From its sweet and fragrant aroma to its calming effects, lavender extract has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and wellbeing.
But did you know that you can make your own lavender extract at home? In this article, we will discuss the benefits of making your own lavender extract, what ingredients you need, how to measure them, and step-by-step instructions for making the extract.
Well also cover how long the extract will last and how to use it.
Finally, well discuss alternatives to making lavender extract.
Read on to learn more!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
To make lavender extract, you will need 1 cup of vodka and 1 cup of fresh lavender buds.
Put the lavender buds into a clean, dry glass jar and pour the vodka over them.
Seal the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks, shaking the jar every few days.
Once the extract is done, strain out the lavender buds and discard them.
Your lavender extract is now ready to use!
Benefits of Making Lavender Extract
Making lavender extract is a great way to add a natural and pleasant scent to your home.
Not only that, but it can also have numerous other benefits.
For starters, lavender extract has calming and relaxing properties that can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Its natural scent has been known to help promote better sleep, reduce headaches, and even relieve depression.
In addition, it can be used as an all-natural air freshener and insect repellent.
You can also use lavender extract in homemade beauty products, such as soaps, shampoos, and lotions, to give them a wonderful scent and some of the benefits of the lavender itself.
Making your own lavender extract can also help you save money since buying the extract in stores can be quite expensive.
What You Need to Make Lavender Extract
Making lavender extract is an easy and enjoyable project that can be done quickly with a few simple ingredients. To make your own lavender extract, you will need: dried lavender buds, a high-proof alcohol such as vodka or brandy, and a clean jar or bottle. Dried lavender buds can be found at most health food stores, or you can purchase them online. When selecting your high-proof alcohol, make sure to choose the highest possible proof to ensure the most potent extract. Additionally, youll need a clean jar or bottle to store your extract. When selecting your jar or bottle, make sure to choose one with a tight-fitting lid or stopper to ensure your extract wont evaporate. Finally, you may also want to have a strainer on hand to help strain the extract when it’s finished.
How to Measure the Ingredients
When making lavender extract, it’s important to measure the ingredients accurately for the best results.
For every cup of dried lavender buds, you’ll need one cup of high-proof alcohol.
You can use vodka or brandy, but make sure the alcohol has a minimum of 40% alcohol content.
Once you’ve measured the ingredients, combine them in a clean jar or bottle and seal it tightly.
Shake the jar every day or two to help the extraction process.
If you have a mason jar, it’s a good idea to use a lid with a hole in it to allow for air to escape.
This will help to prevent the jar from exploding due to built-up pressure.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Lavender Extract
Making your own lavender extract is a great way to add a natural, delightful scent to your home without having to rely on store-bought air fresheners or scented candles.
Plus, its surprisingly easy to do, and you only need a few simple ingredients.
Heres how to make lavender extract in a few simple steps.
First, youll need to gather your ingredients.
Youll need dried lavender buds, a high-proof alcohol such as vodka or brandy, and a clean jar or bottle.
Next, combine equal parts of the buds and alcohol in the jar.
Make sure to use only dried lavender buds, as fresh buds can cause the extract to spoil faster.
Once the jar is full, make sure to seal it tightly.
Once the jar is sealed, store it in a cool, dark place for two to four weeks.
This is the most important part of the process, as this is when the extraction occurs.
Make sure to shake the jar every day or two to help the extraction process along.
After two to four weeks, strain the extract and store it in a cool, dark place for up to two years.
This lavender extract can be used for a variety of purposes, such as making homemade beauty products or as a natural air freshener.
And thats all there is to it! Making your own lavender extract is a simple process that yields a delightful product.
Try it out today and enjoy the scent of lavender in your home for months to come.
How Long Does Lavender Extract Last?
Making lavender extract is a great way to enjoy the natural scent of lavender in your home.
It is not only easy to make, but the extract can also be stored for up to two years if it is kept in a cool, dark place.
The exact shelf life of the extract depends on the alcohol used and how well it is stored.
Generally, the higher the proof of alcohol, the longer the extract will last.
Stronger alcohols, such as vodka or brandy, are the best choice for making lavender extract because they have a higher proof and will help preserve the extract for a longer period of time.
It is important to note that the extract should never be stored in direct sunlight, as this can cause the alcohol to evaporate quickly, reducing the shelf life of the extract.
It is also important to keep the extract sealed tightly in an airtight container.
This will prevent the extract from evaporating as quickly and will help to maintain its shelf life.
When the extract is opened, it should be used within a few months, as the scent and potency of the extract may deteriorate over time.
Overall, lavender extract can last up to two years when stored properly in a cool, dark place, using a high-proof alcohol such as vodka or brandy.
To ensure the best shelf life, it is important to keep the extract in an airtight container and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight.
When the extract is opened, it should be used within a few months for best results.
How to Use Lavender Extract
Once you have made your own lavender extract, there are a wide range of ways you can use it to enhance your home.
Lavender extract is great for use in homemade beauty products, or as a natural air freshener.
It can also be used to scent candles, soaps, and other DIY products.
For homemade beauty products, lavender extract can be used to make a calming and soothing bath soak.
Simply add a few drops of the extract to a warm bath and enjoy a relaxing soak.
You can also add a few drops to a body scrub or massage oil.
For a natural air freshener, lavender extract can be combined with water in a spray bottle and used to spritz the air in your home.
The scent will help to create a calming and peaceful atmosphere.
Lavender extract can also be used to scent candles.
To do this, simply add a few drops of the extract to melted candle wax and stir it well before pouring into the mould.
This will give your candles a pleasant and calming scent.
Finally, lavender extract can be used to scent soaps, lotions, and other DIY products.
Simply add a few drops to the mixture before pouring into the mould.
This will give your products a wonderful natural scent.
Alternatives to Making Lavender Extract
Making lavender extract at home can be a fun and rewarding project, but there are alternatives if you dont want to go through the process yourself.
You can purchase pre-made lavender extract at health food stores, specialty markets, and online retailers.
While these extracts may be more expensive than making your own, they often come in a variety of scents and concentrations to suit your needs.
Additionally, some pre-made extracts come with added ingredients like vanilla or citrus to create a unique flavor.
If youd like to save time and money, you can also purchase lavender essential oil.
This oil is highly concentrated and is extracted from the lavender plant without the addition of alcohol.
Essential oils are a great way to achieve a strong, long-lasting scent in products like room fresheners, bath bombs, and lotions.
Finally, you can use dried lavender buds to create a natural air freshener.
You can put the buds in a sachet, or you can combine them with baking soda in a jar to create a scented mixture.
Place the jar or sachet in any room in your home and enjoy the calming scent of lavender.
Final Thoughts
Making your own lavender extract is a simple, cost-effective way to enjoy the wonderful scent of lavender in your home.
With the right ingredients, you can have your own homemade lavender extract that lasts up to two years.
Whether you use it as a natural air freshener, in a homemade beauty product, or simply enjoy the scent, lavender extract is sure to bring a sense of calm to any environment.
So why not try it out for yourself and experience the calming effects of lavender extract?