Katrina Rosales
Making perfume from flowers and water is a simple process that allows you to create a unique fragrance. The first step is to choose your flowers, which can be anything from rose petals to herbs like lavender, depending on your preference. You can collect these from your garden or purchase them from a health food store or farmer's market, ensuring they are organic. The next step is to clean your petals and place them in a bowl lined with cheesecloth. Cover the petals with water and let them soak for 24 hours to a few weeks, depending on the recipe. After this, separate the petals from the water and simmer the scented water on the stove until only a teaspoon of liquid remains. You can then add a preservative like vodka or witch hazel and pour your perfume into a bottle. Homemade perfumes with water need to be used within a month and stored in a cool, dark place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Roses, lavender, chamomile, clary sage, citrus blossoms, rose petals, mint, rosemary |
| Materials | Glass jar, distilled water, carrier oil, vodka or witch hazel, vanilla extract bottle, coffee press, wire strainer, vegetable oil, beeswax, ethanol, coconut oil, alcohol |
| Steps | Rinse petals in cold water, place in a jar, cover with water, add oil, stir, cover, let sit for 24-48 hours, strain liquid, add vodka or witch hazel to preserve, pour into bottle |
| Tips | Use fresh flowers for the strongest fragrance, dry petals before use, store in a cool, dark place, use within a month, do not use more than 2 types of flowers |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing flowers for your perfume
Scent:
The scent of the flowers you choose will be the foundation of your perfume. Consider the fragrance you want to create and select flowers with complementary scents. Do you want something sweet and spicy like a rose, or exotic and fruity like ylang-ylang? Fragrant flowers such as jasmine, tuberose, and frangipani are popular choices for perfumery due to their heady and exotic scents.
Colour:
The colour of the flowers can also play a role in your choice. White flowers, for example, tend to have exotic, spicy, and sweet scents, while the colour can also influence the visual appeal of your perfume. If you're creating a visual perfume, consider using flowers with vibrant colours that will stand out.
Availability:
Consider the availability of the flowers you choose. Some flowers, like jasmine, may be more easily accessible or grown in your region than others. If you have a garden, you can plant and nurture your favourite fragrant flowers. Alternatively, you can source flowers from local markets or florists.
Nostalgia and Memory:
Scent is strongly linked to memory and can evoke powerful emotions. Choose flowers that hold sentimental value or remind you of a particular person, place, or experience. For example, the scent of roses may remind you of a first crush or a romantic gesture.
Popular Choices:
Some of the most popular flowers used in perfumery include:
- Jasmine: Known as the "king of flowers," jasmine has a powerful and exotic scent. It has been used in perfumes for centuries and is often associated with relaxation and seduction.
- Rose: Referred to as the "queen of flowers," roses have a rich and captivating fragrance. They have been used in perfumery for centuries and are known for their romantic and sensual associations.
- Tuberose: Tuberose is a night-blooming flower with a heady, spicy, and creamy scent. It is one of the most expensive raw materials in perfumery due to the large volume of flowers needed to extract a small amount of absolute.
- Lily of the Valley: This flower creates a fresh and fruity fragrance, often combined with notes of pear and blackcurrant.
- Gardenia: Gardenia has a carnal and voluptuous scent with stronger earthy facets.
- Lavender: Lavender has a fresh and calming scent, often associated with relaxation.
Remember, the choice of flowers depends on your personal preference and the type of fragrance you want to create. You can experiment with different combinations of flowers and even add herbs or essential oils to create a unique and personalised perfume.
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Preparing the flowers
To prepare flowers for making perfume, you will need to start by choosing the flowers you want to use. Pick fresh, fragrant flower petals from your garden or a florist, ensuring they are clean and free from any insects or dirt. You can also purchase flowers from the floral section of a health food store or farmer's market, but make sure they are organic.
Once you have your flowers, give them a gentle rinse in cold water to remove any remaining debris or dust. If you are using roses, you can dry out the petals before proceeding. The drying process, also known as the clover drying method, involves airing out the petals until they become limp, reducing the water content and helping your final perfume smell more concentrated.
Next, you can begin extracting the scent from your flowers. Place the petals in a bowl lined with cheesecloth, allowing the edges to hang over a bit. Cover the petals with water and let them soak for 24 hours to a few weeks, depending on the method you choose. If you are in a hurry, you can also let them soak for just 30 minutes to an hour.
After the petals have soaked, squeeze the pouch of cheesecloth over a small saucepan to extract the flower-scented water. You can also use a coffee press or a wire strainer to extract as much of the scented water as possible.
If you wish to create a more complex perfume, you can add other scented ingredients at this stage. For example, you could add essential oils, using 9 drops of top notes, 15 drops of middle notes, and 6 drops of base notes. Alternatively, you can add 2 cups of vegetable oil or coconut oil, depending on your preference.
Now you have your flower-scented water or oil, you are ready to move on to the next steps of making your perfume!
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Soaking the flowers in water
Soaking flowers in water is a simple way to make a beautifully scented homemade perfume. The process is straightforward and can be completed in a few easy steps. Firstly, select your flowers. Fragrant, highly scented flowers such as roses are a good choice, but any flowers can be used. It is important to ensure that the flowers are clean and free from dirt and insects. Rinse the petals in cold water to remove any debris.
Next, you will need a bowl and some cheesecloth. Line the bowl with the cheesecloth, allowing the edges to hang over the sides. Place the flower petals on the cheesecloth and cover them with water. You can also add a few drops of essential oil at this stage to enhance the scent. Use your fingertips to squeeze the flowers gently in the water. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 24-48 hours to allow the fragrance to infuse into the water. The longer you leave it, the stronger the scent will be.
After the flowers have soaked, gather the corners of the cheesecloth and lift the pouch of flowers out of the water. Squeeze the pouch to extract the scented water. Transfer the flower water to a saucepan and simmer over low heat until only a small amount of liquid is left (around one teaspoon). Allow this to cool, then pour it into a bottle. Your homemade perfume is now ready to use!
It is important to note that perfumes made with water do not contain preservatives, so they should be used within a month and stored in a cool, dark place.
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Simmering the flower water
Once you have prepared your flower petals and distilled water, you can begin the process of simmering the flower water to create your perfume.
Firstly, place a cheesecloth over a bowl and put your chosen flowers on top. Submerge the flowers in the water and leave them to soak for 24 hours. The length of time you leave the flowers to soak will depend on the intensity of fragrance you wish to achieve. For a stronger scent, you can leave the flowers to soak for up to 48 hours.
After the desired amount of time has passed, remove the cheesecloth from the water and squeeze out any remaining water from the flowers. Place the flower-scented water in a small saucepan and simmer on low heat until only a small amount of liquid is left. The amount of liquid left in the pan should be around one teaspoon. This process will help to intensify the fragrance and create a more concentrated perfume.
If you wish to create a more complex perfume, you can add additional ingredients at this stage. For example, you could add a few drops of essential oil or a small amount of vodka or witch hazel to help preserve the scent and prevent spoilage. You could also add grated beeswax to the mixture, which will create a solid perfume when combined with flower water.
Once you have simmered the flower water and added any additional ingredients, allow the liquid to cool before bottling. You can pour the perfume into a rollerball container, a miniature spray bottle, or an old, clean perfume bottle.
Your homemade flower perfume will generally last for up to one month when stored in a cool, dark place.
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Storing your perfume
Firstly, choose the right storage containers. Dark glass bottles are ideal, as they protect your perfume from light and help preserve its fragrance. Seal the bottles tightly to prevent evaporation and spillage. You can also use a small funnel to make transferring liquids into bottles easier and to avoid spills.
Secondly, store your perfume in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Sunlight and heat can damage the perfume and weaken its fragrance by breaking down the essential oils. A closet in the living room or hallway is a good option, as it is generally away from light and has a consistent temperature. Avoid storing perfume in the kitchen or bathroom, as these areas can get very hot.
Thirdly, you can further protect your perfume by placing the bottles in boxes. This adds an extra layer of defence against heat and sunlight. You can also use decorative boxes to add a fun element to your storage.
Lastly, if you plan to travel with your perfume, invest in travel-friendly containers to keep it safe. Transfer your perfume to smaller bottles before your trip to reduce the risk of losing a large amount if your perfume is lost or damaged during travel.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your homemade floral perfume stays fresh and fragrant for longer.
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Frequently asked questions
First, pick fresh, fragrant flower petals from your garden. Make sure they are clean and free from any insects or dirt.
Rinse the petals in cold water to remove any debris or dust. Then, place the flower petals in a bowl and cover them with distilled water.
Squeeze the flowers with your fingertips and allow them to sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, separate the flowers from the water by pouring the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.
Add 1/4 cup of vodka or witch hazel to the flower water to act as a preservative. Pour the perfume into a small bottle and store it in a cool, dark place. The perfume should last for up to a month.
Choose a dominant floral scent that you like, such as rose, lavender, or jasmine. You can also mix a couple of different flowers, but don't use more than two to avoid an overpowering scent.
