DIY Air Freshener

Thrifty not necessarily thrifted.

 I saw this make it yourself air freshener pinned on pinterest this morning, followed the link and realized I had all the stuff to make it, so I did. And it was easy. I'm pretty sure our grandmothers will be getting some delicious smelling room fresheners for Valentines Day this year, this is right up our alley. What with mixing smelly oil, using the pestle to crush it together, punching holes in the lid and the relative short amount of time spent, this is almost a perfect project. A project that can be industriously worked on, is useful in the end and can be finished in one sitting is what we're shooting for. While we do engage in long term projects we need plenty of shorter ones to make and feel triumphant about, this fits the bill.

gather together:
baking soda
essential oil-lavender or any scent you happen to A) have or B) like
vanilla bean-if using
scoop or measuring cup
pestle--bat shaped part of mortar and pestle
jar
lid and ring-old is fine, great way to recycle used lids
nail
hammer
old cutting board-to hammer on, use what you have

 scoop about a 1/3 of a cup of baking soda into the jar
split the vanilla bean, cut it in half and add it to the jar, or add 4-5 drops of essential oils or both
give it a grind with the pestle to really mix it up

 then make the vented lid for the top by punching through the lid with the hammer and nail, this isn't hard, one to two good taps and you're through, just make sure you are hammering on a safe surface, we have a crafting cutting board, we abuse it a LOT

when hammering the lid go from the top down so all the sharp points are facing down into the jar

make any design you want or none at all
you COULD with eager children paint the lids and rings but I like the plain metal look, its suits us

and this is the jar all done and ready to work--just give it a shake to release it's scent, the baking soda will also absorb odor too--double the work from such a small thing--I like it!

Peace and Love--