How to Make Perfume

Question:
How can I make perfume?

Answer: We often use the word perfume in a generic way, meaning any liquid applied to the body to give it a pleasant fragrance. But perfume (parfume) –what I call “Real” perfume is more concentrated and is generally more expensive than a cologne with the same fragrance. Another way to say this is that perfume (parfume) has a higher concentration of juice than does cologne. Juice is the term used for the scented oils that give perfume its fragrance.

Homemade perfume can be made.

Question:

Discover for Yourself: How to Make Perfume

NOTE: This activity must be done with adult assistance.

CAUTION: ALCOHOL IS FLAMMABLE AND DAMAGING TO EYES.

Vodka is suggested for this activity because it is basically a mixture of ethanol and water. This mixture is used as the solvent for perfumes because oils will dissolve in it and it evaporates quickly. It is also safe to place on your skin.  If vodka is not available, then use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol -external uses only).

Make different concentrations of perfume using vodka (ethanol-ethyl alcohol) and whole cloves.

1. In three different small containers with lids, add 1/4 cup vodka (2 ounces).

2. Label the containers A, B, and C. (use paper stick-on labels or masking tape-write the letters on the labels)

3. Add one whole clove to jar A, 3 cloves to jar B, and 9 cloves to jar C.

4. Secure the tops on each of the jars.

5. Shake the jars vigorously, and then compare the color of the liquid in each bottle.

6. Repeat step 5 periodically for 5 or more days.

Facts:

The solvent, vodka, was clear before adding the cloves. The juice (oil or oils) from the cloves dissolves in the vodka. The colors of the solution in each bottle indicates the concentration of the “juice.” The darker the color the more concentrated the solution.

The alcohol solvent suggested is ethyl alcohol (ethanol), which is drinking alcohol. The suggested substitute solvent is rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol. The names of the two alcohols are different because they are chemically different. Isopropyl alcohol is not safe to drink and that is why it is commonly called rubbing alcohol.

Things You Can Discover for Yourself

7. If you continue to shake the bottles for a longer period of time, will the concentration in each bottle be the same? Find out by repeating step 5 for 5 or more days.

8. The solution in each of the bottles can be used as perfume. Is there any difference in the smell of the perfumes do to any difference they might have in concentration? You can test the aroma of each of the “Clove Oil Perfumes” by following these steps:

Dip a clean cotton swab into perfume A.

Hold the wet cotton near, but not touching your nose. Make note of how it smells.

Repeat the two previous steps using perfume B, and then perfume C.