"Perhaps starting with smaller batches or diluting the concentration could help manage the intensity next time."
That's solid advice. I remember my first attempt at homemade peppermint tincture—let's just say my sinuses were clearer than they'd ever been, haha. Dilution definitely saved the day for me. Also, airing out the room and using baking soda helped neutralize the lingering scent. It's all trial and error, but eventually you find your sweet spot...and your kitchen stops smelling like a toothpaste factory.
Had a similar issue when I tried making lavender oil—ended up smelling like grandma's closet for days. Diluting helped, but honestly, leaving it uncovered overnight to mellow out made the biggest difference...guess some herbs just need breathing room?
Leaving it uncovered overnight might've worked for you, but honestly, I'd be pretty cautious about that. Oils can oxidize or even attract dust and bacteria if left open too long...not exactly what you'd want on your skin. Personally, I'd stick to diluting or blending with something neutral like almond oil. Yeah, it takes patience, but better safe than sorry—especially if you're sensitive or prone to reactions like me.
I totally get what you're saying about oxidation and contamination risks, and normally I'd agree with you 100%. But honestly, leaving oils uncovered overnight isn't always a disaster—especially if you're careful about where you leave them. I've done it a few times myself when I accidentally went too heavy on certain herbs (lavender, anyone?), and airing it out overnight actually mellowed out the scent nicely.
Of course, it's not something you'd wanna do regularly or in a dusty environment, but in a pinch, it can be pretty helpful. Diluting is definitely safer long-term, but sometimes you just need to balance things out quickly. If you're worried about bacteria or dust, maybe covering loosely with cheesecloth or something breathable could be a decent compromise?
Anyway, just wanted to throw that out there... everyone's skin reacts differently, so what works for one person might not be great for someone else. It's all about trial, error, and listening to your body.
That's a good point about using cheesecloth—I hadn't thought of that before. Usually, if I mess up and things get too strong or funky-smelling, my go-to solution is just diluting it with a carrier oil like jojoba or almond. It's budget-friendly and stretches out the batch, which is always a bonus when you're trying to save cash.
But now you've got me curious... has anyone tried adding something neutralizing or complementary to balance out strong scents? Like maybe mixing in a different herb or essential oil that's known for mellowing stronger aromas? I once accidentally made a peppermint oil that was so intense it practically cleared my sinuses from across the room, lol. Ended up mixing in some vanilla-infused oil I had lying around, and surprisingly, it turned into something really nice and soothing.
Have you guys experimented with blending scents to fix mistakes, or do you usually stick to airing out or diluting?
