Today’s extra easy project is perfect for the smaller spaces in your home like the laundry room, in the guest bathroom or even in an upstairs hall! Make up a few of these to give as hostess gifts or to set in our own bathroom if you’re hosting this holiday season.
What you’ll need:
- 2 packets unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup cold water
- Essential oils of your choice; I chose limited edition Peppermint Latte and Pumpkin Latte (*you’ll want 2 mL per 1/2 cup liquid)
- Polysorbate20* – in an amount equal to the essential oils
- 0.5 – 1.5% optiphen plus**
- 2 small glass jars with lids
- Food coloring, optional
*Polysorbate20 is a surfactant that acts as an emulsifier, and helps the essential oils to stay completely mixed into the water portion of this recipe. Without it, the essential oils float on top of the mixture and your scent will not last as long – but its do-able without it.
What you’ll do:
- Measure Polysorbate20 into shot glass or small dish
- Stir essential oils, ploysorbate20, and Optiphen Plus until they are well combined – set aside
- Bloom gelatin by sprinkling the two packets over the COLD water in your measuring cup. Wait about 5 minutes
- Add HOT water, stirring to dissolve
- Combine Polysorbate20/essential oil mixture and stir
- Add food coloring at this stage, if desired
- Cover with lid and set in a cool place {I put mine outside in the garage, which was about 40 degrees}
- When solid, stir or cut up with a spoon to create chunks of gelatin
- Leave out in small room without lid to gently scent the space
**If you choose not to use a preservative you will need to store it in the fridge. Optiphen plus is a preservative which reduces the instance of bacterial growth in water-based products. We recommend that a preservative be used in any water-based products that you make at home. This is a great choice since it contains no parabens, no formaldehyde, and are not formaldehyde contributors.
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As always, we want to hear from you! Contact us by emailing Aromatherapist@planttherapy.com for any questions, concerns or comments you may have. You can join our Facebook group Safe Essential Oil Recipes and participate in lively conversation with other essential oils users. We have your safety in mind – so come hang out with us to learn even more! We look forward to seeing you there!
