It's summertime and many of us are spend countless nights outdoors enjoying bbqs, bonfires, and other fun activities. At our house, my roommates and I have spent several months creating a backyard paradise with a full vegetable garden, avocado tree, fire pit, and seated patio. The only thing standing in our way of a good time is all the bugs. That's why I came up with the idea to recycle the candles I had into a citronella candle for a natural way to repel those little pests.
Materials:
- Metal pot or wax melter
- Glass Jar
- Wax (old candles, melting wax or crayons)
- Pure Citronella oil
- Candle Wick
- Pencil
Instructions:
1. If you are using a jar from an old candle like I did, you need to hold the jar over boiling water to loosen the wax at the bottom. You can just build a new candle on top of it but I wanted the whole thing to be mixed.
2. Add the wax you are using into the melting pot and leave on low heat. Stir occasionally. It took about fifteen minutes for the entire thing to dissolve. Cutting the wax into smaller chunks will speed up the melting. Careful not to turn the heat up too much as it will spit and burn.
3. While the wax melts, use the pencil to wrap the wick around and rest the pencil on the mouth of the jar holding the wick in place in the center of the jar.
4. When the wax is entirely melted, add 4-5 drops of Citronella oil. Adding it in too soon will allow it to evaporate in the heat.
5. Carefully pour the wax into the jar.
6. Let the candle cool and harden for about 2 hours.
These candles would also make great housewarming or summer party gifts. Enjoy!
xoxo Lorelai
Thanks for the feature!
ReplyDeletexoxo Lorelai