How to Make a Body Butter Candle
9 June 2026
Citronella candles are the natural way to keep mosquitoes, flies and other bugs away while you relax outdoors. This easy gel citronella candle recipe from The Soap Barn uses a few simple candle making supplies and is perfect for summer evenings, braais, camping and safari trips.
What you will need
- 1 litre gel wax
- Glass jar or container
- 1 pack pre-waxed wicks
- Yellow candle colouring
- Green candle colouring
- Citronella essential oil
All of these are available from our candle making supplies range.
Method
- Melt the gel wax in a pot directly on the stove over a very low heat. When melted it will run like water.
- Add a couple of drops of yellow candle colouring, one drop of green colouring, and 20ml citronella essential oil to the melted gel.
- Dip the sustainer end of the wick into the melted gel and position the wick in your jar or container.
- Fill the container to the top and leave to set.
How to use your citronella candles
Burn them indoors and outdoors all summer to keep flies and mosquitoes away. They are ideal for camping, hiking and safari trips, just close the lid of the jar and drop it in your travel pack.
Ready to make your own? Shop the full candle making supplies range at The Soap Barn, with fast nationwide delivery across South Africa.
Tips & variations
Once you have made your citronella candles, here are a few ways to get a great result and put your own spin on it.
- Match your wick to the container width: too small and it tunnels, too large and it smokes.
- Add fragrance at around 60C so the scent binds properly into the wax.
- On the first light, let the melt pool reach the edges before blowing it out, it prevents tunnelling later.
Make it your own: swap the fragrance for any scent in our range, or add a touch of candle dye for a different look.
You may also like: Citronella Gel Travel Candle and Coffee Candles in Antique Buckets.
