Make a Car Air Freshener

While you could buy cheap air fresheners from the store, there is something satisfying about making your own from recycled items around the house. Moreover, you can scent your own air freshener with scents you actually like. And you'll know the actual ingredients, something you can't say about most commercial car air fresheners. This project is simple and fun; make as many as you'd like and perhaps give some as gifts.

Steps

  1. Assemble the items needed for this project. These are listed below under "Things You'll Need". In particular, use recyclable items to make this as sustainable a project as possible.
  2. Design the template for the air freshener. Typical designs include tree shapes or state, province or country shapes, food shapes, etc. but any design you'd like to make is fine. You might even consider a special word that means something special for you, such as "Love" or "Joy".
  3. Cut out the template.
  4. Place the template over the fabric. Cut out two pieces of fabric.
  5. Place the template over the cardboard. Cut out one piece of cardboard.
  6. Glue the fabric to each side of the cardboard. Allow to dry.
  7. Carefully drip 10 to 20 drops of the chosen oil over each side of the air freshener.
  8. Allow to dry.
  9. Punch a hole in the top of the air freshener. Thread the ribbon, twine or hanging item. Leave unknotted.
  10. Hang the air freshener from the rear vision mirror in the car. Knot into place over the mirror handle; as you're doing so, adjust so that it doesn't interfere with your view.
  11. Refresh the air freshener regularly. Simply dab or drop more oil drops onto the air freshener when it starts to lose its aroma.



Tips

  • Instead of oil, you could use perfume.
  • When cutting out the second piece of fabric, flip the template over so the correct side will be facing out when you glue it to the back of the cardboard.
  • The air freshener can be decorated with crafty bits if liked; anything sitting around in the craft or sewing basket.
  • If you don't want the air freshener hanging from the mirror, find another part of the car to hang it from like the coat hook or hand holds or simply let it sit somewhere like the drinks tray or in a door pocket.
  • Make the Air Freshener any shape that you like. If you're stumped for a unique shape, check out clip art online or even a child's coloring book for simple shapes to cut out.

Warnings

  • Be cautious where you hang the air freshener! In many areas it is illegal to have anything hanging from your rear view mirror, even though you see them, this is still a cause to be pulled over, issued a citation and pay a fine.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard (recycle an old box, a file cover, unwanted board, etc.)
  • Fabric, recycled
  • Non-toxic glue suitable for paper and cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch or similar tool to make a hole
  • Ribbon, twine or yarn; a rubber band is another option
  • Essential oil or essential oil blend or fragrance oil of choice; pipette or dropper if wished (optional)

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Sources and Citations

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