Jessie Taylor
Citronella candles are a natural way to repel mosquitoes and other insects. They are perfect for outdoor use in the summer months when mosquitoes are most active. You can make your own citronella candles at home using a few simple ingredients and supplies, such as wax, citronella oil, wicks, and containers. The process involves melting the wax, adding the citronella oil and other optional fragrances, securing the wicks, and pouring the wax into the containers. The candles should then be allowed to cool completely before use. You can decorate your candles with labels, burlap, twine, or yarn and place them around your outdoor spaces to enjoy a bug-free environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Mosquito repellent, uplifting scent for summertime gatherings |
| Containers | Mason jars, vintage cups, recycled tin soup cans, aluminium cans, coffee cans, decorative tin buckets |
| Wax | Soy wax, beeswax, recycled candle wax |
| Wax quantity | 2-3 lbs, depending on the size/quantity of candles |
| Wax melting method | Double boiler, microwave |
| Wax melting temperature | 170-185°F |
| Wax cooling temperature | 130-150°F |
| Wax cooling time | Several hours |
| Wax cooling tips | Place in a room with a consistent temperature of 72°-75°F, free from drafts |
| Oil | Citronella essential oil, fragrance oil |
| Oil quantity | 1 oz per pound of wax, 2 oz for 2 pounds of wax |
| Additional oils | Eucalyptus, peppermint, orange oil, lemongrass essential oil, other essential oils |
| Wicks | Traditional natural hemp, wood wicks, ECO 14 wicks |
| Wick placement | Centre of container, secured with wick stickers, hot glue gun, or adhesive dots |
| Decorations | Burlap, twine, yarn, labels |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
The type of wax you choose for your citronella candle is important, especially if you want to place your candles outdoors during the summer. A blend of waxes can be used to increase the melting point, ensuring your candles stay solid in warmer temperatures.
One blend suggested is 80% Golden Brands 444 soy wax and 20% beeswax. This blend has a super smooth finish and a high melting point. The higher melting point is achieved by the beeswax, which helps to keep the candles solid in warmer weather.
You can also use recycled candle wax, which is a great way to upcycle old candles and save money. If you are using recycled wax, it is important to ensure all the wax is melted before adding any oils. You can melt the wax in a glass bowl in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature.
The amount of wax you will need depends on the size and quantity of candles you wish to make. For three 8 oz candle tins, you will need approximately 16 oz (454 g) of wax.
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Preparing the container
Once your container is ready, it's time to prepare the wick. You can purchase wicks with adhesive dots, which you can stick to the bottom of the container. If you're using a larger container or a wide-mouth Mason jar, consider adding multiple wicks to ensure even burning. If you're using plain wicks without adhesive dots, you can use a hot glue gun to secure them to the bottom of the container, or you can use leftover washers from your toolbox to hold them in place.
If you're using a wide-mouth container, you may want to use bamboo skewers or chopsticks to hold the wick upright while you pour in the wax. This will help ensure that the wick remains centred and doesn't move around. Place the container on a surface that can withstand heat, as it will get very hot when you pour in the wax.
Now that your container and wick are ready, you can move on to melting the wax and adding the citronella oil, taking you one step closer to enjoying your homemade citronella candle!
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Adding the wick
Firstly, prepare your candle containers by cleaning and drying them thoroughly. Remove any labels or residue if you are using recycled containers. This step should be done while your wax is melting so that the containers are ready when the wax is ready to be poured.
Next, place a wick in the centre of each container. If you are using a larger can or a wide-mouth mason jar, you can add multiple wicks. There are a few ways to secure the wick in place. One method is to use wicks with adhesive dots and stick them to the bottom of the container. Alternatively, you can use plain wicks and secure them with leftover washers from your toolbox. Another option is to use a hot glue gun to adhere the wicks to the bottom of the container.
To ensure that the wick remains upright and centred while pouring the wax, use bamboo skewers or chopsticks to hold it in place. You can also buy wick stabilisers or use wick stickers to keep the wick stable.
Once the wick is secured and centred, you can carefully pour the melted wax into the container. Work slowly and use oven mitts or pot holders to protect your hands from the heat. Be careful not to disturb the wick while pouring the wax.
After pouring the wax, allow your candles to cool completely before removing any supporting tools used to hold the wick in place. Handle the cooling candles with care as they will be very hot. It is recommended to let them cool slowly and completely to create the best-looking candles. Place them in a warm ,
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Melting the wax
To melt the wax for your citronella candles, you will need to decide on the type and amount of wax you will be using. A blend of Golden Brands 444 soy wax and yellow beeswax in an 80:20 ratio is a good option, as the beeswax raises the melting point, ensuring the candles stay solid in warm summer weather. Weigh out the wax you will be using, measuring individually if you are using a blend.
Next, you can melt the wax. One method is to use the double boiler method, which involves placing the wax in a metal pouring pitcher and setting it in a pot of boiling water. Alternatively, you can melt the wax in a glass bowl in the microwave, heating in increments of a few minutes at a time, stirring in between, until the wax is completely melted. The bowl will get very hot, so be sure to use oven mitts or pot holders to handle it.
While the wax is melting, you can prepare your candle containers. If you are using recycled containers, remove any labels and residue, then clean and dry them thoroughly.
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Adding the oil
When adding the oil, it is important that the wax is at the right temperature. It should be between 130°F to 150°F. If the wax is too hot, the oil will lose its effectiveness. Remove the wax from the heat source and gently stir in the oil. For a single 8 oz candle tin, add about 1 oz of citronella oil to the wax and stir gently for about 2 minutes to ensure the oil is fully incorporated.
If you want to enhance the fragrance or include additional bug-repelling properties, you can add essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, or orange oil. The recommended quantity is 0.5 oz of essential oil per pound of wax. Stir the essential oil into the wax blend after adding the citronella oil.
After adding the oils and stirring thoroughly, carefully pour the wax into your prepared candle containers. Ensure the wicks are centred and secured in place before pouring the wax. Fill the containers up to the embossed ring of each tin. Allow the candles to cool completely before trimming the wicks and lighting them.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need several heat-proof containers, wax, a wax melting tool, citronella oil, a thermometer, wicks, and containers to hold the finished candles.
First, melt the wax and prepare your containers. Next, add the citronella oil to the wax and stir. Then, place a wick in the centre of each container and carefully pour in the wax. Finally, allow the candles to cool completely before trimming the wicks.
Use 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax. If you want to add other scents, use 0.5 oz of additional essential oils per pound of wax.
You can decorate your citronella candles by wrapping them in burlap, twine, or yarn. You can also add labels to your candles or place them in unique containers such as vintage cups or mason jars.
