Making / Using a Home Made Car Air Freshener Out of Wood

I have a neighbor and a family member who own Laser Cutters that can cut and write on wood.

Last year, my neighbor made cute little wood cut outs saying "#LighttheWorld" to remind us to do kind deeds of service through the holiday season. 

I put it on a string and use it in my car as an air freshener and put a drop of essential oil on it and turn on the vent to circulate the smell through the car. 

My sister made keychains for all her friends and family, but she used the man made fabricated type of wood for her keychains and the oil doesn't absorb or stay on that wood, so you need to make sure that the wood you are using is a natural wood and not a fabricated wood. 

You don't have to make it into fancy shapes or use a laser cutter, you can just use a saw to cut out any wood shape you want and sand it smooth. Basically, you just need wood that will hold the oil. 

Make sure that you put the lace, ribbon or elastic through the hole in the top like I show in the video or the knot, bow, or tied area will fall to the bottom as it will be the heaviest part of the ribbon. it will also hang sideways on the string if you just put the ribbon through the hole. 

By putting the two ends through the hole and then pulling them back through the loop created on the opposite side, you are creating the heaviest point at the bottom and the tie will then stay at the top. Also, this will make the piece face forward so you can always see the words if you choose to do laser engraving on the wood piece. 

When you are putting oil on the piece, make sure that you hold the piece level and drop the oil on top and hold the piece up and even until the drop of oil is absorbed so that the oils don't drop onto your car interior. You can hold a tissue or something under it as you apply the oil if you are concerned. Make sure you use a dropper top so the oil doesn't pour out and damage your interior. 

Oils can damage plastics and wood finishes so be careful when applying the oil and make sure you use wood that is absorbent BEFORE trying it in your car. You don't want to find out that it isn't absorbing the oil in the car as you don't want the oil dripping in the car. 

I have used old air fresheners for year in the car and just put my own oils on them when the smell is gone from the store bought ones. I really enjoy having these wooden ones as you can put whatever words you want on them. The can enlighten and be refreshing at the same time. Here is a link to my older post about this. 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. 

Have a Blessed Day!