Linen Water

I was recently and frequently on a quilting blog reading about what everyone else is making. I do this with my morning coffee for inspiration. I come up with so many interesting projects to keep me busy.

We were discussing a product we use for sizing/stabilizing our fabrics as we sew. Most of us agreed the products can get expensive. Then a few other ideas started ; home recipes for the same product.

The "best press" made at home recipe was used the most.

1/4 cup vodka
2 cups distilled water
essential oils  (lavender, rose or ???)

There was huge discussion on "linen water", and the chemicals we use to freshen rooms and bedding.  I started reading about linen water and remembered my grandmother using it.  She has a glass coke bottle that had a cork in it that was attached to something that looked like the end of a gardening watering can.  Can you remember this?

As far back as ancient Egyptian and Greek times, people used lavender, rosemary, tansy, and other herbs for cleaning.

They freshened their linens by placing fragrant sachets, herbs, and flowers in drawers and closets. Homes were “sweetened” with garlands of lavender and mint.

With this simple formula you can “sweeten” your linens, too, and if you aren’t sensitive to essential oils, even use it to freshen and uplift rooms.


Lavender Linen Water

Sprinkle on sheets or other other linens to freshen.

Spray onto linens before ironing.


1 teaspoon (100 drops) lavender essential oil

5-10 drops peppermint, spearmint or rosemary essential oil (optional)

2 oz. 80+ proof vodka

24 oz. distilled water

Pour essential oils and vodka into a bottle, cap and shake to emulsion.

Mix with distilled water.
The mix will cloud, and eventually separate.
Shake well before each use.



Linen Water


by Natasha Palewandrem

Bring the Mediterranean fields of lavender or the honeyed rose scents of Grasse indoors with your own homemade linen water!

Infuse your linens with the scents of summer bottled to last the whole year. Whether adding a sumptuous touch to bedding, or creating a personalized gift for a friend, these heavenly scents are sure to impress! While linen water can be purchased, it is cost-effective, creative and satisfying to create your own with this ultra-simple plan.
Materials:

Glass or plastic bottles with caps (or spray bottle)
Essential oil (try lavender or rose for traditional scents, jasmine or plumeria blossom for exotic scents)
90 ml non-flavoured, high proof vodka (approx. 3oz)
750 ml distilled water (approx. 25 oz)
Directions:
If you are using a glass bottle, sterilize it with boiling water. If you are using a plastic bottle, pour a little very hot water into your container to rinse it. Let it dry before mixing your linen water.

In the cooled bottle, mix the vodka and 1 teaspoon (5ml) of essential oil together. Close the bottle and shake it well to mix the oil with the alcohol. (The alcohol emulsifies the oil so you will have an evenly mixed solution.)
Add the 750 ml of distilled water to the bottle. Close the container and shake again to mix the scent and the water.
Use your linen water when making the bed, pressing your linens or simply by misting the air to freshen a room. You can also try misting linen water while you are ironing or try adding a little into your dryer while your table linens are drying. You can store your linen water for 6 to 8 months. Cap your bottles tightly and store them in a cool corner to make them last.

HINT: Lavender and rose oils in pure form are safe for use on skin, so your linen water can scent your face cloths, your pillows or even your hairbrush.

(LAVENDER LINEN WATER - Lavender repels moths and smells great.)

I am going to give this a try, as soon as I pick up my essential oils. I am one of those who do not purchase room sprays due to allergens. This just might work for me.