Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
How to make infused lavender oil is a simple process that anyone can do at home, and the result is a beautiful, fragrant oil you’ll love using.
Whether you’re looking to make infused lavender oil for relaxation, skincare, or homemade gifts, the basic method only requires a few supplies and a little patience.
You can make infused lavender oil using fresh or dried lavender buds and a carrier oil of your choice, and the slow infusion method preserves the plant’s delicate scent beautifully.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make infused lavender oil step by step, plus some tips to get the most fragrant results.
Let’s get started.
How to Make Infused Lavender Oil: The Basics
When you make infused lavender oil, you’re essentially extracting the natural oils and scent from lavender flowers into a carrier oil.
There are two main ways to make infused lavender oil: the slow cold infusion method and the faster heat infusion method.
The cold infusion method takes longer but produces a truer, more delicate scent, which is why many people prefer it when they make infused lavender oil at home.
The heat method speeds things up, but you have to be careful not to burn the flowers or overheat the oil when you make infused lavender oil this way.
Either way, the goal is the same: to make infused lavender oil that’s rich, fragrant, and shelf-stable.
1. Choose Your Lavender
To make infused lavender oil, start with high-quality lavender buds.
Dried lavender is often best when you make infused lavender oil because fresh flowers contain moisture that can cause mold in the oil.
If you’re using fresh lavender to make infused lavender oil, let it wilt for a day or two first to reduce moisture.
2. Pick Your Carrier Oil
The carrier oil you choose matters when you make infused lavender oil.
Jojoba, sweet almond, olive, and sunflower oils all work well when you make infused lavender oil for skin use.
If you plan to make infused lavender oil for cooking, use a neutral oil like grapeseed or a light olive oil.
3. Gather Your Supplies
To make infused lavender oil, you’ll need dried lavender buds, your carrier oil, a clean glass jar with a lid, and a strainer.
A cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer comes in handy when you’re ready to strain the oil after you make infused lavender oil.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Infused Lavender Oil
Now let’s go through the process so you can make infused lavender oil with confidence.
1. Fill Your Jar
To make infused lavender oil, fill a clean glass jar about halfway with dried lavender buds.
Don’t pack them too tightly, since the oil needs to circulate around the flowers when you make infused lavender oil.
2. Pour the Carrier Oil
Pour your chosen carrier oil over the lavender until the buds are fully submerged.
Leave about an inch of space at the top so the oil has room to expand as it infuses when you make infused lavender oil.
3. Seal and Store
Seal the jar tightly and give it a gentle shake.
Store it in a cool, dark place for two to six weeks when you make infused lavender oil using the cold method.
Shake the jar every day or two to help the lavender release its scent as you make infused lavender oil.
4. Strain the Oil
Once the oil smells strongly of lavender, it’s time to strain it.
Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and pour the oil through to remove the flowers after you make infused lavender oil.
Squeeze the cheesecloth gently to get every last drop of the oil you worked so hard to make infused lavender oil.
5. Bottle and Store
Transfer your finished oil into a clean, dark glass bottle.
Store it in a cool, dark spot, and your homemade infused lavender oil will keep for six months to a year.
Tips for the Best Infused Lavender Oil
If you want to make infused lavender oil that smells amazing, keep these tips in mind.
1. Use the Right Ratio
More flowers equals a stronger scent when you make infused lavender oil.
A good rule is one part lavender to two parts oil when you make infused lavender oil.
2. Try the Heat Method for Speed
If you’re in a hurry, you can make infused lavender oil faster using gentle heat.
Place your jar in a saucepan of water over low heat for two to three hours to make infused lavender oil quickly.
3. Keep It Away From Sunlight
Light breaks down the oil, so store your jar in a dark cabinet when you make infused lavender oil.
So, How Do You Make Infused Lavender Oil?
To make infused lavender oil, simply combine dried lavender buds with a carrier oil, let the mixture sit for a few weeks, then strain and bottle it.
The process is easy, and the result is a fragrant oil you can use for massage, skincare, or relaxation.
Now that you know how to make infused lavender oil, you can enjoy this lovely homemade treat whenever you like.