Home Turns Out, a Wax Melt and a Little Southern Heat Make a Fantastic Car Air Freshener Just two supplies needed. By Melissa Locker Melissa Locker Melissa Locker writes about food, drinks, culture, gardening, and the joys of Waffle House Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 9, 2022 Fact checked by Jennifer Hawk Fact checked by Jennifer Hawk Jennifer Hawk is a former English professor with 24 years of experience guiding even the most reluctant through the labyrinths of writing, rhetoric, and research. brand's fact checking process Share Tweet Pin Email Summer in the South is no joke. And when the temperatures rise and you accidentally left gym shoes (or a Bojangles bag) in the car, that is definitely no joke. Luckily, there is an easy fix that doesn't involve dangling a Christmas tree-shaped pine-scented air freshener from your rearview mirror. Instead you just need a quick trip to your local store for two supplies and a little help from Mother Nature. Getty Images When it comes to making your own car air freshener, Hunker pointed us towards a TikTok video making the rounds on social media. According to TikTok user and DIY enthusiast @micah.griffin, all you need is a shaker jar, like those used for Parmesan cheese at your favorite pizza spot, and wax melts. If you haven't encountered wax melts before, they are small, scented pieces of wax that slowly melt and release their fragrance. They come in all sorts of scents like coconut, jasmine, lemon, mint, cedar, and, yes, even pine, so you can choose the aroma you like best. Both wax melts and shakers can be found at well-stocked craft stores, Etsy, Walmart, or Amazon. To make the air freshener, simply open your shaker and put a few pieces of wax melt inside the jar. Put the lid on the jar and place it in your car's cupholder or wherever it fits. From there, just leave your car in the summer heat and the sunlight will melt the wax and your chosen scent will fill the car with an aroma almost as delightful as a Bojangles biscuit sandwich. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit