Q. What is the difference between wood wicks and cotton wicks?

Answer

Cotton and wood are prominent candle wick materials. Cotton wicks are treated. Braided cotton or synthetic fibres make them. A core stiffener or wax coating helps cotton wicks bind and strengthen. Cotton wicks are floppy, thus this is done. Lead was occasionally added to cotton wick cores to help them stand straight and burn better. Paper and synthetic wick core stiffeners are still used. Wood wicks are unprocessed and gathered directly from trees. Hardwood wicks are stiff enough to straighten without extra components or coatings.