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The Ultimate Guide to Drying Flowers with Kitty Litter: A Little-Known Trick

Introducing a unique twist to the traditional art of flower pressing - learn how to dry flowers using silica gel! This innovative method will preserve the delicate beauty of your blooms, resulting in vibrant and long-lasting decorations. With this simple technique, you'll be able to create stunning arrangements that will brighten up any space. So, if you have some silica gel cat litter on hand and are eager to try something new, read on as we reveal the secrets to achieving perfect pressed flowers every time.

Administrator

13 July, 2024

Pressing fresh flowers is a great way to preserve your favorite blooms and protect them from natural elements. There are many flower pressing techniques, but if done incorrectly, your flowers may lose their color, develop mold, or become misshapen. So, read on as we guide you through a unique method of pressing flowers using cat litter!

1 Materials You’ll Need

Your favorite flowers that you wish to preserve
Cat litter: The amount will depend on the number of flowers you want to press

Note: Flowers with multiple petals and non-sticky or hairless surfaces are best suited for this method. Roses, marigolds, lilacs, and salem are good choices, while flowers with thick petals may not yield the best results.

Materials needed for flower pressing

2 Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 Prepare Flowers for Pressing

Cut your flowers when they are only partially bloomed and the petals are still firm, just before they start to fall. To retain the natural color of the flowers, it is important to time this step right. For flowers from your garden, cut them in the morning after the dew has evaporated.

Trim flowers before pressing

Cut the flower stems very short, leaving only about 2.5–5 cm. After cutting, store the flowers in a dry, cool, and dark place to prevent sunlight from fading their colors. If you can’t press the flowers immediately, place them in a Ziplock bag and store them in the refrigerator.

Tip: Flowers that naturally have a flat shape, such as violets, daisies, and single-petal roses, are the easiest to press. If you’re pressing flowers with stamens, like lilies or tulips, remove them to prevent pollen stains.

Step 2 Press the Flowers

Pour cat litter into a box, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom of the box. The layer of cat litter should be about 2-2.5 cm thick.

Spread cat litter to cover the bottom of the box

Arrange the flowers on top of the cat litter, leaving at least 2 cm of space between each stem.

Space out the flowers evenly

Note: Only place a few stems at a time to avoid overcrowding. If you have a large number of flowers to press, use a larger box or multiple smaller boxes.

Gently pour another layer of cat litter over the flowers and close the lid tightly.

Cover the flowers with cat litter

Store the box in a cool place and be patient!

Tip: Once your flowers are completely dry, spray them with hairspray to help set the shape and preserve the colors for longer.

3 The Final Product

After 5 to 7 days, your flowers will be beautifully pressed and ready for use! You can now use your pressed flowers for various purposes, such as making scented candles, phone cases, keychains, sachets, or framing them as home decor. It’s a great way to preserve your favorite blooms while being creative and cost-effective.

Pressed flowers can be used for multiple purposes

Now you know how to press flowers using cat litter! Give it a try and preserve your favorite blooms.

Frequently asked questions

Start by choosing a type of kitty litter that is made from clay, as this is the most absorbent type. Then, pour about an inch of litter into a container and place your flowers on top, making sure they are not crowded. Finally, leave them to dry for about a week, and then gently brush off any excess litter.

Kitty litter is an effective and affordable way to dry flowers. It is super absorbent and can remove moisture from flowers quickly, helping to preserve their color and shape. This method is also less messy than air-drying and doesn’t require the use of a microwave or oven.

A variety of flowers can be dried using kitty litter, including roses, lilies, daisies, and sunflowers. This method works best with flowers that have a relatively flat shape and are not too thick or fleshy.

Drying flowers with kitty litter typically takes about a week. However, the time can vary depending on the type of flower, the humidity in the room, and the absorbency of the kitty litter used.

It is not recommended to reuse kitty litter for drying flowers, as it may not be as effective the second time around. Additionally, used kitty litter may contain bacteria or odors that you don’t want to transfer to your flowers.

Once your flowers are dried, you can use them in a variety of crafts or decorations. You can make wreaths, potpourri, or even use them to decorate cards or gift tags. They also make a great addition to scrapbooks or shadow boxes.