What To Do With Dried Lavender: Quick & Easy DIY Ideas

Are you wondering what to do with dried lavender flowers? Lavender is my favorite flower for use in baking and using in DIY skincare projects. In this post, I share the best lavender recipes.

Lavender is such a versatile ingredient. It can be added to air fresheners, face masks, and even ice cream. It’s the perfect ingredient to add a bit of fresh aroma that doesn’t become too overpowering.

Let’s get into all my favorite uses for lavender flowers!

What To Do With Dried Lavender

1. Lavender Bath Salts

For all you bath lovers out there, you’ll love this recipe for lavender bath salts. The best part is it’s super simple to make. Also, you can make a ton and store it for next time.

All you need for the ingredients are:

• 2 cups of Epsom salt or Pink Himalayan Salt
• 1/2 cup of dried lavender flowers
• 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)

The steps to make it:

1. Crush up those dried flowers until they’re all nicely ground. You can do this with a rolling pin or just use your hands.
2. Next, toss the salt and those crushed lavender flowers into a mixing bowl and give them a good mix.
3. If you want to amp up that lavender scent, you can totally go for it and add some lavender essential oil. About 10-15 drops should do the trick.
4. Finally, scoop your lavender bath salts into a glass jar or any container with a good, snug lid. This way, they’ll keep that lovely fragrance and stay fresh.

2. Facial Cleansing Grain

One of the first things I think of when using dried lavender is to turn it into a cleansing grain! These can be used as a foot scrub too.

All you need for the ingredients are:

• 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
• 1/4 cup oats (rolled oats or oat flour)
• 2 tablespoons almond meal or finely ground almonds
• 1-2 tablespoons white or pink kaolin clay (adjust for desired consistency)
• 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil (optional for added fragrance)

To make lavender cleansing grain, here are the steps:

1. Dry the lavender flowers in a food processor or blender.
2. Process until a coarse powder is formed. Add the oats and kaolin clay to the blender and blend for a few seconds.
3. Add the powdered milk and blend for another few seconds.
4. Optional: Lavender essential oil can be added to the mix and blended again.
5. Store in a refrigerator or airtight container. Store in a cool and dry place.

To use it:

1. To begin, take a portion of the mixture (approximately one-tenth of a teaspoon) and place it in the palm of the hand.
2. Gently moisten the mixture with several drops of water until a smooth paste forms.
3. Gently rub the paste onto the damp skin in circular motions for approximately one minute.
4. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat the skin dry. Follow up with a moisturizer of your choice.

3. Lavender Lemonade

Lavender and lemonade are surprisingly two ingredients that go really well together.

For the ingredients, you need:

• 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cups cold water
• ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust according to your preference)
• Ice cubes and fresh lavender sprigs for garnish (optional)

Steps to make it:

1. Dry lavender buds and a cup of cold water, then mix it all together in a big pot and bring it to a boil.
2. Let it sit for 10 minutes and strain the liquid out with a strainer.
3. Squeeze out the whole lavender juice, but don’t take out all of it!
4. Put it back in the pot and mix it until it’s dissolved.
5. Let it cool for a bit and then mix it with some lemon juice.
6. Store it in the fridge and fill up a glass with ice, top it with a Lavender Lemonade, and add some sprigs for garnish.

4. Dryer Bags

All you need are either muslin or cotton bags plus some dried lavender buds. Just place them into the bag and throw them into the dryer. I’ve tried this and my laundry smells so fresh and clean afterwards.

5. Lavender Simple Syrup

One of my favorite things to make is hands down lavender syrup! I love adding into my coffee to make a lavender latte or you can save it to make lavender lemonade later.

All you need for the ingredients are:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2-3 tablespoons dried lavender buds

To make this:

1. 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water should be combined in a pot. Until the sugar has completely dissolved, stir them together over low to medium heat.
2. Add lavender buds to the saucepan after the sugar has dissolved. To blend, stir.
3. Allow the mixture to gradually simmer for 5 to 10 minutes on low heat. Be careful not to overboil it as this could turn the flavor of the lavender bitter.
4. The lavender syrup should cool to room temperature after the saucepan has been taken off the heat. After it has cooled, filter it to get rid of the lavender buds into a clean container or glass jar using a fine-mesh sieve.

6. Lavender Moon Milk

This is like a lavender latte with more spices!

All the ingredients you need:

• 1 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy like almond, oat, or coconut milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender buds
• 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

How to make lavender moon milk:

1. One cup of milk should be added to a small pot and heated over low heat. Milk should be gently warmed; do not allow it to boil.
2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried lavender buds to the pan once the milk is hot. Combine by combining. Allow the lavender to steep in the boiling milk for about five minutes. This gave the milk a taste of lavender.
3. After steeping, filter the lavender buds out using a fine-mesh strainer or a tea infuser.
4. Put the pot with the lavender milk back on the stove. As desired, incorporate honey or maple syrup. For added flavor, you can also add other flavorings like 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, or 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla essence.
5. With a whisk, thoroughly blend the milk infused with lavender with the sugar and any additional flavorings.
6. In a cup or mug, pour the Lavender Moon Milk. Add extra lavender as a garnish.

This is a great drink for before bedtime since there’s no caffeine and has soothing ingredients!

7. Lavender Sachets

Just grab a muslin or cotton bag like this one and add some dried lavender inside. Seal it tight and place it in areas where you want some extra fragrance. I like to put it in my car or on my nightstand beside my bed.

If you have some old or used tea leaves, pop those into your sachets also!

8. Lavender as Decoration

How to display dried lavender? As long as your dried lavender is away from sunlight, it can last a pretty long time. I honestly love the look of a dried lavender bouquet in a vase. I think it adds a nice touch of color.

You can even join this dried lavender flower together to make a dried lavender wreath. Lavender wreaths are good to have up on your door year-round.

9. Baked Goods

Lavender desserts are my favorite kind of dessert. When I’m baking, I always find ways to add in lavender. It’s also a healthy ingredient for your diet because it can treat insomnia and an upset stomach.

Here are some ideas for lavender baked goods:

• Lavender Shortbread Cookies
• Lavender Lemon Bars
• Lavender Honey Cupcakes
• Lavender Scones
• Lavender and Blueberry Muffins
• Lavender Chocolate Truffles
• Lavender Biscuits
• Lavender Pound Cake
• Lavender French Macarons
• Lavender Bread

10. Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Lavender actually has antibacterial properties which makes it a perfect ingredient for all-purpose cleaners. Plus, it leaves your countertops smelling so fresh and clean afterward!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 10-20 drops of lavender essential oil (adjust to your desired strength)
• Dried lavender buds
• Optional: 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda (for extra cleaning power)
• Spray bottle

To make homemade all-purpose cleaner:

1. A measuring cup or mixing bowl should be used to blend 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of water. Vinegar, an all-natural disinfectant, can assist in cleaning off grease and dirt.
2. Add 10-20 drops of lavender essential oil.
3. To the mixture, add a small handful of dried lavender buds.
4. For greater cleaning effectiveness, stir in 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda.
5. Stir or shake the mixture to completely combine all the ingredients.
6. The mixture can then be placed in a spray bottle.

11. Insect Repellent

Lavender is a good ingredient to naturally repel insects. So good idea to make insect repellent if you have extra leftover dried lavender!

Ingredients for lavender insect repellent:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1/4 cup witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
• 10-20 drops of lavender essential oil
• A handful of dried lavender
• 10-15 drops of lemon or citronella essential oil (optional, for added repellent power)
• Spray bottle

How to make it:

1. To ensure that a spray bottle is residue-free, clean and rinse it first.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol with 1 cup of distilled water in a mixing basin or measuring cup. The essential oils are more evenly distributed in the mixture thanks to witch hazel and alcohol.
3. 10–20 drops of lavender essential oil should be added to the witch hazel and water mixture. Depending on how strong of a lavender aroma you desire, you can use less or more droplets. In addition to having inherent insect-repelling qualities, lavender oil offers a lovely smell.
4. Add 10–15 drops of lemon or citronella essential oil to the mixture to increase the potency of the repellent.
5. Stir the mixture thoroughly.
6. Fill the spray container with the lavender insect repellent mixture.

12. Infused Oil

Creating lavender infused oil can be a great DIY skincare idea and even better if you have dry skin since the oil can help hydrate.

All you need for the ingredients are:

• Dried lavender flowers
• Carrier oil (such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, or fractionated coconut oil)

To make it:

1. To get rid of any bacteria, sterilize your jar. Boiling it in hot water will sterilize it.
2. Add the carrier oil to the container along with the dried lavender flowers. One cup of carrier oil to one cup of dried lavender is a typical ratio.
3. The lid must be tightened on the jar.
4. Place the tightly closed jar in a cool, dark area, such as a pantry or cupboard, and let it remain there for four to six weeks. During this period, the carrier oil will absorb the qualities and scent of the lavender.
5. Every few days, give the jar a gentle shake to assist the lavender to become distributed and speed up the infusion.
6. Pour the lavender-infused oil through a fine-mesh sieve into a fresh glass container or bottle after the infusion period is over.

13. Lavender Potpourri

This mixture will make your home smell amazing.

Ingredients you need are:

• Dried lavender flowers or buds
• Dried petals of other fragrant flowers (optional, for added variety)
• Fragrant essential oils (optional)
• Dried citrus peels (optional, for added fragrance)
• Spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or dried rosemary (optional)
• A decorative bowl or sachet bag

How to make it:

1. Combine all the dried ingredients like dried rose petals, chamomile, and citrus peels.
2. Then, add a few drops of lavender essential oils.
3. Display this in a decorative bowl or put in sachet bags to place in areas around the home.
4. Slowly, the scent of your lavender potpourri will fade. To replenish the scent, add some more essential oils and add dried lavender.

14. Lavender Salve

Lavender salves are really effective at soothing the skin. It’s even better for dry skin types.

All you need are:

• 1/2 cup dried lavender buds or flowers
• 1 cup carrier oil (such as olive oil, coconut oil, or sweet almond oil)
• 1/4 cup beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
• Lavender essential oil (optional, for added fragrance)
• Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
• Airtight containers

Instructions on how to make it:

1. Infuse the carrier oil with the dried lavender buds for three to four weeks.
2. Melt the beeswax pellets in a clean double boiler or microwave-safe bowl.
3. Then combine the melted beeswax with the lavender-infused oil. For added aroma, use a few drops of lavender essential oil.
4. Pour the lavender salve mixture into tiny tins or jars once everything has melted, then turn off the heat. Allow it to harden and cool.

15. Lavender Lotion Bars

Lotion bars are even better for moisturizing your whole hand and body. It’s suitable for all skin types too.

Things you need:

• 1/2 cup beeswax pellets or grated beeswax
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 10-20 drops of lavender essential oil
• Silicon mold or ice cube tray

How to make it:

1. Combine all the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter in a bowl.
2. Stir the lavender essential oil in after the butter has completely melted.
3. Using silicon molds or an ice cube tray, pour the mixture into the molds.
4. If you want the bars to firm quicker, place them in the fridge or let them cool at room temperature.
5. Remove the molds from the lavender lotion bars once they have dried completely.
6. In an airtight pan or container, keep the bars. Use the bar by rubbing it against your skin.

16. Lavender Face Cream

Another recipe for a DIY skincare product.

Face Cream Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup almond oil or other carrier oil
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• 1 tablespoon shea butter
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil (optional, for added skin benefits)
• Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
• Airtight container

Face Cream Instructions:

1. Almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax granules, and shea butter should all be melted together in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl.
2. Permit the mixture to cool slightly but not to entirely harden.
3. Add the essential oils of lavender and frankincense.
4. Whip the ingredients until it has a creamy and airy texture using a hand mixer or immersion blender.
5. Transfer the lavender face cream with care into a tight container.
6. Keep the facial cream in a cold, dark location. Use it as part of your skincare routine on your face and neck.

17. Lavender Soap

As someone who goes through soap so quickly, it’s nice to be able to make my own and have close to an unlimited supply of it. You can even replace hand soaps with these soap bars.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces coconut oil
• 16 ounces olive oil
• 16 ounces palm oil
• 12 ounces distilled water
• 4.45 ounces lye (sodium hydroxide)
• 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
• 2 tablespoons lavender essential oil
• Soap mold

How to make it:

1. Combine the coconut oil, olive oil, and palm oil.
2. In a separate container, add the lye to the distilled water. Then, let the lye solution cool until it reaches 100-110°F (38-43°C).
3. Slowly pour the lye solution into the melted oils. Make sure to stir continuously.
4. Stir in the dried lavender flowers and lavender essential oil.
5. Pour the soap mixture into a soap mold.
6. Let the soap cool in the mold for 24-48 hours.
7. Once fully set, remove the soap from the mold and cut it into bars.
8. Place the soap bars on a drying rack to let it cure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will dried lavender last?

Typically, dried lavender will last a few years as long as it’s not placed under direct sunlight. But this ultimately depends on your environment.

Can I keep dried lavender in a vase?

Yes! Placing dried lavender in a vase is both practical and a good design choice.

How do you preserve dried lavender?

The best way to preserve dried lavender is to store it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.

What to do with dried lavender stems?

Lavender stems can be good as fire starters for a fireplace. Or it’s great to add to lavender potpourri.

Where to buy dried lavender flowers?

Get some dried lavender fowers from Kate Naturals if you need more for your DIY recipes. These are food grade so you can safely use them to make lavender tea, use in baking, and even in soapmaking and making bath bombs.

And there you go – the 17 ways on what to do with dried lavender buds!

For more DIY recipes, check out these posts:

• DIY Granite Cleaner
• What to do with Old Coffee Beans
• What To Do With Used Tea Leaves
• How To Repurpose Old Underwear
• How To Dispose of Old Socks – Eco Friendly Way