Make Your Own Car Air Freshener With Fragrance Oil

There are many ways to make a car air freshener with fragrance oil. One simple method is to use a Mason jar, baking soda, and your chosen fragrance oil. Fill the jar about two-thirds full with baking soda, add around 20-30 drops of fragrance oil, shake the jar to combine the ingredients, and then cut a circle out of cardboard to place on top of the jar, secured with the lid. Poke some holes in the cardboard to allow the scent to escape, and place the jar in your car's cup holder or under a seat.

Another option is to use felt and essential oils. Cut out your desired shape from the felt, add a few drops of oil, and attach a string or ribbon so that it can hang from your rearview mirror.

You can also make a clothespin air freshener by adding a few drops of oil to a wooden clothespin and clipping it to an air vent in your car.

Baking soda and essential oils

To make this air freshener, fill a Mason jar with baking soda, leaving some room at the top. Add about 30 drops of your favourite essential oil. Place a coffee filter or breathable fabric, like muslin, over the top, and secure the jar's lid. Cut off any overhanging coffee filter or fabric. The baking soda will stay fresh for several months, but you may want to refresh the scent periodically.

Baking soda can also be used with essential oils to make air fresheners in the form of wooden pegs. Simply drip a drop or two of oil onto the peg, allow it to sink into the wood, and then peg it to an open air vent in your car. Refresh the scent with 2 drops of oil about once every 10-14 days. When you want to change the fragrance, store the old peg in an airtight box and start with a new peg.

Cotton balls or clothespins with essential oils

Using essential oils with cotton balls or clothespins is a simple and effective way to make a car air freshener. This method is ideal if you don't have many materials to work with. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

For this project, you will need either a few cotton balls or a small wooden clothespin, along with your choice of essential oil. You can choose any essential oil that appeals to you, such as lavender, peppermint, or lemon, which are popular calming and refreshing options.

Step 2: Apply the Essential Oil

Take your cotton ball or clothespin and add several drops of your chosen essential oil. For a clothespin, you can use around 5-10 drops. Gently shake the cotton ball or clothespin to ensure the oil is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Place the Air Freshener in Your Car

If you are using a cotton ball, tuck it into a small corner of your car, such as under a seat or in a cup holder. Avoid placing it near any heat sources or vents blowing hot air, as cotton balls are flammable.

If you are using a clothespin, simply clip it onto one of your car's air vents. As the air passes through the vent, it will carry the scent of the essential oil throughout your car.

Tips and Precautions:

• You can reuse your cotton balls or clothespins by adding more essential oil when the scent fades.
• Be cautious when placing cotton balls in your car, as they are highly flammable. Keep them away from heat sources and hot air vents.
• Similarly, place the wooden clothespin carefully, avoiding direct heat.
• If you are sensitive to strong scents, start with a smaller number of drops and adjust as needed.

Felt and essential oils

Making a car air freshener with felt and essential oils is a fun and simple project. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Cut Out the Felt

First, decide on a simple shape for your air freshener—about 4 inches tall. You can use a Cricut or another cutting machine to cut out your desired shape from paper, and then use that as a template to cut the shape from wool felt. Wool felt is ideal because it is thicker and stiffer than recycled plastic felt, allowing it to hold its shape well without curling when hung. It also comes in a variety of colours, giving you plenty of options.

Step 2: Add Essential Oils

Apply several drops of your favourite essential oils to the felt shape. You can create your own unique scent combination. For example, peppermint and rosemary, or vanilla and citrus. Don't be afraid to use a generous amount, as much of it will evaporate quickly. The oils will be absorbed into the felt, so you won't see them on the surface after about a day. This is what will make your air freshener last for several weeks.

Step 3: Hang It Up

Use a small hole punch to make a hole near the top of your shape, and thread a piece of twine through the hole to create a loop for hanging. Avoid hanging it from your rearview mirror, as this can obstruct your view. Instead, consider hanging it on one of the hooks in the back seat, often used for dry cleaning.

Step 4: Refresh the Scent

The scent will eventually fade, but you can refresh it by applying more essential oils. You can also experiment with different scent combinations each time you refresh your air freshener.

Tips:

• If you don't have wool felt, you can try using wool yarn or knitting a small shape.
• If you want to package these as gifts, consider using stronger-grade zip bags to prevent the scent from escaping.
• You can also reuse the felt shape by hand-washing it in cool water with a mild soap.

Clothes peg car air freshener

A clothes peg car air freshener is a simple and effective way to make your car smell great. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make one:

Firstly, gather your materials. All you need is a small wooden clothes peg and your chosen essential oil.

Next, add 5-10 drops of your chosen essential oil to the clothes peg. You can use any scent you like, but popular options include lavender, peppermint, lemon, and eucalyptus. Once you have added the oil, allow the clothes peg to dry.

Now, simply clip the clothes peg onto the air vent in your car. As you drive, the air will pass through the peg, filling your car with the scent of the essential oil.

If you want to change the scent or use a stronger essential oil, you can always add more drops to the clothes peg. You can also make multiple clothes peg air fresheners with different scents and switch them out as you like.

This method is a cheap, natural, and safe alternative to store-bought car air fresheners, which often contain chemicals and artificial fragrances that can be harmful to your health. With a clothes peg air freshener, you know exactly what you are putting into your car and can avoid any potential allergies or sensitivity issues.

So why wait? Grab a clothes peg and your favourite essential oil, and give it a go!

Mason jar air freshener

A Mason jar air freshener is an easy and effective way to make your car smell nice. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make one:

Materials:

• Mason jar
• Baking soda
• Essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice
• Cardboard
• Scissors or craft knife
• Thumbtack

Instructions:

• Fill the Mason jar with baking soda until it is about two-thirds full.
• Add around 20 drops of your chosen essential oil or fragrance oil to the baking soda. You can use a single oil or a combination of oils. Popular choices include lemon, lavender, and peppermint, but you can use any scent you like.
• Put the lid on the jar and shake well to distribute the oils throughout the baking soda.
• Remove the lid and place it on top of the cardboard. Trace around the lid to create a circle on the cardboard.
• Cut out the circle using scissors or a sharp craft knife.
• Place the cardboard circle on top of the jar.
• Use the ring part of the lid to secure the cardboard to the jar.
• Use the thumbtack to poke several holes in the cardboard lid.
• Place the jar in your car's cup holder or stow it under a seat.

Tips:

• You can customise your air freshener by combining different oils to create your own unique scent.
• The baking soda will stay fresh for several months, but you may want to refresh the scent periodically to maintain its effectiveness.
• You can also decorate the Mason jar by adding stickers or painting the exterior to match your car's interior or your personal style.

Frequently asked questions