Dried flowers are not only an excellent way to preserve the beauty of fresh blooms, but they can also fill your home with a delightful fragrance. However, over time, the natural scent of dried flowers can fade away. If you want to revive or enhance the aroma of your dried flower arrangements, there are several techniques and methods you can employ. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various ways to make dried flowers smell good again, ensuring that they continue to bring joy and a beautiful fragrance to your living space.
1. Choose Fragrant Flowers for Drying
The first step in ensuring that your dried flowers smell good is to select varieties known for their aromatic qualities. Some flowers naturally retain their fragrance when dried, such as lavender, roses, jasmine, chamomile, and eucalyptus. By choosing these fragrant blooms for drying, you set the foundation for a long-lasting and pleasant-smelling arrangement.
2. Harvest at the Right Time
To maximize the scent of your dried flowers, it’s crucial to harvest them at the right time. The ideal time to harvest flowers for drying is when they are fully open but haven’t started to wilt yet. At this stage, the flowers are likely to have the most potent scent. Additionally, it is recommended to pick flowers in the morning when their essential oils are at their peak concentration.
3. Proper Drying Techniques
The method you use to dry your flowers can significantly impact their fragrance. Here are some effective drying techniques to ensure optimal scent retention:
Air Drying: This traditional method involves hanging the flowers upside down in a well-ventilated area. Ensure that the flowers are spaced apart to allow air circulation, preventing mold growth. Air-drying helps preserve the natural fragrance of the flowers.
Silica Gel: Using silica gel is another popular method for drying flowers. Silica gel is a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the flowers while preserving their shape and color. It also helps retain the scent of the flowers during the drying process.
Pressing: If you prefer flat dried flowers, pressing is a suitable technique. Place the flowers between absorbent paper or in a flower press, applying gentle pressure to remove moisture. While pressed flowers may not have as strong a scent as air-dried or silica gel-dried flowers, they can still emit a pleasant aroma.
4. Enhance the Fragrance
Once your flowers are dried, there are several ways to enhance their fragrance:
Essential Oils: Adding a few drops of essential oils to dried flowers can significantly boost their scent. Lavender, rose, chamomile, and jasmine essential oils are particularly popular choices. Place a small amount of oil on a cotton ball or tissue and tuck it into the arrangement or vase with the dried flowers. Be mindful not to add too much oil, as it may overpower the natural fragrance of the flowers.
Fragrant Herbs and Spices: Another way to make your dried flowers smell good is by incorporating fragrant herbs and spices. For example, you can add dried lavender buds, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, or cloves to your arrangements. These natural additions will infuse the dried flowers with a delightful aroma.
Scented Sachets: Create scented sachets using a mix of dried petals, herbs, and spices. Place these sachets in drawers, closets, or near air vents to gently diffuse fragrance throughout your home. You can also tuck them among the dried flower arrangement to provide an additional burst of scent.
5. Proper Storage
To maintain the fragrance of your dried flowers over time, proper storage is crucial. Here are some tips for storing dried flowers to ensure they continue to smell good:
Keep them in a sealed container: Store your dried flowers in an airtight container to prevent exposure to moisture and humidity, which can cause the scent to deteriorate.
Do not expose them to direct sunlight: Sunlight can fade the color and fragrance of dried flowers. Keep them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight or intense artificial light sources.
Refresh the scent periodically: To revive the fragrance of your dried flowers, you can gently crush the petals or add a few drops of essential oil to the storage container. This will help replenish the aroma and keep them smelling fresh.
Conclusion
Dried flowers offer a lasting reminder of the beauty and fragrance of fresh blooms. By carefully selecting fragrant varieties, employing proper drying techniques, enhancing the fragrance with essential oils or natural additions, and storing them correctly, you can ensure that your dried flowers continue to smell good for an extended period. So go ahead and enjoy the delightful aromas of your dried flower arrangements, creating a scented haven in your home.
