Candles are a beautiful way to relax and enjoy your surroundings, but it can be frustrating when the wick gets too short, or the candle wax submerges the wick. In this blog post, we will discuss what to do if you lose your candle wick and it becomes submerged under candle wax. We will also provide some tips on preventing this from happening in the first place. Keep reading for more information!
In general, the best method to save a drowned or lost wick is by rewicking the candle. This is done by adding a new wick or extending the existing wick. Other options include digging the wick out from the wax or repotting the candle.
We will now explore why candle wicks disappear, several ways to resolve the issue in more detail, and how you can prevent your wick from getting lost in the future.
Why has my candlewick disappeared?
There are a few reasons why your candle wick may have disappeared. The most common reason is that the wick was too short, to begin with. When the wick is too short, it can become submerged in the wax and eventually be extinguished. Another common reason for a drowned wick is that the candle was not placed in a sturdy holder. If the candle is not securely in a holder, it can tip over, and the wax can submerge the wick.
Another possible cause of a drowned wick is due to candle tunneling. This is where the candle wax does not have an even burn across the entire candle surface. This causes the candle to burrow down, causing a crater in the centre of the candle with wax remaining around the edges.
Can you rewick a candle?
If your wick has drowned in the wax, you may be wondering if you can rewick the candle. You can rewick a candle, but it can be difficult. If you have difficulty rewicking the candle, we recommend purchasing a new wick and starting fresh.
Here are some tips to prevent your wick from drowning:
- Use a wick that is the appropriate size for your candle.
- Make sure the wick is trimmed to the correct length.
- Place your candle in a sturdy holder.
We will now discuss how you can rewick your candle and what you can do if you are having difficulty or do not have the materials on hand to carry out the works.
How do you fix a candle that drowns in wax?
We will cover three methods to save you wick from your candle wax. These are ordered in the amount of effort and time it will take you to carry out the activity. We suggest reading through the options and then deciding what is best for your situation. If one of the methods does not work, move to the following method in the list.
1. How to rewick your candle
By rewicking your existing candle, you can avoid the hassle of having to repot or dig out your existing candlewick. We will cover several methods you can use with common materials around the house. In the scenario where your wick is still partially exposed, extend the wick. If the wick is not visible at all, change the wick.
How to change a wick
If you have another wick on hand, the easiest method is to replace the existing wick with a new one. Ensure the wick is the appropriate size for your candle, then trim it to the correct length. Use a toothpick to create a hole in the centre of the candle. You may need a mallet or hammer to tap the toothpick into the candle center. Once you have done this, feed the wick through the hole you have created. You can relight your candle, which should be as good as new!
You can use other wick types that can be easily inserted, such as wood wicks. Wood wicks can be tapped into the candle, similar to a toothpick. Once the wood wick is tapped into the centre of the candle – you can immediately light it. If you are not buying pre-bought wicks, make sure that your wicks are treated (covered in wax). This allows the wick to burn slowly and will ensure that the candle has a slow, even burn.
How to extend a wick
If you do not have another wick, you can try to extend the existing wick. To do this, you will need a lighter and something to act as an extension for your wick. We suggest using a trimmed pre-bought wick, but you can also use a scrap paper wick or wax-covered cotton.
Cotton – First, light the wick of your candle and allow it to burn for a few seconds. This will help heat the wax and make it easier to work with. Next, use your lighter to melt the wax around the wick. Put out the candle. Once the wick is melted, using tweezers, quickly press it against the cotton ball. Hold it in place for a few seconds to allow it to cool and adhere to the cotton.
Scrap Paper Wick – If you use a scrap paper wick, make sure it is the appropriate size for your candle. Take a thick piece of scrap paper and wrap it tightly. You will also need to ensure that the paper wick is treated (covered in wax). To attach the wick, melt the wax around your wick and place the scrap paper wick over the top of your exposed wick. Trim the wick to 1/4 of an inch above the wax. Light the paper wick and allow it to burn the entire surface of the candle.
Now you can trim the wick to the correct length, and your candle should be good as new!
2. How to dig your wick out of candle wax
The method of digging out your wick can be inefficient compared to the other methods listed. This is because if you dig solely around the wick itself it can cause tunneling to occur meaning that losing your wick may reoccur.
If you are going to go with the method we suggest taking a level layer of wax off the top of your candle. This will avoid tunneling and a repeat of the issue. We suggest that you use the other two techniques where possible as this is a costly exercise as a lot of wax will be removed from your candle.
To save the wax that you have had to strip off from the candle surface why not reuse it. If you are interested, why not check out our article on disposing and reusing candle wax.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Take a jet lighter and melt the top layer of candle wax.
- Gradually drip the melted wax onto the parchment paper.
- Repeat the process until there is at least a 1/4 inch wick above the wax level.
- Allow the melted wax to cool and harden on the parchment paper.
- Dispose of the candle wax into a bin or place it in a safe place for reuse.
3. How to repot your candle
You also have the option to repot your candle. Again the most preferred choice is to use the rewicking method, as remelting wax can impact the candle’s fragrance. However, this could be the best option when the wick is well and truly lost and cannot be salvaged from the wax.
First, you will need to get yourself a candle jar or make your own. You can check out our article on candle suitable jars to ensure you repot your candle correctly.
- Gain a safe candle jar.
- At the bottom of your jar, glue a new wick to the centre of your jar base.
- In the case that you are not using a wood wick, place a wick stabiliser to secure your wick in place and stop it from falling over.
- Now, remove the candle wax from the existing candle. You can do this by freezing the candle. We have an article detailing more about how to do this.
- Place the candle wax into a double boiler until the wax is completely melted.
- Remove the wax pot from your boiling pot on the hot plate.
- With tweezers, remove the existing wick from the melted candle wax and allow it to cool before disposing of the old wick.
- Pour the melted candle wax into the new safe candle jar, ensuring the wick remains centred.
- Allow the candle to sit and cool until entirely hardened – this can take several hours.
- Trim the wick to 1/4 of an inch once cooled.
- Relight the wick.
- Make sure you allow your candle to burn long enough for your wax pool to cover the candle’s surface – this will stop tunneling and allow an even burn.
- Enjoy your new candle!
How can you prevent your wick from getting lost?
You can do a few things to prevent your wick from getting too short or submerged in wax. First, be sure to trim your wicks before each use. This will help keep them at the correct length and prevent them from becoming too short. Second, avoid drafts when burning candles. Currents can cause the flame to flicker and can cause the wick to become submerged in wax. Finally, burn your candles for at least an hour each time. This will help prevent the wax from pooling around the wick and allow the candle to burn evenly.
Final Thoughts
We hope this blog post has helped you learn what to do if you lose your candle wick and it becomes submerged under the wax. Be sure to follow the above steps to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again. To improve the issue, you can either rewick your candle or repot it in a new jar.
We hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Thanks for reading!
What are your tips for keeping your wick at the correct length? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more information on candles? Check out our other blog posts:
