I wanted to share my experience with making these
easy and useful Air Freshener Gels. A relatively low
cost Do-It-Yourself room air freshener, you may
have all the ingredients already!
I keep one in each vehicle and at my desk at work.
The total time it takes to make is about five to six
(5-6) minutes and then twenty-four (24) hours to
solidify.
Materials & Equipment:
Three (3) to four (4) jars, capable of holding 1/2-
cup of fluid each. I used four (4) clean and
recycled baby food jars, and each jar holds 1/2-
cup of mixture.
Food Coloring
Essential Oil or Room Fragrance drops (Can be
purchased at a craft store, but I found one on
sale for $2 at Wal-mart.)
Two (2) cups of water, divided into two 1-cup
amounts
Four (4) envelopes unflavored gelatine (one 1-oz
box)
One (1) tablespoon of salt
Kitchen equipment such as a whisk, a pan to boil
the water and spoons (plastic or metal) to mix
the concoction
Prepare:
Pour a few drops of food coloring of your choice
into each jar.
Next, pour one (1) teaspoon (minimum) of
essential oil into each jar. You may want to add
more if you desire a stronger scent emanating
from the end result. I did not use more than two
teaspoons and was pleased with the one
teaspoon result.
Boil and Mix:
Bring one (1) cup of water to a boil.
Add all four (4) envelopes of gelatine to the
boiling water and whisk until dissolved. (I
estimate it dissolved in about a minute.)
After the gelatine dissolves, add the remaining
cup of water and then the salt.
After the salt dissolves, remove the pan from the
heat and pour into the prepared jars. Try pouring
the mixture into the jars within a few minutes of
removing the pan off of the heat.
NOTE: Please be careful as the mixture will be
very hot! My husband held the pot with a steady
hand for the photo. However the second time I
did this by myself, I made a mess everywhere
and spilled the gelatine mixture on the counter.
You may want to use a funnel to put the gelatine
mixture in the jars.
I used a broken clothespin to stir the gelatinous
combination, but suggest using plastic spoons.
Use them quickly as the heat from the water
could make them melt slightly.
Let the now fragrant gel mix solidify at room
temperature for at least 24-hours.
Can you believe that's it?
The scent and solid mixture will disintegrate over
time. The one in my car has lasted over a month.
The one in my bathroom has lasted over a month
but probably will be ready to clean out in another
week. I estimate that one jar would last from four to
six (4-6) good weeks of scent dispersion. Make
sure the lid is off the container to enjoy!
Thanks for reading and I hope you post pictures of
your gels.