How to make a Smelly Jelly Air Freshener

Smelly Jellies are air fresheners that look great in any room of the house. These are fun and pretty to make since you can use a variety of glass jars and add color to make a simple unique gift.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Distilled Water
• Fragrance Oil
• Liquid Food Coloring or Soap Coloring
• Alcohol/preservative
• Smelly Jelly Crystals
• Jar and Lid
• Non-metal spoon
• Glass measuring cup
• Measuring spoons

1. For these instructions I will be using an 8 oz. jelly jar with a 2 part lid. You can find these types of jars and lids at most grocery stores in the home canning section.
   You will need to pour 6 oz. of distilled water into the jelly jar. If you do not have distilled water you can boil the water. Boiling the water helps the water not to cause calcium deposits or other build-up on the jar.

2. After you have added the water you will need to add 1 teaspoon of smelly jelly crystals to the jar. You can find smelly jelly crystals at most candle supply companies such as http://www.naturesgardencandles.com . after adding the smelly jelly crystals to the water you will need to stir the crystals around in the jar a few times.

3. Next you will add your liquid food coloring or you can also use liquid soap coloring. Depending how light or dark you want your smelly jelly you can add 1 to 2 drops for a light color or 3 to 6 drops for a darker color. After adding your color you will need to stir a few times again.

4. Now you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of fragrance oil depending on how strong you would like your smelly jelly. You can also add 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol, everclear, vodka or gin to prevent mold. By adding one of these types of alcohol it will act as a preservative and prevent molding. After adding your fragrance oil and the preservative you will need to stir everything together once again until your smelly jelly is thoroughly mixed.

5. 
    

   At this point you are pretty much finished and will need to let the smelly jelly sit for about an hour so the smelly jelly crystals can absorb the liquid. After about an hour you can apply the 2 part lid if you are giving the smelly jelly as a gift, or if your keeping it for yourself you can just apply the rim part of the lid and place your smelly jelly in your selected room of your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Smelly Jelly air fresheners are great for the office since they don't require a flame like a candle.
• You can decorate your smelly jelly jar with pretty fabric or ribbon.
• To rejuvenate your smelly jelly just add some water and wait. The smelly will look like new again.
• You can always add 1 to 2 teaspoons of more fragrance oil if the smelly jelly scent goes weak.
• Every 3 months try adding a preservative to the smelly jelly to prevent molding. Sometimes they do start to mold although I've never had one do this.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Smelly Jellies are not edible.
• Do not throw smelly jelly crystals down the sink drain. If this happens try pouring salt down the drain to unclog.

Resources

• Huckleberrie Primitives Candle Co.
• Fresh Wave Continuous Release Odor Neutralizing Gel, 64-Ounce Jar on Amazon.com
• Magic American Natural Magicdecorative Odor Absorbing Gels - Citrus, 8-Ounce Jars (Pack of 12) on Amazon.com

[kaytay]

on 2/20/2009 I will try this. Thanks for sharing 5*

[msblakely7]

on 2/11/2009 Sounds like another great idea - thanks!

[daider]

on 2/10/2009 Never heard of this one, I'll try this out. Thanks for the post!

[Smireles]

on 2/7/2009 Interesting. My first time to hear about Smelly Jelly. Good craft project

[Kandywriter]

on 2/6/2009 I'll have to try this, Thanks