Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use potpourri?

Place potpourri in open bowls around the house. Be creative… match colors of our blends to your room; change the atmosphere of a room by adding a particular scent; celebrate the seasons by using colors and scents to uplift the spirit.

You can place potpourri in fabric bags (sachets) and put them in drawers and closets to scent clothing. Put them in storage boxes, chests, musty cupboards to create pleasant aromas. Tie them to doorknobs. Squeeze them once in awhile to release the scent. Sachets work great in cars, too! 

However you choose to use it, potpourri will add new dimension and space to your environment.

How long does the scent last?

The scent of our potpourris will last anywhere from 2 months to years, depending on the blend you choose, where it is placed and how it is used. By keeping it in a place that is free from direct sunlight and breezes, it will last longer. A sachet enclosed in a drawer will last for years. If you keep a matching Refresher Oil for your potpourri on hand, you’ll be able to heighten the scent at any time.

We use some techniques in making our potpourri that make it last longer than most commercial potpourri. We make our potpourri in small batches, using high-grade fragrance oils. We avoid using big pod-like botanicals that lose their scent quickly, commonly used by other potpourri companies.

Is there a way to make it last longer?

A great way to revive tired potpourri is to use our matching Refresher Oils. We have a corresponding oil for each of our potpourris. Directions are included with your purchase of our Refresher Oils. Add drops of the matching oil to your potpourri any time you want to make it smell stronger.

Other tips for preserving the scent: Gently move your potpourri around in its container every so often. If it’s in a sachet, squeeze the bag once in awhile to release the scent.

Keep it away from direct sunlight and drafty places. Keeping it away from direct sunlight will also help keep the color intact.

The more enclosed potpourri is, the longer it will last. The more exposed it is, the shorter its lifespan… but the more you can enjoy its scent. Many of our customers tell us that they’ve had their potpourri open in a bowl for a year and it still smells good. So don’t hide it away just to preserve the scent if you’re wanting to get the full lushness of the colors and scents.

How do I use The Herb Lady Potpourri Refresher Oils?

Over time, the scent of potpourri will fade. Whenever you want to revive tired potpourri or make the scent stronger, use our oils.

Here are directions for using our Refresher Oils:
To a handful of potpourri, use about 5 drops of oil.

If you keep your potpourri in a bowl or a basket, and you don’t mind that some oil may get on the container itself, refresh it directly in that container. If it is in a fabric bag (a sachet) or if you don’t want any oil to stain your bowl or basket, remove it from the container and place it in a roomy plastic bag.

Sprinkle or evenly drop the desired amount of oil onto the potpourri and toss it with your hands as if you’re tossing a salad. Very gently moisten every flower and herb as you disperse the oil. WASH YOUR HANDS WELL AFTER EACH USE. You may wish to use rubber gloves when working with the oils since some of our oils are spicy and your skin may be sensitive.

If you’re leaving the potpourri in a ceramic bowl, you can replace the blend back into its container right away. If you’re using the potpourri in a fabric bag or in a basket or any other container that may be apt to be stained or smeared by the oil, wait a day or two to return it to its container, allowing the herbs to absorb the oil while still in the plastic bag.

What are some other uses for The Herb Lady Refresher Oils?

Use your oils on light rings and in any sort of oil diffuser.
 
Place oil on cotton balls and dab here and there on the underside of wood shelves, or on interior walls of chests and drawers — even around the edges of closet door frames — to add scent to any space. Be sure to use it only where you won’t mind if it stains the wood, since it can leave a mark where it’s placed.

Many of our Refresher Oils can be used as body scents as well.

Which of your Refresher Oils can be used as body scents?

We highly recommend these blends for use as body scents:
Belle du Jour
Blue Lilac
Breath of Angels
Clarity
Dreams
Earth Goddess
Forest Path
Fragrant Orchard
Gentleman’s Blend
Green Tea
Joy of Life
Lavender
Lavenderwood
Mama’s Sweet Vanilla
Morning Rose
Mountain River
Sensuality
Woodhaven

How do I use The Herb Lady’s Wooly Bully Moth Chaser?

Wooly Bully smells terrific, and is a wonderful alternative to mothballs! Place Wooly Bully among your woolens, yarns, blankets and linens in drawers, on shelves, in storage chests and in closets to prevent moths from invading.

• Use at least 1/2-cup of Wooly Bully potpourri for an area equivalent to a 2′ x 1′ drawer.
• Place Wooly Bully potpourri in pre-made cloth sachets, or make your own. You can even use socks that have lost their mate, tying them with a ribbon or string.
• You could also line drawers with loose Wooly Bully potpourri. Scatter it on the bottom of a drawer and cover it with paper or gift wrap cut to the size of the drawer.
• As an alternative, simply use Wooly Bully Refresher Oil. It WILL discolor any wood finish, so apply it only to areas where you won’t mind some discoloration. Rub drops of it generously on the inside of drawers, on the underside of shelves, on the inside of your closet’s door frame for additional moth protection.
• In a closet, hang sachets from hangers of individual coats, suits, or other natural fiber clothing. Use on closet shelves as you would in drawers. For walk-in closets, you could even place a large bowlful of Wooly Bully potpourri on a shelf. If you choose to keep it loose in a bowl or basket, we suggest that you keep Wooly Bully Refresher Oil on hand to revitalize it frequently.
• Your Wooly Bully sachets should be refreshed with Wooly Bully Refresher Oil at least once each year. If left open in a bowl in a closet for moth-proofing purposes, it should be refreshed every month or two.

Please note: Wooly Bully is a preventative measure against moths. Although Wooly Bully has been known to clear up an infestation, we cannot guarantee that it can solve a big moth problem until you wash or dry clean your fabrics and clean the storage area. Then add Wooly Bully to keep those pesky insects at bay!

Can The Herb Lady potpourris be simmered?

YES! Use a pot or crockware that you will not want to cook food in. Add 3 tablespoons of any of our potpourris to 1 cup of boiling water. Simmer on the stove or in a simmering pot. The scent will last for hours.