Meet the gel air freshener – a superfun, strangely easy, and absolutely natural way to make the house smell amazing. It’s one of the simple projects in Essential Glow, my (!) book that’s packed with tips, recipes and DIYs for essential oils. (P.S. if you preorder, you’ll get some cool stuff!)
You can customize this simple diffuser with your favorite scent, dye it a pretty pick-me-up color, and even add in fun decorative items, like shells or flowers. Then set it somewhere in your house and enjoy! You can even pop one in the fridge to combat food odors.
How to Make Your Own Gel Air Fresheners
For parents with little kids, having flaming candles around is just asking for trouble. I love how candles look and smell, but I don’t like how they attract curious little hands. The gel air freshener is perfect!
Supplies needed
- 1 packet Knox gelatin
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup vodka
- about 15 drops essential oil (aromatherapy grade oils are okay here)
- 1-2 drops food coloring
Bring the water to boil in a small sauce pan. Add gelatin packet and stir until dissolved. Let mixture sit until cooled to room temperature. Then pour into small jar and add vodka, oils and any color or decoration. Stir and refrigerate until set. Seriously, it’s that simple, folks.
Go easy with the food coloring – you only need 1 to 2 drops. Then add 10-15 drops of essential oil. Here are a few scent options to try:
Good cheer
- 3 drops melissa
- 6 drops rose absolute
- 4 drops lavender
PMS soother
- 4 drops jasmine
- 4 drops geranium
- 2 drops lemon
Cleansing
- 2 drops lemongrass
- 2 drops peppermint
- 9 drops palmarosa
And if curious hands aren’t a problem at your house, you can attach a wick at the bottom of the glass or jar before add the gelatin to make a ‘gel candle.’ Light the candle and the scent will get even more intense.
You can find Essential Glow on sale here!
Photos by Ana Stanciu
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My Dear
Why is my gelatine fluid in air freshener not good and after one or two hours,that i put it in my car it becomes watery.
Best regards
Habibi
I, too have vegan concerns, and thought I might try it to make one with agar-agar. Also, I think the alcohol is there as a preservative, and another “tweak” I’m considering is using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol: Why waste good vodka, and why waste money on bad vodka?
I have tried this recipe and it’s true that the oil and alcohol separated from my gelatin when it was already formed. The oil was just there on top.
So, I made another one. I used lesser oil and lesser alcohol. I combined my oil and my alcohol first before pouring my newly cooked gelatin. SUCCESSFUL at this time!!
How can I chat with you
I was really disappointed by this recipe. I was unclear as to exactly how many packs of gelatine to use. Even after refrigeration, my gel was soft. I put it out anyway, and it proceeded to grow green, furry mold. Gross.
That’s exactly what happened to me !
pls is it a must to refrigerate it….CU’s we don’t av constant light over here…wat else should I do except from refrigerating it.
Can I use rubbing alcohol instead of Vodka? I’d love to make these, but I live in a place where the presence of alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden (even if it’s just for cooking or DIY purposes).
Thanks!
Yes, that will work as well, thanks for asking!
hi there, I made these around 3 days ago using 1 pack gelatine, 1 tbsp salt and 2 cups water. They have not set at all :( only once i refrigerate it does it set, as soon as it comes back to room temperature, its all water and oil again. I have made 8 of these from one batch of recipe I’ve mentioned. Is there anyway to salvage these? can i add more gelatin? can i add agar agar and stir again? Please help. I went all creative with the scents I’d die to know i have to waste these! :(
oh no, sorry to hear that! In my recipe I used 3/4 cup water and 1/4 cup vodka with one pack of gelatine so you might need more gelatine. Also I didn’t use salt so I’m not sure how that would affect the recipe. I hope it works out!
I think the vodka is added as a preservative I made these years ago without alcohol and after a few weeks mold started to grow on them.
Would rubbing alcohol work instead of vodka?
I think the vodka is added as a preservative I made these years ago without alcohol and after a few weeks mold started to grow on them.
Would rubbing or isopropyl alcohol work instead of vodka? Don’t really want to purchase vodka!
Great idea! What size jars did you use?