From the Herb Basket -16

Fall House Cleaning…

This is an all – purpose, environmentally friendly, non-toxic spray; good to have on hand for wiping, cleaning, and disinfecting almost every surface except wood and marble. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use herbal tea bags instead.

Roughly chop 1/2 cup fresh herbs in any combination- lemon balm, rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, lavender or eucalyptus. Or use can use 6 herbal tea bags. Place the herbs or the tea bags on the bottom of a glass jar [ you’ll need a lid for the jar ]. Slowly pour in enough distilled white vinegar to fill the jar. Place the lid on the jar, leave the mixture to infuse for a few days. Strain out the herbs or remove the tea bags. Pour the liquid into a plastic spray bottle. This spray is perfectly safe to use and very effective to use at full strength or diluted with water for light cleaning. Uses for the spray: Add 1/2 cup to the dishwasher for deodorizing.  Add 3 tablespoons to liquid dish detergent to make it go further. Spray the cleaner on bathtub grout to prevent mold and mildew. Spray microwave to cut grease and grime. Wipe down kitchen counters. Wipe the woodwork and baseboards to remove dirt and grime. Spray kitchen trash can and rinse. Dozens of uses for this all-purpose cleaner.

 

Sweet Smelling Home…

Hang herbal sachets on doorknobs for a fresh scent.

Push herb or spice sachets or tiny scented cloth pillows down the sides and backs of sofa cushions or throw pillows.

Place a few drops of peppermint or lemon oil on a cotton ball, and wipe it across a radiator or heater.

Sprinkle 20 drops of jasmine or rose oil on fireplace logs the day before you plan to burn them in the fireplace

Place vanilla or almond extract on a cotton ball and place it in a saucer on the kitchen counter. It will help mask cooking odors.

 

Mint Discs…

This is a favorite of mine, mainly because I have quarts of dried mint. These are simple to make, and you only need dried mint, coffee filters and tape. Spread out several coffee filters, and place about 2 tablespoons  of mint on each filters. You can use a combination of spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, orange mint or apple mint. Fold the filters over from side to side, top to bottom until you have a small circle. Tape the disc shut with masking tape or some other tape. Place the mint-filled discs in kitchen drawers, closets, bed pillows, tucked in book cases, nightstands, dresser drawer, linen closet, etc.  The scent will last for weeks. Once they no longer produce a strong scent, open the discs up and sprinkle the mint evenly over the carpet. It will leave a fresh minty scent in the room.

 

For a Clean Bathroom, add 3 drops of lavender oil to a 1/2 cup of baking soda. Add a little of the baking soda to a damp sponge and wipe down the bathroom. It will leave a fresh scent and baking soda does not scratch fiberglass.

Add a cinnamon stick between the screen and the window to deter ants from coming in for winter. You can also sprinkle ground cinnamon on the ledge between the window and screen or storm window.

Add bays leaves to all kitchen drawers and cabinets to deter weevils.

 

Blessed Be – sweet ones

~ Meadow Walker