Potpourri Tips
Grinding spices - buy a small coffee grinder & use - that way one for coffee & one for spices. Be sure to wipe out with warm soapy water and rinse well after each spice used. Mills and graters can also be purchased for spices.

Potpourri mixtures, pomanders and sachets should be stored in air tight glass containers until needed. Plastic containers will take on the smell of the mixture and quite often does not come out especially if oils are used. A most convenient way to store bulk mixtures is in plastic bags. This method may result in some loss of scent if stored for any length of time. It is, however, a very good way to make small packages for resale or as gifts.

The scent of a pomander should last for many years. If you feel it is fading, renew the scent by painting a light coating of an essential oil

Lay sprigs of Thyme amongst your winter clothes and furs before storing in the spring.

Try one of our recipes below or for special bedroom sachets please see our Slumber Sachets. If you would like to try your own combinations please see our suggestions for spice combinations that go well together.

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Potpourri Recipes


Citrus Zing    Holiday Scents     Slumber Sachets
   Pines & Needles     Oriental Jasmine     Spiced Cones

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Citrus Zing

• 1 oz each of lemon verbena, lemon balm and lemon thyme
• 1/2 oz marjoram
• 1/4 oz crumbled bay leaf
• 1 tbsp crushed lemon peel
• 6 tbsp crushed orange peel
• 2 tbsp orris root powder
• 2 drops orange blossom oil
• 2 drops lemon oil

Mix all dry ingredients together in glass or metal container. Add both oils and mix well. Makes approximately one cup and is a refreshing scent for your kitchen or laundry room.

SUGGESTION: Place in a diffuser lamp. When the potpourri is heated, it will emit a stronger scent. For a fresh scent in your laundry room, double this recipe and make drawer and shelf liners.

NOTE: Make your own citrus peel.

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Holiday Scents
This simmering potpourri mixture will add a pleasant aroma in your home.

• Cinnamon sticks broken into pieces to equal 1 cup
• Whole allspice - 1 cup
• Dried orange peel - 1 cup
• Bay leaves broken into pieces to equal 1 cup
• Coriander - 1 cup
• Mint - 1 cup
• Whole cloves - 1/2 cup
• Star anise - 1/2 cup
• Pine needles - 1/2 cup NOTE: These should not be dried and brown
• Rosemary leaves - 1/2 cup
• Orrisroot granules - 1/2 cup
• Cinnamon oil - approximately 10 drops (more or less as desired)
• Orange oil - approximately 5 drops (more or less as desired)

In a small glass or metal container, mix cinnamon and orange oil with orrisroot chips. Set aside.
In a large glass or metal container, combine all other ingredients using a metal spoon. You can mix ingredients together with your hands; however, it is advised to wear latex or rubber gloves in doing so.
Use a sealed glass container to store out of direct sunlight and heat until ready to use.
To use, place 1/3 cup of mixture in a saucepan and cover with 4 cups of water. NOTE (1). Simmer uncovered and add water as necessary. NOTE (2)

NOTE (1) For a stronger scent, double the amount of mixture used and use only 6 cups of water.
NOTE (2) Once mixture has simmered, it can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator to be used later.
SUGGESTION: To re-use simmered potpourri, place in a container on an out of the way heat register (perhaps in the bathroom). As it evaporates, keep refilling for a fresh scent. NOTE: This should not be done if you have children or animals who may have access to this area.

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Soul Soother

• 2 ounces Rose Petals
• 1 ounce each of Chamomile Flowers, Meadowsweet and Agrimony
• 1/2 ounce each of Hibiscus Flowers and Lemon Balm
• 8 crushed Bay Leaves
• 1 tablespoon crushed Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 tablespoon crushed Vanilla Pod
• 2 teaspoons crushed Cloves
• 2 teaspoons crushed Allspice
• 3 tablespoons Orris Root
• 3 drops Carnation Oil
• 2 drops Violet Oil

In a glass bowl and wearing rubber mix all ingredients except oils together. When mixture is well blended, add oils and continue to mix with your hands.

To make into a sachet please see our easy instructions.

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Pines & Needles

Bring the outdoors inside with the refreshing fragrance of pine.

• 6 cups dried pine needles (not brown)
• 2 cups white pine bark broken into small pieces
• 2 cup dried orange peel
• 1 cup dried rosehips
• 1 cup dried rose petals
• 1 cup broken cinnamon sticks
• 4 tablespoons of orrisroot grains
• 15 to 20 drops of oil of pine (more or less as desired)

In a small glass jar, place oil on orrisroot. Gently mix. Set aside.
In a large glass or metal container, very gently mix all of the other ingredients together. Add orrisroot. Place in a large glass container that has a good fitting lid. Store covered for six weeks. You will need to stir the mixture weekly. To stir, lay the jar on its side and gently roll. DO NOT UNCOVER.

To use, place into open containers throughout the house. As with any potpourri, heat will enhance the scent. For a stronger scent, put small amounts in open containers over your heat registers. NOTE: This should not be done if you have children or animals that may have access to this area.

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Oriental Jasmine

• 2 ounces each of Rose Petals, Jasmine Flowers and Orange Flowers
• 1 ounce each of Sweet Basil and Sandalwood Chips
• 1/4 ounce of Ginger Root - crushed and broken into small pieces
• 2 teaspoons crushed Anise Seed
• 2 teaspoons crushed Coriander Seed
• 2 teaspoons crushed Cummin Seed
• 3 tablespoons Gum Benzoin
• 6 drops Jasmine Oil

In a glass bowl and wearing rubber mix all ingredients except Jasmine oil together. When mixture is well blended, add oils and continue to mix with your hands.

To make into a sachet please see our easy instructions.

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Spiced Cones

Bring the feel of country in where it's warm with a bowl of pinecones beside the fireplace or as a centerpiece on a table. Add the pungent aroma of spices to enhance your country charm.

• 3 cups small pinecones NOTE (1)
• 1 cup white pine bark broken into small pieces
• 10 anise stars
• 1 cup broken cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 cup allspice
• 1/2 cup cloves
• 1/2 cup orrisroot
• 1/4 cup bay leaves broken into pieces
• 10 drops of oil of cloves (more or less as desired) NOTE (2)

In a small glass jar, place oil on orrisroot. Gently mix. Set aside.
In a large glass or metal container, very gently mix all of the other ingredients together. Add orrisroot. Place in a large glass container that has a tight fitting lid. Store covered for six weeks. You will need to stir the mixture weekly. To stir, lay jar on its side and gently roll back and forth. DO NOT UNCOVER.

To use, place into open containers throughout the house. As with any potpourri, heat will enhance the scent. For a stronger scent, put small amounts in open containers over your heat registers.
NOTE: This should not be done if you have children or animals that may have access to this area.

NOTE (1) Use both open and tightly closed pinecones
NOTE (2) Clove oil is very irritating to the skin and should be handled with care and caution

SUGGESTION: To give this potpourri some color, place in the bowl you will ultimately display it in. Gently fold in dried flowers, rose hips or dried orange slices.
NOTE: Dried flowers and rosehips can be added to the original recipe prior to curing. DO NOT add dried fruit prior to curing for six weeks.

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Check out our other related articles and pages.

Herbal Scents - for your closets and drawers
Lavender Baskets - made from fresh lavender sprigs
Cinnamon Shapes - make for yourself or as a gift
Crafters Gallery - crafters and artists display and share their creative talents.
Lavender Sachets - lavender sachets to make
Crafts Kids Can Make
Scented Drawer Liners
Scented Waters - how to make for your bath
Slumber Sachets - have sweet, scented dreams
Essential Oils - for your pot pourri and body


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