Aromatic plants are well known for their culinary uses, but they also have other interesting uses, notably for scenting laundry. Follow this tutorial to discover which aromatic plants to choose, how to harvest and dry them, and the different techniques to scent your laundry. With these tips, you can enjoy naturally scented laundry that lasts.
Which aromatic plants to scent laundry?
Many varieties of aromatic plants can be used to scent laundry. Here is a small selection of the most popular:
- The lavender is probably the best known plant for scenting laundry, often used as a lavender sachet. Its delicate, relaxing scent is ideal for sheets and clothing.
- The rosemary gives off a fresh, woody and energising scent, perfect for towels and sportswear.
- The mint, especially peppermint, provides a sensation of freshness and cleanliness, ideal for sheets and towels.
- The lemongrass is known for its lemony, refreshing scent, perfect for summer clothing.
- The thyme has a spicy, woody scent that pairs well with winter clothing.
- Eucalyptus has a strong, refreshing scent, which can be particularly pleasant for bath towels.
- The basil has a strong, slightly sweet and somewhat unusual scent.
- The jasmine has a sweet, floral scent often used in laundry products.
When and how to harvest aromatic herbs, then dry them?
To obtain high-quality dried aromatic herbs, it is important to harvest them at the right time and dry them properly. Here are some tips to succeed in this crucial step:
1- On a sunny day, harvest plants in early morning, after the dew has gone and before the sun is too strong. At this time of day the plant is most fragrant. This will help preserve their essential oils and scent.
2- Cut stems about 20 centimetres long, using a pruning shear or clean, sharp scissors.
3- To dry them, group them into small bunches of 5 to 6 stems and tie them with string.
4- Hang them in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight.
5- Drying can take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on conditions and bouquet size. Herbs are ready when they are brittle to the touch and their leaves come away easily.
Note: for jasmine, for example, you can harvest only the flowers and dry them flat on a clean, dry cloth or in a drying net.
How to use dried aromatic herbs to scent laundry?
There are several techniques to scent laundry with dried aromatic herbs:
- Place dried herbs in a cotton or linen sachet and put them in your wardrobe or drawers. You can also place them between piles of laundry for more even diffusion.
- Put dried herbs in a small, sealable fabric bag and place it in the drum of your tumble dryer. The heat will help release the scent onto your laundry during drying.
- Prepare a scented water by infusing dried herbs in hot water, then letting it cool. You can spray this scented water onto your laundry before storing it. Note: this scented water only keeps for 2 to 3 days.
How to make a scented sachet for laundry?
A bit of sewing...
1- Choose a cotton or linen fabric, preferably with a tight enough weave to prevent herbs from escaping.
2- Cut two squares or rectangles of fabric to the desired size for your sachet (around 10 x 10 cm is a common size).
3- Place the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing, and sew three sides.
4- Turn the sachet the right way out and fill it with dried aromatic herbs of your choice.
5- Close the remaining open side with a matching cord.
... or reusable tea bags
If you're not handy with sewing or don't want to sew (or both!), you can use small reusable tea bags available commercially.
Maintaining and renewing aromatic herbs to scent laundry
To keep your laundry smelling good, it's important to maintain and regularly renew your aromatic herbs:
- Replace dried herbs in your sachets every 3 to 6 months, depending on the scent intensity you wish to maintain.
- Store remaining dried herbs in an airtight jar, kept in a cool, dry place out of light to preserve their scent. Your aromatic herbs will keep for one to two years this way.
- To renew your stock of aromatic herbs, consider planting and regularly caring for new shoots in your garden or on your balcony.
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