Essential Oil Gel Air Fresheners

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Need your home smelling a little better but don’t want to rely on whatever is in the store-bought air freshener containers? Try making these awesome and simple Essential Oil Gel Air Fresheners!

Essential Oil Gel Air Fresheners

Do you remember those jelly-like air freshener things in a cone shape that you’d place in the bathroom? Do they still make those?

I haven’t looked for them at the store in a LONG time, but I used to buy them all the time. All the time, that is, until I figured out how to make them myself.

This is actually super easy, and there isn’t any plastic waste like you have with those containers. Plus the scent comes from essential oils so you know it’s better for your home than the other ones.

Let’s make them!

How to Make Gel Air Fresheners

What you need:

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 ounce unflavored gelatin
  • 30 or so drops of essential oils
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • food coloring (optional, if you want your final product to be pretty!)
two bottle of essential oil

Start by picking out which essential oil you want to use. I didn’t have too many “pretty” scents on hand but I did find a Lavender Essential Oil that I use to add to scent my cleaners. I got my oils from Rocky Mountain Oils. You can use any combination you want, I might try a combo of grapefruit/ginger next time!

water in a pan

Bring to a boil 1 cup water. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and whisk well. Make sure you are adding the gelatin slowly and getting it incorpoated in well or it will leave clumps. Also, learn from my mistakes and don’t try to photo yourself adding the gelatin in; you will not be able to stir at all and may have to start over. 😉

packets of gelatin

As far as my gelatin goes…you can add those little packets that are kinda expensive at the grocery store.

bulk beef gelatin

Or you can look into getting gelatin in bulk. I keep bulk gelatin on hand to make emergency kitten food among other things.

essential oil gel being prepared in a pot

Add in the second cup of water and the salt and mix well. Turn off the heat. Add in the food coloring if you’d like it to have some color like the ones from the store.

Add about 30 drops (depending on how strong you want the freshener to smell) to the bottom of your jar. You can use any glass jar; this would be a great way to use up old baby food jars!

essential oil gel

Add in the gelatin mixture on top of the oils and stir well. Let it cool until the gel firms up.

essential oil gel

Place in the room or area you’d like to smell pretty; that’s it

essential oil gel

Are you ready to try making these?

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Me and Kady

Merissa Alink

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

This tutorial on how to make Essential Oil Gel Air Fresheners was originally published on Little House Living in February 2012. It has been updated as of March 2024.

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31 Comments

  1. How neat! I can’t wait to try this sometime! I think I’ll put a lid on one with poked holes and stick it in the van too. 🙂

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  3. Do these dissolve over time or become insect catchers? I just wonder what becomes of them as time goes on. Awesome idea tho’, can’t wait to try it.

  4. That looks great!!! It would make a really nice gift, too 🙂 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂

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  7. This was my third attempt and it seems to have turned out perfect with no lumps! I poured the mixture into 6 empty baby food jars, with a different essential oil in each, poked holes in the lids (with a hammer and nail on wood) and labeled them… very excited to give as gifts!

  8. Hi Merissa, I made this and it smells really nice. but when I put it into a closed room It didn’t seem to leave a scent in the air. You have to get close up and have a smell of it. I used a small jam jar which has a smaller opening than the base. I wonder if that made the difference.
    Ps I have tried so many of your wonderful ideas and I am loving them. Thanks so much for your site.
    Blessings Mon

  9. I’m so excited about these, but can you tell me how long it takes to set up. Mine seem to be very loose still, made them about an hour ago. Thanks

    1. I can’t remember exactly how long but it did take longer than an hour for mine to set up. Maybe stick it in the fridge to help it get there faster!

  10. This is a great idea! I love an idea for a natural room freshner!! I bet if you added a thieves type (cloves, cinnamon, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus) blend it would help kill germs in the air too!

  11. I make these and use eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender. I make the sent strong. Keep a lid on it til use. When the grandbabies or anyone has a stuffy nose and chest set it next to the bed. Helps breathing.

  12. I have made these for about 2 years. I use eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary making very strong. Keep lid on it til needed. When you have a stuffy nose n chest open bar and set next to your bed.