If you’re a bug magnet like I’m, you’ll admire 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 admire that these candles are made with all-natural supplies, with no poisonous dangerous substances included.
If you’re something like me, the summer time months are the proper season to spend time outdoors. In usually cooler climates like the place I reside, the lengthy, heat summer time days are good for gardening and absorbing the solar outdoors. There’s only one tiny drawback: mosquitoes.
I don’t know what it’s, however mosquitoes appear to completely love me (that love is not returned!). Mosquitoes depart me with massive, 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 a couple of strategies for retaining these pests at bay naturally. Considered one of my favorite strategies are these DIY citronella candles.
This put up will cowl…
Do Citronella Candles Actually Work?
I initially revealed this put up in 2016, and since then, there’s been loads of dialogue surrounding the subject of citronella candles and their effectiveness for repelling mosquitoes.
These days, a number of articles have been revealed citing a examine claiming citronella candles don’t work. Nevertheless, that’s not what the examine really exhibits.
The research say if you’re attempting to guard your self from Zika, Malaria, or different mosquito-borne sicknesses, you shouldn’t depend on a citronella candle.
I fully agree with this! If you’re going someplace the place these ailments are closely current, or if you’re at increased danger, I might not depend on citronella to maintain you secure.
That being stated, if you’re out in your backyard, or in your patio having a glass of wine, and you place a couple of of those candles round to guard your house, they are often efficient.
Not as a result of mosquitoes are disgusted by the scent, however slightly as a result of it may possibly assist masks your scent. As you burn the candles, it constantly releases the oil into the air, which retains your scent hidden.
The research have proven that citronella candles work about 40% of the time. Which means that 60% of the time, you might find yourself with bites.
I’d nonetheless a lot slightly use an all-natural bug spray together with citronella candles to scale back the probabilities of getting bitten than dose myself in DEET and chemical compounds each 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 struggle in opposition to mosquitoes.
That’s why I arm myself with a mixture of citronella candles, my mosquito-repelling container backyard, and my DIY bug spray that makes use of pure important oils. This mix is an efficient one-two punch that retains these pesky mosquitoes far, distant with out exposing myself (and my backyard!) to any dangerous chemical compounds.
Different Scents to Use in Citronella Candles
Fact be instructed, I’m personally not overly loopy concerning the scent of citronella, however I’ll fortunately cope with it to keep away from performing a relentless ridiculous-looking dance of smacking myself to kill the flying pests.
Whereas the best candles will nonetheless be primarily citronella, be happy so as to add a couple of different fragrances. To make the candles scent higher to me (however nonetheless efficient), I’ve performed with including a few extra scents to my newest batch of citronella candles, similar to:
You will have to experiment a bit and see which mixture you want finest, however that’s a part of the enjoyable of creating DIY candles.
Easy methods to Make Citronella Candles
With a couple of easy, pure substances and just a bit little bit of time, you’ll 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. One of the simplest ways I’ve discovered to make use of that is with a scorching glue gun. Be sure that to press the wick down firmly (and thoroughly as the new glue can burn).
If you’re utilizing a bigger container, you’ll be able to add two or three wicks spaced aside across the middle.
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 received’t see them within the candles when they’re accomplished.
3. Warmth the wax over medium warmth till it’s fully melted. This received’t take too lengthy. Stir each occasionally to assist it soften evenly.
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. Should you choose simply citronella, you should utilize 1.5 oz per pound.
5. Let the wax cool barely and thoroughly pour into containers. I can often gently maneuver my wicks to remain within the middle because the wax cools, however if you’re having hassle, safe the wicks with a chopstick or clothespin to maintain them in line.
6. Permit your candle to treatment 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, huge pool of wax earlier than you blow it out. That is the way you get a good burn for the lifetime of the candle.
Citronella Candle-Making: Useful Suggestions
If you’re 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:
Re-Use Outdated Provides to Save Cash
Despite the fact that this venture is pretty cheap, there are prices concerned—and methods to avoid wasting just a little cash. Listed here are some useful ideas that will help you save just a little when making your citronella candles.
Reuse Containers
Chances are you’ll 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 a terrific, pure method to preserve mosquitoes at bay, but it surely’s additionally a nice recycling venture that reuses your cans.
Plus, it’s a easy and cheap venture, very like the soy beeswax jar candles I made not too way back.
I like utilizing outdated metallic cans for this venture. They don’t even must be shiny. Rusty ones look wonderful! Nevertheless, in the event you don’t have any cans, you can too use glass jars.
My solely warning when utilizing glass is to keep away from utilizing very massive jars. I like to recommend retaining 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 obtainable? Attempt making your citronella candles in terracotta pots this summer time.
Reuse Outdated Wax
The price of wax is the most expensive a part of this venture. If you wish to lower down prices, scrape outdated wax out of beforehand used containers and soften it again down on 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 thoroughly peel the wax away from the sides of the container. You’ll seemingly have chunks popping out at a time!
FAQ About Making Selfmade Citronella Candles
I take advantage of citronella important oil. You will get it pretty inexpensively at candle retailers or on-line. It’s also possible to use perfume oils, which are usually cheaper and are much less “clear,” however you’ll nonetheless get the job accomplished.
I add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax, after which add in 0.5 oz of different scents of my alternative. Should you’re going to make use of simply citronella oil as your scent, you are able to do 1.5 oz of it.
I simply use a scorching glue gun to maintain my wicks safe to the underside of the container. Should you would not have a scorching glue gun, you should utilize wick stickers as effectively.
I hope that this information lets you make your personal citronella candles simply!
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.If you’re utilizing a bigger can, add two or three wicks spaced aside across the middle.
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 received’t see them within the candles when they’re accomplished.
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.
5. Let the wax cool barely and thoroughly pour into containers. I can often gently maneuver my wicks to remain within the middle because the wax cools, however if you’re having hassle, safe the wicks with a chopstick or clothespin to maintain them in line.
6. Permit your candle to treatment for 48 hours undisturbed earlier than burning. Then, if you fireplace it up, let the candle burn so that there’s a full, huge pool of wax earlier than you blow it out. It’s stated that candles have a reminiscence, so it’s finest to let the primary burn set the tone for all the remaining.
