Antonio Mcgowan
Creating your own lavender fragrance oil is a simple process that can be done at home. The first step is to prepare the lavender by cleaning and crushing the flowers and buds, then submerging them in distilled water for several hours. The longer the lavender is left to steep, the stronger the fragrance will be. The liquid is then strained and a few drops of alcohol are added to release the fragrance and extend its shelf life. Finally, the perfume is bottled, with a dark-coloured bottle helping the perfume to last longer.
How to make lavender fragrance oil
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Lavender flowers and buds, distilled or mineral water, odourless alcohol, carrier oil (jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil), and a glass bottle with a tight-fitting screw cap |
| Preparation | Remove flowers and buds from stems, rinse under cold water, crush the lavender finely with a pestle and mortar, add water, steep for 20 minutes to 4 hours, strain through muslin, add alcohol, and bottle |
| Notes | Perfumes can contain up to 40% essential oils, while colognes have far less (about 5%) and a higher alcohol content for a cooling effect |
| Carrier Oil | Jojoba oil is recommended for its odourless properties, but olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil can also be used depending on the desired scent profile |
| Essential Oil | 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil, depending on the desired intensity |
| Additional Tips | Using fresh flowers ensures the essential oils are fresh, and distilled water is preferred over tap water to avoid chemicals and minerals that can affect the fragrance |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning and crushing lavender
To make your own lavender fragrance oil, you'll first need to gather some fresh lavender. Rinse the flowers and buds briefly under cold running water to remove any dirt. Place the cleaned lavender in a bowl and use a pestle and mortar to crush it as finely as possible. This will help to release the essential oils. Alternatively, you can use the end of a rolling pin or other hard objects to crush the lavender.
Crushing the lavender will help to release its natural oils, which will form the basis of your fragrance oil. You can crush the lavender by hand or with a machine, but a pestle and mortar will give you the most control over the process and ensure that the lavender is crushed evenly.
Once the lavender is crushed, you'll need to add a carrier oil. Carrier oils are typically nearly odourless, and common choices include jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil. You can also use light olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil if you find their scents pleasing.
After adding the carrier oil, you'll need to mix in the lavender essential oil. This can be done by simply stirring the ingredients together or by using a blender to create a more uniform mixture. The amount of lavender essential oil you use will depend on the desired intensity of your fragrance oil. A good rule of thumb is to add 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
Finally, you can bottle your fragrance oil and enjoy its pleasant lavender scent!
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Soaking in distilled water
To make lavender fragrance oil through this method, you will need:
- 2 cups of dried organic lavender flowers
- 3 cups of distilled water
- Ice, placed in a ziplock bag
- A pot with a lid
- A small, heat-safe bowl or ramekin
First, place the dried flowers in the pot and cover them with distilled water. Stir the mixture. Then, place a small, heat-safe bowl in the centre of the pot, on top of the flowers. The edge of the bowl should sit above the waterline. If your bowl is not tall enough, place a second small bowl or ramekin upside down in the water and set your first bowl on top of that. This will give it some height.
Next, turn the heat on low and place the lid upside down on the pot. There should be a gap of about 2 inches between the bowl and the inverted lid so that the hydrosol can collect in the bowl. Place the ice cubes in the ziplock bag and set it on top of the lid.
As the steam rises, it will condense on the cold inverted lid, run down the centre, and collect in the bowl inside the pot. This is your lavender hydrosol, which can be used as a perfume or in a variety of beauty, cleaning, and drink recipes.
Hydrosol has a high water content and is gentler on the skin than essential oils. It is generally safe for all skin types, but it is always recommended to perform a patch test to ensure you do not have any adverse reactions.
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Straining the liquid
Prepare a clean, fine-mesh strainer: Using a fine-mesh strainer, such as muslin, is essential to ensure that even the smallest particles of lavender are removed from the liquid. Make sure the strainer is clean and dry before starting.
Gently pour the infused liquid: After the lavender has been steeping in the oil or water, carefully pour the infused liquid into the prepared strainer. It is important to do this gently to avoid disturbing the settled particles and causing them to pass through the strainer.
Allow the liquid to drip: Instead of pressing or squeezing the lavender, let the liquid drip through the strainer naturally. This may take some time, but it is important to be patient as squeezing can cloud the perfume. Place a bowl or jar under the strainer to collect the strained liquid.
Check for remaining particles: Once the majority of the liquid has passed through the strainer, check the strained liquid for any remaining lavender particles. If necessary, repeat the straining process with a new, clean strainer to ensure all particles are removed.
Transfer the strained liquid: Once you are satisfied that all particles have been removed, carefully transfer the strained liquid to a clean, dry bottle or container. This bottle can then be used for storing your lavender fragrance oil or for further steps in the perfume-making process.
By following these steps, you will be able to effectively strain your lavender-infused liquid and create a clear, high-quality fragrance oil. Remember to take your time and be gentle during the straining process to achieve the best results.
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Adding alcohol
Firstly, it is important to note that the type of alcohol you use is important. Odourless and flavourless alcohol, such as vodka, is the best option. You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean your equipment, but this should not be added to the perfume. The higher the proof of the alcohol, the better.
When making a lavender fragrance oil with alcohol, you will first need to create your oil base. To do this, take a bunch of fresh lavender and remove the flowers and buds from the stems. Rinse these under cold water to remove any dirt, then place them in a bowl and crush them as finely as you can. You can use a pestle and mortar, or the end of a rolling pin. Add enough distilled or mineral water to cover the lavender and leave it to steep for 20 minutes to 4 hours, depending on how strong you want the scent to be. Strain the liquid through muslin and do not squeeze the cloth, as this will make your perfume cloudy.
Now you can add your alcohol. Add a few drops of vodka, or another odourless alcohol, to your infused oil. You can adjust the amount of alcohol depending on how strong you want the fragrance to be. You can also add a couple of drops of glycerin, which can be purchased cheaply.
Finally, add your carrier oil. Jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil will work. Fill your perfume bottle with a little less than 1oz of the carrier oil, then add 20-30 drops of your lavender oil, depending on the desired intensity. Put the lid on the bottle and shake for a few seconds.
Your perfume is now ready to use, but it will improve with age. Leave it to sit for one to two weeks, then test the fragrance. If the alcohol smell is too strong, you may need to leave it for longer.
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Bottling the perfume
When bottling your lavender fragrance, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure that you have strained the liquid through muslin before bottling, preventing any bits of lavender from getting through. This is important as remnants of lavender can cause the perfume to spoil and go rancid over time. Remember not to squeeze the muslin, as this can result in a cloudy appearance. Instead, let the liquid drip through naturally.
Once strained, add a few drops of a clear and flavourless alcohol, such as vodka, to the perfume. This will enhance the fragrance and help to extend its shelf life. You can then carefully pour the liquid into your chosen bottle. It is recommended to use a dark-coloured or opaque glass bottle, as this will help your perfume to last longer and prevent sunlight from degrading the fragrance. If you intend to use a spray applicator, ensure that the bottle has a tight-fitting screw cap.
You can decorate your bottle with dried lavender flowers, gluing them to the outside for a pleasant aesthetic. You could also add other decorative elements, such as bows or text, to personalise your creation.
Finally, allow your perfume to sit for a few days before use. This will enable the fragrance to develop and mature, improving its scent.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need lavender flowers, lavender buds, a carrier oil (jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil), a glass bottle with a tight-fitting screw cap, and vanilla oleoresin essential oil or vanilla extract.
First, rinse the lavender flowers and buds under cold running water to remove any dirt. Place the cleaned lavender in a bowl and crush it finely using a pestle and mortar. Add distilled water and let the lavender steep for 20 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the desired strength of the fragrance. Strain the liquid through muslin and add a few drops of odourless alcohol like vodka. Finally, add your carrier oil and essential oil, shake well, and store in a dark-coloured bottle.
Fill the perfume bottle with a little less than 1 oz. of carrier oil and add 20-30 drops of lavender essential oil, depending on the desired intensity of the fragrance.
