Discover 7 DIY Solutions to Preserve Leaves This Fall – AZ Animals

The colorful leaves falling from the trees in autumn are one of the best parts of this time of year. Each leaf is unique and beautiful, and you might want to save them forever. If thats the case for you, youll want to learn some DIY solutions to preserve leaves this fall.

Preserving leaves is the only way to keep them long-term. Otherwise, theyll crumble into dust the longer you keep them.

Using these solutions to preserve leaves allows you to cherish the beauty of nature, decorate your home, or use them as accents on crafts. Whatever you want to use your preserved leaves for, these solutions make it possible to maintainvibrant colors.

You can seal your leaves to glass jars and other surfaces for lasting fall decor.

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Mod Podge or similar craft glue is one of the best DIY solutions to preserve leaves this fall. You can also use this method to seal and glue your leaves to surfaces like paper, glass, or wood. However, if you dont want to seal them to anything, youll cover them with Mod Podge and lay them on newspaper or wax paper to try.

The Mod Podge seals in the color and doesnt ruin the texture or dimension. It dries clear and glossy but often darkens colors a little. You can use slightly watered-down white glue if you dont have Mod Podge.

Ironing leaves between wax paper is one method for preserving them.

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This DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall is a popular option because its easy. Start by turning your iron on the high setting before laying out wax paper. Arrange your leaves on it, leaving space between each, and then place another sheet of wax paper on top.

Next, put a thick paper over the top layer of wax paper to protect your iron from melted wax. Then, youll iron the layers together before flipping it over and ironing the other side.

As you do this, the wax from the paper should transfer onto the leaves. If it doesnt do it the first time, keep ironing until it does. Dont use the steam setting because you want the leaves to dry as you iron.

Once the wax paper layers have sealed to one another, let it all cool before cutting around each leaf. If you remove the wax paper entirely, a thin coating should remain on the leaves, but some people leave the wax paper on.

You can use preserved leaves as natural decor to add a splash of color to your home.

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An easy DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall is to laminate them with plastic. After you run them through the laminator, cut the leaves out, but leave a border around them. The border keeps it sealed so the leaves last longer, keep their color, and hold up through many uses.

Youll want to make sure the leaves are dry before laminating them. It might help to press them for a few days in a book or beneath a heavy surface. Laminating leaves for preservation doesnt leave a natural look and texture, and the resulting leaves arent always easy to use for crafts.

When you dip leaves in melted wax, you can use them long-term in decorative pieces.

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Many people use beeswax or paraffin wax for this solution, but other options are available. If youre using beeswax and have a double boiler, melt the wax in it without letting it boil.

Otherwise, you can use a disposable pan if youre usingparaffinor dont have a double boiler. Paraffin can ruin your pan, so you wont want to use something you plan to keep. Plus, you can use a disposable pan for beeswax if you want an easy clean-up.

Melt it over low heat so it doesnt boil, and carefully remove it from the stove, keeping in mind that itll be hot. Dip your brightly colored leaves into the wax, making sure to coat both sides. Then, let the excess drip off before hanging them from the stems to dry or lay them on wax paper until the wax hardens.

If you press your leaves in a book, put separate paper on each side of the leaves to protect your book.

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Putting your leaves between two sheets of paper in a book is an easy way to preserve them this fall. This method doesnt hold up as long as others, but it retains the colors better.

To do this, get two pieces of newspaper or wax paper and put your leaves between them. Then, put it all inside a book and close the cover so the heavy pressure works its magic on the leaves. If you dont put the leaves between something before putting them in, you could create stains in your book.

Make sure the leaves are in a single layer before closing the book, or they could stick together. If youre putting leaves between multiple pages in the same book, leave at least 20 pages between them.

Check on them every couple of days to see if theyre dry. Once they are, you can remove them and use the leaves however youd like.

When you use glycerin, you can soak a branch with the leaves attached to keep the look complete.

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Soaking leaves inglycerinhelps preserve the color, although the red hues may fade a little. When using this method, youll want to mix one part glycerin with two parts water before adding the leaves. Soak your leaves in the Glycerin mixture for three to five days, checking them often to ensure they arent clumping together.

You can even put a branch with leaves attached in to the glycerin to preserve the entire thing. If you want to do this, choose branches from the ground so you dont damage the tree.

Before putting the branch into the glycerin mixture, use a hammer on the end of it to expose the live wood. This step allows the glycerin to seep into the wood properly, helping preserve it long-term. Glycerin is also a popular option for preserving flowers, including roses, so there are plenty of options for this mixture.

Putting leaves in the microwave is a fast and easy way to preserve them.

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A less common DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall ismicrowavingthem. Put them on a paper towel and cover them with a second paper towel before putting them in the microwave for 30 seconds before checking on them. If they arent dry yet, microwave for five more seconds before checking again, continuing in five-second increments until theyre ready.

Dont microwave them so long that they get brittle or scorched. Once you remove the leaves from the microwave, sit them out overnight. Then, use an acrylic spray to seal them and help with preservation.

After you preserve your leaves, you can use them to do crafts and other activities.

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After preserving leaves, the options for what you can do with them are plentiful. You can use them for nature-inspired crafts and art projects. Whether you do the craft alone or with children, itll bring nature inside and help you preserve the beauty of autumn.

Another option is to make a tree journal where you attach the leaves to the pages. You can label the leaves based on the type of tree they came from or write whatever inspiration allows.

Many people also use preserved leaves as home dcor for the fall season. Its a natural way to brighten up your home, and the possibilities are endless. You can use the leaves as garland, filler, in a vase, or however else you think to display them.

The photo featured at the top of this post is sergiophoto/Shutterstock.com

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Discover 7 DIY Solutions to Preserve Leaves This Fall - AZ Animals