.
Finally, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) long. Light the wick and enjoy your candle!
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Frequently asked questions
Candle tunnelling occurs when a candle burns down the centre, leaving hard wax around the edges of the container. This excess wax build-up will prevent you from reaching your candle's maximum burn time.
You can use a matchstick, a scrap of paper, a cotton ball, or a wooden wick to rewick a candle.
Break the head off a matchstick and stab it into the wax next to the wick. The match will become a new wick and will burn well.
Roll up a scrap of paper tightly and wrap it around the existing wick. Then, gently press the bottom into the wax.
Press the cotton ball or wooden wick deep down into the candle, beside the old wick. If necessary, use a mallet or hammer to help push it in.
