Do you remember poking at the goo in the gel air freshener at Nana’s? It was the one shaped like a upside down cone, and you twisted the white cover to expose more of the gel. I remember jabbing at it with the end of my toothbrush, my finger, and wondering WHAT is that? Well, a few of us got together via zoom today and made an updated (better, I think) version of that gel air freshener.
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It was fun to ‘see’ everyone and catch up. I hadn’t really seen these women in a few months and I hadn’t realized how much I missed talking with them.
The plan was that we’d all ‘cook’ together, but as everyone who knows me, plans change instantly and we decided I would ‘cook’ and we’d all just chat away while they watched.
This is a really simple recipe/project that can be completed all-in in about 15 minutes. One suggestion that came up during class is this is a great way to recycle beautiful jars and or glass containers. This little guy, for example, is left over from an amazing rose petal raspberry jam that I got in my Springdell farm share last winter. My plan is a geranium air freshener with cloth rose petals. I think it will really show off the beauty of the jar.
This project is great to do with kids. Make sure to watch the hot water though. The water can be heated in the microwave, it doesn’t need to boil, just be hot enough to dissolve the gelatin and the salt. There’s plenty of mixing and stiring and pouring to keep even a 5 yo engaged for at least 10 minutes! While the combinations are truly endless, some nice ones to consider are:
Recipe for gel air freshener:
1 cup water
2 individual envelopes of unflavored gelatin or 4 1/2 teaspoons
1 tablespoon of salt
20 drops of your favorite essential oils
heat safe glass container with a lid – aka mason jar
optional: cloth flowers or environmentally friendly glitter 
Heat 3/4 cup of water over medium-high heat.
Add the salt and stir until dissolved.
Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved.
Remove from heat and add remaining 1/4 cup of water
Pour into container and add essential oils and optional items.*
Place lid on jar, add ring and screw on fairly tight.
Place jar upside down in fridge and let cool. This lets the oils rise to the top of the water if any is not mixed in fully. Then when inverted the oils are at the bottom and evaporate slower
Once jelled, turn jar right side up, and open. Run a wet knife between the edge of the gel and the jar to separate the two enough to allow the gel to sink to the bottom of the jar.
Screw only the ring back on the mason jar, and use the disk as a cover for when you want no or less scent in your room.
*If you are using glitter, you can swirl the jar a few times as it gels up so the glitter doesn’t all clump in one place. One option is to pour half of the mixture and let this gel, add your optional items, and then add the rest of the mixture.
I’ve asked them to post pics when the ladies have made their own air fresheners. I look forward to seeing them all! Feel free to post a pic if you make one. What scents will you use?
Nicole
That’s a really cool idea. I remember those gel air fresheners, and even see the ones at the store and have always wondered what they were made out of–gelatin makes sense!