Why We Transitioned from Wood Wicks to Cotton Wicks
At Vibe & Glo, every decision we make is intentional.
From the wax we pour to the fragrance oils we use, our goal has always been the same: create clean-burning, mood-driven candles that elevate your space and support your rituals.
So, when we made the decision to transition from wood wicks to cotton wicks, it wasn’t random, and it definitely wasn’t rushed. We have been working behind the scenes to test our formulas with the new wicks planning for this transition.
Here’s the full story.
A Quick Look at Candle Wick Types
There are two popular wick styles in modern soy candles:
• Wooden wicks
• Cotton wicks
Wood wicks are loved for their aesthetic and soft crackle. Cotton wicks are known for their reliability, steady flame, and consistent performance.
Both can work beautifully, but as we’ve grown, we’ve learned that the best wick isn’t just about look or sound.
It’s about performance, scalability, and long-term reliability.
Why We Made the Switch
1. A More Consistent Burn
As we refined our formulas and expanded our scent lineup, we noticed something important.
Cotton wicks provided:
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A more consistent melt pool
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A steadier flame height
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Fewer relighting issues
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Better performance across varying fragrance loads
For a brand rooted in clean-burning soy candles, consistency matters more than novelty.
Your candle should light easily.
Burn evenly.
Perform beautifully from first light to final burn.
2. Cleaner, More Reliable Performance
As a nurse-founded brand, quality and safety are personal to us.
Cotton wicks allowed us to:
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Maintain a stable, controlled flame
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Reduce user-error issues related to trimming
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Deliver predictable results across both 8 oz and 16 oz sizes
When you’re creating non-toxic soy candles designed for everyday rituals, reliability isn’t optional.
3. The Reality of Wooden Wick Sourcing
Here’s something most people don’t realize:
Wooden wicks are produced by a single patent-holding supplier.
That means there is essentially one primary manufacturer controlling supply.
As we continued to grow launching new collections, expanding wholesale partnerships, and preparing for subscription offerings, we started running into long lead times and supply unpredictability with wooden wicks.
For a small business trying to scale responsibly, that becomes a serious operational and financial challenge.
Growth requires:
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Reliable sourcing
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Predictable restock timelines
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Efficient production flow
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Inventory stability
When your core component depends on one supplier with extended lead times, it limits your ability to serve customers consistently.
And serving you consistently is non-negotiable for us.
Switching to cotton wicks gives us sourcing flexibility, production efficiency, and the ability to scale without interruption.
That’s how small brands grow sustainably.
4. Better Performance in Our Double-Wick 16 oz Candles
As we expanded into double-wick soy candles in our 16 oz size, cotton wicks allowed for:
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Balanced heat distribution
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More even wax pooling
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Stronger scent throw
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Reduced tunneling
The result is a smoother, more elevated burn experience.
And when your candles are designed around mood, performance supports the vibe.
But What About the Crackle?
We know some of you loved the soft crackle of our wood wicks.
And we understand.
But what we’ve learned through these last 2 years of testing is this: Most customers prioritize burn quality, scent throw, and longevity over sound.
Our candles are designed to create atmosphere through fragrance first — through scent memory, emotion, and ritual.
The glow remains warm, the experience remains intentional, and the vibe remains strong.
What Hasn’t Changed
Even though the wick has evolved, everything else you love remains the same.
Our candles are still:
• Hand-poured in small batches
• Made with 100% soy wax
• Phthalate-free and toxin-free
• Infused with premium fragrance oils
• Poured into sleek, reusable glass jars
• Designed around moods and emotional rituals
And we’re still donating 5% of proceeds to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America.
The heart of Vibe & Glo hasn’t changed.
We simply refined one element to better serve you and to build a stronger, more resilient brand for the long term.
The Bigger Picture
Growth sometimes means refining what once worked into something that works better.
Performance.
Reliability.
Scalability.
We believe the best wick for soy candles is the one that delivers:
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A clean burn
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A steady flame
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A strong scent throw
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And consistent availability
For Vibe & Glo and for where we’re headed, that’s cotton.
Thank You for Growing with Us
If you’ve been with us since the wooden wick days, thank you.
If you’re new here, welcome.
Whether you’re lighting Soft Life after a long shift, Bright Side on a sunny morning, or Sacred Ground during your grounding ritual our mission remains the same:
Candles for your mood.
Not just your living room.
And we’re always refining so your rituals burn better, last longer, and feel even more intentional.
With love,
Mikayla
Founder, Vibe & Glo Candle Studio
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