One of the things I miss most in winter is flinging open the bedroom window, stripping the bedding back and letting nature freshen up my bed linens naturally with sun and fresh air. But this list offers options that are just as easy and will provide a fragrance filled sleep year-round.
Herbal Lavender Dryer Bags
Fresh and fragrant laundry can be achieved chemical free with these easy to make lavender dryer bags. Using lavender buds gives the benefit of a natural moth repellent, sleep aid and a natural antibacterial.
- You’ll find the instructions posted here on Tipnut: How To Make Lavender Dryer Bags
Scented Laundry: Easy Trick (New)
- Directions: Fill a small spray bottle with water then add several drops of essential oil (lavender, mint, whatever you like). Shake then spray a clean white washcloth with the water/EO solution until lightly damp, toss in the dryer with the wet laundry. Scent will transfer to the bedding, lovely!
Use this recipe for making a lavender vinegar suitable to use as a laundry rinse and fabric softener (as listed here on Tipnut: Lavender Vinegar Recipes):
- Handful of Lavender Flowers and 1 Pint White Vinegar
- Directions: Combine lavender and vinegar, seal and let sit for 6 weeks before using. Strain. Use about 1/4 cup in the rinse cycle, increase up to 1 cup per load if stronger scent is desired.
Use this recipe (as listed here on Tipnut: Frugral Fabric Softener Recipes & Dryer Sheet Tips):
- Using 1/4 cup vinegar in your laundry’s rinse cycle keeps clothes soft. You can set aside a vinegar jug just for laundry and add about 2 dozen drops of your favorite essential oil to the vinegar if you’d like (or as much EO as you feel necessary).
Directions:
- Fill a plastic container with baking soda then add a few drops of essential oil to preference (start with about 2 drops per cup). Stir well with a wooden stick or spoon (not one used for cooking). Seal the container and set aside for two weeks.
- After two weeks use the scented baking soda as a laundry booster (1/2 cup per load in the wash or rinse cycle–your choice). Do not add any commercial fabric softener.
Scented Linens: Tips & Tricks
Mattress & Linen Freshener (New)- Using your blender, grind until fine 1/2 cup of dried herbs (try mint, lavender, lemon balm, etc.).
- Mix ground herbs with 1/2 cup baking soda.
- Sprinkle mixture lightly over mattress pad or cover then top with clean fitted sheet.
- Spread mixture more heavily on top half of bed where upper body rests to enjoy a consistent fragrance.
You can substitute the lavender EO in this recipe for any fragrance you like. Recipe is from Storybook Woods (as found here on Tipnut: Homemade Lavender Starch Recipe):
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 pint cold water. Add 6 drops of lavender essential oil. Place in a spray bottle. Shake before using.
Homemade Linen Sprays
Combine vodka (which is also a disinfectant), distilled water and fragrant oils to make these lovely linen sprays. Here are three easy to mix recipes from Hallmark Magazine (previously mentioned on Tipnut here: Homemade Linen Sprays):
Pour 2 TBS 100 proof vodka into a 32-ounce spray bottle then add the following:
Jasmine Bergamot Linen Spray 1 teaspoon jasmine oil and 1/2 teaspoon bergamot oil Lavender Sandalwood Linen Spray 1 teaspoon lavender oil and 1/2 teaspoon sandalwood oil Vanilla Ginger Linen Spray 1 teaspoon vanilla oil and 2 drops ginger oil |
Scented Herbal Sleep Pouches
- Insert the herbal pouch inside your pillowcase at night to help relax and fall asleep easier. To help the herbs last longer, store the pouch in a ziploc bag during the day and place in a drawer out of light, take out and insert in your pillowcase each night. Squeezing the pouch a bit before use will help too.
- Details to make these herbal pouches can be found here on Tipnut: Homemade Herbal Sleep Pouches. These are also called “Dream Pillows”.
- Directions: Mix 50/50 dried lavender and lemon balm and fill cotton fabric or cheesecloth sachets. Tuck sachets into clean folded linens. The sachets will scent the linens while being stored. Sachets can be used repeatedly. Lavender and lemon balm together is a very calming and relaxing mix, perfect for scented bed linens.
Herbs & Scents: Sleep Easy Suggestions
When scenting your bed linens, it’s tempting to overdo it since you’re likely choosing your favorite fragrances. However, a light application is preferable since headaches and stuffiness may occur if scents are too strong (you’ll be sleeping on the linens for hours at a time). Strong smells may also keep you awake rather than ease you into a peaceful sleep.Select Herbs & Fragrances That Are Soothing
Choose scents that are pleasing to you and help you relax rather than those that perk you up. Your sleep will be more peaceful and less restless. This is especially helpful for those suffering from insomnia or who have regular trouble falling asleep. Some suggestions:
- Lavender
- Lemon Balm
- Lilac
- Rose Petals
- Peppermint
Lavender is commonly recommended as a home remedy for sleep since it’s thought to be effective in inducing a calm and peaceful rest. It’s also suggested as an excellent repellent for dust mites, so it’s a great choice to scent linens. Most of the mixes I have collected include lavender…
- Lavender, Lemon Balm
- Lavender, Rose Petals
- Lavender, Rose Petals, Thyme, Rosemary
- Lavender, Rose Petals, Jasmine
- Lavender, Peppermint
- Lavender, Lilac
- Rose Petals, Lemon Balm, Chamomile
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