Katrina Rosales
Incense perfume can be made using either an alcohol base or an oil base. The process is simple: take a few incense sticks, break them into small pieces, and cover them with alcohol or oil. The main difference between the two methods is the soaking time, with the oil-based method taking longer. It's important to note that some incense sticks contain dye, which may stain light-coloured clothes. When making incense perfume, there are no precise measurements, and the choice of fragrance is entirely up to the maker.
How to make incense perfume
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense | Incense sticks |
| Type of Perfume | Alcohol-based spray or oil-based |
| Alcohol | Ethanol |
| Oil | Coconut oil |
| Soaking Time | 1-2 months |
| Soaking Container | Glass or ceramic bowl |
| Other Tools | Resealable plastic bag, airtight jar, paper towel, or drying tray |
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What You'll Learn
Using alcohol to extract incense fragrance
To make incense perfume, you can use alcohol to extract the fragrance from incense sticks. This method is simple and easy to do at home. It can be done in a few steps. Firstly, take a few incense sticks and break them into smaller pieces. The number of sticks you use will depend on how strong you want the fragrance to be. For a stronger scent, use a higher ratio of sticks to alcohol.
Next, place the incense pieces into a sealable container. A glass jar is ideal. Then, cover the incense with alcohol. There are no precise measurements needed here, but as a guide, you could use around 30-50ml of alcohol for one incense stick. You can use ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol, however, be aware that isopropyl alcohol has a strong smell that takes a minute or so to evaporate. For a better result, use ethanol.
Seal the container and regularly shake or stir the mixture. This process can take a long time, from a fortnight to several months, so be patient. The longer you leave it, the stronger the fragrance will be. Once you are happy with the scent, you can filter the mixture and bottle it. You can use a coffee filter and a spray bottle. However, be aware that some incense dyes may leech into the alcohol and stain clothes, so perform a small test first.
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Using oil to extract incense fragrance
One popular method is to use a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. To do this, break the incense sticks into smaller pieces and add them to a jar or container with the oil. The amount of incense and oil used can vary depending on your preference, but a ratio of approximately 100g of oil to four incense sticks is a good starting point. It's important to note that the incense should not be burnt, as the unburnt sticks will retain their fragrance.
The oil and incense mixture should then be stored in a warm place to prevent the oil from solidifying. The length of time it needs to soak can vary, but it is generally recommended to leave it for at least two months. During this time, the oil will absorb the fragrance from the incense. It's a good idea to check on the mixture periodically to see if it has reached your desired scent.
Once you're happy with the fragrance, you can filter out the incense sticks or leave them in if you prefer. You can then transfer the perfumed oil to another container for storage. If you want to solidity the oil, it can be stored in a cold place.
Another method for extracting incense fragrance is to use essential oils. This involves creating a blend of essential oils that match the fragrance of your chosen incense. Earthy base notes such as sandalwood, Palo Santo, and patchouli are popular choices for incense perfumes. However, this method may require more experimentation to find the right combination of essential oils that capture the incense's scent.
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Choosing the right fragrance oils
When choosing the right fragrance oils, it is important to opt for high-quality, IFRA-compliant fragrance oils that are designed for burning. Avoid body-safe or diffuser-only oils as they may burn poorly or produce smoke. The choice of fragrance oil for an incense recipe is entirely yours. There are hundreds of varieties available, including essential oils and different aromas like toffee, vanilla, honey, or even mock designer perfumes or colognes. Be experimental and creative with your choices!
You can also use fragrance oils that you already have, such as those for diffusers, to create your incense perfume. This way, you can save money and know exactly what is going into your incense. One bottle of fragrance oil can yield dozens of incense sticks, so it is a cost-effective option.
When creating your own incense perfume, it is important to consider the safety of the fragrance oils. Make sure to use oils that are safe for burning to avoid any skin irritation or rashes. Some incense sticks are also made with dyes, which can soak into the alcohol and potentially stain light-colored clothes, so be cautious when handling the oils and incense mixture.
Additionally, the soaking time for the fragrance oils is crucial. Allow your incense sticks to soak in the oil for at least two months, regularly checking to see if the scent is to your liking. A longer soaking time will result in a stronger fragrance, so adjust the time according to your preference.
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How to make incense sticks
Making your own incense sticks is a simple process that allows for endless customisation. The practice of hand-making natural incense sticks has a long history in China, with records dating back more than 500 years.
Ingredients and Materials:
To make your own incense sticks, you will need the following:
- Various wood, resin, herb or floral incense powders (e.g. sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh, pine, cedar, juniper, sage, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, star anise, cinnamon)
- Essential oils (e.g. lavender, neroli, patchouli, geranium, cinnamon)
- Water
- Dipropylene glycol (DPG)
- Unperfumed, bare incense sticks (opt for bamboo for a natural option)
- A tray or dish lined with aluminium foil
- Gloves
Method:
First, prepare your chosen essential oils and powdered ingredients. For a stronger scent, use just one type of essential oil; for a more complex fragrance, blend a few different scents. The ratio is approximately 20 drops of essential oil per incense stick. If you are making a small batch of five incense sticks, use a total of 100 drops of essential oil (around 4 mL).
Next, create a dough by adding water to your chosen powders and oils. The dough should be very fragrant and can be picked up and smelled to get an idea of how the final product will smell. Allow the dough to rest for a few hours or overnight. Be careful not to leave the dough for too long, as mould will form in a humid environment.
Once your dough is ready, form it into thin stick shapes by hand or using an incense squeezing syringe or clay extruder for more even sticks. If rolling by hand, roll the dough onto paper, as a slick surface will make it tricky. Then, place the sticks on wax paper that has been accordion-folded to provide a narrow bed for them to dry on, so they don't curl or bend. Let the sticks dry for up to five days.
Finally, coat your incense sticks with DPG to prevent them from giving off black smoke when burned.
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How to make incense perfume from sticks
Making incense perfume from sticks is a simple process that can be done in a few different ways. The first method involves using alcohol, while the second method uses coconut oil or other types of oil.
Alcohol-Based Method
For the alcohol-based method, you will need incense sticks, alcohol (such as ethanol or vodka), a sealable container, and a coffee filter. Here are the steps to follow:
- Break the incense sticks into smaller pieces and place them in the jar or sealable container.
- Cover the incense pieces with alcohol. The ratio of incense to alcohol is not precise and depends on your preferred scent strength and soaking time. A suggested ratio is two incense sticks per 100ml of alcohol.
- Seal the container and store it in a dark place for at least a fortnight, shaking the container regularly.
- After the tincture has settled, dip a smelling strip into the mixture to test the scent.
- If you are happy with the scent, filter the tincture through a coffee filter and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Your incense perfume is now ready to use!
Oil-Based Method
For the oil-based method, you will need incense sticks, coconut oil or other types of oil (such as olive oil or fragrance oils), a container for mixing, and a coffee filter or another container for storing. Here are the steps:
- Break the incense sticks into smaller pieces and place them in your chosen container.
- Add oil to the container. The ratio of incense to oil is not exact and depends on your desired scent strength and soaking time. A suggested ratio is approximately 100g of coconut oil for four incense sticks.
- Store the container in a warm place for at least two months, checking the scent periodically.
- Once you are satisfied with the scent, you can filter the incense pieces out (or leave them in if you prefer) and transfer the oil to another container.
- Your incense perfume oil is now ready to use!
Additional Tips
- When choosing incense sticks, opt for unscented ones made with joss/makko powder to avoid potentially toxic materials.
- Be aware that some incense sticks are dyed, and the colour may soak into the alcohol or oil. This could potentially stain light-coloured fabrics.
- Experiment with different combinations of incense and oils to find your unique fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
The two basic ingredients required to make incense perfume are incense sticks and either alcohol or oil.
The process to make incense perfume involves breaking the incense sticks into smaller pieces and then adding them to a jar of alcohol or oil. The mixture should then be left to soak for at least a month or two.
The amount of alcohol or oil required depends on the desired strength and soaking time. A general guideline is to use two incense sticks for 100ml of alcohol or 100g of coconut oil for four incense sticks.
Making incense perfume takes at least a month or two for the incense sticks to infuse the alcohol or oil with their scent. The longer the mixture soaks, the stronger the scent will be.
Yes, making incense perfume at home is a simple and satisfying DIY project. It allows you to create a unique fragrance that is not available in stores.
