DIY Scented Sachets with Rice and Essential Oils

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Scented sachets are an easy way to freshen up your linen cabinet, drawers and closets. These fabric sachets are made with rice and essential oils. Use whichever scents you love! This is an easy way to use up old fabric scraps and this also makes a wonderful handmade gift or shower favor.

I love a good scented sachet. They are great to tuck in drawers and the scents can be just divine. These are really easy to make!

I ended up using leftover ticking stripe fabric that I had from making pillows. I love finding new ways to use up fabric scraps and this is a good way to do that. I really like the look of the ticking stripe and jute twine together. Also, you can make these the no sew way too. I’ll give instructions for both below.

Materials Needed

Fabric cut into squares. I didn’t measure and you don’t have to! ***see notes below
Uncooked Rice
Essential oils
Sewing Machine and thread. (optional, see tutorial below)
Ribbon, rubber band or jute twine/string

I know that some people use actual lavender buds in their sachets and that’s totally cool too. I just wanted to keep this easy and use what I already had on hand. That being – fabric scraps, rice and essential oils.

You will be surprised at how ‘scented’ these are just with the essential oils. I used lavender essential oil which smelled wonderful. I really want to try vanilla or floral essential oils like rose next time too.

Oh yea, and I used just plain ol’ long grain white rice for this.

How to Make Scented Sachets!

***Here’s an easy tip to start off – if you have a larger piece of fabric, don’t cut it out. FOLD IT in half or to whatever size you want your sachet. And then cut the other sides into a square. One side of your sachet is already done for you with the folded part. Makes it go even faster. You will need two squares or one folded piece into a square to make this.
Line up your squares. Right sides facing each other. Sew three sides around, keeping the top open. I doubled stitched each side just to make sure it’s tight. Then flip it right side out. Oh, hello there sachet.
Mix your rice and essential oils in a bowl. I think I used about 10 drops or so. The amount of rice will depend on how large your sachet is.
Carefully spoon your rice mixture into the sachet bag. You don’t want to fill it all the way to the top or you won’t be able to close it properly.
Twist the top and secure with a rubber band, ribbon or twine. All done!
Or – instead of securing with a tie like in step 5, you can sew the top shut and use it as kind of a flat sachet. I made a larger version of this type and you can see it in the last picture below. The only thing with this type is that you can’t really refresh the scents because it’s totally fused shut. But these make great heating pads! Just microwave them for about 30 seconds and it’s pure heaven.

NO SEW METHOD : You can either follow the steps above and use fabric glue to secure your seams. Or, just cut a larger square of fabric and spoon the rice mixture into the center of the square. Gather up the edges and tie them with the string/ribbon as noted above.

You may need to refresh the scents from time to time – simply open it up and refill with a new rice mixture. These can be changed up depending on your mood.

How to Use

Use them around the house!

I put these scented sachets into drawers, my linen cabinet and I also hang them in closets. They smell so good and they look very pretty too.

One little precaution – I would just make sure little kids can’t get to them because they contain essential oils.

Here are some other ideas for using these scented sachets around the house.

Put them in shoes or shoe storage boxes.
Store one near your hamper.
Put one under the garbage bag at the bottom of the can.
Put one where you store your toilet paper.
If you store them with your thank you notes/cards, your notes will smell glorious.
Throw one in your purse and/or gym bag.
Store some in the laundry room.

Use them as gifts!

If you are hosting a shower, this is a great favor to send people home with. I always swoon over those pretty handmade favors at parties and showers. Do you?

You could tie a little note to it thanking them for coming. Or just say – “smell ya later!” Just kidding, don’t say that. 🙂

These make great hostess gifts, teacher gifts or a little something for the neighbor. Or use them as gift toppers! Small ones would be good for that and such a sweet touch.

Another idea? Put together a sweet little gift basket of handmade goodies for Mother’s Day or another occasion. Or, pack these into a care package for your kids at college or a friend who lives long distance. They will open it up and it will smell really good. Like home. Like you.