How To Make Gel Air Freshener

If you’d like a longer-lasting scent than what homemade air freshener spray provides, or you’d just like to complement your spray, these pots of homemade gel air freshener are easy to make. They’re great to give as gifts, too!

• 20 drops of your favorite essential oil(s)
• 2 tbsp. salt
• Liquid food coloring (optional)
• 4 packets of plain, unflavored gelatin
• Water
• Empty glass food jars with screw-on lids*

Directions

1. Bring 1 cup water to boil over high heat.
2. Once boiling, remove from heat and gently stir in essential oils, salt and liquid food coloring (if using).
3. Continue stirring while carefully sprinkling the gelatin into the hot water. Once dissolved, slowly stir in 1 cup of cold water. (Do not stir this in vigorously or it will foam up and create a cloudy gel.)
4. Place jars on a towel-covered cookie sheet or board, and carefully pour the gelatin mixture into each jar. Move to a location where they won’t be jostled, and let sit for 2 to 3 days to set up. (They’ll smell very strong during this process, but don’t worry: they fragrance will mellow out once you’ve got the lids on.)
5. Decide how many air fresheners you plan to use immediately. Poke five to six holes in those lids using a hammer and nail. Leave the remaining lids without holes to keep their fragrance intact during storage.

*If you want to make the lid attractive, prime and spray-paint it before hammering in the holes. Or cover it with an attractive scrap of thin fabric hot-glued around the rim. Just be careful not to clog the holes with hot-glue!

I’m linking this to Wicket Awesome Wednesday at Handy Man, Crafty Woman, and House of Hepworth’s Hookin’ Up with HOH

Tagged as: air freshener, homemade mix