10 Minute DIY: Upcycle Glass Bottles Into Citronella Torches

By Chelsea Faulkner

If you’re looking for one of the easiest, cheapest DIY project out there, you’ve found it. I hate throwing away beautiful glass bottles, but I also have a bad habit of saving them and then doing nothing with them. So after a few months of these gorgeous blue glass liquor bottles sitting on my kitchen counter, it was time to put them to use. We’ve had a bit of a mosquito problem here in East Tennessee this year, so this project was a no brainer. These citronella bottle torches took less than 10 minutes to make and they do a great job of keeping away those pesky bugs. Plus, they look great by the pool! (Hint: these also make awesome gifts). Check out the super-simple steps below.

This project is totally customizable! Any type of glass bottle with a small opening, such as a wine bottle, beer bottle or soda bottle, will work.

What You’ll Need

Tools:

• hot glue gun
• small funnel

Materials

• glass bottle with opening similar to a wine bottle
• citronella torch fuel
• citronella torch wick replacement
• 1/2″ x 3/8″ copper coupling
• 1/2″ flat steel washer

Step 1: Clean Bottle

Wash the inside and outside of your bottle with warm water and dish soap. To remove any packaging stickers, run under very hot water for about 30 seconds then easily peel off. For tougher adhesive, use a sticker removal product until all glue is removed, then wash with soap and water again. Dry thoroughly.

Step 2: Glue on Washer

Run a thick line of hot glue around the opening of the bottle.

Working quickly to ensure proper adhesion, attach washer to hot glue and center over opening. Tip: If your copper coupling sits in the opening of the bottle without slipping, the washer is unnecessary and you can skip this step.

Step 3: Add Fuel

Using a small funnel, slowly pour in citronella torch fuel until bottle is about 3/4 full.

Step 4: Prepare Wick

Slip the copper coupling onto the end of the wick with the larger (1/2-inch) end facing up.

Step 5: Insert Wick

Squeeze the end of the wick to ensure that no stray fibers get caught on the bottle opening.

Slowly twist the wick down into the bottle.

Rest copper coupling on the lip of the washer, leaving about 1/2-inch of wick exposed.

Step 6: Light It Up & Enjoy

Using a stick lighter or long match, light your beautiful new citronella torch, sit back and relax! When you’re done, simply put out the flame with a torch snuffer and store indoors or in a covered area between uses.

How have you repurposed your old glass bottles? Tell us in the comments below. …read more

From:: HGTV