Can You Make Perfume with Rose Petals?
Yes, you can make perfume using rose petals. Rose petals are a popular ingredient in homemade perfumes due to their strong, floral fragrance. There are several methods you can use to extract the essential oils from rose petals and create your own rose petal perfume.
What Types of Rose Petals Are Best for Perfume?
For making perfume, it is best to use highly fragrant and deeply colored rose petals, as these tend to produce the strongest and most appealing scent. Roses like ‘Rosa gallica officinalis’ or other old, fragrant varieties are ideal.
How to Make Rose Petal Perfume?
Water-Based Perfume (Montessori Approach)
- Pull the petals off the rose head.
- Add 1/2 cup of distilled water to a bowl with the rose petals.
- Stir the mixture and pour it into a strainer over a measuring cup.
- Transfer the petals to a mortar and pestle, and crush them.
- Return the crushed petals to the bowl, add the water from the measuring cup, and stir.
- Strain the mixture again and squeeze out excess moisture.
- Use a funnel to pour the perfume into bottles.
Vodka-Based Perfume
- Place 3/4 cup of fresh rose petals into a large glass jar or bowl.
- Pour 1/2 cup of 80- or 100-proof vodka over the petals.
- Cover and let it sit in a cool, dark place for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, squish the petals with a spoon and add 2 1/2 cups of distilled water.
- Cover and let it sit for 4-7 days, mixing and pulverizing the petals daily.
- Strain the mixture into perfume bottles and store in the fridge.
Oil-Based Perfume
- Rinse and dry fresh rose petals to remove dirt and bugs.
- Lightly bruise the petals to release their fragrance.
- Place the petals in a glass jar, filling it about halfway, and cover them with a carrier oil (like jojoba or almond oil).
- Seal the jar and let it infuse in a warm, sunny spot for at least 24 hours to a few weeks.
- Strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bowl, and transfer it to a dark glass bottle.
What is the Yield and Quality of Rose Petal Perfume?
The yield of essential oil from rose petals can vary significantly, but for homemade perfumes, you might get a few ounces of fragrant liquid from a batch of several cups of rose petals. The quality of the perfume depends on factors like the type and freshness of the roses, the extraction method, and proper storage conditions.
How to Store and Preserve Rose Petal Perfume?
To store rose petal perfume, keep it in dark glass bottles in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or fridge. Vodka-based perfumes can last for many years, while water-based perfumes have a shorter shelf life of a few months to a year. Oil-based perfumes can last for several months to a year or more.
How Much Does It Cost to Make Rose Petal Perfume?
The cost of making rose petal perfume can vary depending on the scale and method used. For a small batch using the vodka-based method, the total cost can range from $26 to $52. For a larger batch, the costs can range from $65 to $210 or more. Additional ingredients like carrier oils and essential oils can also add to the overall cost.
Reference:
1. Living Montessori Now: How to Make Rose Petal Perfume {Montessori Monday}
2. Beautylish: DIY Natural Rose Perfume
3. JustIngredients: DIY Rose Petal Perfume
4. The Spruce Crafts: How to Make Rose Petal Perfume
5. Wellness Mama: Homemade Rose Petal Perfume
