Tuesday, August 4

Homemade Citronella Candles

Do citronella candles work? Well, don’t expect a single candle on a huge patio to be your golden ticket to eliminating mosquitoes. But in a controlled area, with enough candles, citronella candles will keep mosquitoes and other bugs at bay. They do make a difference.

In my opinion, every little bit helps when it comes to mosquitoes! If there is a mosquito within a mile of me, I can count on getting bit! These easy to make citronella candles will help dress up your patio while sending mosquitoes on their way. ENJOY!

MATERIALS
  • Clean tin cans
  • Double boiler
  • Choice of wax
  • 6-in. tall pre-waxed wicks with tabs
  • Citronella oil for candle making
  • Other scents for candle making
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
INSTRUCTIONS
  • Using the hot glue gun, affix the wicks to the bottom of the cans and press them firmly into the center. If you are using a larger can, add two or three wicks spaced apart around the center.
  • Assemble your double boiler. Add your choice of wax in small pieces to the interior pot. Heat over medium heat until the wax is completely melted.
  • When the wax is melted, add 1 oz. of citronella oil per pound of wax and supplement it with 0.5 oz. of your choice of other scents per pound.
  • Let the wax cool slightly. Then carefully pour into cans with wicks.  If you are having trouble keeping the wick centered, secure it with a chopstick or clothespin to keep it in line. Be careful not to disturb them too much and set them in a warm place to cool. Cooling slowly and completely will create the best looking candles. If you get a depressed area around the wick when cooled, warm up some more wax and pour it into the void.
  • Allow your candle to cure for 48 hours undisturbed before burning. Then, when you fire it up, let the candle burn so that there is a full, wide pool of wax before you blow it out.
  • Decorate your candles by wrapping them in burlap, twine or yarn. Store them near the garden, deck or patio so you can quickly light up when the pests start buzzing around.
  • Some other scents for candle making you can use include pine, mandarin orange, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary and oregano.
Fill double boiler with wax and or old candles.

Use a hot glue gun to attach the wicks to the bottom of the cans.

If you are using larger cans, add 2 or 3 wicks spaced apart around the center of the can.

Heat wax over medium heat until completely melted.
Add 1 oz. of citronella oil per pound of wax.

Let the wax cool slightly and carefully pour into containers, keeping wicks centered.

Decorate candles by wrapping them in burlap, twine or jute.

Lighted candles creates a romantic atmosphere, while making pesky bugs disappear. 

THE DOMESTIC CURATOR
RONDA

5 comments:

  1. Great tutorial for a super summer
    hostess gift

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They would make wonderful hostess gifts! Very inexpensive to make.

      Delete
  2. Hi Ronda, I love the tutorial on how to make citronella candles. I have a blog party that I co-host each week on Monday's and I'd love to have you share it at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    Thanks.
    Julie
    Julie's Lifestyle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie, I will stop by this next Monday. Hoping I remember, so busy getting our daughter ready to head out of state for college!

      Delete
  3. The best candle brands don't leave you scratching your head, looking for more options but they also don’t leave you guessing as to which of the variety is the best.
    home-candles.co.uk

    ReplyDelete