How to make Lavender water and 14 ways to use it

This homemade lavender water is refreshing, relaxing genuine condensed water made from fresh or dried lavender. Considered astringent, it has amazing benefits for the skin or can refresh your home or relax your senses.

What is lavender water?

Real lavender infused water is captured during the distillation process of making essential oils. Lavender floral water, also called hydrosol, floral water, hydrolat, Lavender linen water, lavender mist or lavender spray ) is a highly effective transparent substance that contains aromatic as well as healing properties of lavender. 

The distillation process requires specific equipment that is difficult to make at home. However, by infusing lavender buds in water followed by steam condensation we can achieve a very similar result.

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Lavender water benefits for skin

Moisturizing and soothing

lavender floral water possesses antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and provides extra hydration that are beneficial for the skin. It soothes and moisturizes the skin and helps with redness, acne and irritated skin. It makes an excellent addition to facial toners.

Anti-aging effect

Lavender infused water is packed with antioxidants that protects us from the free radicals partially responsible for wrinkles and fine lines. Similarly works this elderflower hydrosol that has been made with the same technique. 

Lavender water for skin lightening

This floral water can reduce discoloration, including dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Lavender water for hair

This lavender infused water may help to stimulate hair growth and promote thicker hair.

It’s antimicrobial properties help  prevent bacteria and fungi from growing and promote healthy scalp. It also prevent dandruff and head lice.

Insect repellent

Lavender spray acts as an insect repellent that also relieves itching after a bite occurs.  

Relaxing 

Lavender is well known for its calming and relaxing properties that promote sleeping. It helps calm down your nervous system.

Refreshing

Its refreshing properties are used to refresh the air in your home, freshen up linen, cloth or bed sheets in the form of multi purpose linen spray. 

Things you need to make lavender linen spray 

• Prepare a cooking pot with a lid that fits upside down
• two heat-safe bowls. Place the first bowl upside down on the bottom of the cooking pot with the second on the top upright to collect the condensed water. The selection of bowls is imperative for a smooth process. When you assemble them make sure there is a gap between the top of the bowl and the upside down lid.
• You will need at least 1 kg (35 oz) of ice cubes
• I used a pipette to suck the melted water from the lid.
• Spray bottle

How to make Lavender water

First step

Use 2 cups of fresh or dried lavender buds and place them in the medium-size cooking pot so the bottom is completely covered.

Second step

Make a space in the centre of the bottom and place the first heat-safe bowl upside down on the bottom

Third step

Cover the flowers with 2 cups of water.

Fourth step

Place the other bowl upright on top of the first one. 

Fifth step

Lastly place the upside-down lid on top of your pot.  This will become the place of condensation where the vapour reaches the bottom of the cold lid and drops in the form of hydrosol in the second bowl.

Sixth step

Now you are ready to switch the heat source, bring it to a boil and turn it down to a slow simmer. 

Seventh step

Gradually the ice starts to melt. Use a pipette or spoon to remove the water. Keep adding another batch of ice cubes and remove the melted ice till your bowl that collects the lavender hydrosol is full. It takes about 20 minutes and one kilogram of ice to achieve it. Making lavender hydrosol is a slow process when you make a potent herbal extract drip by drip. My advice is not to speed up the process by increasing the heat.

Eight step

Let it cool them before pouring it into a sterile jar, close the lid.

A few tips for better result

• Check during the process if there is always water at the bottom of the pot
• Don’t remove the lid during the process as you will lose large portion of the hydrosol due to quick evaporation.

Lavender water uses

Lavender floral water has wide spectrum of uses 

1. lavender water toner

This lavender hydrosol is a natural way to promote healthy skin with a youthful appearance. Its antiseptic and antibacterial properties keep the face clean, free of any pimples or redness. On top of the toning, it also moisturizes and hydrates the skin keeping it as beautiful as possible. Spray directly on skin or use a cotton ball to apply

Aloe vera toner

Rose toner

2. Lavender hair rinse

With its beautiful fragrance antibacterial properties, this lavender hydrosol makes a wonderful hair rinse that helps to thicken your hair, helps with dandruff and keeps your hair clean, shiny and healthy. 

If you want to strengthen the hair shaft and make your hair grow thicker this lavender vinegar makes wonders.

3. Refresh your house with lavender mist

Lavender linen water is a great natural alternative to a chemical-free home. It adds a lovely scent to your house, keeping it fresh and clean. Simply spritz the lavender spray water on your bedding, or add it to your humidifier water so that it will be evenly distributed in your home.

4. Lavender water for laundry

Use it instead of distilled water for your ironing. As a result, your cloth will be steamed beautifully adding a nice subtle smell.

5. For aromatherapy

It makes a great alternative to those that are sensitive to essential oils. You can replace them with lavender infused water that provides similar calming and relaxing properties helping you to relieve the stress and soothe your muscles.

6. for Dog Care

Lavender hydrosol makes a go to first aid spray that keeps your dog healthy and happy. It helps to disinfect your dog, heal wounds and scratches, keep it shiny and clean. I also spray my dog's bed

7. Use it as a mosquito repellent

Lavender water has the ability to repel mosquitoes and can be as one of the main ingredients or your natural DIY mosquito repellent. With few drops of lavender essential oil, spray it on your body and your clothes before you go outside

8. Drinking lavender water

Lavender floral water smells wonderful and gives you a relaxing feeling. Add few slices of lemon and blueberries to make a tasty and refreshing summer drink.

9. Use it for making a perfume

Absolutely. Add rubbing alcohol to prolong its shelf life and a few drops of lavender essential oil and you are ready to go. Better than any best patchouli perfumes you can buy in stores.

10. Foot spray

It may help to control foot odor if sprayed on the feet.

11. After shave water

Thanks to its astringent properties, this lavender hydrosol is suitable to apply after shaving.

12. Make lavender spray

 Lavender spray is cooling and soothing and a spritz on the face can refresh and tone tired skin. Use a spray bottle to turn this lavender water into lavender spray to enhance your skin or laundry.

13. Make creams and lotions

The great way to benefit from its moisturizing and soothing properties is to blend it with other ingredients and make other skincare products such as creams or lotions. I used rose water to make this lovely rose cream, for instance.

14. Relaxing bath experience

Lastly, add it to the bath to make a relaxing and calming bath experience