Chloe Adams
Citronella candles are a great way to repel mosquitoes and other insects, especially during the summer months. They are simple to make and only require a few natural ingredients. You can use recycled containers such as cans or glass jars, and a double boiler or candle-making kit to melt the wax. The key ingredient is citronella oil, which can be combined with other essential oils to create a unique fragrance. The process involves melting the wax, adding the fragrance, securing the wicks, and allowing the candles to cool slowly. With these easy steps, you can enjoy a bug-free and fragrant outdoor experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Repel mosquitoes and other insects |
| Ingredients | Wax, container, candle wick, citronella oil, essential oils |
| Wax Blend | Golden Brands 444 soy wax, yellow beeswax |
| Wax Blend Ratio | 80:20 (soy wax to beeswax) |
| Wax Quantity | 2-3 lbs, depending on the size/quantity of candles |
| Container | Recycled cans, glass jars, Mason jars, coffee cans, decorative tin buckets |
| Wick Placement | Center of the container, secured with hot glue or wick stickers |
| Wick Quantity | 2-3 wicks for larger containers |
| Wax Preparation | Melt wax over medium heat, stir occasionally, break up larger chunks |
| Fragrance Quantity | 1 oz of citronella oil per 1 lb of wax, 0.5 oz of other scents per 1 lb of wax |
| Additional Scents | Eucalyptus, peppermint, orange oil, ginger, saffron, pear, thyme, lemongrass, verbena |
| Cooling Instructions | Allow candles to cool slowly at a consistent temperature of 72°-75°F in a draft-free room |
| Safety | Place a warning label on the bottom of each candle and follow candle-burning safety rules |
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What You'll Learn
- Gather supplies: soy wax, beeswax, wicks, containers, and citronella oil
- Melt wax: use a double boiler or microwave in small batches
- Prepare containers: clean and dry, use hot glue for wicks
- Add fragrance: 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax, plus optional scents
- Pour and cool: slowly at room temperature to prevent cracks
Gather supplies: soy wax, beeswax, wicks, containers, and citronella oil
To make a citronella candle, you will need to gather the following supplies:
Soy Wax
You will need wax to make your candle. Soy wax is a great option as it is natural and has a low melting point, making it easy to work with. You can find soy wax at your local craft store or online. The amount of wax you need will depend on the size and number of candles you want to make. For a single candle, you will need around 8 ounces of wax. If you are making multiple candles, you will need around 2 to 3 pounds of wax.
Beeswax
Beeswax is optional but recommended, especially if you live in a warmer climate. When blended with soy wax, beeswax raises the melting point of the wax, making your candle more resistant to heat. To achieve this, use an 80:20 ratio of soy wax to beeswax. This means that for every 16 ounces of wax, you will need 12.8 ounces of soy wax and 3.2 ounces of beeswax.
Wicks
Wicks are an essential component of your candle, as they provide the flame. You can find wicks specifically designed for candle making online or at your local craft store. Look for ECO 14 wicks, which are a great option for citronella candles. You will need one wick per candle, but if you are using a larger container, you can add two or three wicks spaced apart around the center.
Containers
You will need containers to hold your candles. Heat-proof containers are best, such as Mason jars, recycled cans, or tins. You can also get creative and use decorative tin buckets or glass jars. Make sure your containers are clean and dry before using them. You will need one container for each candle you plan to make.
Citronella Oil
Citronella oil is what gives your candle its bug-repelling properties. You can find this oil at candle shops, online, or at your local craft store. Look for essential oils or fragrance oils, which are less expensive and will still get the job done. You will need approximately 1 ounce of citronella oil per pound of wax. If you prefer a stronger citronella scent, you can use up to 1.5 ounces of oil per pound of wax.
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Melt wax: use a double boiler or microwave in small batches
To make citronella candles, you'll need to melt wax, and there are two common methods to do this: using a double boiler or a microwave. Both methods require melting the wax in small batches.
Double Boiler
First, assemble your double boiler. If you don't have one, you can use a candle-making kit. Place wax or old candles in small pieces into the boiler. You can also add in any larger wax chunks, as these will melt faster. Heat the wax over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is completely melted.
Microwave
Place approximately one pound of wax in a glass bowl and microwave it for several minutes. If your container is smaller, you can melt the wax in half-pound batches.
Tips
- If you're using recycled wax, don't worry about bits of wick or other specks, as these won't be visible in your finished candles.
- To raise the melting point of the wax for warmer summer days, blend Golden Brands 444 soy wax with yellow beeswax in an 80:20 ratio.
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Prepare containers: clean and dry, use hot glue for wicks
To prepare your containers for a citronella candle, you will need to start by choosing the right container. You can use recycled cans, glass jars, or even tin buckets. The container should be heat-proof, as you will be pouring hot wax into it. If you are using recycled containers, make sure to remove any labels and residue, then clean and dry them thoroughly.
While your wax is melting, you can prepare your containers for filling. Wash your containers while the wax is melting, ensuring they are clean and dry before you start. You can use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and a clean paper towel to wipe out the containers.
The next step is to add the wicks. Place one wick in the centre of each container. If you are using a larger container, you can add two or three wicks spaced apart around the centre. It is important to secure the wicks so they do not float around. You can use a hot glue gun to secure the wicks to the bottom of the container. Carefully press the wick down firmly, being mindful not to burn yourself on the hot glue. Alternatively, you can use wick stickers to secure the wicks.
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Add fragrance: 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax, plus optional scents
Once your wax has melted, it's time to add the fragrance. Add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax. This will make your candle fragrant and effective at repelling bugs. You can use essential oil or fragrance oil, which is cheaper but less clean. If you want to stick to natural ingredients, opt for essential oil.
You can also add other essential oils of your choice at this stage. This is optional but will give your candle a more complex scent. It can also help to enhance the bug-repelling properties of your candle. Add 0.5 oz of your chosen oil per pound of wax and stir well. Some good options to pair with citronella are eucalyptus, peppermint, orange oil, or other citrus scents. You could also try ginger and saffron, pear and thyme, or lemongrass and verbena.
If you're using a 16 oz (454 g) blend of wax, add a 1 oz (28 g) bottle of citronella fragrance oil, which is about a 7% fragrance load. Remove the pitcher from the heat and stir gently for 2 minutes to ensure that the oil is fully incorporated with the wax.
If you're making multiple candles, you will need approximately 3 oz of citronella oil for 2 or 3 lbs of wax.
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Pour and cool: slowly at room temperature to prevent cracks
Once your wax has completely melted, it's time to add the fragrance. Add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax. If you're using other essential oils, add 0.5 oz of your chosen oil per pound of wax. Remove the pitcher from the heat and stir gently for 2 minutes to ensure that the oil is fully incorporated with the wax. When the wax cools to 160°F (71.1°C), carefully pour the wax into your chosen container, filling it up to the embossed ring of each candle tin.
To prevent cracks from forming on the surface of your candles, allow the candles to cool at a slow and even rate. Place the candles in a room with a consistent temperature of 72°-75°F (22.2°-23.9°C) that is free from drafts. Leave the candles to fully cool.
If you're in a hurry, you can speed up the cooling process by placing the candles in the refrigerator. However, this may increase the likelihood of cracks forming on the surface of the candles. Therefore, it's best to let them cool slowly at room temperature.
Once your candles have cooled completely, remove any moulds or supports and trim the wicks to 1/4 inch (6 mm). Your citronella candles are now ready to use! Place them on your outdoor table, around your patio, or even pack them for your camping trips to enjoy a bug-free environment.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need soy wax, a container, candle wicks, and citronella essential oil. You can also add other essential oils, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, or orange oil.
You can use recycled cans, glass jars, or decorative tins. If you are using recycled containers, make sure to clean and dry them thoroughly before use.
Add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax. You can also add 0.5 oz of other essential oils per pound of wax.
First, add the wicks to the centre of your container and secure them with hot glue or wick stickers. Next, melt your wax over medium heat and stir occasionally until it is completely melted. Then, add your fragrance oils and stir. Finally, carefully pour the wax into your container and allow it to cool slowly at room temperature.
