Scented wooden balls are a popular alternative to potpourri

Scented wooden balls can fragrance a room or small space in a modern minimalist way.

Fragrancing wooden balls

These beechwood balls are attractive in their own right, with the grain clearly visible in the shiny curved surface. The honey coloured wood is further enhanced by the addition of fragrance oil, which deepens the tone to gold and improves the natural sheen.

I chose Spiced Apple fragrance for an Autumnal theme, but Fresh Linen would be a great idea if you wanted laundry fresh drawers and cupboards – just place a few balls wherever you want the fragrance to linger.

How to make scented wooden balls

You will need
Wooden balls 2.5cm diameter
Fragrance oil
Plastic bag

Method
Place the balls in a plastic bag and drip on a few drops of fragrance oil. Seal the bag and massage the oil into the balls. You will notice the wood changing colour. Add more oil as necessary to provide an even sheen. Leave sealed in the bag overnight to allow the fragrance to permeate through the balls. Display, repeating the above process as necessary when you notice the fragrance fade.

[Avoid contact of the oils and coated balls with the skin. Avoid polished, painted and synthetic surfaces and textiles, and keep out of reach of children and pets.]

Tips

1. The balls I used were beechwood but rubberwood is also common.

2. This method is for home fragrance oils only. Don’t try it with essential oils as they are thinner and more volatile. They will evaporate rapidly, losing their fragrance, and fail to provide an attractive sheen on the balls.

3. These are sometimes available drilled and in varying sizes – thread some onto a shoelace for an unusual garland.

4. Dot a few scented wooden balls about in traditional potpourri to boost the fragrance.

Scented wooden balls – related posts

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Buy scented wooden balls and ingredients

Buy fragrance oil from our shop.