Spending time outside, and enjoying the perfect summertime weather with your friends and family can be a great way to spend the day. However, the arrival of a certain pest can cause your perfect too become less than pleasant. In addition to carrying diseases, they are noisy, and their bites can leave you itching for weeks, but this homemade candle could be the key to keeping summer nights mosquito free. Here are the ingredients along with everything you need to know to make these candles for yourself...
Everything you'll need.
The most important ingredient is the wax base, this can be beeswax, soy wax, leftover candle pieces, or any other type of wax you find appealing. You will also need one ounce of citronella essential oil for every pound of wax being used. Additionally, you will need wicks, skewers, or something similar to positioning the wicks in place during the beginning processes. Finally, need a double boiler for preparation, and any type of glass or metal jar for storing your candle.
Create the final product.
The first step in making these candles is preparing the jars. Place a wick that 1 to 2 inches higher than the container, and position in the center of the jar, using a couple skewers to hold the wick in place. Now put the jars to the side, take out the double boiler you have ready, fill it with the full amount of wax you decided to use, and place it on the stove over low heat until the wax has been completely melted.
Once the wax has finished the melting process, remove it from the heat, and prepare to add the essential oil. Add one ounce of citronella essential oil for each pound of wax you originally used, and quickly begin to stir them together, and move on to the next step before the wax has a chance to cool. Now retrieve the jars you had previously prepared, reposition the wick to the center of the jars if necessary, and carefully pour your candle mixture into the containers.
Finally, move your candles to a warm room where they will be undisturbed and given time to cool completely. The temperature of the room is important because if the wax hardens too quickly it could cause cracking throughout the entire body of the candle. Once the candle has fully cooled trim the wick to a 1/4 inch, and allow it to rest in a cool place for another two days. Additionally, the first time you use the candle, allow it to burn long enough for the wax to melt to the sides of the jar, and start to pool.