DIY Rosemary Drawer Sachets – An Easy Herb-Infused Project for Your Dresser
By late summer, I’m up to my elbows in fresh rosemary sprigs from the garden and looking for ways to use it up! Since I harvest so much at once, learning new preservation techniques is a must in my little herb garden blogger world.
One of my favorite ideas for both extending and enhancing my rosemary is crafting small DIY rosemary drawer sachets. You likely have most of what you need already: dried rosemary (I hang bundles to dry thoroughly after harvest), an eco-friendly dish soap, plain rice or salt, and some cute cotton bags with drawstring closures. Or get creative with fabric scraps!
I adore the woodsy, herbal scent these homemade rosemary drawer sachets leave on clothing and linens as soon as I open the drawer. Not to mention they gently freshen the contents and deter moths or other pesky insects looking to settle in. Whip up a batch of these scented bags with me and breathe new life into last season’s rosemary harvest!

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Understanding Rosemary Drying
If you want to make your own rosemary drawer or closet sachets, drying rosemary is an essential step. Drying rosemary is an easy process that can be done at home with just a few simple steps. Here are some things you should know about drying rosemary.
Benefits of Drying Rosemary
Drying rosemary is a great way to preserve its flavor and aroma. It also makes it easier to store and use in recipes. When you dry rosemary, you remove the moisture from the leaves, which helps to concentrate the essential oils that give rosemary its distinct flavor and aroma. In addition to sachets, dried rosemary can be used in a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, and roasted meats.

Best Time to Harvest Rosemary for Drying
The best time to harvest rosemary for drying is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. This is when the oils in the leaves are most concentrated. To harvest rosemary, use a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems. Cut the stems close to the base of the plant, leaving about an inch of stem attached.
Once you have harvested your rosemary, it’s time to start drying it. There are several methods you can use to dry rosemary, including air-drying, oven-drying, and using a dehydrator. Choose the method that works best for you and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that your rosemary is properly dried.

Preparation for Drying
Before you start drying your rosemary, it is essential to gather all the necessary materials and ensure that your rosemary is clean and ready for the drying process. Here are the steps to follow:
Gathering Materials
To dry rosemary, you will need:
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Scissors or garden shears
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Oven or dehydrator (if using the oven or dehydrator methods outlined below)
- Airtight container
Make sure that your baking sheet and airtight container are clean and dry before you start.
Harvesting the Rosemary
The best time to harvest rosemary is in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak. Cut the rosemary sprigs from the plant, leaving a few inches of stem intact. Avoid cutting too much of the plant, as this can damage its growth.

Cleaning the Rosemary
Before you dry the rosemary, you need to clean it thoroughly. Rinse the rosemary sprigs under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Gently pat them dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Inspect the rosemary for any damaged or discolored leaves, and remove them with scissors or garden shears. You can also remove any woody stems or thick branches that won’t dry well.
Now that your rosemary is clean and trimmed, it’s ready for the drying process. In the next section, we will discuss how to dry rosemary using different methods.
Drying Methods
When it comes to drying rosemary for sachets, there are three main methods to choose from: air drying, oven drying, and using a dehydrator. Each method has its own advantages, so it’s worth exploring each one to find the best option for you.
Air Drying Technique
Air drying is the easiest and most traditional way to dry herbs. To air dry rosemary, simply tie the stems together with a string and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area. It’s important to choose a location that is not too humid, as moisture can cause the rosemary to rot instead of dry.
Air drying can take several weeks, but it’s a low-effort method that requires no special equipment. Once the rosemary is dry, you can remove the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container.

Oven Drying Method
If you want to dry rosemary quickly, the oven drying method is a good option. Preheat your oven to 170°F to 180°F and arrange the rosemary sprigs in a single layer on a baking sheet. Leave the oven door slightly ajar to release moisture, and allow the rosemary to dry in the oven for 2 to 3 hours. Check every half hour to ensure even drying. Once the rosemary is dry, remove the rosemary needles from the stems and store them in an airtight container.

Dehydrator Method
If you have a dehydrator, you can use it to dry fresh herbs quickly and efficiently. For rosemary, simply arrange the rosemary sprigs on the dehydrator trays and set the temperature to 95°F to 115°F. The drying time will depend on the dehydrator model and the thickness of the rosemary sprigs, but it usually takes around 4 to 6 hours. Once the rosemary is dry, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container.
No matter which method you choose, it’s important to make sure the rosemary is completely dry before storing it. Moisture can cause mold and spoilage, so take care to dry your rosemary thoroughly.
Storing Dried Rosemary
After drying your rosemary, you might want to store it properly to preserve its flavor and aroma. Here are some tips on how to store dried rosemary:
Choosing Containers
When storing dried rosemary, it is important to choose the right container. Airtight glass jars are the best choice for storing dried herbs. They keep the herbs fresh and prevent moisture from getting in. You can also use plastic containers, but make sure they are airtight and made of food-grade plastic.

Ideal Storage Conditions
The ideal storage conditions for dried rosemary are cool, dark, and dry. Store your dried rosemary in a cool pantry or cupboard away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing it near the stove or other sources of heat, as heat can cause the herbs to lose their flavor and aroma.
Periodically check and rotate your supply to maintain freshness. Crush, toast, steep, mix with oil, or rehydrate your rosemary to revive lackluster dried rosemary.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your dried rosemary stays fresh and flavorful for a long time.
Making DIY Rosemary Drawer Sachets
Assembling the Drawer Sachets
To create your own rosemary sachets, you will need a few basic materials. First, gather your dried rosemary, which you can easily make at home by following the steps in our previous section. You will also need some small fabric pouches or bags, rice and unscented dish soap.
Ingredients (per sachet):
- 3 tablespoons dried rosemary pieces
- 1 tablespoon uncooked white rice
- 1⁄4 teaspoon unscented dish soap
- 4″ x 6″ muslin or cotton drawstring bags
Directions:
- Chop/crush rosemary into little bits to release more oils.
- Combine chopped rosemary, rice and dish soap in a bowl. Mix so dish soap evenly coats.
- Carefully spoon about 3 tablespoons of rosemary rice mixture into each smaller 4″x 6″ muslin bag.
- Shake gently to fully distribute and eliminate clumping in corners.
- Snugly pull drawstrings closed at top and tie off.
- Trim stems of fresh sprig to size and attach for optional decoration.
Note: You can adjust the amount of rosemary to your personal preference, but keep in mind that a little goes a long way when it comes to fragrance.

The Dish Soap:
- Dish soap acts as an emulsifier, breaking down the rosemary’s essential oil molecules and suspending them evenly throughout the surrounding rice and fabric material of the herbal sachet.
- This facilitates wider diffusion and sharing of the piney aroma molecules to increase potency of scent released. Without soap, scent molecules can be trapped.
- Dish soap atomizes the oil so its freshness emanates rather than concentrates in clumps. Almost like silent scent grenades when warmed by body heat.
- The soap also helps adhesion of precious oil to surrounding elements so benefits last. Oil won’t separate and shed off as fast.
Tip: If you’re the crafty type, use up fabric scraps by sewing little sachet bags on your sewing machine.
Using your DIY Rosemary Drawer Sachets
Now that you have your sachets assembled, it’s time to put them to use. There are many ways to use rosemary sachets, but one popular option is to place them in drawers or closets to freshen up your linens and clothing.
To use your sachets in this way, simply place one or two sachets in each drawer or on each shelf in your closet. You can also hang sachets from hangers in your closet to help keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
Another option is to use rosemary sachets as a natural air freshener. Hang them in your car, place them in your gym bag, or tuck them into your suitcase when you travel. The possibilities are endless!
With just a few simple materials and some dried rosemary, you can create your own fragrant and useful sachets that will bring a touch of nature to your home.

Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Rosemary Drawer Sachets
Yes, adding 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil is a great way to further infuse your homemade sachet bags. Just avoid direct skin contact with the oils.
Some ingredients beyond rosemary that make pleasant sachet fillings are: rose petals, lavender flowers, lemon balm, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cedarwood shavings, thyme and rice. You can learn about my favorites in my Herbal sachet post.
Get creative by tucking petite sachet bags into not just drawers but shoes, suitcases, gym bags, linen closets, lingerie drawers, sock drawers, or even inside pillow cases! Anywhere you want a whiff of delicate floral or herbal scents.
Check your scrap fabrics or visit craft stores for remnants of breathable cotton, linen, lace, silk, organza, or even just small organza gift bags. avoid synthetic blends. Or reusable unbleached muslin tea bags make perfect pocket-sized pouches!
It depends on the aromatic ingredients used, but most will retain pleasant scents for 1-2 months before fading. Sachets with dried lavender buds and cedarwood tend to have more staying power. To revive, add 5-6 fresh herb sprigs or flower buds and rehang sachets.

Looking for other ways to use up your Rosemary harvest? Visit these ideas:
Filling up tiny herb-filled sachet bags is a crafty project that pays off in delightful scents. Tuck these natural moth repellent pouches away in your sock drawer and linen closet, luggage – anywhere you’d love a pleasant whiff of rosemary.
Give these aromatic sachets filled with natural products as gifts too or mix up custom blends. Whatever scent creation is your perfect match, miniature DIY sachets are a simple craft for infusing everyday spaces with crisp herbal and floral smells for weeks at a time. Enjoy this easy little project – your clothes and linens will thank you!
Thank you for visiting the blog today for this DIY Rosemary Drawer Sachets post! I hope it gave you another great idea for using up your herbal bounty!
