Turn A Rusty Muffin Tin Into An Outdoor Mosquito Repellent

If you have an old muffin tin cluttering the back of your cabinet and you're wondering whether or not you should just throw it out, we have just the hack for you. Instead of tossing it, repurpose your muffin tin by giving it a second life as a citronella candle holder for a clever outdoor mosquito repellent. 

This hack, which comes from TikTok creator @therealjustcrumbs, requires simply filling the muffin holes in the tin with some pebbles and adding citronella tea lights on top. The mosquito-repelling aspect of this DIY comes from the scent of the tea light candles: Many people believe that citronella candles can effectively work to repel mosquitoes. There isn't a ton of scientific evidence to establish whether citronella really works to keep mosquitoes away, but it's worth a try if you're looking for natural solution and don't have a huge mosquito problem. At the very least, the candles smell great and they emit a bit of light, so it's also a budget-friendly decor piece that adds the perfect finishing touch to a backyard patio.

The best part of this DIY is that it works no matter how old and discolored your muffin tin is because you can cover it with spray paint. Even if the metal is already a bit rusty, you can use something like Polar Specialist Coatings' black direct to rust spray paint to cover it up. To decorate the tin, you can also use hot glue and small gems or aquarium beads. Just make sure to avoid anything that might catch fire — like decorative feathers, faux florals, or fabric — and make sure all beads are far enough from the candle's flame that there's no risk of them heating up and bursting.

This DIY starts with a thorough clean of your muffin tin. While it doesn't matter if the tin is discolored or rusty, it's best to avoid any greasy residue, which can attract bugs. To do this, mix a bit of water and baking soda and pour it into the muffin tin. Then, place the pan filled with the baking soda mixture into the hot oven (around 350 degrees Fahrenheit) for 20 minutes or so. This will help dislodge baked-on grime, allowing you to scrub it clean with a simple sponge or brush.

@therealjustcrumbs

If you have a rusted old muffin tin, that's waiting to be used, follow along for two unique ideas! #garden #hack #candles #rust #tipsandtricks #household #kitchenhacks

♬ original sound – Suzie Durigon

If you want to paint and bedazzle the tin before using it for candles, do so now. Here, you can use spray paint to cover the entire pan, inside and out. You could also use different colors for the outside of the pan and the inside of the individual holes, or only paint the top section and leave the holes bare. If you're doing this, make sure to use painters tape to make sectioning easier.

Now, fill the individual muffin holes with a base to hold the tea lights and weigh down the tin. You can use small beads, sand, rice, or small pebbles. Add the citronella tea lights in each muffin hole, and place your DIY on the table as a centerpiece. To make this DIY even more functional, hot glue a small magnet to the side of your lighter and attach it under the edge of the muffin tin. That way, the lighter is always handy, and you can easily relight candles if the wind blows them out.