Gel Air Fresheners at Home

Here’s a  recipe for making Gel Air Fresheners at home. These are easy to customize with your favorite scents and colors, and they look nice sitting around your home or office.

Gel Air Freshener Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water

• 4 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder (about 3 envelopes)

• 1 tablespoon salt (helps preserve the gel)

• 1 tablespoon baking soda (neutralizes odors)

• 20-30 drops of essential oils (your favorite scent, e.g., lavender, lemon, eucalyptus)

• Food coloring (optional, for color)

• Small jars or containers (to hold the gel)

Equipment:

• Saucepan

• Mixing spoon or whisk

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Jars or heat-resistant containers with lids (if you want to cover them)

Instructions:

1. Heat Water:
   Pour 2 cups of water into a saucepan and heat it on medium until warm but not boiling.

2. Add Gelatin:
   Sprinkle the 4 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin powder evenly over the warm water. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes to bloom (absorb the water).

3. Dissolve Gelatin:
   Stir the gelatin mixture continuously over low heat until completely dissolved (about 3-5 minutes). Avoid boiling as it can affect the gelatin’s gelling properties.

4. Add Salt and Baking Soda:
   Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon baking soda until fully dissolved. Salt helps to prevent mold, and baking soda neutralizes odors.

5. Add Essential Oils:
   Remove the pan from heat and add 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oils. Mix well to distribute the fragrance evenly.

6. Add Food Coloring:
   If you want colored gel, add a few drops of food coloring and stir well until the color is even.

7. Pour Into Containers:
   Carefully pour the mixture into your jars or containers. Leave some space at the top.

8. Set and Cool:
   Let the gel air fresheners cool at room temperature until fully set. This can take 2-4 hours. You can also refrigerate them to speed up the setting process.

9. Cover or Leave Open:
   You can place lids on your jars if you want to control how strong the scent is, or leave them open for a stronger aroma.

Tips:

• You can experiment with scent combinations, like lavender and peppermint, or citrus blends.

• To refresh the scent, add a few drops of essential oil on top every week.

• For a decorative touch, add dried flower petals or small beads into the gel before it sets.