CRAFT: a simple

Craft

ing

night mith shows how to make citronella candles.

scents

Citronella is a natural, non-toxic insect repellent, ideal for warding off mosquitoes. Combine with a natural, non-toxic soy wax and you’ll be able to breathe easy, having avoided the use of nasty chemicals. Plus, soy wax is easier to clean up after using.

You will need

Makes 1 candle Glass tumbler 80mm high x 77mm diameter or similar (must be heat-resistant and not too large) 250g soy wax, melted (approximately 2 cups wax shavings) 10ml citronella fragrance or essential oil Wick (longer than the depth of the tumbler) Double-sided tape or hot glue to hold wick in place Wooden wick holder Pyrex jug Wooden ice-block stick for stirring Pot to use as double boiler Candy thermometer Candle-making items available from craft stores such as Spotlight. Label, twine and heat-safe glue like super glue for porcelain (optional)

A

1 Start with a clean work surface. Measure and lay out all the ingredients before starting (A). 2 Use a piece of double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the wick to the bottom of the jar. Make sure it is centred with the help of a wooden wick holder. Alternatively, make a hole in an ice-block stick, or use a wooden peg to hold the wick in place. 3 Using the double-boiler method, melt the wax. Fill a saucepan a third of the way with water and heat so it continues to simmer gently. For a tumbler of this size we used approximately 2 cups of wax shavings. Place wax in a Pyrex jug (B). It will look as if you have more wax than you need, but when melted it shrinks significantly. Make sure the handle of the jug sits over the outside of the pot. Heat the wax until it reaches 80-85°C, gently stirring the wax occasionally so it melts evenly. The melted wax should look like olive oil (C). 4 Remove jug from the double boiler and set aside on a heat-resistant surface like a wooden tray. Add approximately 10ml of citronella fragrance (D), stir for a minute or two, making sure the fragrance has been mixed through thoroughly. 5 Wait until the temperature drops to 65°C (E), give it another gentle stir and slowly pour it into the glass tumbler (F). Be careful not to spill the wax down the sides or on yourself. Fill the tumbler until it reaches 10mm from the top. You may need to adjust the wick and wick holder so it sits nicely in the middle (G).

B C

D E

F G

Note: We used glass tumblers that are purpose-made for candles. If you are using other types of containers, make sure the glass isn’t too cold. Aim for room temperature or slightly warmer to ensure the glass doesn’t crack and the wax cools evenly. 6 Set the candles aside somewhere dust-free, where they can’t be knocked while setting. Let the candle cure for at least 48 hours before using (1 week is best). Once cured, trim the wick 10mm above the top of the wax. 7 Wind twine half a dozen times around the tumbler, using a few drops of glue to hold in place. Photocopy, cut out and glue the label on.

Tips and safety

• When lighting your homemade citronella candle for the first time, let it burn for long enough to create a full pool of melted wax to the edges. This helps it burn evenly later. • It will be easier to clean the Pyrex jug if you do it while it’s still warm. • Other types of wax, various wick sizes and essential oils have different properties and may burn differently, so use these instructions as a guide only, if using products other than those suggested. • Never burn your candle for longer than 3-4 hours at a time. • Never leave candles unattended and always keep out of reach of children and pets. • Use on a heat-resistant surface and stop burning once wax is 20mm from the bottom of the glass tumbler.