How to Use Florida Water: History, Uses, Recipe, & More

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

If you’re a spiritual person, you may have stumbled across Florida water in your search for ritualistic tools. While it was originally used as a cologne, nowadays, Florida water is a powerful tool that many use in spiritual practices. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Florida water, including how to use it, how to make it, and even where to buy it.

Things You Should Know

Florida water is a perfumed water that’s used in religious or spiritual rituals. Some believe that it helps ward off negative energy and bring good luck.
Use Florida water to cleanse your home, your clothing, or your altars. Spritz it on your body to attract good luck and repel bad energy.
Make Florida water yourself by mixing vodka with herbs, spices, and essential oils. Or, buy Florida water online.

Section 1 of 4:

What is Florida water?

Florida water is a type of cologne that’s used in spiritual practices. Florida water was first used in the 1800s as a perfume. Nowadays, people who practice spiritual rituals or cleansings use it to ward off bad luck. It’s believed to be healing and is thought to protect from bad spirits and negative energy.^{[1]
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- The origin of Florida water’s name is highly debated. Some people believe that it was named for the fountain of youth that was thought to exist in Florida. Others say that it comes from the Spanish word “florido,” which means “full of flowers.”

Section 2 of 4:

Using Florida Water

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Add it to your cleaning mix to cleanse your home. Feel like there are negative spirits or bad vibes inside your house? The next time you break out the mopping bucket or spray down your counters, add a few drops of Florida water to the mixture, then clean like normal.^{[2]
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- You can also spritz it around doorways and windowsills to cleanse individual rooms.
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Dip your feet in it for a guiding spirit. If you’re feeling lost or like you’re going down the wrong path, fill a small basin up with water and add a few drops of Florida water. Soak your feet in the tub as you clear your mind and ask the spirits for guidance.^{[3]
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Use it as a perfume to protect yourself from negative energy. There may come a day when you need a little extra dose of good luck. Dab a few drops of Florida water on your hands, then rub it gently onto your neck, your wrists, and your waist. Not only will you smell good, but any negative energy will be repelled by the Florida water.^{[4]
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Cleanse your altars with it. If you’ve been using any spiritual altars regularly, they probably need a good cleaning. Pour some Florida water into a bowl, then dip a rag into it. Take everything off your altar and then wipe it down with the rag to not only get rid of dust, but negative energy, too.^{[5]
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- You can also use it to wipe down candles and crystals.
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Attract ancestral spirits with an altar. Many people believe that Florida water helps open the gate to our ancestors. If you’re trying to contact someone from the past, put a bowl of Florida water onto your altar to help make the connection.^{[6]
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Spray it in the air while you set your intentions. If you’re doing yoga or meditating, you can help focus your mind with the smell of Florida water. Use a spray bottle to mist the water into the air, then close your eyes and set your intentions for the day.^{[7]
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Lull yourself to sleep by spraying it in your bed. The soothing smell of citrus and flowers may help you fall asleep. When you go to bed, spray a bit of Florida water on your pillows and blankets. Not only will it smell great, but it will protect you from bad energy while you snooze.^{[8]
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Take a spiritual bath with it. Pour ¹⁄₄ c (59 mL) of Florida water into a running bath, then soak in the water to cleanse your body and soul. As you relax, focus on your intentions and repeat affirmations to yourself to take advantage of the cleansing properties.^{[9]
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- To use Florida water in your everyday self care routine, try adding a few drops to your conditioner or shampoo.
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Add it to your laundry to cleanse your clothing. Many people use Florida water in their laundry for its natural fresh scent. Also, adding Florida water to your laundry can help you attract luck and ward off bad energy.^{[10]
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Use it to cleanse your hands before a ritual. Spray or dab a few drops of Florida water onto your palms, then rub the water into your hands. After that, you can read tarot or perform a ritual.^{[11]
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Invite good dreams by placing it under your bed. Fill a shallow bowl with Florida water, then put the bowl underneath your bed. As you fall asleep, set your intentions to have sweet, relaxing dreams all night.^{[12]
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- Some people believe that Florida water will bring about good dreams, while others think it will bring about prophetic dreams. Either way, you’re bound to have a great night’s sleep.

Section 3 of 4:

Florida Water Recipe

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Mix 1 L (0.26 US gal) of vodka, herbs, flowers, and spices in a jar. Pick a jar with a lid, like a Mason jar. Any kind of grain alcohol will do, but most people use vodka. Fill the jar about 3/4 of the way with vodka. Then, add the desired herbs, citrus peels, flowers, and spices. Recipes vary, so choose ingredients based on your preferences. You can:^{[13]
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- Add a handful of basil, thyme, or rosemary for a fresh herb scent.
- Throw in a handful of fresh or dried flower petals for a floral aroma.
- Add 1 to 2 orange peels for the citrus component.
- Include 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks or toss in a handful of cloves.
- For extra fragrance, infuse the water with 5 drops of your favorite essential oil.
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Let the jar sit for 40 days, then strain out the solids. Seal your jar and put it in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. Keep the jar closed for 40 days to let your ingredients infuse into the vodka base. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a new jar. Remove all the solid pieces from your mixture and throw them away. To keep your Florida water fresh, store it in an amber bottle out of direct sunlight.^{[14]
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- Use your Florida water within 6 months for the best results.

Section 4 of 4:

Where can you buy Florida water?

You can buy Florida water online from sites like Amazon and Etsy. Many online sellers bottle and sell Florida water of their own. If you don’t have the ingredients for Florida water, try purchasing a bottle with ingredients that you like.^{[15]
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