Make Your Own Gel Air Freshener - Big Big Forums

jalex · 11-27-2001, 09:20 AM

You can make your own great smelling gel air fresheners, using liquid potpourri, or from scratch. They make great gifts!
You will need:

2 cups of distilled water
Essential oil/fragrance of your choice.
4 packages of knox gelatin
Food coloring (optional)
Heat 1 cup of water almost to a boil. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat add another cup of distilled water, 10-20 drops of oil/fragrance, and food coloring if desired.
You can replace food coloring and oil/fragrance with premade liquid potpourri (available at most craft stores, candle shops, etc.). Just make sure it's the concentrated kind or it won't retain its smell. The procedure would be the same. Heat 1 cup of the liquid potpourri, almost to a boil. Stir in 4 packets of Knox gelatin, until dissolved. Then stir in 1 cup cool liquid potpourri.

Pour the mixture into clean baby food jars and set at room temperature overnight until "set". You can place the jars in the refrigerator if you need them to set more quickly, but be aware that the smell will permeate the fridge.

For gift giving, you can decorate the baby food jars by wrapping with material, or glueing on wallpaper, stickers, wrapping paper, etc.

To use, place the jar on the stovetop (not directly on the burner!) while cooking, heat in a potpourri burner, or simply set out on a table and enjoy the aroma.

have made my own gel fresheners by using the concentrated liquid potpouri (1 cup) instead of water and essential oils. I buy my at the local "dollar" store so the investment is small but I don't have any problems with mold growing. I've given several containers away that I made and everyone enjoys them tremendously. My portions are as follows:

1 c. concentrated liquid potpouri
2 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin
Empty jar
Heat potpouri until almost to a boil. Remove from heat and add 2 envelopes of gelatin. Stir to dissolve gelatin and pour into clean decorative jar. Place piece of plastic wrap over jar and secure with rubber band. Either place in refrigerator for quick set or leave out overnight on counter. Cover with piece of starched "lace" and wrap with ribbon to decorate. Before using, remove plastic wrap and recover jar with lace cover. Hope my hint helps with this wonderful craft idea.

TIPS:
Several readers wrote in that they were having a problem with mold. Daria recommends adding 2 tablespoons of salt to the mixture to inhibit the growth of mold. Another user recommends adding a splash of vodka. And another suggests potassium sorbate, which is used in food preservation.
NOTE:
This is not the same as GEL CANDLES, which we also get a lot of inquiries about

ladybugva · 11-28-2001, 12:01 AM

What a great idea! I love these from BAth and Body works. NOw I have some ideas for all those baby food jars my little one goes through daily. Will make a great addition to my home made bath salts.

racecrazy · 11-28-2001, 07:24 PM

No baby food jars in my house (my youngest is 5). So I am buying votive candle holders for .44 at Wal-Mart. I mix the gelatin and water and pour the clear gel into the candle holders. My kids add the food coloring of their choice and use toothpicks to stir it up. They let me know what scent to add to each one. (I really don't want my 5 year old using half the bottle of scented oil in one jar

)

We cover the top with plastic wrap to keep them from evaporating. I bought small paper doilies and red ribbon. I string the ribbon through holes around the edge, then draw the doily up around the top of the candle holder to make a "lid" and tie the ribbon in a big bow.

They end up being VERY cute.