I get the guilt thing too, but honestly, I’d rather waste a few bucks than risk getting sick. I’ve tried diluting a batch that smelled off—added more oil thinking it’d mellow out, but it just masked the weirdness for a bit and then the funky taste came right back. If something’s harsh or smells wrong, I usually just toss it. Sometimes it’s not about being cautious, just practical. That “biohazard” feeling is real... if it looks or smells like science fiction, probably best not to mess with it.
Had to laugh at the “biohazard” comment—been there. I remember one winter when I tried making my own clove oil for a toothache (back before you could buy everything online). It smelled… intense, but I figured that was just how it was supposed to be. Gave it a try anyway. Let’s just say, my mouth burned for hours and the aftertaste was like licking an old spice rack.
I get the temptation to salvage a batch, especially if you put time and money into it. But honestly, if something’s off—smells weird or the color changes—I don’t risk it anymore. My stomach (and my teeth) have taught me enough lessons over the years. Sometimes you just have to chalk it up as a learning experience and move on. The guilt fades faster than food poisoning, trust me.
If it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie or smells like your high school chemistry lab, probably best to toss it. No shame in playing it safe.
Been there with the “is this safe or am I about to poison myself?” moment. I totally get wanting to save a batch, especially if you spent money on good herbs or oils. But, yeah, once something smells like it could strip paint, I start questioning my life choices.
I’ve tried “fixing” weird batches before. One time I made a lemon balm tincture that tasted like straight-up nail polish remover. Here’s what I usually do when things go sideways:
Step 1: Check if it’s just strong, or actually funky. Sometimes a batch is just really concentrated and needs to be diluted. If it’s way too intense but doesn’t smell rotten or off, try adding more carrier oil (if it’s an infused oil) or more vodka/glycerin (for tinctures). Swirl, taste a tiny bit, see if that helps.
Step 2: Look for weird stuff floating around. If you see mold or anything slimy, that’s a hard pass for me—no amount of budget-saving is worth a stomach bug.
Step 3: Smell test. If it reminds you of high school chemistry (love that comparison), probably best to toss it. But if it’s just super herbal/earthy and not “off,” sometimes letting it sit with the lid off for a bit can mellow out the smell.
Step 4: If you’re still not sure, I usually err on the side of caution now. I used to feel guilty wasting ingredients, but after one too many nights clutching my stomach (and wallet), I’ve learned some lessons aren’t worth repeating.
Funny thing is, I once tried to “save” a batch by mixing it into lotion to mask the scent—ended up smelling like a salad bar for days. Not my finest moment.
At the end of the day, your gut (literally and figuratively) knows best. If you have to ask if it’s safe…eh, maybe just let it go and count it as tuition in the school of DIY fails.
I totally relate to that “is this safe?” panic—funny how the line between DIY pride and regret is so thin, right? I’ve had a similar experience, but with mouth rinses. Got a little too ambitious with a clove and sage infusion once, thinking I’d save money on fancy dental stuff. The smell was so intense I thought I’d accidentally made bug spray instead. Tried to dilute it, but nope, still undrinkable.
Your step-by-step approach is pretty much what I landed on too. Especially the part about checking for floaty bits or anything slimy... I learned that one the hard way after ignoring a questionable batch and ending up with a week of stomach drama. Never again.
One thing I’d add: sometimes, if it’s just a strong flavor or weird smell (not rotten or chemical), using it in tiny amounts can be okay—like mixing a drop into tea or using as a foot soak instead of anything you ingest. But honestly, if my nose says “nope,” I’m done. There’s something about that gut feeling (literally and figuratively) that’s worth listening to.
And yeah, that guilt about wasting ingredients is real. Reminds me of when I tried to reuse dental wax after it fell on the bathroom floor... felt wasteful at first, but then realized my health is worth more than a few bucks.
If nothing else, these little mishaps make for good stories—and they definitely teach you what not to do next time. Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself and move on.
But honestly, if my nose says “nope,” I’m done. There’s something about that gut feeling (literally and figuratively) that’s worth listening to.
Totally agree with trusting your nose—if it smells off, it’s not worth the risk. I’ve seen people try to “rescue” weird batches, but honestly, once you get that funky odor, it’s safest to toss it. The guilt stings for a second, but stomach issues last way longer. Sometimes you just have to chalk it up as a learning moment and move on.
