Is Distilled Water Necessary For Perfume-Making?

[Guest guest]

Hi You All,

I was reading up on making perfumes and apparently many recipes call

for distilled-water. Is the distilled water really necessary for making

your own perfume? I know it's not necessary for a pure oil-based

perfume, but is it always needed when you use an alcohol base like a

good quality vodka?

[Guest guest]

No, you do not need to use water at all. For a

perfume, just 190 proof alcohol and your essences are

enough. If you're using vodka, you've got more than

enough water in there for an eau de cologne.

-Patty

--- its not Magnolia <Kristybel@...> wrote:

> Hi You All,

>

> I was reading up on making perfumes and apparently

> many recipes call

> for distilled-water. Is the distilled water really

> necessary for making

> your own perfume? I know it's not necessary for a

> pure oil-based

> perfume, but is it always needed when you use an

> alcohol base like a

> good quality vodka?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Depending on where you live, your water can have a distinct odor. Water

from the tap is treated with a variety of chemicals. Depending on the time

of the year some of these chemicals such as chlorine may be very noticable.

If you have ever been in some parts of Florida or Louisiana you will have

definitely noticed a strange smell to the water.

So, from an odor stand point alone it is a good idea to use distilled water.

From a chemical stand point, the addatives in water could cause unexpected

results in your perfume blends. I know this is a natural perfume group but

I think it is even more necessary to use distilled water when working with

the synthetics - never know how chlorine, flourine and other chemicals will

react with them!

I live in Montgomery AL ... the water is here is pretty good. However,

depending on the time of year and the weather conditions the water sometimes

has a very distinct aroma of chlorine - usually in the winter or on overcast

days. It also tastes like chlorinated water at times. Some of the worst

water I have encountered was in Louisiana (New Orleans ... Monroe ... etc) -

that stuff stank!!!!!!! There have also been times in Florida (Panama City,

Orlanda, Kissimme) when the smell was vile.

If you are using well water then you run into the possibility of organisms

in the water.

I will not say that it is absolutely necessary to use distilled water -

really it depends on where you live. If your water is clean and has no

smell and you are working with natural components only then you should be

ok.

Considering the cost of distilled water though is it really that much of an

issue?

And, if you are going to shell out the dough for a good quality vodka

wouldn't you want to use a distilled water?

[Guest guest]

--- West <tribalpatty@...> wrote:

> No, you do not need to use water at all. For a

> perfume, just 190 proof alcohol and your essences

> are

> enough. If you're using vodka, you've got more than

> enough water in there for an eau de cologne.

>

> -Patty

> --- its not Magnolia <Kristybel@...> wrote:

>

> > Hi You All,

> >

> > I was reading up on making perfumes and apparently

> > many recipes call

> > for distilled-water. Is the distilled water really

> > necessary for making

> > your own perfume? I know it's not necessary for a

> > pure oil-based

> > perfume, but is it always needed when you use an

> > alcohol base like a

> > good quality vodka?

************************************************

OMG! I can't believe I just top posted that message!

So much for setting a good example. Sorry guys!

-Patty

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