Archive for April, 2011

Freshen up for Spring!

Friday, April 8th, 2011

The sun is shining and it’s time for a good old Spring clean!

Here are some of my favourite Springtime tips to help freshen up your home below:

Open the windows. After a winter of closed windows and almost constant central heating, open all the windows in your home to let the fresh air in!

Bring sprigs of flowering plants indoors
I love a few daffodils in a jar to add some Springtime cheer to your home! Or even better purchase a few potted plants which will last much longer and add some fresh greenery to your home.

Enjoy citrus. Lemons can be used in so many ways around the home, they provide a fantastic natural detergent. For example, rub lemon on your faucets to remove lime scale, hard water stains, and soap residue. Or for a mild, stain-free bleach, soak your delicates in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing.

Light an all-natural, soy or beeswax, lead-free candle in a springtime scent like bay leaf, tomato leaf, eucalyptus, citrus, meyer lemon, and more.

Clean the sheets (and couch cushions and pillow covers and dog beds for that matter)! Opt for an all-natural lavender or eucalyptus scented detergent and then top it off with line-drying in the sun.

Make your own chemical-free homemade air freshener: Follow this easy to recipe to freshen up your home:

* 1 oz gin, vodka, or rubbing alcohol

* 6 oz filtered water

* 20 – 40 drops of essential oil, a few suggested oils are: peppermint, jasmine, citrus oils

My preference is to use gin as your alcohol and jasmine as your essential oil, but you should experiment to find a mix that you like. Simply mix in a spray bottle and spray around for instant freshness. This mix will keep well for at least a month.

Line the closets and drawers with sachets of fresh lavender. You’ll feel more relaxed, and all your linens will smell ready for spring.