Now that our front porch is looking good, we have been spending a lot more time outside, which means that my legs are pretty much covered in big red welts. Guys, mosquitoes LOVE me. I think to them, my legs look giant turkey legs and they just can't help themselves. Yes, now you can call me Turkey Legs.
Anyway, I wanted to buy some citronella candles for the porch, but they were way more expensive than I thought. I also read that most of them contain a faux-citronella which actually doesn't really work that well. I know, devastating information. So instead of sitting around, being devastated, I made my own! Here's how I did it:
Supplies Needed:
Chopsticks
Not pictured: glass containers
Not pictured: glass containers
*all links are to the exact items I purchased
Step 1: Tie your wick around the chopstick and cut it to the length of your candle containers. Don't worry about the extra length at the top - you'll cut it later. Also, make sure the wick goes all the way down to the bottom of the container and stays as close to the middle as possible. You can use hot glue to keep the wick in place.
Step 2: Melt the wax using a double broiler (or the two pots with water in between method that I used here) . There should be directions on your wax container, but here are some general guidelines:
- when the wax melts, it takes up less space, so measure about double the dry wax that fits in each container
- melt the wax at a medium/low heat, stirring occasionally
- take the wax off the "broiler" as soon as it is a complete liquid

Step 3: Pour the hot wax into the containers. Try to disturb the wick as little as possible. Add the citronella oil to each candle. I added a lot (probably 10-15 drops per candle).

Step 4: Let the wax sit in your refrigerator until it hardens (2-5 hours).
Step 5: Snip the candle wicks.

Step 6: Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Step 2: Melt the wax using a double broiler (or the two pots with water in between method that I used here) . There should be directions on your wax container, but here are some general guidelines:
- when the wax melts, it takes up less space, so measure about double the dry wax that fits in each container
- melt the wax at a medium/low heat, stirring occasionally
- take the wax off the "broiler" as soon as it is a complete liquid

Step 3: Pour the hot wax into the containers. Try to disturb the wick as little as possible. Add the citronella oil to each candle. I added a lot (probably 10-15 drops per candle).

Step 4: Let the wax sit in your refrigerator until it hardens (2-5 hours).
Step 5: Snip the candle wicks.

Step 6: Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
I am very happy with how the candles turned out. I love the way they smell and the wax is very solid (I thought adding a lot of oil might make them watery, but it didn't). I also have plenty of citronella oil left, so this might be a project I do every summer.
Tell me, how do you keep the mosquitoes away?
Tell me, how do you keep the mosquitoes away?
make your own citronella candles
I love the idea to make your own. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteDo they work really well? We have major problems with mosquitos and my daughters and I get eaten alive. I love making my own stuff and knowing exactly what is in them. Thanks for the great tutorial.
ReplyDeleteKC
Ah I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one that is mosquito bait! My husband never gets bitten - it makes me so mad hah! The candles really do work well - I think it's because I put a lot of citronella drops in them. I don't get bitten as long as I sit relatively close to the candles :)
DeleteWow, good to know! I have such a problem with mosquitos!
ReplyDeleteThis actually looks like a pretty easy tutorial for a DIY newbie like me to follow, thank you for sharing! I get eaten alive in the summers as well and find bugspray absolutely useless. Will be keeping these candles in mind :) Hope you enjoy your evenings on the porch! (PS I laughed out loud at your turkey legs comment!)
ReplyDeletewww.the-lifestyle-project.com
mosquitos think I'm pretty tasty. I am the chocolate to their PMS. I wonder if they make citronella lotion? :D
ReplyDeletei have been bitten by one too many mosquitos this summer. i went out to buy a citronella candle for the first time ever but i can't stand the smell!
ReplyDeleteMaggie
lovestylehappiness.blogspot.com
LOVE IT! It is crazy how expensive citronella candles are at the store, and half the time I don't feel like they are very effective. I love that with this I can add a ton of citronella oil :)
ReplyDeleteI've always told myself I'm going to make my own candles but never do, it just looks so easy!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower on bloglovin and twitter. not sure how we aren't best friends already...My blog is called "But First, Coffee" !!
<3
Kallie @ But First, Coffee
I am going to need to make about 50 of these!! The mosquitoes in Georgia are taking over. Thank you for the easy to follow instructions...
ReplyDeleteHow cool! I have never tried to make my own candles, but now I want to! I love a good DIY project!
ReplyDeleteNikki
thefashionablewife.com
I need this! The mosquitoes are horrible here in Texas! I get bit every time I step outside!
ReplyDeleteRachel Emma
Daydream Frenzy
I love candles. Will have to try this soon. Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting.
ReplyDeleteThese look great! I'm curious if they work well at repelling bugs. The bugs are crazy here right now!
ReplyDeleteoh, thanks for this post! i've been saving jars for a few months with the idea of making some candles for handmade christmas presents! it's nice to know a little more about the process!
ReplyDeletehey, did you just use any old pot? it cleaned up okay, no residues or anything to worry about?
Good question! I actually used one of our regularly used pots. I cleaned it out immediately afterward and did not have any residue problems. However, I wish I had planned it out better - I would have picked up an old pot from the thrift store and used that instead. It will definitely worth either way though!
Deleteperfect! i'll pop by a thrift store and grab a cheap-o pot!
DeleteI want to do this! Teach me your ways!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so do-able! When we move we will have a screened in porch, so I will definitely be adding these to the space! Also essential oils are always so much better than "fragrance"...
ReplyDelete