Citronella candles are not only great for keeping the bugs away, they instantly remind you of summer. Whether you’re sitting around a campfire or lounging on a deck at night in the summer, it’s safe to say one will be burning.
We needed the full ambiance for our faux camping experience so we decided to try our hand at making some ourselves. And guess what? It was super easy. We had actually never made candles before so we were somewhat intimidated, but we came out on the other side feeling good about our ability.
We were inspired by a pin Garden Therapy shared on Pinterest for making your own candles. We shared their instructions below, which we adjusted slightly based on our experience!
- A double boiler (or you can make one using a deep pot and stainless steel bowl – here’s a better explanation)
- Wax (you can even use old candles!)
- Pre-waxed wicks with tabs (150mm / 6” – these measurements will become apparent once the options are in front of you)
- Citronella oil (use 1 oz per pound of wax)
- Hot glue gun
- Mason jars or cans
- Determination
1. Grab your hot glue gun, and glue the wicks to the bottom of the mason jars or cans and press it down firmly into the centre.
2. Get the double boiler going and add the wax or old candles in small pieces. Heat up over medium heat until the wax is completely melted.
3. Once the wax is melted it’s time to add the oil. Add 1 oz of citronella oil per pound of wax.
4. Let the wax cool slightly and then carefully pour into your mason jar or can. As you pour, make sure your wick stays centred. You can do this by holding the wick, but if you don’t have a steady hand then you can use pliers to hold the wick in place.
5. Next, place the candles in a warm place to cool (cooling slowly and completely will create the best looking candles), trying not to disturb them so they set evenly. Allow your candle to cure for 48 hours undisturbed before burning.
Not to brag, but we made the perfect cocktail to enjoy during the process. Introducing the Campfire Sour. A sweet blend of rye, maple syrup, lemon juice and rosemary – you’ll want to drink these all day long. You can grab the recipe here.
Set the mood for your faux camping experience with some tried and tested jams.