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How to make lavender oil starts with choosing the right lavender and understanding that you’re creating a concentrated extract of the plant’s natural oils.
Making lavender oil at home is simpler than most people think, and it gives you a fragrant, versatile product you can use for relaxation, skincare, and even cleaning.
There are a few different methods to make lavender oil, and each one suits a different purpose depending on whether you want a therapeutic essential oil or a gentler infused oil.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make lavender oil step by step, cover the tools you need, and share tips so your homemade lavender oil turns out beautifully.
Let’s dive in.
What You Need to Make Lavender Oil
Before you learn how to make lavender oil, gather your supplies.
You don’t need fancy equipment to make lavender oil, but having the right tools makes the process smoother.
1. Fresh or Dried Lavender Buds
The quality of your lavender directly affects the quality of your lavender oil.
Dried buds work best for most methods because they contain less water, which helps prevent mold.
If you’re using fresh lavender to make lavender oil, let it wilt for a day or two first.
2. A Carrier Oil
When you make lavender oil through infusion, you’ll need a carrier oil.
Good options include jojoba, sweet almond, olive, and fractionated coconut oil.
These oils absorb the lavender’s fragrance and beneficial compounds when you make lavender oil at home.
3. Jars, Strainers, and a Dark Bottle
You’ll need a clean glass jar for the infusion process.
A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth helps when you make lavender oil and need to separate the plant material.
Store your finished lavender oil in a dark glass bottle to protect it from light.
How to Make Lavender Oil Using the Infusion Method
The infusion method is the easiest way to make lavender oil, and it’s perfect for beginners.
Here’s how to make lavender oil step by step.
1. Fill Your Jar with Lavender Buds
Loosely fill a clean glass jar about three-quarters of the way with dried lavender buds.
Don’t pack them too tightly, because the oil needs to circulate around every bud when you make lavender oil.
2. Pour Your Carrier Oil Over the Buds
Slowly pour your chosen carrier oil over the lavender until the buds are completely covered.
Leave about an inch of oil above the plant material so nothing dries out while you make lavender oil.
3. Seal and Store the Jar
Close the jar tightly and give it a gentle shake.
Place it in a warm, sunny spot like a windowsill, and let it sit for two to four weeks.
Shake the jar every day or two, and that’s really all there is to how to make lavender oil this way.
4. Strain and Bottle Your Oil
After a few weeks, your lavender oil will smell rich and fragrant.
Strain the oil through cheesecloth into a clean bowl.
Squeeze the buds to release every last drop, then pour your finished lavender oil into a dark glass bottle.
How to Make Lavender Oil Faster with Heat
If you don’t want to wait weeks, you can make lavender oil more quickly using gentle heat.
This shortcut still produces a lovely infused lavender oil.
1. Use a Double Boiler
Place your lavender and carrier oil in a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water.
Keep the heat low, because high temperatures can damage the oil when you make lavender oil this way.
2. Simmer Gently for Two to Three Hours
Let the mixture warm slowly, stirring occasionally.
The gentle heat helps the carrier oil absorb the lavender’s aroma much faster.
3. Strain and Store
Once the oil smells strongly of lavender, remove it from the heat and strain it.
Bottle your lavender oil and store it somewhere cool and dark.
How to Make Lavender Oil: Tips for Best Results
A few small details make a big difference when you make lavender oil at home.
1. Choose the Right Lavender Variety
English lavender is sweet and mild, while French and Spanish varieties are stronger.
If you plan to make lavender oil for relaxing, English lavender is usually the best pick.
2. Keep Everything Dry and Clean
Moisture is the enemy when you make lavender oil.
Always use dry buds and sterilized jars so your lavender oil stays fresh longer.
3. Test Your Oil Before Using It
Dab a little lavender oil on your wrist before applying it broadly.
This helps you confirm the lavender oil won’t irritate your skin.
So, How to Make Lavender Oil?
How to make lavender oil comes down to infusing dried lavender buds in a carrier oil, either slowly over weeks or quickly with gentle heat.
Making lavender oil at home is a rewarding project that leaves you with a fragrant oil you can use for baths, massage, and homemade skincare.
Now that you know how to make lavender oil, grab some dried buds and start infusing your own today.