With summer weather right around the corner, we thought we’d share one of our favorite summer candles – this Easy Citronella Candle.

This easy citronella candle is made with real citronella oil, so it’s a great mosquito repellent! And it’s so pretty in this clear Mason jar! Follow along with the video tutorial we made then use the steps below to make your own Citronella Jar Candle!

How To Make An Easy Citronella Candle

Materials

Yaley’s Glass Fill Wax
1 Mason jar, 3” diameter mouth
1 Small pre-waxed wire wick (zinc core) with clip
1 Wick keeper
Yellow candle dye (block style)
Citronella liquid candle scent

Tools

Candle making thermometer
Kitchen scale
Double boiler
Ladle
Cutting board
Putty knife

Other Materials

Paper towels
Ruler
Skewer
Pencil
Scissors
Chopstick
Potato peeler
White index card
Tablespoon

Steps

1. To start you’ll want to weigh out your wax. Place the jar on the kitchen scale. Zero it out. Then fill the jar with water. Weigh the jar a second time. This is how much wax you will need (approximately).

Use the putty knife and cutting board to cut the wax into chunks.

Weigh the chunks of wax. Add 2 or 3 ounces of wax for good measure.

2. Before you wick the jar, wash and dry it. Attach one side of the wick keeper to the bottom of the wick clip. Adhere the other side of the wick keeper to the bottom center of the jar.

Tie the wick to the pencil and rest it across the mouth of the Mason jar.

3. Next, melt the wax in a double boiler. Use the candle making thermometer to check the temperature of the wax as it is melting. It should not exceed 175°F. (To stay safe we recommend you watch the wax the whole time.)

To dye the wax yellow, use the potato peeler to shave a few curls from the dye block. When the wax reaches 175°F add the dye pieces. Stir the wax and color together with a chopstick. You can drip a little wax on the index card to check the color. Add more dye if desired. Add 1 tablespoon of the citronella scent to the wax and stir.

4. Carefully pour or ladle the melted wax into the wicked Mason jar. Make sure the wick is centered. Save your leftover wax. Let the Mason jar citronella candle cool for 30 to 60 minutes.

5. After 30-60 minutes, a thick skin will form on the top of the candle. The wax shrinks as it cools and will sink down in the center of the candle. Totally normal. Do not panic. Use a skewer to poke 4 or 5 holes in the candle near the wick. Poke the skewer all the way to the bottom of the jar.

Reheat the leftover wax to 170°F. Carefully pour the wax into the jar on top of the candle. Pour up to but not over the initial pour line.

6. Let the Easy Citronella Candle cool, about 24 hours.Untie the wick from the pencil. Trim the wick to a quarter inch.

If you have any questions about candle making or any craft, please leave us a comment. We’re here to help!
Happy Crafting,
Jennifer & Kitty

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