Chloe Zhang
Lavender is a versatile plant with a variety of uses. One popular use for lavender is to make wands or bottles by weaving together the stems and flowers. These can be used for aromatherapy, as air fresheners, or as gifts. Another use for lavender is to make smudge sticks, which are used in the Native American spiritual practice of smudging or saging, where bundles of herbs or dried plants are lit to cleanse the body and home of negative spirits. Lavender can also be combined with vinegar to create a natural household cleaner or a linen spray.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Used for | Aromatherapy, air freshener, bug and moth repellent, sleep aid, smudging, cleaning spray, antibacterial purposes, decoration |
| How to make | Gather 17 or 19 stems of lavender, slide fingers down the stems to remove leaves, arrange stems so the bottom of the blossoms are even, tie a ribbon at the base, carefully fold stems down over flowers, weave tightly, wrap the ribbon around the base |
| Preservation | Keep in a zip bag or plastic shoe box, squeeze the wand to release fragrance if it starts to fade |
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What You'll Learn
Make lavender wands
Making lavender wands is a fun and rewarding project that can be done alone or with friends and family. The process is quite simple, and the end product is beautiful, fragrant, and has various uses. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own lavender wands:
Step 1: Gather Lavender
Pick long stalks of lavender, preferably with straight stems. You will need an odd number of stems, typically between 7 and 19, depending on how thick you want your wand to be. The best time to pick lavender is in the mid-morning after the dew has evaporated. If you don't have lavender in your garden, you can try finding some in your neighbourhood or from someone you know.
Step 2: Prepare the Stems
Remove any leaves from the stems. Arrange the stems side by side, with the flowers staggered in two rows to create a long, slender wand. If you prefer a shorter, fatter wand, line up all the flowers at the same level.
Step 3: Tie the Ribbon
Take a ribbon and tie it tightly around the stems at the base of the flowers, leaving a short strand of about 10-12 inches long. This longer end will be used later for a finishing knot. You can cut the other end of the ribbon close to the knot or leave it attached to the spool, depending on your preference.
Step 4: Bend the Stems
Use a spoon to gently squash the stems near the knot. This will make them easier to bend without snapping. Now, carefully bend the stems to form a cage around the buds, trying to space the bars of the cage evenly.
Step 5: Weave the Ribbon
Hold your little bouquet upside down and start to weave the ribbon through the stems. Pull it tight from time to time and push it up to cover the lavender blooms. This step may take some time, so take your time and enjoy the calming aroma of lavender!
Step 6: Finish and Adjust
Once all the blooms are covered, tie the ribbon securely. Then, weave the shorter end of the ribbon back down through the middle of the flowers and tie it into a knot with the longer end that you left earlier. If any flower bits stick out, use a toothpick to poke them back into place. The wand will keep its scent for months, and if it starts to fade, simply squeeze the wand gently to release more fragrance.
Your lavender wand is now ready! You can use it to fragrance your clothes, drawers, car, or even place it under your pillow for a good night's sleep. Lavender wands also make great gifts, and you can combine them with homemade lavender bath salts or bath bombs for a relaxing pamper kit. Enjoy your creation and the soothing effects of lavender!
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Make lavender bottles
Making lavender bottles is a great way to use plastic sticks. The bottles are fragrant, sweet-smelling, and can be used as homemade gifts for friends and family. Here is a step-by-step guide to making them:
Step 1: Gather your materials
You will need fresh lavender, ideally with long stems and young flowers that are still in bud. If you don't have access to fresh lavender, you can also use dried lavender. You will also need ribbon, preferably 1/8" to 1/4" in width, and a spoon.
Step 2: Prepare the lavender
Remove any leaves from the lavender stems. You will need an odd number of stems, typically between 7 and 15, depending on the size and fullness of your bottle. Line up the stems side by side, staggering the flowers in two rows to create a long, slender bottle. If you prefer a shorter, fatter bottle, line up the flowers at the same level.
Step 3: Tie the ribbon
Take your ribbon and tie it tightly around the stems at the base of the flowers, leaving a long tail of about 12 inches. Snip the loose ends of the ribbon close to the knot. You can trim the short end to 1/4" so it can be neatly hidden inside the bottle.
Step 4: Bend the stems
Use the edge of a spoon to gently squash the stems near the knot. This will make them easier to bend without snapping. Carefully bend the stems to form a cage around the buds, trying to space the bars of the cage evenly.
Step 5: Finish with a final ribbon tie
Wrap the ribbon around the stems at the base of the cage and tie a secure knot. Trim any excess ribbon and stem. Your lavender bottle is now complete!
Additional tips:
It is important to weave the ribbon tightly as the lavender will shrink as it dries. If bits of flower stick out between the stems and ribbon, use a toothpick to gently poke them back into place. Do not place your lavender bottle directly against fabrics for the first few weeks, as the green pigment from the stems may bleed before they are fully dry.
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Make a lavender cleaning spray
Making a lavender cleaning spray is a simple and inexpensive process. The resulting spray is excellent for cleaning walls, floors, or any other surfaces that need cleaning. The antibacterial properties of lavender also help to kill bacteria and harmful germs.
To make the cleaning spray, you will need dried lavender flowers, white vinegar, a glass bottle, and a spray nozzle. If you don't have a glass bottle or spray nozzle, you can request them from your local Buy Nothing Group.
- Pour white vinegar over the dried lavender flowers and gently agitate them. A light magenta color will appear immediately, and the liquid will turn deep magenta after steeping for several days.
- Cover the jar containing the vinegar and lavender mixture with parchment paper or a lid. Leave it in a sunny spot to soak for three to five days.
- After steeping, pour the vinegar through a small sieve or cheesecloth to strain the lavender flowers. You can use a funnel to pour the vinegar directly into a bottle.
- Dilute the steeped vinegar with water in a ratio of approximately 1:2 vinegar to water. For example, combine equal parts water and vinegar in a mason jar, or about 3 quarts each if you're making a larger batch.
- Pour the diluted mixture into a glass spray bottle. You can cut the plastic tube of an old spray nozzle to fit your bottle if needed.
- For a stronger lavender scent and additional antibacterial properties, add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients, and your lavender cleaning spray is ready to use!
You can use this spray as a multi-surface cleaner. For tough stains and grease, allow the spray to sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge. Enjoy your homemade, natural, and fragrant cleaning spray!
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Make lavender smudge sticks
Smudge sticks are small bundles of woody/stem parts of herbs that are dried out and burnt to get rid of bad smells and to 'clear the air'. They are believed to have originated from Native American purification rites. To make lavender smudge sticks, follow the steps below:
Gathering the Materials
You will need a bunch of lavender, twine or 100% cotton string, kitchen or garden scissors, a long dish, a tea towel, a large plate or tray, and some jars or a bowl.
Preparing the Lavender
Cut a few stems from the lavender plant, approximately 10 stems depending on their size. The ideal length for a smudge stick is about 15 cm, which is roughly the length of your hand. You can also cut some extra pieces to be used later. Ensure that the cut ends of the stems are aligned and facing the same direction.
Assembling the Smudge Stick
Take your bundle of lavender stems and lay them flat. If you want to include other herbs such as sage or rosemary, layer them alternately with the lavender. Soak three additional stems in water and pat them dry with a tea towel. Hold the bundle tightly and use one of the soaked stems to secure the bundle by wedging it into one end and twisting it around until it holds the bundle together. Continue wrapping the stem tightly around the bundle, spiraling up towards the top.
Securing the Bundle
Once you reach the top of the bundle, continue wrapping the twine and crisscross it as you move back down towards the base. Cut off any excess twine and secure the end with a knot. You can fold or cut any extra bits of lavender over at the top for a neater edge.
Drying the Smudge Stick
Place the assembled smudge stick in a warm and dry place for about two to three weeks to allow it to dry completely. You can set it on a plate or tray or hang it in a dry room. The smudge stick is ready to be burned when the leaves or sprigs break easily when bent.
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Use as a gift or for storage
Lavender wands are a great gift idea and can be used for storage. They are easy to make and can be used for a variety of purposes. To make a lavender wand, you will need an odd number of long-stemmed lavender stems, preferably freshly cut from your garden or sourced from a friend's garden. If you don't have access to a garden, you can also purchase lavender stems from herbalists or naturalists.
- Gather 17 or 19 lavender stems and remove any leaves from the stems.
- Arrange the stems side by side, staggering the flowers in two rows to create a long, slender wand, or lining up the flowers at the same level to make a short, fat wand.
- Tie a ribbon tightly around the stems at the base of the flowers, leaving a 12-inch tail. Snip the loose ends of the ribbon close to the knot.
- Use a spoon to squash the stems near the knot, making them easier to bend without snapping.
- Carefully bend the stems to form a cage around the buds, spacing the bars of the cage evenly.
- Take the ribbon tail and fold it down, tucking it in the middle of the flowers.
- Continue weaving the ribbon in and out of the stems until you reach the flowers. Go back to the start and pull the ribbon tight, working out any slack to make the weaving snug.
- Wrap the ribbon around the base a few times and tie it off.
Once your lavender wand is complete, you can attach a thoughtful note and gift it to someone special. Lavender wands can be placed in drawers or closets to freshen the scent of linens and clothes. They can also be tucked into storage bins to repel bugs and moths from fabric and wool items. The fragrance of the lavender wands can be revived by simply squeezing the wand, and they will retain their scent for years.
In addition to lavender wands, you can also create other gifts or storage items using lavender. For example, you can make lavender bottles by following a similar weaving process as the wands. You can also create lavender bath salts, bath bombs, or a "relaxation pamper kit" as a thoughtful gift for someone who needs some extra relaxation.
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Frequently asked questions
Lavender sticks are used in aromatherapy for their calming and relaxing qualities. They can be made from fresh or dried lavender and are often woven together with a ribbon to form a wand or a bottle.
Lavender sticks can be used for smudging, a Native American ritual that involves burning herbs or dried plants to cleanse the body and home of negative spirits. They can also be placed in drawers or cars as an air freshener or under your pillow to help you sleep.
To make lavender sticks, you will need an odd number of long-stemmed lavender stems, typically between 17 and 19. Remove the leaves from the stems and stagger the flowers in two rows. Tie a ribbon tightly around the stems at the base of the flowers and use a spoon to squash the stems near the knot. Bend the stems to form a cage around the buds and tie off with another ribbon.
Yes, you can make a variety of things with lavender, including cleaning sprays, bath salts, and bath bombs. You can also use dried lavender flowers to make sachets or combine them with vinegar to create a natural household cleaner.
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