Every year, summer rolls in with birds chirping, tea clinking, and… mosquitoes dive-bombing my ankles like it’s their job.
We love spending warm evenings outside—board games on the terrace, dog sniffing around, kids zooming past barefoot. And then BAM. One whiff of skin and the mosquitoes invite their entire extended family.
We’ve been using those green mosquito repellent coils forever. They smell like chemical regret, but hey—they work. Problem is, where do you put them? Flat on the floor? Not unless you want smoldering spirals of ash and your toddler trying to “help” with them.
So this year, I DIY’d a mosquito coil holder. Made from a used tin can. It’s safe. It’s tidy. And—brace yourself—it’s kinda adorable. I even added a little faux-Gzhel napkin situation because drawing is not my spiritual gift. Here’s what I did, with the good, the bad, and the huh-why-did-I-do-that.
What you’ll need
- 1 empty tin can (at least 450 ml)
- White acrylic paint
- Mod Podge or PVA glue
- Clear spray sealer or varnish
- Decorative paper napkins
- Small piece of wire (I used craft wire)
- Wooden beads (optional but very charming)
- Scissors, sponge, and a drill or sharp awl
How To Make These Coil Holders
Pick a can. I used one from canned corn and another from pineapples. Eat the contents (optional but recommended), peel off the label, and scrub any glue or food gunk. I lightly sanded the surface so the paint would actually stick instead of sliding off like butter on a hot skillet. If you skip this, you’ll probably regret it. I did once. Never again.
Sounds aggressive, I know. But trust me—squashing it just a little helps the coil nestle in nicely without tipping. I used a clamp. If you don’t have one, you can press down with your hands (go slow or you’ll dent it weird). Mine came out with a slight oval shape, which made it look... intentionally rustic? Let’s call it that.
You need one hole on each side, about halfway up. That’s where your wire’s gonna go. I used a power drill because I like drama, but you could use a hammer and nail, or even an awl if you're patient and slightly masochistic. Just make sure the holes line up—or your coil will hang at a sad angle.
Painting the can white makes the napkin art pop. I dabbed it on with a dish sponge instead of a brush. Why? Because tin is slippery and brushes are streaky, and honestly, I had a sponge nearby. It took 3 coats. I didn’t wait long enough between coats the first time and got weird lumps, so... patience is a virtue here.
You’ll need one of those fancy napkins with pretty prints. I had a blue-and-white folk one with a cute house and trees that gave Delft or Gzhel vibes.
Cut out the design elements. Then—and this is key—peel off the two plain layers behind the printed one. You only want the top, thin, fragile piece. It’ll feel like separating wet tissue paper, so be gentle.
Place your napkin piece where you want it on the can. Then, with a soft brush and some watered-down PVA or Mod Podge, gently brush from the center outward. If you go too fast, it’ll wrinkle or tear, and you’ll say bad words. Let it dry completely. Don’t poke it. Don’t touch it. Just walk away.
Once the glue is dry, spray it with a clear varnish or sealer. I did this in a cardboard box in the garage. It dries fast, but don’t forget to rotate the can so you don’t miss a side (like I did the first time). Now it looks like a porcelain pot instead of a can that used to hold pineapple chunks.
Cut a piece of wire about 1 inch longer than the width of your can. Thread it through one hole, then through the mosquito coil, then out the other hole. If you want bonus points for cuteness, glue a wooden bead to one end. I painted mine white to match, and yes, it looks way more expensive than it actually is.
Pop the coil in, light the tip, and bam—you’ve got a handmade, adorable, surprisingly safe mosquito coil holder that doesn’t scream “I gave up.”.
Why It’s Great
We’ve been using ours on the terrace every night. It keeps the bugs away, doesn’t topple over, and even gets compliments from people who usually don’t care about this stuff.
Last tips:
- Use outdoor-rated paint and sealant if you’re keeping it outside long-term.
- Choose napkins with bold designs that won’t disappear on white background.
- Try not to rush through drying times (trust me, it’s tempting but dumb).
- If your wire is loose, bend the ends inside to keep it snug.