How to Make DIY Citronella Candles
This post may contain affiliate links which won't change your price but will share some commission. Read more here.Looking for an easy chemical free way to keep bugs away? These step by step instructions for DIY citronella candles are cute and effective!
Summer is the perfect time for outdoor projects! I love finding ways to decorate my home on the outside that don’t cost a lot of money!
Our front deck was one of the biggest projects we undertook in our 30 years in our home before the divorce. From a tiny little stoop to a large and inviting deck, this outdoor space created so much new curb appeal!
The one thing that always distracted us and made our time outside unpleasant? You guessed it! Mosquitoes! So I found a solution to scare away those nasty pests and use all natural ingredients!
Citronella oil is a plant-based insect repellant that can be used to create a natural bug spray that gets the job done! This project doesn’t require a double boiler, melted candle wax or even an oven!
Cue the cute mason jar mosquito repellent candles! (See how I used them in my ranch style house on the front deck.)
Materials
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Pint mason jars (or these cute ones with handles)
Citronella torch fuel
1/8″ lamp wicks
Phillips head screwdriver or a nail punch
Hammer
Instructions
Step 1: Use a pint-sized mason jar lid and punch a hole from the bottom in the center of the lid.
This allows for easier installation of the wick. This will help keep the wick upright. Also make sure you don’t punch a hole in the surface the lid is laying on!
Step 2: Push and twist the wick through the hole in the lid leaving 1/8 inch exposed.
Second option:
When we first experimented with the wicks we used torch wick replacement, a much larger wick, and wrapped duct tape at the tip.
This aided in pulling the rope through the opening.
Once the rope was through we just snipped off the duct tape with scissors.
However, these created larger flames, and I wasn’t comfortable with this (especially with a new deck I didn’t want to see burned down!) so we chose to go with a smaller wick.
Step 3: Pour the citronella torch fuel into the jar.
This is the citronella torch fuel we use and love.
Step 4: Screw on the lid and ring and pull the wick through.
That’s it! This DIY craft is both cute and easy!
Some tips for making citronella candles
- A smaller wick will give you a smaller flame!
- The rubber outer ring on the lid will melt with exposure to heat and may become difficult to remove. Let it cool before replacing and keep extra lids on hand!
- The citronella oil changed colors with exposure to sunlight.
- You can use any size jar, from baby food, to pint to quart.
What size jar should you use?
For my oldest daughter’s baby gender reveal we used baby food jars for the tables in the yard. Perfect addition to an outdoor party!
These little candles make a great gift for neighbors or friends and create a warm and inviting ambiance for an outdoor room.
Close your eyes and imagine the warm breeze and good company while your homemade citronella candles chase away the bugs!
You can even hang the citronella candles from a sturdy tree branch on your patio or deck. Be careful and don’t leave them unattended and create a fire hazard or danger!
FAQs about DIY citronella candles
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DIY Citronella Candles
Ingredients
- 1 pack Pint or quart sized mason jars with lids
- 1 bottle Citronella fuel
- pkg 1/8" lamp wicks
- 1 Phillips head screwdriver
- 1 Hammer
Instructions
- Use a pint-sized mason jar lid and punch a hole from the bottom in the center of the lid.
- Push and twist the wick through the hole in the lid leaving 1/8 inch exposed.
- Pour the citronella torch fuel into the jar.
- Screw on the lid and ring and pull the wick through.
- Some tips for making citronella candles
Video
Tiki torches typically come with covers to protect the wicks in the rain and also to put the torch out. What do you do with your jars when it rains?
I made these a few nights ago. Last night I decided to try them out. I bought the 1/8 ” wicks and pulled them up about 1/2″. They burned down to the jar lid and then would just burn out. Any idea what I did wrong? Thank you
Hi, Monica.The only thing I can think of is that you need to enlarge the hole just a bit. Maybe it’s just getting choked off. Also, make sure you’re not using a waxed wick. Those are for candles and will not draw like a dry braided wick. Good luck!
I think I would use the mason jars with a Handel on it so your hand is not right on the glass. To me it would be safer. I used the mason jars with handles on them and plastic mason jar lids from Wal mart .i drilled holes in the plastic lid and put thing like salt etc in them. If you have bugs put the flat metal piece in the white lid and pop out when using then put back in. I gave as gifts for this past Christmas gave each family a different coolotrr.
That’s a great idea, Diana! I love the idea of the handles and also giving as gifts! Thanks for visiting my blog!
I tried this, but all I could find were the larger wicks. I have it all set up and even tried it out. Great idea! I have just one question… will the glass get too hot and crack? Thanks for your idea!
Hi, Kathy. Mason jars are manufactured to withstand the intense heat and pressure of the canning process. This makes them ideal for projects that might expose them to heat. While I have had one or two explode in the canning process, the heat generated from the flame in these candles will likely not be a risk, but that opinion is only based on my experience and not necessarily fact. So proceed with caution if you feel necessary. We do not leave these candles unattended.
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I take monthly B12 shots too and still get bitten!!!
I may add more eucaluptus essential oil to it to make it stronger. I can introduce you to doTERRA if you like!
Hi there, Love this idea! Have you tried using a ceramic ring instead of the rubber one? I know hobby lobby carries both. Let me know what you think. Im going to buy the supplies today =D Really pays to work at the place that carries all the supplies!! Thanks for sharing.
I made over 100 of these last year outdoor fundraisers that I host but they turn into potential fire bombs until they’ve burned off for a while… one caught a picnic table on fire, another started the patio umbrella on fire, & I’m just generally concerned about safety with several thousand people being around them. Are you happy with using 1/8″ wick or would you suggest going even smaller? I use a larger fiberglass wick currently.
I would definitely be careful with large crowds. We use these for personal use and since I’m slightly afraid of fire I don’t leave them alone for an instant. I think these wicks worked well for our project, although going even smaller would seem acceptable as well. A smaller wick would mean a smaller hole (in the lid) and also a smaller flame, so your preference is the only guide. I’m guessing you might be using the wicks from a Tiki torch; that large braided one? We did try that and decided it was just too large.
You can also put the home made candle in a terra-cotta planter fill with dirt or sand for more stability.
Thanks for the suggestion, Buck! The planter would be so pretty!
But do they really work??
I wonder if I could use the same idea with a different scent! Thanks for the Idea!
Hi, Melissa! Let me know if you try it with a different scent! Enjoy!
Marty, neat idea. However I noticed yours smutted up the top of the seal due to the flame being right on top of it.
I decided to raise the flame up by using a 1/4′ x 1/2′ aluminum threaded rivet inserted from the inside and compressed. It works like a charm. no smut.
Thanks for the suggestion, Steve! Have a great day!
I love these – made them myself this summer 🙂
They’re cute AND functional. Can’t beat that!
Love your citronella candle idea!!! We learned growing up from our family GP that if you take a B12 tablet from April to the end of October the mosquitos will leave you alone. Thought fellow pinners might be interested in this awesome tip. :-):-)
Great tip, Wendy! Thank you!
i’m on monthly B12 shots and they still bite me!
I’m sorry, Viv! Bug bites are certainly a pain!
You might use some drops of lemongrass essential oil on your clothes. Try that
Great idea! Pinning!
Thanks, Mary! The candles are pretty, aren’t they? Have a great weekend!
What a great idea! Never thought of making my own citronella candles (though I use them all the time in the summer)…so great, thank you!
Thank you, Emily! They really are cute and useful!