Make Your Own Citronella Candles

Need a cost effective way to get rid of mosquitoes? Try making your own citronella candles and eliminate mosquitoes while providing a romantic, outdoor setting. Making citronella candles is easy and inexpensive to make.

Follow this step-by-step guide and make your own candles at home in less than 10 minutes:

Materials Needed:

Wax – Any form of all-purpose wax will do. This can be found in the canning section of the grocery store or in a craft or hardware store.

Citronella – You will need citronella oil for the candle to be effective against mosquitoes.

Mold – This is the container which you will be pouring the hot wax into. The container is your choice, if you want to get fancy you can but a recycled can or glass will also do.

Container for Melting Wax – Nothing specific, a saucepan filled with water or a coffee tin will do.

Wick – Your candle will not work without a wick. You can purchase wicks at any craft store or you can choose to do it yourself by dipping a string or cord into hot wax.

Thermometer – Any form of thermometer will do.

Releaser – Any form of cooking oil or silicone spray will do, as long as it does not have a petroleum base as it may release toxic fumes while burning.

Wooden Spoon – This will be used for stirring the wax.

Wick Cutter – A knife or a pair of scissors will do.

Directions:

1. Make the Wick – Soak a piece of heavy string or cord into wax and set to dry on a sheet of wax paper. You can also buy candle wicks instead of making them.
2. Heat the Wax – Heat your container to approximately 140 degrees and place unmelted wax into it.
3. Add Citronella – As the wax is melting add 1-2 drops of citronella.
4. Releaser – As the wax is melting; spray your releaser into your mold.
5. Stir – Stir the melting wax softly with your wooden spoon.
6. Pour – Pour the wax into the mold and remember not to fill it to the top. Leave about one inch at the top of the mold.
7. Wicks – Place the wicks into the melting wax. Hold wick in place either using your hand or tie it to a pencil in order to ensure the wick stays upright and does not fall over.
8. Set to dry.

Making citronella candles is as easy as 1-2-3! Be truly unique and buy terra-cotta pots, paint them and use them as one-of-a-kind candle holders!

The Author:

Cassie Morgan is an avid candle fan who loves making candles.

Photo. Oxag

Source: EA