9 Creative Ways to Use Hemp Wick

Hemp wick is a versatile and eco-friendly tool that has gained popularity for its various practical uses.

Made from hemp fibers (aka hemp twine) coated with beeswax, hemp wick offers a natural alternative to synthetic materials and helps preserve our planet just a little bit more.

In this post, we’ll explore nine creative ways I’ve discovered where you can use hemp wick in your everyday life, complete with detailed instructions and explanations for each use.

If I missed one, just send me an email and we will update our post 😉

9 Different Ways of How to Use Hemp Wick

1. Hemp Wick for Lighting Candles

Using hemp wick to light candles is a simple yet effective method, especially for those who prefer a natural approach.

This is particularly a good method when you have sevearl candels to light, or if you have one of those vigile type candels where your lighter doesn’t reach down into the botttom of the glass.

Here’s how you can use hemp wick to light your candels:

• • Cut a Length of Hemp Wick: Measure a piece of hemp wick long enough to reach your candle’s wick without burning your fingers.

• • Light the Hemp Wick: Use a lighter to ignite the hemp wick. It will burn steadily with a soft, bright flame.

• • Transfer the Flame: Carefully bring the burning hemp wick to your candle’s wick. This method reduces soot and chemical release that can occur with traditional lighters, ensuring a cleaner burn for your candles.

2. Use Hemp Wick for Starting a Campfire

Hemp wick can be a reliable fire starter due to its slow burn rate and resistance to wind.

It’s safe, and can help you save your lighter fluid.

To use it for starting campfires:

• • Gather Kindling and Fuel: Arrange small sticks, twigs, and larger logs in a fire pit or designated area.

• • Prepare the Hemp Wick: Coil a section of hemp wick loosely so that it has plenty of surface area to catch fire.

• • Ignite the Wick: Light the hemp wick and place it among the kindling. Its long burn time helps ignite the wood without using chemical-laden starters.

Check out this cool little video showing you how hempwick could be used to start a campfire:

3. Lighting Pipes and Cigarettes

For smokers, hemp wick offers a purer taste by eliminating butane fumes.

Plus if you don’t want to buy lighters as often it will help you save money and prevent more plastic going into our environement.

Here’s how to use it:

• • Cut a Small Piece: Measure enough hemp wick to light your pipe or cigarette comfortably.

• • Wind It Around: Some users like to wrap the wick around their lighter for easy access.

• • Light and Use: Ignite the hemp wick with your lighter and use the gentle flame to light your pipe or cigarette, enhancing the flavor without chemical interference.

4. Cooking and Baking Uses

During power outages or for those who prefer a more controlled flame, hemp wick can be used in the kitchen:

• • Lighting gas stoves: Hemp wick provides a safer alternative to matches or lighters when igniting gas burners, offering more precision and reducing the risk of burns.

• • Candle lighting: Use hemp wick to easily light candles, especially those in deep containers or with hard-to-reach wicks.

• • Lighting pilot lights: For appliances with pilot lights, such as older gas ovens or water heaters, hemp wick offers a longer reach and more control than traditional methods.

• • Starting charcoal grills: Hemp wick can be used to light charcoal for outdoor cooking, providing a steady flame without the use of lighter fluid.

• • Lighting oil lamps: For emergency lighting or ambiance, hemp wick can be used to ignite oil lamps safely.
    Sterilizing utensils: In the absence of other methods, hemp wick can be used to quickly pass heat over utensils for basic sterilization.

• • Sealing wax paper or parchment: When wrapping food in wax paper or parchment, hemp wick can be used to carefully seal the edges.

• • Lighting incense or sage: For those who use aromatics in the kitchen, hemp wick offers a gentle way to light these items.

5. Survival Kits

In survival situations, hemp wick is invaluable for its durability and reliability:

• • Fire starting: Hemp wick burns slowly and steadily, making it an excellent tinder for starting fires in challenging conditions. It can catch a spark easily and maintain a flame long enough to ignite larger kindling.

• • Cordage: The strong fibers of hemp wick can be unraveled and used as cordage for various purposes, such as building shelters, creating snares, or repairing gear.

• • Waterproofing: When coated with beeswax or other natural waxes, hemp wick becomes water-resistant, making it useful for waterproofing seams in clothing or gear.

• • Fishing: Hemp wick can be used to create fishing lines or even small nets when woven together.

• • First aid: In emergency situations, hemp wick can be used as a makeshift suture material or to tie off bandages.

• • Candle-making: With its slow-burning properties, hemp wick can be used to create improvised candles for light and warmth.

• • Signaling: When lit, hemp wick produces a visible flame that can be used for signaling in emergency situations.

• • Lighting: As an alternative to matches or lighters, hemp wick can be used to transfer flame from one source to another, conserving more limited fire-starting resources.

• • Gear repair: The sturdy nature of hemp wick makes it useful for repairing torn fabric, broken straps, or other equipment failures in the field.

• • Food preservation: Hemp wick can be used to tie and hang food for drying or smoking, aiding in preservation efforts.

Due to its versatility and multiple applications, hemp wick is a valuable addition to any survival kit or bug-out bag.

Its natural composition also makes it an environmentally friendly option for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists alike.

6. Lighting Barbecues and Grills

For barbecue enthusiasts, hemp wick provides a natural way to ignite your grill:

• • Prepare the Charcoal: Arrange charcoal in your grill.

• • Light the Wick: Ignite the hemp wick, and place it under the charcoal pile. The wick’s even burn helps ensure a uniform light-off, minimizing the need for lighter fluid and its chemical taste.

7. Crafting and Arts

Hemp wick is not only practical but also creative in arts and crafts:

• • Jewelry making: Hemp wick can be used to create unique necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Its natural color and texture add a rustic, bohemian feel to handmade accessories.

• • Macramé: The sturdy nature of hemp wick makes it perfect for creating intricate macramé wall hangings, plant hangers, and decorative knots.

• • Candle making: Hemp wick can be incorporated into homemade candles as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wicks, adding a natural touch to the finished product.

• • Gift wrapping: Use hemp wick as a decorative element when wrapping presents, tying bows, or creating custom gift tags for a charming, organic look.

• • Scrapbooking: Incorporate hemp wick into scrapbook pages as a textural element or to create borders and frames for photos and memorabilia.

• • Dream catchers: Hemp wick can be woven into dream catchers, adding a natural and earthy element to these traditional crafts.

• • Basket weaving: Use hemp wick as a binding material or decorative accent in basket weaving projects.

• • Bookbinding: Employ hemp wick as a sturdy and attractive binding material for handmade books and journals.

• • Textile arts: Incorporate hemp wick into weaving, embroidery, or needlework projects for added texture and visual interest.

• • Home decor: Create rustic wall hangings, picture frames, or ornaments using hemp wick as a key design element.

• • Gardening: Use hemp wick to tie up plants, create plant markers, or fashion decorative elements for garden spaces.

• • Paper crafts: Incorporate hemp wick into handmade cards, paper flowers, or origami projects for a unique touch.
    By exploring these creative applications, crafters can take advantage of hemp wick’s versatility and natural appeal in various artistic endeavors.

8. Hemp Wick for Garden Uses

Harness hemp wick’s eco-friendly properties in your garden:

• • Plant support: Use hemp wick to tie up climbing plants, such as tomatoes, beans, and peas. It’s strong, biodegradable, and won’t harm your plants.

• • Seed markers: Create small loops of hemp wick to mark where you’ve planted seeds, helping you keep track of different varieties.

• • Garden borders: Define garden bed edges by stringing hemp wick between stakes for a rustic, natural look.

• • Compostable plant labels: Write plant names on small pieces of wood or biodegradable material and attach them to plants using hemp wick.

• • Hanging planters: Create macramé-style hanging planters using hemp wick for an eco-friendly alternative to plastic or synthetic materials.

• • Trellis creation: Weave hemp wick between bamboo poles or wooden stakes to create a sturdy, biodegradable trellis for climbing plants.

• • Bundle herbs: Use hemp wick to tie herb bundles for drying or gifting.

• • Grass-friendly lawn edging: Create a temporary lawn border by laying hemp wick along the ground, which will biodegrade over time.

• • Bird feeder hangers: Suspend bird feeders from tree branches using hemp wick instead of plastic or nylon cord.

• • Fruit tree protection: Tie protective materials around young fruit trees using hemp wick to prevent damage from animals or lawn equipment.

• • Biodegradable plant ties: Use short lengths of hemp wick to secure plants to stakes or cages as they grow.

• • Garlic braiding: When harvesting garlic, use hemp wick to braid the stalks together for storage and decoration.

• • Craft natural wreaths: Incorporate hemp wick into homemade wreaths using materials from your garden for a fully biodegradable decoration.

• • Seed saving: Use small hemp wick pouches to store and organize saved seeds from your garden.

• • Erosion control: Create small barriers with hemp wick and stakes to prevent soil erosion on slopes or in areas prone to washouts.
    By incorporating hemp wick into your gardening practices, you can reduce plastic use and create a more sustainable, eco-friendly garden environment.

9. Household Repairs

For minor household repairs, hemp wick can be surprisingly useful:

• • Temporary shoelace replacement: If a shoelace breaks, hemp wick can serve as a quick fix until you can get a proper replacement.

• • Hanging lightweight items: Use hemp wick to hang small pictures, posters, or decorations on walls.

• • Bundling cables: Wrap hemp wick around loose cables to keep them organized and tidy.

• • Securing plant stems: Gently tie hemp wick around drooping plant stems to provide support.

• • Repairing book bindings: Use hemp wick to stitch loose pages back into a book’s binding temporarily.

• • Sealing bags: Tie hemp wick around plastic or paper bags to keep contents fresh or secure.

• • Fixing loose eyeglass screws: Wrap a small amount of hemp wick around a loose screw to tighten it.

• • Patching small holes in screens: Weave hemp wick through small tears in window or door screens as a temporary fix.

• • Creating makeshift drawer pulls: Tie hemp wick through existing holes to create temporary drawer handles.

• • Repairing loose chair or table legs: Wrap hemp wick tightly around loose joints to provide extra stability.

• • Fixing loose broom or mop heads: Use hemp wick to secure a loose broom or mop head to its handle.

• • Mending torn clothing: Use hemp wick as a temporary stitching material for small tears in fabric.

• • Securing loose tool handles: Wrap hemp wick around loose tool handles to improve grip and stability.

• • Creating temporary clotheslines: String hemp wick between two points to create a quick drying line for small items.

• • Repairing garden tools: Use hemp wick to lash broken handles or secure loose parts on garden tools.