Learn how to dry rose petals for bathtubs.
Taking a bath with dried rose petals can greatly enhance the experience, and if you’ve ever considered drying the petals yourself, you’re in luck because it is a super-simple process. In fact, once you get your hands on some fresh roses, the rest of the process is quick and easy.
Do You Need a Certain Type of Rose?
When learning how to dry rose petals for bathtubs, there’s no real secret to getting the right “type” of rose. Just choose roses that haven’t been exposed to any pesticides or chemicals, if at all possible.
The more “organic” and fresh the roses are, the better they’ll look and smell when you’re trying to dry them.
You can also use roses of any color, be they red, yellow, white, or any other color. In fact, you may want to use different colored roses to make the bathtub even lovelier when you decide to use them.
SEE ALSO: How to Harvest Rose Petals
How To Dry Rose Petals for Bathtubs
To prepare the roses, rinse them off gently with cool or tepid water, then set them in a strainer of some type for a little while so they can dry off just a little. Once they’re dry enough for you, then you can choose which method you’d like to use to dehydrate them, which are described here.
Drying Rose Petals With a Microwave
When you dry rose petals in a microwave …
- start by placing a paper towel on a microwavable plate,
- then gently peel off the petals and place them flat on the towel. Make sure none of the petals are touching one another because they’ll dry as one piece, which most people don’t like.
- Place the petals in a single layer and spaced them apart on the paper towel,
- then cover the petals with another paper towel.
- For an even better effect, put a plate on top of the second paper towel to help keep the rose petals flat.
- Place the plate in the microwave and cook the petals on high for 40 seconds.
- Remove the plate from the microwave and check the petals. They should be dry but not too crispy.
If you prefer for them to be drier, however, go ahead and cook them for 40 seconds longer, then check them again. After the second 40-second cooking, they should be just right.
Drying Rose Petals With a Dehydrator
Using a dehydrator is a simple way to dry rose petals for bathtubs.
- Just place the petals in a single layer spaced apart on the tray and set the dehydrator to the lowest possible setting. Rose petals are very delicate and thin and can easily burn if your temperature is too high.
- Once the petals are in the dehydrator, you’ll have to check them after a few hours. Each dehydrator is different, and it can take from several hours to all day to dry properly. Check the petals after several hours, then hourly after that until they are done.
Drying Rose Petals in an Oven
Drying rose petals for bathtubs in an oven is fast and easy.
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit,
- then line a baking tray with parchment paper and lay the rose petals flat on the paper, leaving at least one inch between each petal.
- Once the oven is preheated, place the baking tray in the oven but only keep it in there for around 30 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, check the petals to make sure they aren’t already dried. In other words, after 20 minutes, keep a close eye on the petals, but they should be done within 30-35 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, you should remove the tray and look for ones that are dried and crisp. Remove those from the tray, and if there are other petals that aren’t completely dry, place them back in the oven, but turn the oven off first.
Then, let the petals stay in there until they, too, are dry. The petals should be the consistency of a potato chip.
How to Store Your Dried Rose Petals
Dried rose petals need to be stored in something that is airtight. A glass jar with a tight lid works perfectly, as does a plastic bag that is resealable and keeps the air out. Some people even use a plastic container with a lid that is used to store leftover food.
Indeed, anything that keeps all of the air away from the petals will work. Dried rose petals can last one to three years as long as you keep them in a cool, dark place.
Conclusion
Drying rose petals for bathtubs is easy and fun, and even if you accidentally burn them, you can still use them for a potpourri. Bathing in dry rose petals allows you to bathe in comfort while enjoying the terrific aroma of fresh petals. The best part is, there are numerous ways you can dry rose petals at home, and in most cases, you do not need any special equipment so there’s no need to run out and buy something expensive.
