What Can I Do With...

If you (or your wife) have a thing for candles, more than likely you have thrown out a few stubs or jars half full of leftover wax.  Next time, save the wax (and the jar) to make your own citronella candles to ward off bugs on your patio!

• Pick up some plain citronella oil - or use the leftovers from your tiki torches – and some new lead-free candlewicks.


• Melt down the old wax (unscented works best) in a double boiler, or a tin can set inside a pot of boiling water.


• Carefully add the citronella to the wax and stir.


• Clean the old candle jars, or re-use jelly jars or coffee tins.


• Measure the wick to be as long as the jar is tall, plus a few inches.


• Tie one end of the wick to the middle of a pencil or stick, and the other end to a washer, bolt, or just tie a large knot.


• Lower the weighted end of the wick into the empty jar, and balance the pencil across the opening so the wick is centered.  If you’re using a large jar, you might want to use more than one wick.


• Slowly pour the hot wax into the jar, being careful not to dislodge your wick.


• Set aside for a day to harden, then trim the wick to ¼”.  Enjoy!