DIY Wax Air Freshener {15 Scented Wax Tablet Recipes}

See how to make DIY wax air freshener with essential oils and soy wax. These homemade natural air fresheners are perfect to fragrance closets, drawers, and other small spaces. Scented wax tablets are also lovely handmade gifts for the holidays and other occasions. The tutorial features 7 different wax sachet designs + 15 essential oil blends for all seasons!

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Homemade wax air fresheners with essential oils

Essential oil wax sachets are one of my favorite DIY air fresheners to craft. They are a simple room deodorizer that you can recreate in different ways and customize for many holidays and occasions.

Wax air fresheners are a beginner-friendly project and so fun to make. This easy project is also a thoughtful and sustainable DIY gift idea for anyone who enjoys natural living and home fragrance products.

In this comprehensive wax sachet tutorial, you’ll get my scented wax tablet recipe and learn my favorite tips and tricks for decorating, storing, packaging, and gifting aroma wax tablets.

Altogether I created 6 wax ornaments and 15 different essential oil blends, including scented wax tablets for spring, summer, fall, winter, and Christmas. For even more ideas, check out my post about botanical wax sachets, which has 7 additional recipes.

Sounds good? Then let’s get started and find out how to make wax air freshener at home.

What are wax air fresheners?

What is a wax air freshener? Wax air fresheners, aka wax sachets or scented wax tablets, are a solid, natural air freshener made with soy wax or beeswax, dried flowers, herbs and spices, and infused with essential oils.

How do wax tablets work? Unlike candles or wax melts, scented wax air fresheners are a cold-throw product, meaning they only release fragrance at room temperature and aren’t melted.

This essential oil recipe may not be the strongest room deodorizer. Still, it’s one of the best natural air fresheners to scent small spaces such as closets, drawers, and cabinets.

Materials for DIY wax air fresheners

Here’s a list of materials you need for my wax air freshener recipe:

• sox wax: The quality of your DIY air fresheners depends on the quality of soy wax you use. I love Golden Brands 444 soy wax. This wax has a wonderful scent throw and a beautiful, creamy appearance. The fragrance load is 12%, which is quite a lot for any candle wax.
• stearic acid (optional): I played a little with my original recipe and found that stearic acid helps the wax sachets smell stronger and improve the appearance of the wax. However, this ingredient is optional and can be omitted if stearic acid isn’t available to you.
• essential oils: If you’re wondering how can I make my air freshener smell good? The answer is: essential oils. You can find different essential oil blends for wax sachets below.
• wax colors and mica powder (optional) – Soy wax colors or micas can be used to tint the homemade wax sachets. Uncolored soy wax sachets will simply be white.
• decorations: The possibilities for decorating homemade wax air fresheners are nearly endless. Dried flowers and botanicas, dehydrated fruits, and whole spices are excellent for creating unique and beautiful air fresheners. I usually choose decorations that reflect the scent and have included many more decorating ideas below.

Natural air fresheners with beeswax

You can also make wax air fresheners with beeswax instead of soy wax. In the past, I used white beeswax to make these rose-scented wax sachets.

Beeswax’ mild honey scent complements many essential oils blended into it, which is especially wonderful for fall and holiday-themed wax tablets.

Beeswax is a denser material compared to soy wax and will result in harder wax sachets. If you live in a warm climate, use a 50-50 mix of beeswax and soy wax to make the wax sachets last better.

The only downside is that beeswax doesn’t hold and release fragrance as well as soy wax.

Wax sachet molds

Specialty molds are available for wax air fresheners. Here are some examples:

• classic wax sachet mold with 3 different shapes
• rectangular mold
• hexagon mold
• round mold
• star mold
• heart mold
• teardrop mold

Instead of using a silicone mold, you can also pour the wax into soft silicone molds (e.g. soap molds) or cookie cutters.

Other tools

You also need a wax melting pot to melt and pour the wax. A double boiler or heatproof measuring cup can be used, too.

How to make wax air fresheners

So, how do you make wax air freshener? Wax sachets look very intricate, but I promise this homemade air freshener with essential oils is pretty easy! Here’s what to do:

Melt and pour the soy wax

• Set up a double boiler. A double boiler is the best way to melt the soy wax. Fill a saucepan with 2 inches / 5 cm of water and bring to a mild simmer.
• Melt the wax. Put the wax flakes and stearic acid in a wax melting pot or a heat-resistant measuring cup. Place in the warm water bath and until the wax is melted. Stir occasionally to help the melting process.
• Scent the wax. Remove from the heat and add the essential oils. Stir well to combine the wax and essential oils.
• Pour wax air fresheners. Pour the wax into the silicone mold. It’s a good idea to put the mold on a cutting board or tray so you can lift and move the mold after pouring.

Decorate the scented wax air freshener

• Let wax cool for a few minutes. Wait until the wax has slightly cooled and becomes cloudy.
• Decorate. When the wax begins to set, decorate the natural air freshener. Gently press larger items into the wax.
• Cool the wax tablets. Let the wax sachets harden at room temperature, which can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the heat and humidity in your home.

Unmold the wax sachets

• Break the airlock. Gently pull the silicone mold away from the wax sachets to break the airlock. This is the most important step when removing wax tablets from the mold.
• Unmold. Pull back the mold and slip the wax tablet out. Wax air fresheners are delicate so handle them carefully.
• Hang the DIY wax sachets. String twine or ribbon through each wax air freshener and tie a knot.

How many wax tablets does the recipe make?

The recipe makes 4 to 6 wax tablets, depending on the size of the mold. If using this mold, you will get exactly 6 wax air fresheners.

How to use scented wax tablets

What are wax tablets used for? Use the wax air freshener to refresh your home and as a natural deodorizer for clothes and linen. Hang in the entryway, tuck in drawers, cabinets and boxes of off-season clothes, or loop around a hanger in your closet.

Scented wax tablets are a lovely alternative for scent bags for drawers. You can also place them in a decorative bowl and display on your desk for a subtle, natural room scent.

To avoid wax stains on fabric, wrap your wax sachet in tissues or a handkerchief before placing in a drawer or closet.

I don’t recommend using wax sachets as a car air freshener as they can melt if exposed to heat or direct sunlight.

Shelf life

How long does wax air freshener last? This DIY air freshener with essential oils can last for many years, but the fragrance will lessen over time. Make sure to keep the wax sachets out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.

Spring scented wax tablets 🌸🌼

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Spring is the time of year when my garden comes alive with flowers and intoxicating scents. So, to me, spring air fresheners must include florals to reference the beauty blooming in my backyard.

I used a tiny amount of green mica, not more than 1/4 tsp, to give the wax air freshener a light green hue. When using micas to tint wax, give the melted wax a good stir to distribute the colorant evenly.

I work as a florist and luckily can make my own dried flowers. But you can easily order beautiful, dried flowers online. I like this set, which has many different dried flowers and is much cheaper than buying each flower individually.

And in case you’re wondering, fresh plants aren’t suitable for this homemade air freshener as they will wilt and rot.

Essential oil blends for spring scented wax tablets

Here are 3 essential oil recipes to incorporate the spring’s best scents into your home:

• spring blossoms: 40 drops palmarosa + 30 drops ylang ylang + 30 drops geranium
• cottage garden: 50 drops lavender + 30 drops rosemary + 20 drops yuzu (or grapefruit)
• fresh rain: 45 drops vetiver + 30 drops lemon + 25 drops balm mint bush

DIY soy wax air fresheners for summer ☀️🌴

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Summer is filled with sunny and bright fragrances that are both invigorating and relaxing.

My family often visits the seaside during the summer months, and we love collecting shells, driftwood, and sea glass on the beach. I decided to include these beach finds in my summer air fresheners, along with a little dried sea lavender.

If going to the beach isn’t an option, simply order online. This set has a nice mix of seashells and other deep-sea decorations.

In tune with the ocean theme, I tinted my wax tablets blue. The aqua color brings out the white seashells and starfish. But as you can see on the pictures, uncolored white wax sachets look gorgeous, too.

Essential oil blends for summer air fresheners

The following blends are fragrant reminders of sunny summer days and perfect to refresh your indoor spaces:

• sea breeze: 35 drops cedarwood + 35 drops lime + 30 drops eucalyptus
• summer sunset: 50 drops ylang ylang + 30 drops sweet orange + 20 drops patchouli
• Mediterranean herbs: 40 drops rosemary + 35 drops thyme + 25 drops spearmint

Homemade fall air fresheners 🍁🍂

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Autumn introduces a variety of inviting smells, think mulled cider, walks in the woods and a crackling fire. This season calls for cozy and warming scents that create a homey and comfy feeling. So, I decided to make pumpkin spice air fresheners.

The adorable mini pumpkins are called putka pods, and I thought they’d be perfect for decorating pumpkin spice air fresheners. They aren’t actually mini pumpkins, but the fruits of an Australian plant called the cheese tree.

You can also add other autumn staples, such as dried berries, leaves, decorative grass, and spices. I also sprinkled some of the fall wax tablets with pumpkin pie spice to up the visual appeal.

Essential oil blends for autumn air fresheners

The following EO blends evoke the smell of autumn and are perfect for homemade fall air fresheners:

• pumpkin spice: 60 drops cinnamon + 20 drops clove bud + 20 drops nutmeg
• falling leaves: 40 drops frankincense + 30 drops black spruce + 25 drops cedarwood
• sweater weather: 35 drops elemi* + 35 drops bergamot + 20 drops cardamom

*Elemi essential oil, a relative of frankincense and myrrh, is made from the resin of the elemi tree. The oil has a rich tangy-sweet aroma with musky notes. If you can’t find elemi, use palo santo or frankincense instead.

Winter wax air freshener recipes ❄️⛄

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Winter scents are often only afterthoughts of Christmas. But there’s something special about smelling the cold, fresh air on a snowy January day. So I decided to create a DIY air freshener dedicated to winter.

Decorations that are white, blue, and sparkly are perfect for wintery wax sachets. I opted for tiny ornaments, mini pinecones, and whimsical silver brunia berries.

I also cut off the glitter berries from a faux berry pick and inserted them here and there between the other decorations. A baby blue ribbon perfects the frosty look of this house freshener.

Essential oil blends for winter wax tablets

These crisp, clean and outdoorsy scents perfectly capture the essence of winter and will make you feel relaxed and refreshed.

• frosted forest: 45 drops fir needle + 30 drops blue cypress + 25 drops cedarwood
• snow day: 40 drops wintergreen + 40 drops balsam fir + 20 drops peppermint
• winter wonderland: 45 drops eucalyptus + 30 drops peppermint + 25 drops sweet orange

Holiday air fresheners 🎄🎁

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DIY wax air fresheners are stunning handmade holiday gift ideas. When it comes to decorating your Christmas air fresheners, you can really go to town.

Mini bauble ornaments, small conifer twigs, tiny pinecones, dried flowers, whole and ground spices, dried fruit, and small candy canes conjure up the festive spirit and turn the scented wax sachets in small pieces of art.

The gingerbread spice air fresheners were poured into a star mold and decorated with cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, small star anise, and gold stars.

I broke the cinnamon sticks into smaller pieces and cut the dried orange slices smaller so they would fit into the mold. I also dusted some of the stars with gold mica to make them extra sparkly.

Essential oil blends for Christmas wax sachets

What smells sum up the seasonal spirit for you? I love the lush pine scent of a sparkly Christmas tree, fresh out of the oven cookies, and warming spices. These Christmas essential oil blends are bound to put anyone in the holiday mood:

• gingerbread spice: 55 drops cinnamon + 25 drops ginger root + 20 drops clove bud
• Christmas cookie: 60 drops vanilla + 25 drops cinnamon + 15 drops sweet orange
• Holiday tree: 45 drops pine + 30 drops cinnamon + 20 drops frankincense

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More DIY air fresheners

If you like this wax air freshener tutorial, you might also enjoy some of these other house fresheners and natural room deodorizers:

• botanical wax sachets
• wax brittle
• essential oil wax melts
• pumpkin spice candle
• fall wax melts
• lavender soy candle
• citronella candles
• eucalyptus candle
• potpourri simmer jars
• stovetop air freshener
• homemade room sprays
• lavender sleep spray
• fall room sprays