Do you like to brighten up your room by using air fresheners, but no longer want the chemicals that come with them? Try making your own homemade gel air freshener using natural ingredients including beef gelatin and essential oils.
Jump to How-To![gel air freshener ready to use](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-featured-image.jpg)
As a kid, I always thought gel air fresheners were so cool.
Or those squishy bead ones (definitely don’t know how I know they are squishy).
However, air fresheners are often filled with a lot of different ingredients so that they stay fresh for longer.
These artificial fragrances and other chemicals can have some not-so-good effects on your health.
That is where making DIY essential oil air fresheners comes in!
Gel air fresheners are not your thing and you want some spray instead? Try this non-toxic air freshening spray.
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![gel air freshener after it was just poured](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-11.jpg)
Why are boughten air fresheners ‘bad’?
Air fresheners can actually worsen indoor air quality.
They do this because some of the chemicals in air fresheners (which are harmful as they are) become more harmful when mixed with the air.
Some of the chemicals that air fresheners emit include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes.
Some of these chemicals are associated with different types of cancer.
Air fresheners can be especially harmful for those with asthma or allergy problems, and they can also lead to migraine headaches, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, neurological problems, and/or nausea.
![air freshener in a jar](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-14.jpg)
Ingredients
Now that we know what is in conventional air fresheners, we can dig into the simple ingredients you actually need.
Water
This will give the air freshener volume, making the essential oils not as concentrated.
Gelatin
Using gelatin will make the gel air freshener ‘gel’. Having the air freshener gel instead of staying liquid will increase the amount of time that it is effective.
![a lady holding a bottle of lemongrass essential oils](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-to-Use-Lemongrass-Essential-Oil-Plus-the-Benefits-10-711x1024.jpg)
Essential Oil
This will give you the amazing smell you want! Choose from fresh and bright EOs such as lemon, lime, or orange, to calming lavender, to spicy cinnamon, cloves, or peppermint.
Salt
Adding salt to your gel air freshener will help keep the gel stabilized as it is not being refrigerated.
Food coloring (optional)
This is completely optional, but if you want your air freshener to be a pretty color in the jar feel free to add in your favorite colors!
![a jar with air freshener in it](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-18.jpg)
How to make a gel air freshener
To a small saucepan add 1/2 cup of water.
Bring this to a boil, then add 2 tablespoons of gelatin.
Mix very well and then add 1 and a half teaspoons of salt and 1/2 cup more of water.
![mixing the gelatin, salt and hot water](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-2.jpg)
Mix again, very well and set aside to cool for about 5 minutes.
To a small jar (1-8 ounce jar or 2-4 ounce jars), add about 20 drops of essential oil(s) of your choice.
![dropping essential oils into a jar](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-5-1024x768.jpg)
Drop in two drops of food coloring, if you are using.
Pour the gelatin mixture over the essential oils in the jar and stir gently to combine.
Let the jar sit, undisturbed for 6 hours to harden.
Your gel air freshener is done!
![finished gel air freshener](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-10-1024x768.jpg)
Essential oil blend ideas
bright citrus
Lemon Pound cake
fancy flowers
- 5 drops lavender EO
- 10 drops jasmine EO
- 5 drops lemongrass EO
christmas is coming
- 10 drops cinnamon EO
- 5 drops clove EO
- 5 drops orange EO
![side view of air freshener](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-19.jpg)
Notes
My air freshener is losing its smell, what should I do?
If your air freshener is on its last leg, try breaking it up in the jar so that the smell is stronger.
Once the smell is gone from that, it is used up and you can start over:).
I have kids, how do I keep them out of the air freshener?
Poke a few holes in a jar lid and screw it on your jar of air freshener.
Can I make a double batch to make more air fresheners at a time?
Absolutely! Just use a total of 2 cups of water (divided), 4 tablespoons of gelatin, 1 tablespoon of salt, 40 drops of essential oil, and 4 drops of food coloring (optional).
Can I make the air freshener more pretty?
Of course! Try placing some fake flowers, sea shells, or a small amount of dried fruit in the bottom of your jar.
![gel air freshener ready to use](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-a-Gel-Air-Freshener-With-Essential-Oils-featured-image-300x300.jpg)
Gel Air Freshener
Ingredients
- 1 cup water divided
- 2 tbsp gelatin
- 1½ tsp salt
- 20 drops essential oil
- 2 drops food coloring optional
Instructions
- To a small saucepan add 1/2 cup of water.
- Bring this to a boil, then add the gelatin.
- Mix very well and then add the salt and 1/2 cup more of water.
- Mix again very well and set aside to cool for about 5 minutes.
- To a small jar (1-8 ounce jar or 2-4 ounce jars), add essential oil of your choice.
- Drop in food coloring, if you are using it.
- Pour the gelatin mixture over the essential oils in the jar and stir gently to combine.
- Let the jar sit, undisturbed for 6 hours to harden.
Notes
pin it for later
![How to Make a Gel Air Freshener With Essential Oils pin image](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/How-to-Make-gel-air-freshener-576x1024.jpg)
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