In case you are a bug magnet like I’m, you’ll recognize this (dare I say) life-changing venture! Make these DIY citronella candles and expertise for your self how effectively an efficient mosquito-repellent candle can work! I particularly recognize that these candles are made with all-natural supplies, with no poisonous dangerous elements included.

In case you are something like me, the summer time months are the right season to spend time outdoors. In usually cooler climates like the place I dwell, the lengthy, heat summer time days are good for gardening and absorbing the solar outdoors. There’s only one tiny downside: mosquitoes.

I don’t know what it’s, however mosquitoes appear to completely love me (that love shouldn’t be returned!). Mosquitoes go away me with giant, itchy welts as they feast within the morning and night hours. Ugh!

Fortunately, after years of experimenting and many trial and error, I’ve developed just a few strategies for maintaining these pests at bay naturally. One among my favorite strategies are these DIY citronella candles.

This submit will cowl…

Homemade citronella candles in cans on a table — Even made out of recycled supplies, these citronella candles can look actually cute.

Do Citronella Candles Actually Work?

I initially printed this submit in 2016, and since then, there’s been plenty of dialogue surrounding the subject of citronella candles and their effectiveness for repelling mosquitoes.

Currently, a number of articles have been printed citing a research claiming citronella candles don’t work. Nonetheless, that’s not what the research really exhibits.

The research say in case you are making an attempt to guard your self from Zika, Malaria, or different mosquito-borne diseases, you shouldn’t rely on a citronella candle.

I fully agree with this! In case you are going someplace the place these illnesses are closely current, or in case you are at larger danger, I’d not depend on citronella to maintain you secure.

That being mentioned, in case you are out in your backyard, or in your patio having a glass of wine, and you place just a few of those candles round to guard your house, they are often efficient.

Not as a result of mosquitoes are disgusted by the odor, however moderately as a result of it might assist masks your scent. As you burn the candles, it constantly releases the oil into the air, which retains your scent hidden.

Citronella candle next to a chair — Citronella candles have a few 40% efficient charge.

The research have proven that citronella candles work about 40% of the time. Which means that 60% of the time, chances are you’ll find yourself with bites.

I’d nonetheless a lot moderately use an all-natural bug spray together with citronella candles to cut back the probabilities of getting bitten than dose myself in DEET and chemical substances day by day simply to forestall bites.

Is it 100% efficient? No. However, when utilized in mixture, I feel it may be an efficient ally within the combat towards mosquitoes.

That’s why I arm myself with a mix of citronella candles, my mosquito-repelling container backyard, and my DIY bug spray that makes use of pure important oils. This mixture is an efficient one-two punch that retains these pesky mosquitoes far, far-off with out exposing myself (and my backyard!) to any dangerous chemical substances.

candles in cans lit at night on a table with bottle of wine and glasses — I take advantage of citronella candles, particularly at evening, when the warmth has died down and the mosquitoes come out.

Different Scents to Use in Citronella Candles

Reality be informed, I’m personally not overly loopy in regards to the odor of citronella, however I’ll fortunately take care of it to keep away from performing a continuing ridiculous-looking dance of smacking myself to kill the flying pests.

Whereas the best candles will nonetheless be primarily citronella, be at liberty so as to add just a few different fragrances. To make the candles odor higher to me (however nonetheless efficient), I’ve performed with including a few extra scents to my newest batch of citronella candles, comparable to:

You could have to experiment a bit and see which mixture you want greatest, however that’s a part of the enjoyable of constructing DIY candles.

lit candles on a deck — Extra herby and different citrus scents pair greatest with citronella.

Tips on how to Make Citronella Candles

With just a few easy, pure elements and just a bit little bit of time, you should have your personal mosquito-repellent candles to make use of throughout your yard!

Supplies

Make It!

1. Add the wicks to the middle of your can or container. The easiest way I’ve discovered to make use of that is with a scorching glue gun. Be certain to press the wick down firmly (and punctiliously as the new glue can burn).

In case you are utilizing a bigger container, you possibly can add two or three wicks spaced aside across the heart.

view from overhead of cans with wicks glued to the bottom — Don’t skip this step. In any other case, your wick will probably be moved and float round.

2. Assemble your double boiler and add wax or outdated candles in small items. Don’t fear a lot about bits of wick or different specks within the wax, as you gained’t see them within the candles when they’re carried out.

old candles in a double boiler — It is a nice venture to reuse your outdated candle wax.

3. Warmth the wax over medium warmth till it’s fully melted. This gained’t take too lengthy. Stir each from time to time to assist it soften evenly.

double boiler melting wax — Break up bigger wax chunks in order that they soften quicker.

4. When the wax is melted, it’s time so as to add the perfume. Add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax and increase the scent with 0.5 oz of different scents per pound. When you choose simply citronella, you need to use 1.5 oz per pound.

double boiler on counter with a can and spoon in front — Add in perfume after the wax has melted so that you don’t burn off the perfume.

5. Let the wax cool barely and punctiliously pour into containers. I can normally gently maneuver my wicks to remain within the heart because the wax cools, however in case you are having hassle, safe the wicks with a chopstick or clothespin to maintain them in line.

group of cans with melted wax in them — If you need the wicks completely heart, use a clothespin or wind them round a bamboo skewer to carry them in place.

6. Enable your candle to remedy for 48 hours undisturbed earlier than burning. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch earlier than you mild it. Then, as soon as it’s lit, let the candle burn so that there’s a full, large pool of wax earlier than you blow it out. That is the way you get a good burn for the lifetime of the candle.

DIY candles lined up in a row — The primary mild of a brand new candle is necessary, as it can guarantee it stays even for the rest of the candle’s life.

Citronella Candle-Making: Useful Ideas

In case you are new to creating candles (or making citronella candles), take a fast have a look at these useful ideas to make sure success together with your efforts:

Watch out to not disturb them an excessive amount of and set them in a heat place to chill. Cooling slowly and fully will create the most effective wanting candles.
When you get a depressed space across the wick when cooled, heat up some extra wax and pour it into the void.
Beautify your citronella candles by wrapping them in burlap, twine, and/or yarn.
Retailer them close to the backyard, deck, or patio so you possibly can rapidly mild up when the pests begin buzzing round.

Citronella candle with smoke coming from it — Use just a few citronella candles round your entertaining space for max effort.

Re-Use Previous Provides to Save Cash

Though this venture is pretty cheap, there are prices concerned—and methods to avoid wasting a bit of cash. Listed here are some useful ideas that will help you save a bit of when making your citronella candles.

Reuse Containers

You could discover from the images that these mosquito-repellent candles are in cans. I like this venture as a result of making citronella candles in cans shouldn’t be solely an incredible, pure solution to preserve mosquitoes at bay, however it’s additionally an incredible recycling venture that reuses your cans.

Plus, it’s a easy and cheap venture, very similar to the soy beeswax jar candles I made not too way back.

I like utilizing outdated steel cans for this venture. They don’t even need to be shiny. Rusty ones look wonderful! Nonetheless, in case you don’t have any cans, you can even use glass jars.

My solely warning when utilizing glass is to keep away from utilizing very giant jars. I like to recommend maintaining them to pint-size or smaller in order that the glass doesn’t break when the new wax heats up the jar.

Don’t have any cans accessible? Attempt making your citronella candles in terracotta pots this summer time.

carrier full of DIY candles — I retailer my unused candles on this outside tote, which is nice decor itself.

Reuse Previous Wax

The price of wax is the costliest a part of this venture. If you wish to reduce down prices, scrape outdated wax out of beforehand used containers and soften it again down in your new candles.

Tip: If you wish to do that, freeze your containers with outdated wax in a single day, then the subsequent morning, take a butter knife and punctiliously peel the wax away from the sides of the container. You’ll seemingly have chunks popping out at a time!

burning DIY citronella candles — Wrap your candles in yarn, twine, or burlap for further cute decor.

FAQ About Making Do-it-yourself Citronella Candles

What sort of citronella oil do you employ?

I take advantage of citronella important oil. You may get it pretty inexpensively at candle outlets or on-line. You can even use perfume oils, which are typically cheaper and are much less “clear,” however you’ll nonetheless get the job carried out.

What’s the wax to citronella ratio?

I add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax, after which add in 0.5 oz of different scents of my alternative. When you’re going to make use of simply citronella oil as your scent, you are able to do 1.5 oz of it.

How can I stick wicks to the underside of the can?

I simply use a scorching glue gun to maintain my wicks safe to the underside of the container. When you shouldn’t have a scorching glue gun, you need to use wick stickers as effectively.

I hope that this information lets you make your personal citronella candles simply!

Rusty Citronella Candles (7) — I even just like the look of a plain, rusty can!

Extra Methods to Cease Mosquitoes

DIY Citronella Candles

My information displaying you the best way to make citronella candles from upcycled tin soup cans, recycled candle wax and pure citronella oil.

1. Utilizing the new glue gun, affix the wicks to the underside of the cans and press it firmly into the middle.In case you are utilizing a bigger can, add two or three wicks spaced aside across the heart.

2. Assemble your double boiler and add wax or outdated candles in small items. Don’t fear a lot about bits of wick or different specks within the wax as you gained’t see them within the candles when they’re carried out.

3. Warmth over medium warmth till the wax is totally melted.

4. When the wax is melted, it’s time so as to add the perfume. Add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax and increase the scent with 0.5 oz of different scents per pound.

6. Enable your candle to remedy for 48 hours undisturbed earlier than burning. Then, while you hearth it up, let the candle burn so that there’s a full, large pool of wax earlier than you blow it out. It’s mentioned that candles have a reminiscence, so it’s greatest to let the primary burn set the tone for all the remaining.

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Tags: Candles Citronella DIY