You can enjoy the beauty of the autumn months after the season is over by preserving the colorful autumn leaves. Adding wax or other media to the leaves will preserve their color and shape for a few weeks or more. Preserved leaves can be a beautiful and inexpensive decoration that you can enjoy long after the trees have no more leaves.
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Method 1 of 6: Drying the Leaves with Wax Paper
Step 1. Choose fresh leaves
Start with moist, bright, recently fallen leaves. Drying the leaves with wax will preserve them at their peak of color brightness.
Step 2. Dry the leaves
Place the leaves between two paper towels to dry them if they are still wet. Make sure the leaves don't pile up as this can cause them to stick together. Use an iron on medium heat to iron each side for three to five minutes to absorb excess moisture.
- Drying the leaves first will preserve their color and quality before waxing them off.
- Do not use the steam setting on the iron, as steam only keeps the leaves moist. Use only the dry setting.
- Feel the leaves after ironing them for 3 to 5 minutes. If the leaves don't feel dry, iron both sides for a few more minutes.
Step 3. Place the leaves between two sheets of wax paper
Either side of the wax paper has no effect, as both sides are waxed. Arrange the dried leaves in one layer between layers of wax paper. Leave some space around the leaf. The wax paper should stick to itself.
Step 4. Layer the wax paper between two sheets of printing paper
You can also use brown paper bags or other thick paper. Make sure the entire wax sheet is covered with plain paper, so the iron doesn't stick to the wax. Make sure the leaves are spaced from one another and not piled up.
Step 5. Seal the wax sheet with an iron
Using the iron on a medium heat setting, iron both sides of the paper to seal it together. Keep the iron moving so as not to burn the wax layer. Heat the first side for three minutes, then gently turn the paper, wax paper and leaf over and repeat on the other side.
- Do not use the steam setting on your iron; use only dry setting.
- Be careful handling hot paper. If your skin is sensitive, wear gloves to protect your hands.
Step 6. Let the wax paper cool
The wax will melt slightly around the leaves and as it cools it will stick to the leaves. Wait for the wax to cool to touch it.
Step 7. Cut around the leaves
Once everything is cool to the touch, remove the white paper from the wax paper sheet. Cut each leaf carefully with scissors or a sharp craft knife.
- Space the wax paper slightly around each leaf so that the leaf is tightly wrapped between the layers of wax paper.
- You can also try removing the wax paper from the leaves instead of cutting them. A layer of wax should remain on the leaves, and sufficient to keep the leaves intact.
Method 2 of 6: Coating the Foliage with Paraffin Wax
Step 1. Choose fresh leaves
Start with moist, bright, recently fallen leaves. Drying the leaves with paraffin wax will preserve them at their peak of color brightness. Dry with kitchen paper before you start.
Step 2. Melt the paraffin wax in a disposable baking dish
You can buy a 453g box of paraffin wax at a craft or grocery store. Melt in a disposable cake pan on the stove over low heat.
- To make the paraffin wax melt faster, cut it into thick strips and spread them evenly on the bottom of the disposable baking sheet.
- If you're not using a disposable baking sheet, use a cookie sheet that you won't be using for cooking again. Wax can damage pans, so you should avoid using pans that you use frequently for cooking and baking.
Step 3. Remove the melted wax from the stove
Do it carefully, because the melted wax is very hot. Move it carefully from the stove top to your workbench. Be careful not to bump and spill, especially if you have pets or small children.
Step 4. Dip each leaf in melted wax
Hold the leaf by the end of the stem and dip it in the wax several times. Make sure both sides of the leaf are waxed. Keep your fingers away from the melted wax. Repeat with the other leaves.
Step 5. Place the leaves to dry
Place the wax-coated leaves on the wax paper until the wax hardens. Allow the leaves to dry in a clean environment for a few hours. Once dry, the wax paper will be able to be removed easily. This method preserves its shape and color for a long time.
To be on the safe side, cover your table with newsprint before waxing it. The double layer will reduce the risk of the wax dripping off the table. If the table is exposed to wax, it will be very difficult to remove it
Method 3 of 6: Using a Glycerol Bath
Step 1. Choose fresh leaves or small stems with a few leaves still attached
If you want to preserve a full stem of autumn leaves, this method of preservation is easier to use than using wax. Choose stems with brightly colored leaves that are still firmly attached to the stem.
- This will make the colors more colorful. Yellow can be a brighter color, and red and orange can be a lighter, reddish color.
- Look for branches that fall from the tree on their own without breaking them. Breaking a branch from a tree can damage it.
- Do not select stems that have diseased or frost affected leaves. This method cannot be used on leaves that have been exposed to frost.
Step 2. Unwrap the ends of each stick
Hit the end of the twig with a hammer to open it, so that the inside of the wood is visible. This will open the inside of the log so that the log can properly absorb the glycerol solution. Otherwise, the solution will not be able to reach the leaves.
If you are only preserving individual leaves, you can skip this step
Step 3. Mix the glycerol solution
You can find plant-based glycerol at your local craft or grocery store. To make the solution, mix 530 ml of liquid vegetable glycerol into 2 liters of water in a large bucket or vase.
- Glycerol is a naturally derived product from plants, making it a fairly organic choice for preserving your foliage.
- If you're preserving a large log, add four to five drops of mild dish soap as well. This dish soap will work as a surfactant, separating the glycerol molecules so they can be better absorbed by the wood. For best results, use a mild dish soap that isn't dyed or scented. You can also use liquid surfactants, which you can find at gardening stores.
Step 4. Soak the stem tips in the solution for three to five days
Allow the stems and leaves to absorb the liquid glycerol for three to five days. Store the bucket in a cool place during the soaking process.
If you're preserving the leaves individually, you'll need to give them weight to keep them submerged. Pour the solution into a flat pan, place the leaves in the solution, and cover with a plate or lid to drown the leaves
Step 5. Remove the stems and leaves from the solution
The colors will look brighter, and the leaves will feel springy. You can use the entire stem for your craft or you can pick the leaves and use them separately.
Method 4 of 6: Decoupage Foliage
Step 1. Choose brightly colored foliage
Collect leaves that have just fallen and are brightly colored and quite springy. The foliage may become slightly dry, but not so dry that it becomes brittle or folds at the edges. Avoid choosing leaves that have torn or have rotting spots.
Step 2. Coat both sides of the leaf with decoupage
Decoupage is a white, glue-like liquid that becomes clear once it dries. You can find them at your nearest craft store. Use a sponge brush to apply an adequate layer of decoupage on each side of the leaf. Set aside to dry on a sheet of newspaper.
- Often, you have to layer them with decoupage the same day you collect them. If you wait too long, the leaves will dry out, turning brown and brittle.
- If the leaves are very damp, or if you picked them straight from the tree instead of waiting for them to fall, you can dry them a little by pressing them between the pages of thick books for a few days.
Step 3. Allow the decoupage to dry completely
The coating will be clear and will not feel sticky.
Step 4. Repeat on the other side
Turn the leaf over and layer on the other side. Once the second side dries, the leaves will be ready for use. This method preserves the color and shape of the leaves for a long time.
Method 5 of 6: Microwave Drying the Foliage
Step 1. Layer the fresh leaves between two sheets of kitchen paper
This is a good way to dry the leaves for use in crafts, but the colors can fade. Place dry leaves on two kitchen paper towels. Cover with another sheet of kitchen paper.
- Use leaves that have just fallen and are still brightly colored and supple. Avoid leaves that have curled around the edges or that are torn and have rotting spots.
- For best results, leave some space between the leaves to prevent them from sticking together as they dry.
Step 2. Put it in the microwave to dry it
Place the leaves in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. After that, continue to microwave drying with 5 minutes in between.
- Autumn leaves should generally be microwaved for 30 to 180 seconds before they are sufficiently dry.
- Pay extra attention when drying leaves in the microwave. If dried too long, the leaves can actually burn.
- Leaves that look scorched have been dried for too long. Leaves that curl around the edges after being removed from the microwave have not been microwaved long enough.
Step 3. Leave the leaves overnight
Store the leaves in a clean and cool place. Set aside overnight, at least, or two days, maximum. If you notice a change in color, the leaves should be sealed as soon as possible.
Step 4. Seal the leaves with craft spray
Spray both sides of the leaf with acrylic paint to preserve the remaining color. Allow the leaves to dry before using them as decorations or for use in craft activities.
Method 6 of 6: Drying the Leaves with a Book
Step 1. Place the leaves between the two sheets of paper
This method of preservation dries the leaves, but does not preserve the color. Layer the dried leaves between two sheets of clean white printing paper.
- Use paper that is at least as heavy as white printing paper, not light like translucent paper. Otherwise, the color of the leaves will seep through and create stains.
- Lay the leaves in a single layer. Don't stack them or stack them as this will cause them to stick together.
- Choose leaves that have a good shape. Foliage should be damp and freshly fallen. The edges should not be dry or curled.
Step 2. Place a thick book on the paper
Thick and heavy books can be used. To reduce the risk of staining books or other pressing objects, as well as the surface of your workbench, place a sheet of blotting paper or kitchen tissue between the printing paper and the book. This will help absorb moisture from the leaves.
Step 3. Another alternative for drying books:
Clamp the leaves directly into the book. Use an old book that you won't have to worry about getting smudges from the leaves that could damage the pages. Just clip the leaves inside the pages of the book. Leave at least 20 books between the leaves for best results.
- A thick phone book can also be used, if one exists.
- Give weight to the book. The pressure will help draw out the moisture and flatten the leaves. This can be another book, a brick, or another object that has weight.
Step 4. Check the progress after a week
The leaves will become dry; if the leaves are still pliable, dry them again for a few days.
