Summer Glow: Make Your Own Citronella Candles
Beat the bugs and create ambiance with homemade candles that smell amazing and actually work!
Store-bought citronella candles are either crazy expensive or smell like chemical warfare – there's got to be a better way, right? Making your own is not only incredibly satisfying but also lets you control exactly what goes into them. I started making these three summers ago when I got tired of choosing between mosquito bites and toxic fumes during patio dinners. Now I make dozens every spring, and they've become my go-to hostess gift and family gathering essential. At about $3 per candle versus $15-20 in stores, this project pays for itself after just one batch, plus you get that amazing satisfaction of creating something both beautiful and functional.
What You'll Need
- Wax Base: Soy wax flakes (2 lbs, ~$12) or beeswax for natural option
- Essential Oils: Pure citronella oil (1 oz, ~$8), optional: lemongrass, eucalyptus for scent blending
- Containers: Mason jars, small tin containers, or heat-safe glass containers (6-8 pieces)
- Wicks & Hardware: Cotton wicks with metal tabs (~$5), wick holders or pencils
- Tools: Double boiler or large pot with glass bowl, wooden stirring spoon, thermometer
- Supplies: Wick stickers, scissors, labels for gifting
Step-by-Step Method
- Prepare containers by cleaning thoroughly and securing wicks to bottom center with wick stickers
- Melt wax in double boiler setup, heating slowly to 170-180°F while stirring occasionally
- Remove from heat and let cool to 150°F before adding essential oils (about 1 oz oil per pound of wax)
- Stir oils into wax thoroughly but gently to avoid creating air bubbles in your finished candles
- Pour wax mixture into containers, leaving 1/2 inch space at top, keeping wicks centered with pencils
- Cool completely at room temperature (4-6 hours) – resist moving them during this process
- Trim wicks to 1/4 inch above wax surface for optimal burning and safety
- Cure candles for 24-48 hours before first use to allow scent to fully develop and distribute
Professional candle makers know the secret to potent bug-repelling power: layer your scents! Add citronella as your base (60%), then blend in lemongrass (25%) and eucalyptus (15%) for a complex fragrance that's pleasant to humans but devastating to mosquitoes. Also, save your wax scraps and remelt them into "rustic" layered candles – the imperfect look is actually trendy and waste-free!