DIY Gel Air Freshners

With Christmas right around the corner I have decided to run a few 'test DIY crafts' in advance this year. I am crossing my fingers that I will stumble across something cheap, fast and thoughtful. While pinning on my Pinterest account I saw this DIY for making Gel Air Fresheners and thought that I should give it the college try. 

The very simple ingredients

This DIY requires very few ingredients:

1) 2 tbsp. of salt

2) 2 cups liquid potpourri 

3) 4 packets of unflavored gelatin (normally found inside 1 box)

4) Heat safe containers

Luckily I was able to find and purchase all the ‘must have’s’ at my local Wal-Mart which ended up being everything besides the salt. I spent a total of $15 which included all the things in the photo above.  After rounding up all the items I would need I headed home to give this DIY a try.

The steps are fairly simple and I found that the ‘cooling and setting’ process took much longer than shopping or the prep I did. 

Step One:

Measure 1 ½ cups of the potpourri

In a small pot, heat the 1 ½ cups of potpourri and the salt

Mix the liquid until the salt dissolves 

Step Two:

Add the gelatin and stir the mixture until the gelatin is thoroughly dissolved

Remove from heat

Step Three:

Pour the remaining potpourri and stir until mixture is entirely combined

Step Four:

Pour into containers and allow the mixture to cool

This mixture will appear to be somewhat murky but don’t fret because as it ‘cools’ and becomes more solid the ‘yellowish’ tint will fade. If you are simply looking for something that will freshen up a room and you are not so much concerned with going all fancy you can stop at this step (Step Four).

However, if you are like me or 'OneGoodThingbyjillee'  you can, at this point, begin to make each jar as flashy or purely functional as your little heart desires.

'OneGoodThingbyjillee' used food coloring and some faux flower petals to dress up her final fresheners.  I have not ever really been a ‘flower’ kinda gal but I did have some glitter left over from a previous DIY and I figured I could add a little sparkle to my jars.

Just a little drop of food coloring goes a long way

A little 'sparkle' never hurt anybody

Final Products Mid-Cooling

In case you are wondering how the glitter worked out (or why there is no ‘Final Product’ photos), I must admit that it was not until all the glitter sank that I realized why it would not work. Silly, I know.  Even after years (far too many to be honest) of sitting in Science classes I made an A-Class error. Oh well, at least I know what NOT to do the second time I dive into this project. More importantly my boo-boo gave me an excuse ‘to try out’ my jars in my own home and who doesn’t enjoy a fresh smelling home?

Overall, I was pleased with the final products despite the layer of glitter that covered the bottom of each one. The fragrance lasted much longer than I had expected and using the mason jars will allow me to craft-ahead of time to prepare for Christmas, Mother’s Day or a ‘Just because’ Day.

Thanks goes to Pinterest for allowing me to find this gem and thanks to 'OneGoodThingbyjillee' for posting this DIY craft for everyone to enjoy.