Candles can be finicky, and sometimes you have to have a few candle hacks up your sleeve to get the most enjoyment out of them. Like knowing how to save a drowning candle wick…this is a must know tip so you don’t end up with candles you can’t enjoy.
We’ve all been there before. You light your candle and get prepared to be swept away by great scent-sations. You sit back and relax, but begin to notice something strange. The scent throw isn’t what you thought it should be. You check it out and oh…no…drowning wicks! The death nail for a candle. Or is it?
What Is A Drowning Candle Wick?
What exactly is a drowning candle wick? It is a wick that won’t stay lit or is just a smoldering flame because the surrounding melt pool (melted wax) is snuffing it out. Whether you have a single wick candle or a multi-wicked one, the drowning wick keeps your candle from burning properly…if at all.
We have a simply remedy that can help you save just about any drowning wick, and all you need is a little Q-tip!
First let’s take a look at what the drowning wick looks like. Fair warning, it’s not a pretty sight.
You’ll see here how this candle wick has been cut too short. It held a flame for a short while, but soon drowned once the wax melted and surrounded the wick.
Step One
Relight The Drowning Wick
Pull out a Q Tip and have it ready to go. Relight the troubled candle wick. (Only work with one at a time if you have more than one drowning wick.)
Step Two
Soak Up The Wax With A Q Tip
As soon as your wick is lit, carefully take your Q Tip and dip one end of it into the newly forming wax pool. You want to soak up some of the newly melted wax to give your wick a fighting chance. Be very careful with this! Don’t stick your Q Tip into the candle flame, only into the melted wax. If your cotton tip catches the flame, just quickly pull it out and blow it out.
Step Three
Wash, Rinse, Repeat As Needed
If you have more than one drowning candle wick, repeat the steps again. You may need more than one Q-tip, depending on how short your wicks are. Remember, you’re soaking up just enough of the melted wax so that your wick has some breathing room. If you soak up too much, you’ll make a well that your wick(s) will never overcome.
Step Four
Step Four – Enjoy Your Candle
That’s it! This takes a little patience but is a great way to save a drowning candle wick. Your wicks should be safe now and you can go back to enjoying your candle. This particular candle performed perfectly after this easy fix.
Do you have a trick for saving drowning wicks? Let us know down below!
Happy candle burning!
About the Author
Cynthia
Hi, I’m Cynthia, the current owner & Candle Lover in Chief here at Candlefind. I have a sincere passion for candles, being mesmerized from the moment I saw my first flickering flame. I love luxury candles (who wouldn’t?) and unique scent combinations. When I’m not scenting, I love reading and playing with my wild & crazy pup, Holly Berry.
