How to Care for a Wooden Wick Soy Candle

Maximize Burn, Fragrance & Ambiance

At Pomegranate Moon, we’re all about creating that perfect atmosphere in your home, and few things achieve this quite like our wooden wick soy candles. There's something special about that gentle crackling sound from a wooden wick – it brings a cozy, fireside warmth to any space. But wooden wicks work a little differently compared to the standard cotton wicks you might be used to. So, in this blog post, we’ll guide you through how to properly care for your wooden wick candle to ensure you get the best possible experience from it.

Why Choose a Wooden Wick Soy Candle?

Wooden wicks aren’t just a stylish choice; they offer benefits that elevate your candle-burning experience:

• Crackling Sound – Wooden wicks create a subtle crackling sound reminiscent of a fireplace, adding an extra sensory layer to your relaxation.

• Longer, Cleaner Burn – Wooden wicks often burn longer and cleaner than cotton wicks, thanks to their more stable flame.

• Larger Flame – Wooden wicks tend to produce a broader, more radiant flame, which gives off more light and ambiance.

But to enjoy these benefits, there’s a bit of extra care involved. Let’s dive into the steps you can take to ensure your wooden wick soy candle burns beautifully.

1. Trim Your Wick Before Each Burn

Just like with a cotton wick candle, trimming your wooden wick is crucial. However, the trimming process is a little different.

• Why trim? When you don’t trim your wick, it may have difficulty staying lit or could produce excess soot. Keeping it at the right length ensures a clean, even burn.

• How to trim? Before each burn, use a wick trimmer or nail clippers to cut your wooden wick down to around ⅛ inch (about 3-4 mm). Remove any charred bits from previous burns for the best results.

2. Allow the Wax to Melt to the Edge

Soy wax has a memory. That might sound strange, but it’s true! During your first burn, make sure you allow the candle to melt evenly across the entire surface, all the way to the edges of the jar. This helps prevent tunneling, where wax builds up around the sides of the jar, making it difficult for the wick to stay alight. For a standard-sized candle, this usually takes between 1-2 hours. Be patient; it’s worth it for a clean, even burn every time you light it in the future.

3. Help It Stay Lit: The Importance of Proper Lighting

Wooden wicks can take a little extra care when lighting compared to their cotton counterparts. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure success:

• Hold your lighter or match to the base of the wooden wick for at least 20 seconds. You want to make sure the flame fully catches onto the wood.

• If your candle goes out shortly after lighting, don’t worry. This is common with wooden wicks, especially if they aren’t properly trimmed. Simply allow the wick to cool, trim off the blackened, charred part, and relight.

4. Don’t Burn for Too Long

While wooden wick soy candles are perfect for creating a relaxing environment, avoid burning them for more than 3-4 hours at a time. Over-burning can result in excess soot or uneven melting. To enjoy an optimal burn every time, allow the candle to cool before trimming the wick and lighting it again.

5. Keep the Candle Clean

If you notice any debris or small wick trimmings in the wax, remove them before lighting the candle again. Keeping the wax clean not only extends the life of your candle but also ensures a cleaner, brighter burn.

6. Store Your Candle Properly

When not in use, store your candle in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can discolor the soy wax and weaken the fragrance. By storing your candle correctly, you’ll help maintain its quality, fragrance, and burn performance for longer.

Key Differences Between Wooden and Cotton Wicks:

Lighting: Wooden wicks require a longer initial burn time to properly ignite, whereas cotton wicks catch more quickly.

Burn: Wooden wicks tend to burn more slowly and evenly, producing a consistent flame and more subtle fragrance throw.

Atmosphere: The crackling sound and broader flame of wooden wicks create a more atmospheric experience compared to the quieter, smaller flame of cotton wicks.

Final Thoughts

Caring for a wooden wick soy candle might seem like a bit more effort, but once you’ve got the hang of it, the payoff is well worth it. The ambiance, clean burn, and unique crackling sound make it an experience you won’t find with traditional wicks. At Pomegranate Moon, we pride ourselves on crafting high-quality, eco-friendly soy candles with wooden wicks that transform any room into a serene, inviting space.

So, next time you light your wooden wick soy candle, take a few extra moments to follow these care tips, and you’ll be rewarded with a beautifully burning candle every time.

Happy burning!