DIY Gel Air Freshener - With only a few ingredients you can make your own gel air fresheners! Decorate with some silk flowers or leaves and they are pretty enough to even give as gifts!
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So, I'm starting to accept the fact that fall is approaching. The days here are getting shorter already, the weather has been getting cooler, I have received more fall/harvest catalogs in the mail than I care to talk about and my oldest starts kindergarten next Tuesday! I suppose it's time to trade in the grill for the crock pot, the sandals for the boots, and the fresh air for air fresheners. Do you do this, too?
My house needs to smell good year-round. I'm a candle addict and have tried every air freshener imaginable from plug-ins and reed diffusers to oil/wax tart warmers and traditional candles. If you're averse to air fresheners we probably wouldn't get along that well, but even so, the DIY Gel Air Fresheners I'm sharing today are made with only four ingredients (for the gel) - one of them being distilled water.
And to welcome in fall, I thought it would be fun to throw some silk autumn leaves and berries into the jars to dress them up a little!
For those of you who love a nice smelling home like I do, I hope you enjoy this quick tutorial! Here's what you'll need to get started:
DIY Gel Air Fresheners
- 2 cups distilled water
- 1 oz. unflavored gelatin (equal to 4 envelopes)
- 1-2 tablespoons fragrance oil
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2-3 smaller glass jars
- Silk flowers, leaves or other additions you think would be fun!
Wash your glass jars out, dry them and position your silk flowers or other "decorative items" in the jars the way you would like them. Remember that this step is totally optional! If you just want the gel only, don't put anything else in the jars. You could always just add some food coloring to the gel if you'd like it to match a certain room, etc. Don't be afraid to be creative!
Then, it's time to get things started on the stove top! In a saucepan heat 1 ½ cups of the distilled water with the salt and stir until salt is dissolved.
Next you'll add the gelatin in, stir until that is dissolved and then remove the pan from the heat. Once the pan is removed from the burner, add the remaining ½ cup of distilled water and stir. Lastly, gently pour the fragrance oil in, stir again until well mixed, and then start adding the liquid to the jars. I used some fragrance oil I had with my candle-making supplies. I made sure to pick something with a wonderful autumnish (I don't think that's a word) scent!
It's okay if your silk flowers stick out above the liquid. I kind of like the 3D effect. In fact, I put my berries right on top.
Here's where you'll need to be patient. Put the jars in a safe place and allow them to cool overnight for the gel to form properly. The next day your air fresheners will be ready to use! These are so much fun to decorate for different rooms in the house or to give as gifts to friends and family. How do you plan to decorate yours? I'd love for you to share your ideas in the comments!
Gel Air Freshener
Materials
Instructions
- Wash your glass jars out, dry them and position your silk flowers or other "decorative items" in the jars the way you would like them. Remember that this step is totally optional!
- Then, it's time to get things started on the stove top! In a saucepan heat 1 ½ cups of the distilled water with the salt and stir until salt is dissolved.
- Next you'll add the gelatin in, stir until that is dissolved and then remove the pan from the heat. Once the pan is removed from the burner, add the remaining ½ cup of distilled water and stir.
- Lastly, gently pour the fragrance oil in, stir again until well mixed, and then start adding the liquid to the jars.
- It's okay if your silk flowers stick out above the liquid. I kind of like the 3D effect. In fact, I put my berries right on top.
- Here's where you'll need to be patient. Put the jars in a safe place and allow them to cool overnight for the gel to form properly. The next day your air fresheners will be ready to use!
Notes
- Personalization and Decoration: Take advantage of the opportunity to personalize your gel air fresheners by adding silk flowers, leaves, or other decorative items to the jars. This step allows you to customize the appearance of the air fresheners to match your decor or personal preferences. Experiment with different arrangements and combinations to create unique and visually appealing designs.
- Proper Dissolving of Ingredients: Ensure that the salt and gelatin are fully dissolved in the distilled water while heating on the stove. Stir the mixture continuously to facilitate the dissolution process and prevent any clumps or uneven distribution of ingredients. Properly dissolved ingredients contribute to the smooth texture and effectiveness of the gel air fresheners.
- Patience During Cooling: Exercise patience during the cooling process to allow the gel air fresheners to set properly. Place the jars in a safe location and allow them to cool overnight to ensure that the gel forms correctly. Rushing this step may result in incomplete setting of the gel, affecting the longevity and performance of the air fresheners. Once cooled and set, your homemade gel air fresheners will be ready to use, filling your space with delightful fragrance.
Bonny
Why do you have to use flavoured gelatinous? Could you use unsweetened flavoured gelatin to help with the cloudiness? Also maybe the cloudiness is occurring due to minerals in the water.
Sara
Hi Bonny, you actually are supposed to use UNFLAVORED gelatin for this.Thank you for your comment!
Vanessa
I used pure I scented and unflavoured gelatin purchased from bulk barn and had the same issue as Rainey. My gels wouldn't set, so I moved them to the fridge, where they did set, quite quickly. Upon removing them from the fridge, they quickly turned back to a complete liquid. Any suggestions?
t
sounds great I will try it from ohio
Lucretia
why does my essential oil seperate from my gel water?
Sara
Oils can sometimes be temperamental. It could just be the type of essential oil you're using. I used fragrance oil when I made mine so I'm not completely sure. Your best bet would be to experiment with a different oil next time around. Fingers crossed!
Rainey
Hi, I've tried making these but I've left it over night but it still don't set. I've tried putting it in the refrigerator, it did set but once I took it out and put in the living room...it melted and turned into liquid. What happened?
Sara
Hi Rainey, you shouldn't need to put the jars into the fridge. Make sure you're using the correct amount of gelatin. You used unflavored gelatin, correct? I've never seen them "melt" or not "set" before. About 3 months after I made these I finally tossed them. The remnants at the bottom of the jar were actually rock hard. My only guess is that maybe you didn't use the correct gelatin or something went wrong while following the recipe?
Melissa Holt
How long is the shelf life?
Melissa Holt
Ooops I just saw that comment...lmao
Bonita
What size jars did you use for this recipe? You mentioned small that would be what oz? I think I'm going to definitely try this - Thanks
Sara
Bonita, 6 or 8 oz. jars seem to work well!
cami
This is awesome, I just wanted to know what is the shelf live for this item?
Sara
Cami, I'm not completely certain how long you could store them sealed, but when opened, mine lasted about 2 months.
Melissa Holt
I just tried these today, to see how they would work may give them out as Christmas gifts and then try selling them with our crafts.
Sara
What a great idea, Melissa! I'd love to know what you put in yours to dress them up!
Emmie
I have made these twice now. Both times turned out cloudy. They do smell wonderful though. I have made autumn scents with artificial leaves, pinecones, mini pumpkins in them. Also made a lavender scented one with artifical lavender sprigs in it.
Sara
Hi Emmie, I still haven't figured out what might be causing the cloudiness. It sounds like you've made some wonderful fresheners! What a great idea to put mini pumpkins in them. Love it!
Barbara Thompson
Hello Sara,
I love this idea, I was thinking of a Christmas theme and was wondering if anyone has tried real pine branches, pine cones,holly and cinnamon sticks? I have imitation but thought it might better to try real. I could see where you would need to clean these items before hand. Thank you for your insight!
Barb
Sara
I think as long as you steer clear of things like real berries, etc. you should be okay. I think. Some more fragile items may start breaking down or disintegrating perhaps? If you are plannning these for gifts, I would use faux items. If you're just experimenting with decor in your house, go ahead and try the real. Let me know what happens!! Do a couple of each!
Michelle Bullock
I have just made Christmas ones of these for gifts and I used a pot pouri mix in it... they did float a little but with the Christmas Spice oil they look and smell amazing...
Sara
What a great idea, Michelle! So glad they turned out well for you!!
Roseann Detlefsen
Hi Sara-I tried these tonight and mine were also cloudy (same color as the gelatin was in the pan after it dissolves-a yellowish color). I am a candle maker, so my oils are all new and I bought the gelatin yesterday, so nothing I used was old. Does it clarify more after setting? Also, the top of mine was bubbly and not smooth like your pictures. I did not let mine boil, but how long do you keep them on the heat? I did put a sprig of artificial pine in mine, but I don't think that effected the color. Thanks!
Sara
Hi Roseann, after it sets it should be clear. Let me know how it looks after it sets. If you had some bubbling you can use a toothpick or straw to try and work some of the bubbles out of the solution. I did have that happen with a few of my containers and I was able to work them out this way. As soon as I knew everything was dissolved I pulled it off the heat.
Roseann Detlefsen
Hi Sara-they were still really yellowish and cloudy after setting. In fact, it has been a few weeks and the top is still a little liquidy. I will try again because it is a really neat idea and I have tons of things I can embed in the jars.
Jacqui
What a cute project. I think these would make a great Christmas gift. Thank you for linking up to Party Time and we hope to see you again next week!
Sara
Thanks, Jacqui! They definitely would make great gifts - really any time of year!
cecilia
Mine also was cloudy..not from the fragrance oil but the gelatin.
It wasn't old tho so not sure the deal. It was Knox brand..
Is there a certain length of time we should be cooking the gelatin?
Sara
Cecilia, once the air fresheners "set" were they still cloudy? I'm not sure what's causing the cloudiness. You definitely need to make sure the salt and the gelatin are well dissolved before pouring. I never let my gelatin boil. I think removing it from the heat in time after dissolved may be key as well.
Lesley
Just made this and mine turned out cloudy also. I think it was because I used old gelatin. I will try again with newer gelatin cuz I just love this idea!!
Thanks Sara!!
Sara
Lesley, I certainly hope it works out for you next time, Lesley. What kind of fragrance oil did you use?