Some candle wick candles once had a thin metal core, and a few of those cores were made of lead. People still ask if that is a worry today. Lead-cored wicks were banned in the United States in 2003. Here is what that ban covered, and what it means for the candle on your bench.
Candle Wick Candles: What the 2003 Ban Covered
A metal core helps a wick stand up straight in melted wax. Some makers used lead for that core. In April 2003, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a ban on candles with lead-cored wicks. It took effect that October.
The regulator said lead from a burning wick could be a poisoning hazard for young children. It added that makers had agreed to stop using lead in the 1970s, but a small share of candles still had it.
The National Candle Association, an American industry group, says its members dropped lead in the 1970s. That is an industry view, so read it next to the regulator's.
Is my candle a risk today?
The ban is a United States rule, so it does not answer for every candle sold here. We have not checked each country's laws. Buy from a seller who can tell you what the wick is made of. Our 3-wick jars are a good place to start asking.
Fruity Candles Still Need a Tidy Wick
A bright, juicy jar from the Fruity range is only as good as its flame. The industry group says a neat wick helps a candle burn cleanly and make less soot. Soot is the dark smoke you sometimes see.
Its advice is simple. Trim the wick to about 6mm (a quarter of an inch) before each burn. Keep the wax pool clear of match ends. Keep the jar out of draughts.
- Trim the wick to about 6mm every time.
- Fish out match ends and wick bits.
- Light it away from fans and open windows.
A Wick Trimmer for Candles Makes It Easy
You can trim with nail scissors. A proper wick trimmer reaches down into a deep jar and catches the cut piece, so nothing drops into the wax. It takes about ten seconds. You will find one in our candle care range.
Quick answers
What is a candle wick made of?
Most wicks are braided cotton. Some have a stiff core so the wick stays upright. If you want to know what is inside, ask the seller before you buy.
How short should I trim a candle wick?
Trim it to about 6mm, which is a quarter of an inch. Do it when the candle is cold and the wax has set, then light it as normal.
A good candle starts with a neat wick and a seller you can ask. If you are choosing a new scent, the full candle collection is a gentle place to start.
Related reading
- A Candle Wick Trimmer Fixes A Smoky Candle Flame Fast: the quick fix for a flickering, smoky flame.
- Scented Soy Candles: Is Soot From The Wax Or The Flame?: where soot really comes from.
- Scented Candle Wax Myths: Does The Type Really Matter?: a calm look at soy, paraffin and the rest.
