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7 Herbs That Clean the House
1/87 Herbs That Clean House
Besides having a fresh, clean aroma, peppermint oil is a natural pesticide. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of it with lemon juice and water, and you've got yourself a great-smelling natural glass cleaner that will discourage flies, ants, and other bugs from entering your house through your windows.
Related: Pests, Be Gone! 10 Natural Ways to Make Your Home Critter-Free
![<body> <p>The scent of lavender has long been known to promote <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/9-calming-colors-for-a-serene-home-47769?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:calm and serenity;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">calm and serenity</a>, so why not keep a pot of lavender in the bedroom to ease you into relaxation at the end of the day? Of all the varieties, French lavender is best suited for the indoors. Just put it in a sunny window, and water it regularly, allowing the top inch or two of the soil to dry out in between. Sweet dreams!</p> <p><strong>Related: <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/don-t-make-these-7-bedroom-design-mistakes-49287?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Don't Make These 7 Bedroom Design Mistakes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Don't Make These 7 Bedroom Design Mistakes</a> </strong> </p> </body>]()
2/8The Best Plants for Every Room of the House
The scent of lavender has long been known to promote calm and serenity, so why not keep a pot of lavender in the bedroom to ease you into relaxation at the end of the day? Of all the varieties, French lavender is best suited for the indoors. Just put it in a sunny window, and water it regularly, allowing the top inch or two of the soil to dry out in between. Sweet dreams!
![<body> <p>Eucalyptus oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Team it up with tea tree oil in a bottle of water to make a cleaning spray for your <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/how-to-remove-soap-scum/48495-8-unusual-tips-for-your-cleanest-bathroom-ever/slideshows#.VR7pkDvF-Sc?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:bathroom;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">bathroom</a>—five or six drops of each will do the trick. Then use it to wipe down your shower, sink, and counters for fresh, clean surfaces every day.</p> <p><strong>Related: <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/spring-cleaning/41401-how-to-clean-everything/slideshows#.VR7pWzvF-Sc?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:How to Clean EVERYTHING;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">How to Clean EVERYTHING</a> </strong> </p> </body>]()
3/87 Herbs That Clean House
Eucalyptus oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Team it up with tea tree oil in a bottle of water to make a cleaning spray for your bathroom—five or six drops of each will do the trick. Then use it to wipe down your shower, sink, and counters for fresh, clean surfaces every day.
Related: How to Clean EVERYTHING
![<body> <p>Outside of spiced cider, clove works as an antifungal and antiseptic, making it a <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/cleaning-windows-with-vinegar/47139-21-ways-to-spring-clean-your-whole-house-naturally/slideshows#.VR7p0TvF-Sc?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:green choice;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">green choice</a> for combating mold. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of 100 percent clove oil in a liter of water, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on tile grout and let it sit for a few hours, then wipe away, scrubbing any stubborn spots with a brush. Spritz a little more on the area and let it dry to discourage mold from coming back.</p> <p><strong>Related: <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/spray-bottle/47287-the-dark-dirty-truth-about-household-mold-and-how-to-rid-yourself-of-it/slideshows?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Dark, Dirty Truth About Household Mold (and How to Rid Yourself of It);elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Dark, Dirty Truth About Household Mold (and How to Rid Yourself of It)</a> </strong> </p> </body>]()
4/87 Herbs That Clean House
Outside of spiced cider, clove works as an antifungal and antiseptic, making it a green choice for combating mold. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of 100 percent clove oil in a liter of water, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on tile grout and let it sit for a few hours, then wipe away, scrubbing any stubborn spots with a brush. Spritz a little more on the area and let it dry to discourage mold from coming back.
Related: The Dark, Dirty Truth About Household Mold (and How to Rid Yourself of It)
![<body> <p>Oregano oil is an antimicrobial that can even kill norovirus before it gets into your body. While it is not as effective as bleach, it <em>is</em> nontoxic and has no noxious fumes. Try using it in place of bleach the next time you mix up some homemade <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/smelly-towels/48512-9-smart-hacks-for-laundry-day/slideshows?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:laundry;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">laundry</a> detergent.</p> <p><strong>Related: <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/space-saving-ideas/2012-10-easy-laundry-room-storage-solutions/slideshows?bv=relss?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:10 Easy Laundry Room Storage Solutions;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">10 Easy Laundry Room Storage Solutions</a> </strong> </p> </body>]()
5/87 Herbs That Clean House
Oregano oil is an antimicrobial that can even kill norovirus before it gets into your body. While it is not as effective as bleach, it is nontoxic and has no noxious fumes. Try using it in place of bleach the next time you mix up some homemade laundry detergent.
![<body> <p>Bay leaf adds a wonderful flavor to stews, but it can also <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/get-rid-of-flies/44356-pests-be-gone-10-natural-ways-to-make-your-home-critter-free/slideshows#.VR7p_jvF-Sc?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:repel six-legged critters;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">repel six-legged critters</a>. To keep moths and other bugs out of your pantry, put dried bay leaves on your shelves. Or, if you have a bay laurel on your property, cut a sprig and hang it inside the door.</p> <p><strong>Related: <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/praying-mantis/47746-the-good-guys-8-beneficial-bugs-for-your-garden/slideshows#.VR7qKzvF-Sc?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Good Guys - 8 Beneficial Bugs for Your Garden;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Good Guys - 8 Beneficial Bugs for Your Garden</a> </strong> </p> </body>]()
6/87 Herbs That Clean House
Bay leaf adds a wonderful flavor to stews, but it can also repel six-legged critters. To keep moths and other bugs out of your pantry, put dried bay leaves on your shelves. Or, if you have a bay laurel on your property, cut a sprig and hang it inside the door.
![<body> <p>Rosemary is a perennial herb that remains evergreen in many climates. Its woody stems and fragrant leaves serve as a complement to many other plants common in <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/don-t-make-these-8-mistakes-in-your-front-yard-49148?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:landscape designs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">landscape designs</a>. Rosemary blooms in early spring and can be pruned all year to provide fresh herbs for your kitchen creations. <em>Available from <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=P71lsVf3GNs&subid=&offerid=346766.1&type=10&tmpid=6100&RD_PARM1=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.burpee.com%2Fherbs%2Fall-herbs%2Frosemary-prod000483.html" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Burpee;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Burpee</a>; $14.95 for three plants</em>.</p> <p><strong>Related: <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/7-herbs-that-clean-house-48740?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:7 Herbs That Clean House;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">7 Herbs That Clean House</a> </strong> </p> </body>]()
7/810 Plants That Survive With or Without You
Rosemary is a perennial herb that remains evergreen in many climates. Its woody stems and fragrant leaves serve as a complement to many other plants common in landscape designs. Rosemary blooms in early spring and can be pruned all year to provide fresh herbs for your kitchen creations. Available from Burpee; $14.95 for three plants.
Related: 7 Herbs That Clean House
![<body> <p>Don’t throw away money on <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/vegetables-on-demand-how-to-grow-edible-plants-indoors-starting-from-seeds-46967?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:herbs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">herbs</a> that rapidly wilt in your fridge—plant your own windowsill garden and enjoy fresh flavors all year long. Keep the pots in a sunny window during the winter, then move them outside onto the patio during the summer. A single pack of herb seeds costs only $1 to $2 a pack—and will allow you to harvest more than you can use. </p> <p><strong>Related: <a rel="nofollow noopener" href=" http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/9-bright-and-colorful-houseplants-you-can-t-kill-49512?bv=yahoo" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:9 Bright and Colorful Houseplants You Can't Kill;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">9 Bright and Colorful Houseplants You Can't Kill</a> </strong> </p> </body>]()
8/812 Ways Your Home Can Save You Money This Year
Don’t throw away money on herbs that rapidly wilt in your fridge—plant your own windowsill garden and enjoy fresh flavors all year long. Keep the pots in a sunny window during the winter, then move them outside onto the patio during the summer. A single pack of herb seeds costs only $1 to $2 a pack—and will allow you to harvest more than you can use.
If you’re a cook—or just a person who likes to eat—you already know how herbs can make any dish taste better. But you may not know that herbs can also work outside the kitchen and all around the house as cleaners. Click through for 7 multitasking herbs, and get ready to marvel at the unexpected ways they can keep your home sparkling and fresh smelling. | By Jennifer Noonan, BobVila.com
