Don’t let those pesky mosquitoes ruin your outdoor activities! A homemade citronella candle will keep them away and add instant decoration at the same time.

We purchased a wick and wax flakes at a local craft store but you could melt down old candles you may have stashed away at home.

Melting wax is no big deal, especially if you have a double boiler pot. If you don’t have one, we’ve got easy-to-follow instructions to help you make a water bath using your own pots and pans to keep the wax from burning.

Citronella oil has a strong scent but you can tone it down by adding your own favorite fragrance. Try peppermint or orange. They’re especially nice for summer evenings.

Homemade citronella candle instructions

Homemade Citronella Candle Instructions
Ingredients
  • hot glue gun
  • wicks
  • jar
  • candle wax
  • small pot for pouring
  • large pot for heating
  • spoon
  • dowel
  • clothespin
  • scissors
  • twine (optional)
Instructions
  1. Using a hot glue gun, dab glue onto the underside of the wick’s clip. Press the clip firmly in place over the hole in the bottom of the clay pot.
  2. To melt the candle wax, place it in a pouring pot—a metal pot that’s small enough to fit inside a larger pot. Fill the larger pot with a few inches of water, place it on top of your stove and bring the water to a boil. Place the pouring pot inside the larger pot then stir occasionally to allow the wax to melt completely.
  3. Carefully pour melted wax into the jar. Hold the wick in place by resting a dowel across the top of the jar and attaching a clothespin to both the wick and the dowel.
  4. Allow wax to harden then trim wick to 1″ in length. Wrap jar’s rim with twine, if desired. Allow candle to cure 48 hours before lighting.
Notes
Recycle soup or coffee cans instead of using jars and decoupage them with scrapbook paper.

Homemade citronella candles