How to Dry Moss

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Dried moss is a craft material that can be used in a variety of home projects from wreaths to flower arrangements. Purchasing dried moss, however, can quickly become expensive, especially considering that many homes have the materials necessary to make a large collection of dried moss. Read the following article to learn how to dry moss from your own backyard and save yourself the expense of purchasing the specialty item from a craft store.

Steps

Pick moss from your own backyard. Rocks and trees offer the easiest access for moss. Place the scraper under one corner of the moss and slowly work forward, lifting the moss from the rock, tree or surface as you go. Dislodge the moss in the largest pieces possible. Use a rake if you are having difficulty getting the moss to come off its surface cleanly. Use a plastic scraper for particularly stubborn pieces of moss.

Place the collected moss in bags.

Take the moss home and spread each piece out on a flat, clean surface. Pick out all twigs, leaves, pine needles or other stray materials stuck in the moss and discard outside.

Remove moisture from the collected moss. Place it on a paper towel or other absorbent surface. Press your palm against the moss into the absorbent surface. (When squeezing the moss, don't ball the moss up in your hands. When moss dries, it can become brittle and difficult to work with. Unfolding the moss can cause it to break into small pieces.) Spread all partially dry pieces of moss onto a flat surface. The surface should receive generous ventilation (open windows, outside breeze, fans or other air source).

Place light wire netting over the moss. This prevents the moss from blowing away or becoming folded or twisted while drying.

Leave the moss for several days or until it dries out thoroughly.

Preserve moss for specialty craft projects. Remove twigs as for drying.Remove twigs as for drying 1.jpeg Place moss in a cooking pot.Place moss in a cooking pot 2.jpeg Add 1 part glycerin to 3 parts water. Add 1 part glycerin to 3 parts water 3.jpeg Add fabric dye as desired.Add fabric dye as desired 4.jpeg Bring the contents almost to a boil.Bring the contents almost to a boil 5.jpeg Remove from heat.Renove from heat Step 6.jpg Cool for one hour.Cool for one hour 7.jpeg If you want the moss to take on a greater amount of color, you can allow it to sit in the glycerin, water and dye solution for a greater amount of time.