Discover 7 DIY Solutions to Preserve Leaves This Fall

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 that’s the case for you, you’ll want to learn some DIY solutions to preserve leaves this fall.  

Preserving leaves is the only way to keep them long-term. Otherwise, they’ll 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 maintain vibrant colors. 

1. Use Mod Podge to Decoupage Your Leaves 

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 don’t want to seal them to anything, you’ll cover them with Mod Podge and lay them on newspaper or wax paper to try.   

The Mod Podge seals in the color and doesn’t 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 don’t have Mod Podge. 

2. Put Them Between Two Pieces of Wax Paper and Iron Them 

This DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall is a popular option because it’s 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, you’ll 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 doesn’t do it the first time, keep ironing until it does. Don’t 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.   

3. Laminate Them

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.  

You’ll 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 doesn’t leave a natural look and texture, and the resulting leaves aren’t always easy to use for crafts. 

4. Dip Them in Melted Wax 

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

Otherwise, you can use a disposable pan if you’re using paraffin or don’t have a double boiler. Paraffin can ruin your pan, so you won’t 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 doesn’t boil, and carefully remove it from the stove, keeping in mind that it’ll 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. 

5. Press Them in a Book 

Putting your leaves between two sheets of paper in a book is an easy way to preserve them this fall. This method doesn’t 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 don’t 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 you’re 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 they’re dry. Once they are, you can remove them and use the leaves however you’d like. 

6. Soak Them in Glycerin 

Soaking leaves in glycerin helps preserve the color, although the red hues may fade a little. When using this method, you’ll 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 aren’t 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 don’t 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.  

7. Put Them in The Microwave 

A less common DIY solution to preserve leaves this fall is microwaving them. 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 aren’t dry yet, microwave for five more seconds before checking again, continuing in five-second increments until they’re ready.   

Don’t 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.   

What You Can Do with Preserved Leaves 

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, it’ll 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 décor for the fall season. It’s 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