Making Dried Floral and Herbal Sachets Fragrant flowers and aromatic herbs can be dried and used in potpourri or sachet. Potpourri is a mixture of dried flowers and herbs normally placed in a bowl to add fragrance to a room. Potpourri added to a small bag is called a sachet. Sachets are often placed in drawers and closets et al. Either will provide a fragrance that will remind you of the summer well into the winter. To make a sachet: This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under 1. Select or make a small bag or packet with a somewhat open weave material (organza, chiffon, lace, muslin et al), leaving an opening or one side open. 2. Mix together the dried herb/flowers* to fill the bag. 3. Optional: Add essential oil drops to the dried herbs/flowers sparingly. Additional option: Add essential oil drops to orris root powder, then add the powder to dried herb/flowers. Orris root powder (from iris rhizome) helps the fragrance last longer. Use 1 tsp orris root powder per one cup of materials. 4. Fill the bag with mixture. 5. Secure the opening or side. Handling the bag will crush the dried herb/flower pieces, releasing their fragrance. 6. Sachet can be tucked into drawers or luggage, placed or hung in closets, added to baths or added to dryer loads. a. If used in the bath, it likely will not have much scent remaining after one use. If it does, allow to dry thoroughly before storing. b. If used in the dryer it can be reused for 5-10 loads before losing scent. *Any dried flower and herb can be used – often the leaves are as fragrant as the flower! If you do not have your own plant materials, they can be purchased in bulk. Suggested flowers include: lavender, lilac, rose petals, gardenia, hyssop, jasmine, lily of the valley, mock orange, peony, scented geranium Suggested herbs include: Lemon balm, mint, rosemary, thyme Picture: Wikipedia December 2020 Suzette Striegel | Mahaska County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Horticulturist 212 North I Street; Oskaloosa IA 52577 [email protected]; 641-673-5841 http://www.extension.iastate.edu/mahaska .