Uncover the most effective methodology to protect fall leaves’ vibrant colour! We examined 4 strategies, together with Mod Podge, a microwave press, vegetable glycerin, and silica gel. Discover out which works greatest.
As the colourful colours of fall start to color the panorama, there’s nothing fairly like capturing that magnificence by preserving autumn leaves.
Whether or not you’re trying to make use of them in crafts, dwelling decor, or just wish to maintain onto a bit of the season, discovering the most effective methodology to take care of their wealthy hues could be a problem.
I made a decision to place 4 widespread leaf preservation strategies to the check: Mod Podge, silica gel, microwave urgent, and vegetable glycerin oil. The purpose? To find out which methodology works greatest to maintain these stunning colours lasting longer.
And so far as I’m involved, there was a clear winner (trace: it’s the final methodology on this put up).
On this put up, I’ll share the outcomes of my experiment, so you’ll be able to select the simplest option to protect your fall leaves and maintain the essence of autumn alive all 12 months ’spherical.
Strategies for Preserving Fall Foliage
A little analysis made it straightforward to seek out out what individuals are attempting, and I wished in on the motion. As stated, the purpose of my experiment was to see which preserved the colours the most effective.
For all 4 strategies beneath, you’ll must make the leaves are dry earlier than preservation. I used paper towels and pressed them gently.
You also needs to protect leaves (and flowers) shortly after you decide them. Foliage can begin to lose colour rapidly, so that you’ll wish to seize it earlier than it fades.
Now let’s get into the strategies.
Mod Podge
The primary methodology tried was Mod Podge. After all I needed to begin there, as a result of that may be a query I get requested very often throughout the fall – can Mod Podge protect leaves?
For this methodology, all I did was paint Mod Podge on the leaves and permit them to dry. Then I let the leaves age naturally.
PROCESS TIME: I gave the leaves one week to dry.
RESULT: As you’ll be able to see, the leaves stayed in tact – however the purple colour nearly utterly disappears. So the reply is not any, Mod Podge shouldn’t be nice for leaf preservation. Whereas it would maintain the leaves from crumbling, it doesn’t retain the colour.
That is no shock to me. The reason being as a result of Mod Podge is an acrylic, waterbased product. It might probably’t cease the chemical means of chlorophyll from breaking down contained in the leaf.
Glycerin Bathtub
The second methodology I attempted was glycerin, which includes placing leaves into a mix of two components water to at least one half vegetable glycerin. The combination began to look questionable in a short time as colour was launched from the leaves.
Listed here are the ensuing leaves after a number of days within the tub:
PROCESS TIME: 3 – 5 days.
RESULT: The leaves stayed in tact however retained no colour. The glycerin replaces the moisture within the leaves, making them very versatile. So when you don’t thoughts brown leaves . . . this could possibly be your resolution. Nonetheless for me, it’s an absolute NO for crafting.
Silica Gel
Silica gel is usually used to dry flowers, so after all I needed to see the way it labored on leaves! The method is just. You’re going to discover a container to accommodate the gel (which is like sand) and sandwich the leaves down in it for a number of days.
As soon as the time is up, you’re going to softly take away the leaves from the silica gel.
PROCESS TIME: 4 – 7 days.
RESULT: This methodology was my #2 methodology, because it allowed quite a lot of colour to remain within the leaves, particularly for the oranges. So the colour was preserved moderately.
The issue with this methodology is the fragility of the leaves. When pulling them out of the silica gel, they have been fragile. A number of the ideas and ends broke off of the extra intricate leaves (as you’ll be able to see within the picture).
I like to recommend this methodology – nevertheless, when you’re going to make use of it, consider the fragility of the leaves when inserting them in (and eradicating) the gel.
Microwave Press
I saved the most effective for final! I’ll simply come out and say it – the microwave press is my favourite methodology for preserving the colour in leaves. I take advantage of it for flowers, too.
The strategy is easy – you’ll buy a microwave press like this one and sandwich the leaves between the layers. You warmth the leaves in 25 – 30 second bursts, slightly than one lengthy session.
Verify the leaves between heating. After a couple of minutes, the leaves will probably be utterly dry. And the press can maintain a number of layers without delay!
The leaves come out superbly they usually *nonetheless* haven’t modified colour months after the check:
PROCESS TIME: Minutes, or one hour tops.
RESULT: This was my favourite methodology! As you’ll be able to see, the leaves retained their colour fabulously. Whereas they’re a bit bit fragile, it’s not as a lot because the silica gel. They’re good for utilizing in crafts.
And since Mod Podge is nice for retaining the leaves from crumbling, you’ll be able to paint a layer over the back and front to maintain them collectively.
Have you ever ever dried leaves? What’s your favourite methodology? This put up is a part of our Greenback Tree fall crafts. Should you like seasonal tasks, listed here are just a few different autumn concepts with Mod Podge you may prefer to attempt: