You could buy cheap air fresheners from a store, but there is something satisfying about making your own using recycled items around the house. Plus, your own air freshener can have smells that you really like. You'll also know what the actual ingredients are, which you can't say about most commercial car air fresheners. This is a fun and simple project, so make as many as you like and you could give a few as gifts.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Fabric Hanging Air Freshener
Step 1. Draw a scent template on a sheet of paper
With a pencil, trace the shape you want the finished air freshener to be. Trees, states, countries and animals are some typical designs, although any design you want will be fine. You could even choose a word that has a special meaning to you (for example, "love" or "joy").
- If you're not sure where to start, you could trace the shape of an old-fashioned air freshener that you purchased.
- You could also use a die cutting machine to cut the fabric quickly. Use die-cut patterns to design air fresheners in all kinds of custom shapes.
Step 2. Cut out the template using a pair of sharp scissors
Remove excess material so that only the template remains. You'll be using this to shape the flavoring, so make sure you're happy with how it looks. Adjust as needed to make a template that not only looks great on the car but also stays out of the way while you drive.
Step 3. Lay the template on fabric and cut around it
Lay the template on fabric, then carefully cut around it. If you have difficulty cutting the shape cleanly, you could first trace the outline of the template with a marker. Then cut a second identical shape for the opposite side of the flavoring.
For a simple air freshener, craft felt works great. You can find it online or at most craft supply stores. Even cheap felt is quite absorbent
Step 4. Place the template on a piece of cardboard and cut around it
Trace the outline of the stencil with a pencil first, making sure it is roughly the same size as the two pieces of fabric. Otherwise, the cardboard will show when you put everything together.
- The purpose of the cardboard piece is to reinforce the flavoring. If you only use fabric, it will be a bit flimsy.
- As another option, cut out a piece of craft foam. Try using a die cutting machine for this.
Step 5. Spread fabric glue over the cardboard to secure it to the fabric
Cover one side of the cardboard with a thin dot of glue and press one of the pieces of fabric onto it. Then carefully flip it over to glue the second piece. Wait 2-4 hours for the glue to dry.
- Make sure the glue is not too close to the edges of the cardboard. Also, try not to use too much. If you see the glue pressing out when assembling the parts, wipe it up immediately using a paper towel.
- If you're using a material that has a sticky back (for example, craft foam), you can just press the fabric over the sticky back.
Step 6. Drop 10-20 drops of an essential oil onto each piece of cloth
Choose your favorite essential oil and then add the drops to one side at a time. Some good options to use are lavender, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus, although you can use either. Spread the oil over the fabric so that it is not all concentrated in one place.
- Because essential oils can smell very strong, use them sparingly at first. You can always add more if the smell is too weak for your taste.
- As another option, add about 20 drops of the oil to 4 fluid ounces (120 ml) of water in a spray bottle. Spray the fabric if you want the scent to be milder and more evenly distributed.
Step 7. Place the air freshener on a shelf for at least 2 hours to allow the glue to dry
Place it in an area with good ventilation (for example, a garage). This is because the smell of essential oil can be very strong when fresh. Keep the air freshener in a place with good air circulation so it dries faster. When it's dry to the touch, you're ready to go.
- If you want it to retain more of the scent, store the flavoring in a resealable plastic bag.
- If you don't mind the strong smell, you can hang up the air freshener right away. It may not be too bad if you only applied a few drops or a diluted spray of essential oil.
Step 8. Drill a hole in the top of the air freshener to hang it
Plan for the hole to stay about 1/2-inch from the edges of the flavoring. Get a mechanical hole puncher to cleanly puncture the cardboard. Put the flavoring inside the piercer's mouth, and then squeeze the handle firmly to poke the hole.
You could also make the hole using a tool like an awl. Hold it on the fabric and then tap it with a hammer until it goes through the cardboard
Step 9. Hang the scent by threading a ribbon through the hole
Cut a ribbon about 6 inches long and pull it halfway through the hole. Take the air freshener to the car and wrap the ribbon around the rearview mirror. Before tying the ribbon, adjust it so that it does not interfere with your view of the street.
- If you don't have a ribbon, get some yarn, string, twine, or an alternative. While the string is stronger, the yarn and ribbon come in a variety of colors that you can customize your air freshener with.
- When the smell starts to fade, refresh it with more essential oil. You can also swap it out for a new flavoring.
Method 2 of 3: Air Freshener with a Wooden Clothespin
Step 1. Find a wooden clothespin that attaches to the car's vent
You can turn any type of wooden clothespin into a makeshift air freshener. However, the larger ones tend to transmit a greater odor. For example, try using round clothespins. These are large and slide directly into a ventilation shaft.
- Smaller tweezers work too. For example, you can use those that squeeze to open.
- The clamps must be made of wood. Otherwise, they won't absorb any odor.
Step 2. Spray about 5 drops of essential oil on the forceps
Place it on a table and then choose your favorite essential oil. Some options you might enjoy in the car are lavender lemon pink and cinnamon. Pour the essential oil directly onto the tweezers and spread it as evenly as possible on the wood.
- If you can spread the essential oil drops, the scent will not be concentrated in just one place.
- You can apply a greater amount of essential oil but keeping in mind that the aroma will be much stronger.
Step 3. Put the clamp in a bag with herbs if you want the smell to be stronger
Get a resealable plastic bag that has plenty of room for the clamp and herbs. Fill the bottom of the bag with about a handful of herbs. For example, you could add about 8 large mint leaves. Seal the bag and leave it on a shelf for at least a day to allow the clamp to absorb the odor.
- You can pair the herbs with the essential oil that you are going to use or mix aromas. For example, peppermint pairs well with orange oil.
- If you don't want to use herbs or don't have any, you could just place the clothespin in the car after coating it with essential oils. While the smell won't be as strong and may not last as long, you can always freshen it up later.
- Use plastic bags to prepare air fresheners beforehand. You can add the essential oil, mix it with herbs if you want, and then use the bags to keep the flavoring smelling fresh for at least a few months.
Step 4. Attach the air freshener to one of the car vents and turn on the fan
Slide it over the frame that covers one of the vents. Most cars have multiple vents at the front, usually above the spoke and at the side ends of the dashboard. If you want to activate the smell, turn on the heat or air conditioning. The fresh air will activate the odor, and the fan inside the duct will help spread it throughout the car.
- The scent will be much more subtle than what you would get from hanging air fresheners on fabric. The smell is strongest when the vent is active, and therefore clothespins are a great option if your regular air fresheners are too strong for your taste.
- As the smell fades, freshen it up by placing the clothespin in a bag. Spray it with more essential oil and add more herbs if desired.
Method 3 of 3: Air Freshener with a Glass Jar
Step 1. Remove the lid from a 4 fluid ounce (120 ml) mason jar
The mason jars have a metal lid surrounded by a ring to unscrew. If you want to remove the cap, turn the ring counterclockwise until it comes off. Then, peel off the lid with your fingernails or using something like a butter knife.
- The canning jars are made of glass and therefore retain odors very well. This makes them great as strong air fresheners that you can keep where no one will see. It is also very easy to reuse and reseal them.
- Make sure the jar is large enough to hold the baking soda and essential oil needed to make your air freshener.
Step 2. Trace the lid onto cardboard with a pencil to make a replacement
Lay a piece of cardboard on a flat surface, then place the round metal lid on it. Hold it in place while you trace the outline. The cardboard will replace the cap so that the smell of air freshener escapes from the bottle. Then cut it off with a sharp pair of scissors.
- Instead of making a new cardboard lid, you could keep the metal lid and just drill a few holes in it. While you won't be able to reuse the lid if you intend to use the canning jar normally, it will still work well as a room air freshener.
- You could also cut the cardboard with a utility knife, although you should be careful not to hurt your fingers.
Step 3. Punch holes in the cardboard using a thumbtack
Plan to make about 15 holes. Space them as evenly as possible across the circle but keep them in the center rather than near the edges. Otherwise, they will clog when you reseal the jar.
- If you want to make the holes easily, keep the cardboard over the jar. If not, place it on a piece of scrap wood so you don't scratch the surface underneath.
- You could also poke the holes with a nail or other sharp tool. Punch the cardboard cleanly so it won't tear or otherwise fall apart.
Step 4. Fill the jar at least half full with baking soda to retain the odor
Remove the cardboard lid, then add fresh baking soda with a spoon. The exact amount is not really important as long as there is enough bicarbonate of soda. You could fill the jar up to two-thirds full and still make a good air freshener.
- Baking soda is well known for its ability to absorb odors. The best part is that it does not hide those odors and therefore you can still smell the aroma that you add to the bottle.
- You should always use baking soda instead of adding the fresh scents directly to the jar, as the baking soda makes the scents last much longer.
Step 5. Add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil to the bottle
Use whatever essential oil you have at your disposal. You can also mix different aromas if you want. For example, add the same amount of lemon, lavender, and peppermint to the jar.
If you don't want the smell to get too strong, start with a regular amount of oil and fortify the flavoring with more oil as needed
Step 6. Cap the bottle and shake it to mix the essential oil
Replace the original cover in place of the cardboard cutout. It does not have holes that could leave you in the middle of a cloud of baking soda powder. Replace the metal ring as well and turn it clockwise to secure the lid in place. Then shake it really well.
If you are trying to shake the jar as long as it has the cardboard cutout, do so gently. Instead, try moving it in a circle
Step 7. Place the air freshener in a coaster in the car
Don't forget to put the wood cutout in place of the original lid. Twist the metal ring clockwise to keep the new cap securely in place. Find a stable place to store your new air freshener. It will release the odor gradually and it will last for about a month.
- If you want to hide the air freshener, put it under the seat. Be aware that it could tip over and release some of the baking soda.
- Empty the jar after the smell begins to subside. Refresh it with more baking soda and essential oil so your car stays smelling great.
Advice
- You could coat the air freshener with perfume or another scent that you like instead of using an essential oil. For a flavoring with a mason jar, you could use scented candles.
- If you don't like having air fresheners hanging in your rearview mirror, find other places to put them. For example, you could hang one from a coat hook or grabber, or place it inside a coaster or pocket on the door.
- You can decorate your air fresheners with crafts if you want to personalize them. For example, you could sew or glue things like yarn, paint, or glitter to them.