Citronella & Lemongrass Wax Melts for Insect Repellent

Level

Easy

Method

Melt & Pour

Makes

6 Melts

Time

20 Mins + Setting time

A citronella and lemongrass melt for keeping midges off the stoep through mosquito season.

Method

Melt the wax

Melt the soy wax flakes in a double boiler until fully liquid, around 70°C.

Cool slightly

Let the wax drop to about 60°C before adding oils, this helps the scent hold instead of burning off.

Add the oils

Stir in the citronella, lemongrass and eucalyptus.

Pour

Pour into a 6-cavity clamshell mould and leave to set for at least 2 hours before unmoulding.

Tips and swaps

Swap the eucalyptus for peppermint if you want a sharper, cooler scent.
Beeswax works instead of soy, but it burns off scent faster, so add 1–2 ml extra of the oil blend.
Keep melts in a sealed container out of direct sun, they'll hold their scent for a few months.

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Waxes

Soy Wax (Vegan)

From R183

Weight

500g 1kg 5kg 20kg

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Essential Oils

Citronella Essential Oil

From R43

Size

11ml 22ml 50ml 100ml 500ml 1lt

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Essential Oils

Lemongrass Essential Oil

From R48

Size

11ml 22ml 50ml 100ml 500ml 1lt

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Essential Oils

Eucalyptus (Simthii) Essential Oil

From R44

Size

11ml 22ml 50ml 100ml 500ml 1lt

Recipe FAQs

Will these actually keep insects away?

Citronella and lemongrass are the two oils with the most consistent evidence for repelling mosquitoes, but a wax melt gives off a lower, steadier concentration than a spray, so treat it as a deterrent for the room rather than a substitute for repellent on skin.

Can I use a different wax?

Soy holds scent well and melts evenly, that's why it's the default here. Coconut or a coconut-soy blend also works.

This recipe is shared for general wellness and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always patch test, and speak to a professional if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a skin condition.