It's been a long time since anyone outside our household has been in our home and we have a confession. With Spring appearing out of nowhere, we may not have stayed on top of our Spring cleaning. Actually, we haven't really even started it!
But all is not lost - it's only mid-April and we've still got several weeks before welcoming people inside. So with some quick hacks and a little help from
Summerdown's essential oils and uplifting mint & lemongrass
home fragrance, here's how to give your home a quick refresh, the Summerdown way. After all, using mint to fragrance the home dates back to Roman times when people decorated their homes with peppermint as a sign of hospitality.
Mix 120ml white vinegar with 120ml of water in a spray bottle, then add 10 drops of our essential peppermint oil or lavender oil. Peppermint will give you a clean, fresh, uplifting fragrance and boost your mood, whereas lavender has a calming effect and is perfect for bedrooms. Shake the bottle and it’s ready to use; spray on any surface and wipe clean. Do remember to keep away from curtains and soft furnishings.
Bicarbonate of soda is an amazing cleaning ingredient. You can use this for your shower, bath, loo, sinks, oven, patio furniture and countertops. Simply mix enough bicarb and water together to make a paste. Rub the paste all over the area you wish to clean, then allow it to sit for 20 to 40 minutes and dry. Take a brush or sponge and scrub the area well. Rinse off when you've finished.
Catherine, who some of you might know from our fairs has been waxing lyrical for some years about her favourite peppermint oil tip. Simply put some
peppermint oil on a cotton wool ball and place the ball in the bottom of the kitchen bin or in the hoover bag, and hey presto, your bin smells fresh and every time you hoover, there's a lovely fresh smell in the room.
Lemons are brilliant natural deodorizers and disinfectants. Smelly kitchen sink? Halve a lemon, wipe down the sink and squeeze the juice down the drain. Wooden chopping boards and worktops need a refresh? Wipe them down with lemon juice to naturally disinfect and remove stains (don't use lemon on marble or granite worktops as the acid can react).
The best quick fix for those short of time. Simply spritz a few sprays of our
mint & lemongrass room spray to give your home a welcoming fragrance and remove any unwanted odours. The peppermint also stimulates the senses, whilst boosting your mood and aiding concentration.
The best quick fix for those short of time. Simply spritz a few sprays of our mint & lemongrass room spray to give your home a welcoming fragrance and remove any unwanted odours. The peppermint also stimulates the senses, whilst boosting your mood and aiding concentration.
And finally, don't forget the best natural cleaning aids are fresh air and sunlight. So throw open the windows (even when it's chilly outside) and let the fresh Spring air in.
You're now ready to welcome back visitors to your home (when allowed of course!)
