To make a backpack freshener clip, glue a small piece of wool felt onto a wooden clothespin and allow it to dry completely. Add 3 to 4 drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil to the felt, then clip it inside a backpack, locker, or gym bag. Refresh the scent every week or two by adding a few more drops of essential oil whenever the aroma starts to fade.
Backpacks, lockers, gym bags, and lunch totes tend to collect all kinds of everyday odors. Between sports gear, textbooks, lunch containers, and busy schedules, it's no surprise they can start smelling less than fresh after a few weeks.
Luckily, it has an easy fix that doesn’t involve spraying or wasting aerosol air fresheners. A small clip that’s saturated with your favorite essential oil can bring a wonderful scent to wherever you attach it! I’ve whipped up a bunch of these fresheners before and have found them to be the most economical solution because instead of purchasing single use air fresheners you can simply add a few more drops of essential oil to the felt clip when the scent runs low! It's one of those DIY projects that takes only a few minutes but lasts for months.
Whether you're looking for a DIY backpack freshener, a DIY locker freshener, or even a simple clip for your gym bag or car, this project is easy enough for beginners and fun enough to make with older kids.
Why Make Your Own Freshener Clips?
Store-bought air fresheners are convenient, but they're often designed for one-time use. Once the fragrance disappears, they end up in the trash.
That's one reason I enjoy making my own DIY essential oil clips. They're reusable, customizable, and surprisingly versatile. You can swap essential oils depending on the season, your favorite scents, or where you plan to use the clip.
A single clip can be used inside:
-
School backpacks
-
Lockers
-
Gym bags
-
Travel bags
-
Suitcases
-
Office drawers
-
Storage bins
-
Even your car vents with a small adjustment
Instead of buying several different fresheners, you simply refresh the same clip whenever you want a new aroma.
Materials You'll Need
One of the best things about this project is that you probably already have most of the supplies at home.
You'll need:
-
Wooden clothespins
-
Wool felt sheets
-
Scissors
-
Craft glue or hot glue
-
Your favorite Gya Labs essential oils
-
Pencil (optional for tracing circles)
-
Hole punch or small round object for cutting felt
These simple materials are all you need to create essential oil felt clips DIY projects that can last throughout the school year.
How to Make a Backpack Freshener Clip
This project usually takes less than fifteen minutes, not including drying time.
Step 1: Cut the Felt
Cut a small circle, rectangle, or any fun shape from a sheet of wool felt.
The felt acts as the diffuser by absorbing the essential oils and slowly releasing their aroma over time.
Step 2: Attach the Felt
Glue the felt securely onto one side of a wooden clothespin.
Allow the glue to dry completely before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Add Essential Oils
Place 3 to 4 drops of essential oil directly onto the felt.
Let the oil absorb for a minute before clipping it inside your backpack or locker.
Step 4: Clip It in Place
Attach the clothespin to an inside pocket, fabric divider, or zipper edge where it won't rub directly against books, clothing, or lunch containers.
That's all there is to it.
If you've been wondering how to make a backpack freshener clip DIY, this simple project is one of the easiest ways to get started.
Best Essential Oils for Backpack and Locker Fresheners
Not every essential oil creates the same atmosphere. Some smell bright and cheerful, while others have a clean, herbal character that many people enjoy in everyday spaces.
Here are a few of my favorites.
| Essential Oil | Aroma Profile | Great For |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon | Bright, fresh, citrus | School bags, lockers, lunch totes |
| Tea Tree | Crisp, herbal, clean | Gym bags and lockers |
| Peppermint | Cool, refreshing | Sports bags and travel bags |
| Lavender | Soft, calming | Backpacks and bedroom storage |
| Sweet Orange | Sweet, uplifting | Everyday family use |
For everyday backpack use, I usually reach for lemon because it instantly makes everything feel cleaner and brighter. If I'm making clips for a gym bag, I like combining lemon with tea tree for a fresh, invigorating aroma.
Try These Easy Essential Oil Blends
One of my favorite parts about making homemade freshener clips is experimenting with different scent combinations.
Here are a few blends worth trying.
Bright Citrus
-
2 drops Lemon
-
1 drop Sweet Orange
Perfect for school backpacks.
Fresh Locker Blend
-
2 drops Lemon
-
2 drops Tea Tree
A popular combination for lockers and gym bags.
Weekend Adventure
-
2 drops Peppermint
-
2 drops Lemon
Great for hiking packs, sports bags, and travel backpacks.
Calm Study Blend
-
2 drops Lavender
-
1 drop Lemon
A pleasant option for study spaces, lockers, and homework stations.
How Do You Refresh the Clip?
One of the biggest advantages of a homemade essential oil diffuser clip is that you never have to replace it when the scent fades.
Instead, simply:
-
Remove the clip.
-
Add another 2 to 4 drops of essential oil.
-
Let the felt absorb the oil for a minute.
-
Clip it back into place.
I usually refresh mine every one to two weeks, although warmer weather and frequent use may require refreshing a little sooner.
Can You Use These Anywhere Else?
Absolutely.
Although this project is designed as a DIY locker freshener, I've found plenty of other places where these clips work beautifully.
Try clipping one inside:
-
Gym bags
-
Duffel bags
-
Suitcases
-
Office drawers
-
Laundry rooms
-
Linen cabinets
You can even adapt the same idea into a DIY clothespin diffuser for small indoor spaces or create a DIY car diffuser clip by attaching the felt to a compatible wooden vent clip designed for vehicles.
The same reusable concept works in all of these places.
A Few Safety Tips
I had fun making these freshener clips, just be sure to take note to use the essential oils with care:
-
Do not let the essential oils get in the eyes and in the mouth.
-
Avoid allowing fresh oil to come into direct contact with skin.
-
Let the felt absorb the oil completely before placing it inside a backpack.
-
Store essential oils out of reach of young children.
-
If making clips for children's backpacks, an adult should prepare and refresh the clips.
Using only a few drops helps create a pleasant aroma without overwhelming the space.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the simplest DIY projects become the ones you use the most.
Just a few minutes to assemble, inexpensive to make, and can easily use whatever essential oils tickle your fancy any season of the year, these freshener clips are super helpful for back to school time, stashing in your gym bag, locker – anything that needs a fresh burst of clean to make it welcoming.
After you make one clip you might even decide to make up one or two more; you’ll likely think of places where you want a clip - inside a travel bag, in your closet, in the car, etc. They’re re-usable and just the perfect little touch of DIY in your day to day life.
