Adding Scent to Old Potpourri

By

BLINDQUILTER

06/18/2009

Walmart has lots of oils to refresh potpouri. Look in the floral department.

By

Cyinda

06/14/2009

All fall scents are different, it all depends on the maker of the potpourri. Some are apple-cinnamon, some are clove & orange, pumpkin-spice or any mixture. Find a scent you like (at a health food store) buy real essential oil, it will last longer. Then put about a teaspoon of oil into a tiny spray bottle then add 2 or 3 ounces of rubbing alcohol & shake. Now just spray this on to your potpourri. Better yet, put your potpourri into a sealed baggie or jar then spray the scent in & shake or mix up. Then leave it sit for a day or two & the scent will be absorbed & the alcohol will evaporate.

* Another trick to get back a potpourri's scent is to just spray on a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol or 100 proof vodka & stir. The Alcohol can sometimes bring back the original scent.

* To make your scent last even longer add a "fixative" like Tincture of Benzoin. You only add 2 or 3 drops to the above mixture of alcohol & essential oil. Tincture of Benzoin is for affixing bandages to wounds. Ask your pharmacist. You may have to go to 3 or 4 before you find a drug store that still sells this old fashioned fixative. Sometimes you can have them order it or buy it on line. It also helps keep homemade herbal salves & lip balms fresh longer. It's very sticky stuff!

I found some old potpourri in the closet recently, but the smell of pumpkin is gone. I hate to throw it out since it's brand new, must have gotten misplaced. Is there a way of making it smell like pumpkin again? Thanks.

Bonnie from Zion, IL

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RE: Adding Scent to Old Potpourri

I just buy the scented oils (essential oil) and sprinkle it on my old potpourri, keep it in a closed container for a few days and then put it out. I hear you can use Oris root to extend the length of the "smell". Haven't tried that yet. (01/23/2009)

By Linda

RE: Adding Scent to Old Potpourri

I do this all the time. Just add a few drops of pumpkin scented oil to the potpourri. It is sold where you buy the products for making candles. There are lots and lots of scents. Wal-Mart sells this oil and so does Michael's or any craft store. I like the pumpkin scent also. Pour a few drops in the bag and shake it up. Let it set in the bag for a little while to absorb the oil. You can do this over and over. Janette (01/23/2009)

By ashleybunkin

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