Here's How To Use Lavender To Keep Your Closet Smelling Fresher Than Ever

Have you ever stumbled out of bed, swung open your closet doors, and been greeted by a musty or stale aroma? Quite far from the perfect morning start, right? We're all familiar with the unpleasantness that a closet laden with piles of unattended clothes, poor ventilation, and unaddressed moisture issues can bring. But when you are huffing and puffing from tidying up your closet, washing each piece of dirty clothing, and doing everything else to get the airflow just right, wouldn't it be nice to know how to keep your closet smelling fresh naturally? That's where the star of our story, lavender sachets, comes in. Imagine waking up to a burst of sumptuous fragrance from your closet that calls to mind a lavender field. 

The botanical marvel that is lavender has a buffet of complex compounds, among which linalool steals the spotlight – it's the chemical responsible for giving the plant its sweet, soothing aroma. However, there's much more to lavender than just making your closet smell like a field in Provence, France. A 2013 study in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal associates lavender with improved well-being, including alleviating symptoms such as disturbed sleep, restlessness, and anxiety. Even more gratifying is that this brilliant hack doesn't require you to splurge. Yes, you can count on lavender to turn your closet-refreshing escapade into an affordable luxury that makes each day an aromatic, uplifting experience.

Begin this DIY adventure for keeping your closet smelling fresh by gathering dried lavender blossoms, fabric pieces, scissors, ribbon or twine, a sewing needle, and a thread that matches your fabric color. No need to worry if you're not a seasoned seamstress or tailor. By cutting your chosen fabric into two squares of about 3.5 inches, you're ready to start. Place your two fabric squares together, patterned sides facing each other. Sew an outline on three sides, ensuring you leave a 1/4-inch seam allowance with one side open to accommodate the lavender. With the stitching complete, turn your sachet right side out, concealing the seams on the inside. 

Next, bring the sachets to life. Strip dry lavender buds into a bowl until you amass enough to fill your sachets. You may drip some essential oils onto your lavender buds to amp up the fragrance. Then comes the fun act of filling your stitched fabric with the aromatic mix, but remember, don't overfill it. Next, fold the open edge of the sachet inward (1/4 inch will do), then sew it shut to lock in the fragrant buds. Alternatively, tie the ribbon or twine around the sachet for a delightful finishing touch. There you have it. Your very own lavender sachets you can hang or place in your closet for that fresh and inviting smell. 

Before you slide into that DIY mood for lavender closet freshening sachets, understand that fabric choice has a massive influence on the project's success. So step away from synthetics. Natural fibers such as linen or cotton, especially those with a tighter weave, breathe better, enhancing the aromatic lavender scent. If sewing isn't your forte, pre-made muslin drawstring bags, available in varying sizes, have your back. For instance, the 4x6 inches Tatuo Drawstring Bags come in a pack of 50 and will set you back just $13.99 on Amazon. Better still, thrift shops offer bountiful embroidered handkerchiefs that serve the same purpose.

Now, on to maintaining your homemade lavender sachets for closets. Perceive a dwindling aroma? Give your sachets a gentle shake or squeeze, waking up those drowsy lavender blossoms to release more fragrance. If that doesn't suffice, empty the bag contents, enrich them with lavender essential oil drops, stir, and repack. But beware a common slippery slope: a few drops too many, and the spellbinding fragrance might be overwhelming, defeating its original refreshing purpose. Replacing the lavender sachets every six months ensures your closet continually basks in the refreshing fragrance. In addition, steer clear of damp spots to decrease the risk of your sachets getting moldy.. And for the adventurous souls, there's no harm in envisioning your DIY lavender sachets as a canvas for creativity. Go ahead and embroider patterns or initials, or opt for personalized labels available online.