Everyone loves a great smelling home, but often air fresheners contain a lot of toxins. This DIY Gel Air Freshener Recipe will leave your home smelling great naturally. It is so simple to make, and the scent combinations are virtually endless. (You can even customize them for the seasons!) This Homemade Air Freshener with Essential Oils deserves to become a habit.

Photo of red DIY Gel Air Freshener with a holiday ribbon sitting on a wooden cutting board against a white background.

You Are Going to Love How This Homemade Air Freshener Leaves Your Home Smelling!

First Published: December 5, 2017... Last Updated: September 6, 2019

There is nothing like walking into a great smelling home!

We all want our homes to smell fantastic, but sometimes that can take a little work.

When I was younger, I reached for commercial air fresheners and candles to keep my home smelling fresh. In recent years I've learned that this wasn't a good idea because most of them are loaded with toxins that I don't want my family exposed to.

Today I've got a great DIY Gel Air Freshener for you, but first, let's take a look at why you should consider getting rid of commercial air fresheners in your home.

Why You Should Skip Commercial Air Fresheners

There are some 3,000 plus chemicals used in the manufacturing of commercial air fresheners, including volatile organic compounds. VOCs are known irritants linked to cancer, liver and kidney dysfunction, neurological impairment, asthma and other respiratory disease. Learn more about VOCs here.
95% of the chemicals in synthetic fragrances (listed as “fragrance” on the label) are derived from petrochemicals.
Many air fresheners contain formaldehyde and benzene which are known carcinogens. They often also contain phthalates, which are chemicals known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems.
Even those market “natural” can contain harmful chemicals since there is no regulation governing the use of the term. Many of these can contain chemicals that are known to cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other sensitivities.

Hopefully, you are convinced to ditch commercial air fresheners!

I love using a diffuser in my home, but these DIY Gel Air Fresheners are great for bathrooms, entryways, closets and other spaces that you might not have a diffuser.

Image of DIY Gel Air Freshener sitting on an ornament shaped board with a candy cane

Tips to Make a Homemade Air Freshener

Make sure you use sea salt and not table salt. Table salt will impact the color and can turn the air freshener cloudy.
I use grass-fed gelatin, because it is what I have on hand. Since you aren't eating this, it really doesn't matter what kind you use. You can find gelatin at most all grocery stores. (Usually near the jello.) You can also buy it online.
Make sure you keep the tops lightly covered if you are going to allow these to solidify at room temperature. If dust gets on the top before they are solidified it is almost impossible to get out.
While you can go the room temperature route, I highly recommend putting them in the refrigerator. Not only does it eliminated the dust issue, but it also makes your air fresheners more solid. And bonus: your fridge will smell great!

7 Homemade Air Freshener Recipes

1 Stress Relief Air Freshener

24 drops Cedarwood
22 drops Bergamot
14 drops Jasmine

2 Relaxation Air Freshener

30 drops Frankincense
20 drops Cedarwood
10 drips Roman Chamomile

3 Uplifting Air Freshener

20 drops Bergamot
20 drops Sweet Orange
10 drops Geranium
10 drops Rose

4 Citrus Sunshine Air Freshener

20 drops Grapefruit
20 drops Sweet Orange
10 drops Lime

5 Energetic Air Freshener

20 drops Eucalyptus
15 drops Cardamom
15 drops Rosemary
10 drops Lime

6 Fall Air Freshener

30 drops Sweet Orange
15 drops Patchouli
15 drops Ginger

7 Air Freshener for the Holidays

20 drops Fir Needle
20 drops Cassia
20 drops Sweet Orange

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Blends You Can Buy to Make a Homemade Gel Air Freshener

I love making my own blends to use in this recipe, but sometimes I need something quick and easy. Whether you are in a hurry, don't have a huge supply of oils to make blends, are just want to try something new, all of these oil blends will leave your home smelling A-Mazing!

Bouquet is a delightfully refreshing scent that combines mandarin, lemon, lavender, palmarosa, and ho wood. It is a cheerful aroma that can help to lift the mood.
Meditation is one of my all-time favorite blends! This blend of ylang-ylang, patchouli, frankincense Serrata, clary sage, sweet orange, and thyme helps to bring about calm alertness.
Love Vanilla is a combination of vanilla oleoresin and ylang-ylang complete. It is a luxurious sensual scent and perfect for anywhere you want to add a touch of romance.
With coriander seed, geranium bourbon, sweet orange, and jasmine absolute, Joyful Creation invites a sense of joy while helping to nurture creative expression.
With sweet orange, cinnamon bark oil, ginger root oil, and nutmeg, Holiday Season brings up warm memories of holidays past.
Deodorizing Synergy is perfect if you are looking to make air fresheners for areas in your home that can get to smelling…less than ideal. This blend includes palmarosa, lemon, patchouli, coriander, pink grapefruit, cypress, bergamot, and tea tree. (This blend is impressive - it instantly took the odor out of a front-loading washer when nothing else would work. It is one of my favorite natural ways to eliminate odors.)
Spring Blossoms is the perfect way to brighten your day. This floral and citrus blend includes Neroli, Sweet Orange, and Lime.
Harvest Moon is a crisp, clean aroma that will remind you of a brisk invigorating morning walk with autumn leaves crunching below your feet. This blend is made of bergamot, fir needle, cedarwood, juniper berry, and cardamom.
For a warm and comforting aroma, you can’t do better than Maple Leaf Essential Oil Blend! This blend includes Vanilla Oleoresin, German Chamomile, Cedarwood, and Cardamom. I can't wait to use this blend in my homemade gel air fresheners this fall!Air res -
Fall Rain is crisp, coniferous, and subtly sweet with Douglas fir, Bergamot, Juniper, and Lavender.

Photo of red and green DIY Gel Air Fresheners

The Quality of The Essential Oils You Use Matters!
After looking closely at the quality, purity, and ethics of so many companies, I've fallen in love with both the company and their oils. They have a large line of organic oils and are serious about safety. Every single batch is tested to ensure purity!
Read my full Plant Therapy Review for why they are my go-to company.
Shop Now!

How to Make a Gel Air Freshener

Time needed: 15 minutes.

Learn how to make a DIY Gel Air Freshener and keep your home smelling great without harmful toxins. Perfect for gifts!

First, gather your ingredients. You will need:
Small Glass Jars (I used 7 ounce jars)
3 cups water, divided
¼ cup unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons Sea Salt
Essential Oils (this is the brand I use and trust!)
Food Coloring, optional (preferably a natural brand)
Soften the gelatin
Next, place a cup of water in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top and let sit for a few minutes to soften.
Boil water
Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to a simmer. Stir in salt and allow to dissolve.
Add gelatin
Reduce heat to low and stir in gelatin mixture. Remove from heat and whisk until combined.
Add essential oils.
After that, place 60 drops of essential oils to each jar.
Optional: Add food coloring.
If you want to add color, add food coloring to each jar. I used about 6 drops. Stir into each jar to evenly disperse oils and food coloring.
Refrigerate until solid.
Finally, refrigerate for about 2 hours.

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