DIY Gel Air Fresheners - Including a Vegan Option!

9 Materials
$4
3 Hours
Easy

In this tutorial, we will show you how to make fragrant DIY gel air fresheners. These fun, colourful air fresheners are formulated with essential oils and will leave your home smelling fresh and clean, without the questionable ingredients found in many commercial home gel deodorizers. We also include a gel air freshener formulation without gelatin for vegans.

The simple Ingredients for these DIY Gel Air Fresheners.


For this simple project, you will need:


Gelatin or Agar Agar

A selection of essential oils

Food colouring

Salt or potassium sorbate

Water

Vodka

Collection of small or large wide-mouthed mason jars

Frog lids


Measurements found by clicking the link to OUR BLOG HERE.

You can use wide-mouthed mason jars with frog lids or small open jars for this project.


You can use wide-mouthed mason (16 oz) jars with frog lids as pictured above. Or you can use small 4 oz jars, also shown.


Note: You can also use any heat-resistant jar you may have on hand such as jam or baby food jars.

Dissolve the Gelatin or Agar Agar for the base of the gel in warm water.


First, measure and place the gelatin (or agar agar if making the vegan version) in a bowl or small saucepan. Add water and let sit for 5 minutes to dissolve the gelatin or agar agar.

Then, add boiling water.


Next, add boiling water to your bowl and mix well. You can now transfer your mixture to a small saucepan and bring your mixture to a boil on the stove. Remove from heat after 5 minutes or so.

Next, add salt. Let cool slightly then add vodka & food colouring.


After boiling your mixture, it's ideal to transfer it to a beaker, or a large measuring cup with a spout. This makes the process of pouring the gel into your jars later a lot easier.


For the next step, you will want to allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding the vodka. Then, after adding your vodka, add salt or potassium sorbate and stir the mixture well again.


You will want to use a hefty dose of salt or a small amount of potassium sorbate, otherwise the gel fresheners will be prone to mold.


You will also want to add your choice of food colouring to the mixture.


Note: You can make each jar a different colour as well. To do this, add the food colouring to each individual jar once the gel is poured into your storage jars.

Add essential oils & stir all the ingredients well. A spouted jar is easier for pouring later.


After you have added the salt and food colouring, add your preferred selection of essential oils.


We include our favourite blends for home fragrance on our blog. The vodka in the recipe helps the essential oils disperse into the mixture and prevents them from floating at the top of the gel once it solidifies.

Pour the gel formulation into the storage jars of your choice. Then refrigerate.


Finally, pour your air freshener formulation into your jars of choice. Our recipe yields 1 large 16 oz jar or 4 small 4 oz jars.


Place your gel jars in the fridge to set for approximately 3 hours.


Again, you will find the exact measurements and a more detailed tutorial on our blog.

You can create a plethora of Multi-Coloured Gel Air Fresheners!


You can have fun making a multitude of multi-coloured or even multi-layered gel air fresheners (as shown in the photo at the top). This is also a simple and enjoyable project to do with older kids.

The jars can be placed all around your home.


These gel air freshener jars can be placed in areas of your home prone to odours such as bathrooms, kitchens and closets.

You can have fun creating a multitude of colours and scents!


The colour combinations are endless.

Place a jar in your kitchen, your bathroom, and your clothing & linen closets.


We hoped you enjoyed this easy tutorial for gel air fresheners. For more DIY recipes for you home, please check out our blog.


For even more natural and non-toxic living ideas,  follow us on Pinterest! You can also  find us on Instagram Facebook, and  Twitter.

Resources for this project:
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 10 questions
  • Donna Donna on Aug 24, 2020

    I followed the gelatin recipe. I refrigerated them as directed. After I put them out they became liquid again. Not sure why, I verified I follow the measurements and directions as written. Any thoughts?

  • Destry Ibarra Destry Ibarra on Oct 11, 2020

    Can you use rubbing alcohol instead of vodka

  • Debbie Collins Debbie Collins on Aug 17, 2021

    How much vodka?

Comments
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  • Lisa West Lisa West on Aug 24, 2020

    Great idea. Also for parents who home school their kids this can be a very good science, math, art and chemistry experiment along with a detailed report. Covers 4 subjects in one shot. Tehe. Fun to.

  • Tara Austin Tara Austin on Nov 03, 2020

    I bring water to a boil, add a few drops of food coloring and essential oils then add a tbs of corn starch and pour into container.... Easy to do

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