With Valentine’s Day behind us, you may notice your roses are on their way out. With a little creativity, we can keep those beautiful roses in your lives a touch longer. We’ve pulled together 5 things you can do to get the most out of your rose petals.
(note: when using roses to make things for the skin, be sure to give them a good rinse first)
Just rose petals
![Debby Hudson J8L W5 Hlruow Unsplash 1](https://floom.imgix.net/general/debby-hudson-j8lW5HLruow-unsplash-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=174afbabf63556dfef7978999d29a3b2 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/debby-hudson-j8lW5HLruow-unsplash-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=0c0c2338564f1ca7c8bebd41c9834f75 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/debby-hudson-j8lW5HLruow-unsplash-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=3a8b4f351e445ffee2b7933492c8dcc7 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/debby-hudson-j8lW5HLruow-unsplash-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=7bb20b79c1d80d57d01ffc45de9abaf5 400w)
If your petals are on their last legs but still passable, try taking them off of their stems and scattering them around your room for some post Valentine’s Day romance.
Bath salts
![Dry Flower 3657043 1920](https://floom.imgix.net/general/dry-flower-3657043_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=c1ea9a5b119b44661d419a2b42094149 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/dry-flower-3657043_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=b55ff43ca3dfaa05341b190a17609894 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/dry-flower-3657043_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=76a3dd8a6570aacb51bbff0615d82589 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/dry-flower-3657043_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=2fd835f587c2fc48585380fdb3be022f 400w)
Take a load off at the end of a busy week with your own rose scented bath salts. You’ll need some epsom salts, a little bit of sea salt and an essential oil of your choice. First you’re going to need to dry your petals out again, crush these up a little bit to create smaller pieces.
Mix the salts, and the rose petals together and then add a couple drops of your essential oil. Mix it all together again and then store in an air tight container.
Tip: add some pink sea salt in to give the mixture a pinker tinge.
Rose infused oil
![Towfiqu Barbhuiya Jbjmimla C U Unsplash 2](https://floom.imgix.net/general/towfiqu-barbhuiya-jbjmimlaC-U-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=83bdd3d1a010da68a1b2cf1f190a918c 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/towfiqu-barbhuiya-jbjmimlaC-U-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=2dc1f68a24e5f9674b483760196c7796 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/towfiqu-barbhuiya-jbjmimlaC-U-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=b12333733f98d793bea2fd552b79e952 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/towfiqu-barbhuiya-jbjmimlaC-U-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=3eae26f561848db3775008adae46cff1 400w)
Crush your petals up until they start to release moisture. Put these into a jar and pour over a fragrance free oil, such as jojoba oil, almond oil or any other light oil good for the skin. Shake it up once a day for the next couple of days. Strain it and it’s ready to go! Rose infused oil is a handy addition to homemade soaps or fragrances. It's also good for casual use on the skin.
Potpourri
![Michael Dziedzic 16 Zpvklh O8 M Unsplash 2](https://floom.imgix.net/general/michael-dziedzic-16ZPVKLhO8M-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=3f65e4df05f2f40cf8d0b41c34bd6b2a 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/michael-dziedzic-16ZPVKLhO8M-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=1dbe8f8dc61a24a6ac63737c1d1a1934 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/michael-dziedzic-16ZPVKLhO8M-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=3783b19328c55a8a067b80f47dcab50c 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/michael-dziedzic-16ZPVKLhO8M-unsplash-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=9514a216fb8e6ef93ac9e8718e33abee 400w)
To keep the air rosy fresh, bring your wilting rose petals back to life by turning them into potpourri. Making potpourri is super easy, all you need to do is remove the rose petals from the bud, and lay them out to dry in a warm place for 2-3days. Then put your petals into a jar with some cinnamon sticks and cloves and a couple drops of your favourite essential oil. Seal the jar for at least 24 hours letting the essential oils absorb. and then display!
Top tip: your potpourri will be stronger for longer the longer you leave it in the jar, leave it up to 2 weeks in the jar before displaying for a stronger scent.
Rose water
![Rose 4262788 1920](https://floom.imgix.net/general/rose-4262788_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=39d666c3a30861698b030e87c817472c 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/rose-4262788_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=d49d7b741ed39a5e5aea7d3cfa0d32e6 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/rose-4262788_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=b02c2d9670c16a23d8140156133607bb 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/rose-4262788_1920.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=d3f6b9ed4985c1195a71a0de821e1688 400w)
To make homemade rose water add your petals into a pot on the stove and pour over enough water to cover them. Your petals can be dried or fresher. Let them simmer until the water has taken on some of the colour and the fragrance- this should be around 30 minutes (keep an eye on it!)
Lastly, strain the water into a jar this will be great for a toner, if your roses are organic it can even be used as addition to a cheeky cocktail.
How to dry out your flowers
A couple of the suggestions above require dried out rose petals. We’ll quickly talk you through the process of drying out your rose petals.
First you’ll need to lay them out on some cardboard or a plate.
Then, put them in a warm dry place for a few days (2-3 days). You’ll know they’re ready when they begin to curl up at the ends- that’s it folks! that’s how you dry out your flowers