Do you enjoy spending time in your outdoor spaces during the warm summer months? Spending time outdoors is a mood booster and enhances physical and mental well-being. All this blissful outdoor living can be easily ruined by pesky pests like mosquitos though. I have an easy solution for you. Today I’m sharing how you can DIY your own citronella candles easily and economically.
Experience for yourself how well an effective mosquito-repellent candle can work with some simple supplies and an easy DIY! These candles are made with all-natural materials, not using any toxic harmful ingredients. Please join me as I share this easy citronella candle DIY.
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How To DIY Citronella Candles
If you’ve been here longer than a hot minute, you know I like to make my own candles in different ways for many occasions. While shopping for citronella candles, I realized how spendy they can be if you want cute and stylish containers. What to do? Make your own citronella candles at the faction of the cost, that’s what.
Supplies
- Container(s)
- Soy Candle Wax
- Candle wicks with wick stickers (included in soy wax kit)
- Wick holders (included in soy wax kit)
- Citronella Oil
- Wooden Skewer
Crafting Pro Tip: Read all the instructions through once and then re-read everything again. This way, you are familiar with everything you need and know what to expect.
Tools
- Pyrex Cup or Microwaveable Bowl
- Oven Mitt
- Scissors
Warning: This tutorial includes the handling of hot wax. Please proceed with caution, be careful, and use all the appropriate protection and equipment.
Instructions
- Clean containers thoroughly
- Adhere wick stickers in the bottom center inside the container(s)
- Attach wicks on top of stickers
- Set wick holder through wicks to hold in position
- Fill pyrex container with unmelted wax
- Microwave pyrex with wax in 1 minute increments until fully melted, resulting in a clear liquid
- Remove pyrex from microwave, using an oven mitt, and allow melted wax to sit until it becomes opaque
- While waiting for wax to cool add citronella oil (use 1 oz. Oil to 1 lb. Wax)
- Mix oil into wax to blend fully (I used a wooden skewer)
- Once liquid wax starts to opaque, pour into container slowly and carefully
- Let candle container sit allowing wax to firm up fully (I recommend allowing candles to sit over night)
- Once wax is set and firm, trim wick to about 1/4-inch
- Voila! Enjoy your amazing DIY citronella candles
Reader Tip: Find more basic candle making information and a detailed step by step tutorial here: {How to Refill Expensive Candle Containers}.
Tips & Recommendations
Candle Wax Options
Soy wax in flake form is used here, and a natural product is highly recommended for candle making. A natural product like soy or bees wax will provide a clean burn with minimal soot and no black smoke. Melting the wax in one minute increments in the microwave allows for control as the wax melts into liquid form. I prefer using the microwave since I just find it faster, easier and less of a mess rather than using a stove top method. Always read and follow all the specific instructions on the package of your particular wax.
Enamel Containers
I would recommend using outdoor friendly containers, which can’t break easily. I used enamelware here, since it’s a favorite of mine, but other options include cement, wood, galvanized metal and more. You can also use tin cans from the recycle bin for a rustic, farmhouse feel or find inexpensive pieces at a thrift or garage sale.
Burning Etiquette
When you burn your candle for the first time allow it to burn long enough for the melted wax to reach the edges of the container. This will assure that the candle will burn evenly in subsequent uses, optimizing the wax usage. You don’t want the candle to burn vertically tunneling down, making a hole down to the bottom of the container and leaving the wax on the sides unused. Instead the candle should burn horizontally using all the wax fully to the edges.
Great Gift Giving
These candles are not only great for your own back yard, but they also make great gifts. You can bring it as a hostess gift for any BBQ, pool party and outdoor celebration. Add a pretty ribbon and voila! You have an instant, thoughtful token for any loved one. You can actually make a batch to have on hand whenever you need a last minute gift. In my opinion, it’s easier to melt wax for a few candles at a time, rather than make one here and one there.
There are other candle making projects scheduled for the summer time season. If melting wax is not your jam, I have a fabulous alternative for you, which I will share shortly. If you want to stay up to date and not miss any new posts from Master”pieces” of my Life, feel free to sign up below. This way you will receive new blog posts directly to your in-box for your convenience and pleasure. We would love to welcome you to the Masterpiece community.
Warning: Do not leave a burning open flame candle unattended. Do not burn open flame candles near children and or pets.
If candle making is your jam, these posts might interest you too:
Closing Thoughts
If you give this citronella candle tutorial a go, I hope it helps you enjoy your outdoor surroundings. We’ve been using ours on the back patio and enjoy the citronella scent. Economical and easy projects like this enhance are well being and quality of life.
We enjoy burning candles throughout our home inside and out. I love the magic candles create. Plus they also make a fabulous personal gift. I hope you enjoyed today’s post and it was lovely to have you here. Au revoir!
Shopping the Citronella Candle Look
- This is the Soy Wax kit I used today, which is pretty turn key
- When candle making, this accessory kit is super helpful
- This is the 100% Natural Citronella Oil I used for this project
- This 20-Piece Galvanized Bucket Set would be perfect for making candles for an event or as gifts
- look at this Metal Tin Pail Bucket with Handle, which comes in many different colors to coordinate with many decor styles
- When I use scented candle wax this is my preferred product Himalayan Candle Grapefruit Pine Refill Kit
Don’t forget to Pin It and save for later. You never know when inspiration will strike!
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How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”
William Shakespeare