5 Creative Uses for Old Roses from Valentine’s Day
If you’re lucky enough to be left with lots of fresh roses post-Valentine’s Day and are not sure what to do with them then look no further! Flowers are always such a beautiful gift but sadly, they don’t last forever and it feels a shame to simply throw them away once they’ve lost their freshness. So here are our easy and simple five creative uses for old roses from Valentine’s Day!
Use Them as a Natural Rose Petal Substitute
If you’re on the hunt for uses for old roses, this is a great hack.
What you need:
leftover Valentine’s Day roses
clean, dry surface
a bowl
a bowl of water
a clean, moist cloth or paper towel
Start by cutting the stems off your leftover roses. Then, place them in a bowl. Rinse off any dirt or debris and set the flowers aside to drain. Next, start filling your bowl with clean, fresh water. Set a clean, dry surface (like a clean, damp paper towel) on top of your draining flowers. Carefully begin peeling the outer petals away. You should have a dozen or so small petals left on the stem.
Next, take those petals and cut them in half or quarters to make them even smaller. Now, gently toss those petals into your bowl of water. Soak the tiny rose petals for a few minutes, or until they’ve softened. Lather up your clean, moist paper towel or cloth with some soap or hand lotion. Then, gently squeeze the rose petals together between the paper towel or cloth and the bowl. Rub your rose petals together in the bowl until they’re as soft as you like. Now, transfer your petals from the bowl to your clean surface. Once you have a few dozen petals in place, fill in any gaps. Next, take your vase or jar and fill it with the roses.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the classic Chanel No.5 is made out of a special variety of rose petals? Read how to make Chanel No.5 here.
Dry Out a Bunch of Leftover Roses
There are so many ideas for dried roses, and properly drying out your leftover Valentine’s Day roses is one of the easiest!
What you need:
leftover Valentine’s Day roses
clean, dry surface
a bowl
a bowl of water
a clean, moist cloth or paper towel
a vase or jar for your roses
Follow the same steps as you did with the rose petal substitute, but instead of placing them in water, leave them in a dry space with lots of ventilation. Dry flower petals naturally by hanging them upside down or spreading them on a tray. Once they’ve dried, you can use them for DIY potpourri dried rose petals, rose petal crafts, or even make your own homemade rose water!
Make a Rose Soap or Body Scrub
If you love rose body oil DIY projects, making a homemade rose oil-infused body scrub is a perfect use for dried roses.
What you need:
leftover Valentine’s Day roses
a clean, dry surface
a bowl
a bowl of water
a clean, moist cloth or paper towel
a vase or jar for your roses
Start by following the drying process, then mix the dried petals with sugar, salt, and coconut or almond oil to create a nourishing rose petal scrub. Rose oil DIY recipes are great for soft, glowing skin. This scrub can also double as a homemade lotion bar ingredient!
Make Rose Water Baths for Your Baby
If your baby needs a soothing bath, why not put your leftover Valentine’s Day roses to good use? Homemade rose water is gentle and hydrating for the skin, which makes it perfect and safe for a baby bath.
What you need:
leftover Valentine’s Day roses
a clean, dry surface
a bowl
a bowl of water
a clean, moist cloth or paper towel
a vase or jar for your roses
Simply simmer fresh rose petals in water for about 15 minutes, strain, and add to your baby’s bath. This homemade rose water facial toner can also be used for adult skincare!
Fill a Vase with a Fresh Bunch of Your Leftover Valentine’s Day Roses
Instead of throwing away leftover Valentine’s Day roses, think about what it might be nice to do with them while they are still fresh. You could fill a vase with your leftover Valentine’s Day roses to decorate your home. However, you don’t have to wait for the roses to dry out in order to put the roses into use. You could fill a vase and give it to someone as a thank-you gift for the great Valentine’s Day you had together.
What you need:
leftover Valentine’s Day roses
a clean, dry surface
a bowl
a bowl of water
a clean, moist cloth or paper towel
Start by cutting the stems off of your leftover Valentine’s Day roses. Then, place them in a bowl. Rinse off any dirt or debris and set the flowers aside to drain. Next, start filling your bowl with clean, fresh water. Now, set a clean, dry surface (like a clean, damp paper towel) on top of your draining flowers. Carefully begin peeling the outer petals away. You should have about a dozen small petals left on the stem. Next, take those petals and cut them in half or quarters to make them even smaller. Now, gently mix those petals into your bowl of water. Soak those tiny rose petals for a few minutes, or until they’ve softened a bit.
Lather up your clean, moist paper towel or cloth with some soap or hand lotion. Then, gently squeeze the rose petals together between the paper towel or cloth and the bowl. Rub your rose petals together in the bowl until they’re as soft as you like them to be. Now, you can begin transferring your petals from the bowl to your clean surface. Once you have a few dozen petals in place, take your vase or jar and fill it with the roses.
Whether you’re making DIY rose water with dried roses, natural blush recipes, or homemade rose perfume, there are so many creative ways to use fresh and dried roses. These tips are a great way of saving money and also finding new inspiration for hobbies and small business ideas too too. Give these ideas a try and make the most out of your Valentine’s Day flowers!
