When it comes to freshening up your home, there's nothing like a personalized air freshener made with household ingredients that always seem to be handy. When making a homemade air freshener like the one listed below, please notethat it's best to use unflavored gelatin (any brand will do). Also, keep your air freshener out of direct or constant sunlight or heat, as it will eventually break down the gelatin.
Ingredients
Empty jars (wide-mouth jars work best: baby food jars, small canning jars or decorative jars)
Gelatin-two small packs
Water-one cup
Fragrance-your choice or use only flavored gelatin for a more subtle scent
Directions
Prepare the gelatin according to the instructions on the package.
Before the gelatin sets, add concentrated fragrance or essential oil until you reach desired scent. About a dozen drops usually does the trick.
Add food coloring until you reach the desired shade, or use flavored gelatin.
Pour mixture into clean, empty jars. This makes about 2 small jars.
Let set. You don't need to refrigerate to solidify the gelatin.
Decorating your air freshener
Place several small, color-coordinated marbles, seashells or glitter into the jar and tie a matching ribbon around the rim. For a sassy look, paint the jar lids in bright colors and decorated with a printed ribbon.
If the Air freshener is going in your son's room or in the garage, paint the lid a deeper shade for a more masculine feel, or discard the lid altogether and go with a blue shade of gelatin and perhaps an outdoorsy scent such as pine or spruce. If you'd rather leave the lid on, remember to poke holes in it.
Air fresheners of this type are perfect for gift-giving. Tuck one into a basket filled with other home essentials. Some gift ideas the air freshener goes well with include hostess gifts and housewarming gifts. An air freshener comes in handy when you're selling your home and want a charming scent in every room, as well as the garage.
This is also a perfect kids gift. Children of all ages can create this gift in record time. Of course, you'll need to supervise the heating process and pouring, but letting children decide what shade of food coloring and essential oils to add, as well as what type and color of ribbon to tie around the jar, is sure to add a festive flair to any gift-giving experience.
Ideas for teachers
Take the children on a hike along the beach and collect items to put inside their fragrance jars. Or have them bring along something special from home. A brightly colored fragrance jar would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift, and a nice red or green jar flavored with pine and cinnamon has the words Christmas gift written all over it.
Hints
Unflavored gelatin works best.
Any brand of gelatin will do.
Air fresheners placed in direct sunlight or near heating vents will allow more scent to be released, but this will also cause the gelatin to break down quicker.
To make the air freshener virtually invisible, match the shade of food coloring or gelatin to the room's decor
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