Do you panic when you see a spider? Maybe you do and maybe you don’t, but you probably are not a fan of the creepy crawlers. Not all spiders are scary, though. Some actually benefit your home by controlling indoor insects like fruit flies. When you see a black widow, you want it gone and you want it gone as soon as possible. 

When you want pests out of your home, you most likely reach for chemical insecticide sprays. Most household bug sprays contain plant-derived chemicals, known as pyrethrins. Interestingly enough, these chemicals were originally isolated from chrysanthemum flowers and are not harmful, generally. They can, however, cause life-threatening breathing problems if you inhale them. 

When it comes to stronger insecticides (think commercial farm-grade), they contain far more dangerous substances. Some of these chemicals include organophosphates, carbamates, and paradichlorobenzenes (mothballs). 

Spiders Dislike Peppermint Oil

Spiders do not like peppermint oil at all. Because they taste with their legs, peppermint oil is an effective way to keep them out of your home. Another theory is that essential oils contain monoterpenoids, which are fumigants. That may play a role in the insecticide properties. A 2010 thesis found that peppermint oil effectively repelled Argentine ants for up to one week after application. The study concluded that essential oils were viable alternatives to chemical repellents. There aren’t a lot of studies to back up this claim, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that supports the fact that peppermint oil can get rid of spiders. 

Dish Soap

Does dish soap make the surface slippery and spiders lose their balance on it when they crawl over it? No, this is 100% fiction and we hope you did not think that was the reason. Dish soap, when mixed with the distilled water and peppermint essential oil, disturbs the egg cycle of spiders. Additionally, spiders dislike strong scents, as is the case with peppermint essential oil. So a lemon- orange-scented dish soap will enhance the intensity of the aroma. This should keep spiders away!

Before you start spraying the DIY anti-spider spray all over your house, make sure to remove food sources. Spiders will not live in a place that has an inadequate amount of food. Wash your fruits and vegetables and clean up any crumbs or food bits on your counters. Wash out your trash bins, clean your stovetop, and run garbage disposals. Make sure you sweep under your tables or counters, where crumbs may hide. Do your due diligence to clean up and that will help keep spiders and other insects away. 

3-Ingredients Spider Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled water
• 20 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1 teaspoon dish soap

Instructions:

• Pour the water, peppermint essential oil, and dish soap into a spray bottle, screw on the top, and shake well to combine. 
• Spray around window sills, crevices, and corners where spiders like to hide. You can spray these areas weekly to help repel spiders from your home. 
• If you don’t like the scent of peppermint essential oil, feel free to use eucalyptus, tea tree, or citronella essential oils instead. You can experiment with different mixtures to see which ones are the most effective.
• Because children and pets are sensitive to essential oils, be mindful of this and do your research about which ones to avoid and which ones to use.

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There is something to be said about a great cutting board. You probably use it all the time and may even use it as a charcuterie board on special occasions. When you use a wooden cutting board a lot, though, it begins to look dry and dull. It doesn’t retain that shine that sold you on it in the first place. Instead it looks beaten down with various knife cuts from repeated usage. That’s why you have to revive it with a conditioning treatment!

There are butcher block creams available at kitchen stores or online. Typically, the ingredient list is very short, usually consisting of beeswax and food-grade mineral oil. If the ingredient list is that simple, can’t you simply make your own? The answer, in case you were wondering, is yes. If you are already a DIY enthusiast, you may have beeswax and only need to procure food grade mineral oil. You can even buy a cutting board oil at most hardware stores!

How To Clean A Wooden Cutting Board

First off, always hand-wash your wooden cutting board. You don’t need to put your wooden cutting board or utensils in a dishwasher or submerge them in a sink full of soapy water. Both of those cleaning methods can actually warp or crack your wooden items. Remove any food bits with a bench scraper or spatula before placing it under water. If you notice stubborn stains, you can use a slurry of baking soda and water and scrub the mixture into the cutting board with a sponge.

Scrub the board with a sponge and hot soapy water (a mild dish soap is best). Always wash both sides of the cutting board to prevent uneven drying. Rinse the board and dry with a clean dish towel or paper towel. Stand it upright to prevent residual water from pooling and allow it to air-dry completely. 

How To Condition Your Wooden Cutting Board

Wood naturally dries out after frequent washings, which is why you have to condition it in order to prevent cracking. A properly conditioned cutting board also provides a protective barrier against moisture. That helps to keep the board clean and makes it less prone to warping or cracking. Conditioning your wooden cutting board also reduces the likelihood of staining or absorbing strong odors from certain foods. 

There are several ways to condition a wooden cutting board and if you have a method that works for you, wonderful. Some people prefer specific oils or waxes, so keep using the one you like if you fall into that category. Once you have your conditioner of choice, you want to dip the corner of a rag into the mixture and rub it around the cutting board. You should start to notice an improvement in appearance as you make your way across the cutting board. 

DIY Wooden Cutting Board Conditioning Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon beeswax pellets (or grated beeswax)
• 4 tablespoons food-grade mineral oil

Instructions:

• Combine the beeswax and mineral oil in a small heat-safe glass jar (a measuring cup or pint canning jar will work). Place the jar in a small saucepan filled with a couple inches of water over medium heat. 
• Keep the saucepan on the stove until the beeswax has fully melted. You want the contents in the jar to be completely liquid. 
• Pour the melted mixture into a small jar and allow it to cool at room temperature. It will turn into a gel-like consistency. 
• To use, dip the corner of a rag into the mixture and spread it onto the cutting board, rubbing it gently. Continue until you have completely conditioned the entire board.

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Embarking on a cleansing experience means eliminating a plethora of unhealthy foods from your diet. As many people who use the Full Body Cleanse know, the goal is to focus on fresh foods that aid the cleansing process and provide the body with various phytochemicals, antioxidants, and other vitamins & minerals. Diet, while it plays a crucial role in weight loss and achieving a healthier body, is merely one aspect of cleansing.

Cleansing Beyond The Diet

The chemicals in cleaning and beauty products can enter the body via skin absorption or inhalation. Because the average person is accustomed to using these products, he or she may not interpret the side effects of those harmful chemicals in the body as wrong or “out of the norm.” After you cleanse the body, you may notice skin irritation, coughing, or sinus irritations when using commercial cleaning or beauty products. This is why you may want to consider using all-natural alternatives.

Common household cleaners make your living space look clean, but they simultaneously fill the area with chemicals that have caused asthma in children and skin irritations in adults. Indoor air pollution, which ranks high on the list of environmental dangers, is primarily caused by cleaning products. After cleaning with such products post cleanse, you may notice eye irritation, sore throat, runny nose, or headaches. A lot of this has to do with how the government regulates cleaning products.

Cleaning with natural cleaning products may be unfamiliar or different, but so is the thought of completing a Full Body Cleanse. We aren’t saying that you need to trash all of your cleaning and beauty products, but we are suggesting that keeping the body clean and healthy requires a multifaceted approach. Your skin rash or chronic cough may be attributed to your favorite lotion or countertop cleaner. In an effort to expose you to more natural options, here are some of our favorite skin care and cleaning products to incorporate into your new, healthier lifestyle. 

DIY Whipped Body Butter

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup each: Shea butter, cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil, and sweet almond oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• In a double boiler or sauce pain over medium-low heat, combine all of the ingredients, except the essential oils. Stir this mixture until it becomes liquid.
• Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool and set. Make sure it is set before completing the next step.
• Add the essential oils and whip with a stand or hand mixer, whipping until you get fluffy peaks. The mixture will not whip if you don’t let it set.
• Spoon this into a glass jar and store in a cool dry place, or in the fridge. Use on dry or cracked skin.

Chemical Free Moisturizer

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup castor oil
• small soft washcloth
• small container for storing oil mixture

Instructions:

• It is recommended that you only apply this mixture once a day before bed to allow the oils to nurture your skin overnight.
• Mix the oils together in a glass jar.
• Pour about one teaspoon of the oil mixture in your hands, rub them together, and apply the mixture all over your face.
• Take the washcloth and run it under hot water. Place this over your face and leave it on until it becomes cool.
• Using the washcloth, wipe your face and then rinse the washcloth off.
• If you feel that your skin is dry, apply a couple drops of olive oil on your skin.
• Store the mixture in a cool, dry place.

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried green tea leaves (can be taken from 2-4 tea bags)
• 1 cup organic brown sugar
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Scoop this mixture into an airtight container and then store it in a cool dry place.
• When you want to use this exfoliator, apply about 1 tablespoon to your hands and massage it onto the face/body for 30 seconds. Rinse this from your skin with warm water and pat dry.

Appliance Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 part distilled white vinegar
• 1 part water

Instructions:

• In a spray bottle, mix one part distilled white vinegar and 1 part water. Spray on your appliances and wipe away with a microfiber cloth.

Citrusy Dish Soap

Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 5 cups boiling water
• 5 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water. Add the liquid castile soap and stir until everything is dissolved. Let this cool.
• When the mixture is cooled, stir in the essential oils and pour it into a bottle. It is important to shake well before you use it.

DIY Disinfectant Spray

Ingredients:

• Enough lemon peels to fill up a quart-size mason jar
• Enough distilled white vinegar to fill that mason jar
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Fill a quart-size mason jar with lemon peels.
• Fill the jar almost to the brim with distilled white vinegar. Seal the jar and allow it to sit for about one day in a cool dry place.
• Strain the vinegar through fine mesh strainer into another jar or bowl.
• Pour the strained vinegar into a spray bottle, screw the top on, and spray away and start cleaning!

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The war against tiny insects in your home can create a lot of rage. No matter how hard you try, gnats, ants, or fruit flies seem to survive your attacks. Fruit flies, in particular, seem to taunt you with their presence, buzzing around your face as you prepare dinner. Pause for a second, breathe, and don’t reach for the chemical insect spray. There are many natural ways to help evict fruit flies from your home. 

Why Do Fruit Flies Arrive?

Fruit flies are small insects that can rapidly reproduce in moist areas. They are extremely attracted to sugar, specifically the fructose in ripe fruits and vegetables. You may notice that fruit flies linger around overripe or rotting produce. It’s also possible to find fruit flies around sinks, trash bins, or open juices, sodas, or alcoholic beverages. 

Female fruit flies tend to seek out very ripe or decaying fruit and lay their eggs there. Once the eggs hatch, you’ll see a swarm of new fruit flies, which can then reproduce in a matter of days. That’s why you have to act fast with determination when you see the first fruit flies. Continue reading to learn how to naturally get rid of fruit flies.

Deep Clean Your Home

Before we get to homemade traps, the first step is to deep clean the home. Fruit flies do not like clean and dry surfaces, so make the home, especially the kitchen, free of sugary residue, open food, and crumbs. Additionally, make sure fruit bowls or baskets do not have rotten or overripe fruit. Clean those areas and avoid the accumulation of dirty dishes in the sink. Trash bins that don’t have lids are major attractions for these little pests. Keep a tight lid on your bin and you’ll help keep fruit flies away. 

Make A Liquid Soap Trap

Pour water into a small bowl or cup and mix in a few drops of liquid dish soap and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. The vinegar works to attract the flies and the dish soap helps to break the surface tension on the liquid. When a fruit fly lands on the water, it will fall in and drown. Make sure to place this where you see fruit flies, for example, near a fruit basket.

A Paper Cone, Vinegar, & Old Fruit

As you may be aware, fruit flies love old fruit. In a pint-size mason jar, place a small amount of apple cider vinegar and a chunk or two of very ripe fruit. Roll a piece of paper into a cone and insert it into the jar. The narrow opening of the cone, which should resemble a funnel, should be just above the fruit at the bottom. The fruit and vinegar entice the fruit flies, but the paper cone makes it very difficult for them to escape. 

Use Basil

According to research, raw basil can decrease the severity of a fruit fly attack. The repellent compound in basil gives off an intense aroma, which fruit flies do not like. If you do not want to purchase a basil plant, consider purchasing strong essential oils. Soak a sponge in water with drops of lavender or basil essential oil and keep it on the counter where you keep fruit. 

Rinse Your Fruit

There’s nothing wrong with displaying fruit that you get from the grocery store in a fruit basket on your counter. Just make sure to wash the produce off immediately after you bring it home. You can use water, a homemade fruit spray, or a little vinegar and water to clean off the fruit. The fact of the matter is that fruit, even bananas, can have sticky substances on the skin, which attract fruit flies. 

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Everyone can agree that taking a soothing bath is the perfect way to step into tranquility. Soaking in the warm water helps you unwind, and the stress seems to wash away as the water goes down the drain. Everyone can also agree that a grimy bathtub with soap scum and mineral deposits is disgusting. How do you get rid of such grime without using harmful chemicals, though?

Nobody wants to clean their bathtub or shower. It’s an annoying chore that people typically neglect. Unfortunately, all of that neglect results in a gross bathtub that makes the thought of soaking in a bath horrifying. A bathtub or shower is a magnet for soap scum and even mildew. This often results in water stains or rust stains. 

What Is The Answer To Bathtub Scum?

Not everyone wants to use the bathtub cleaners because they are replete with toxic chemicals. If you have ever sprayed one of these cleaners in your bathtub, you know that that aroma is pungent and causes you to cough. In case you aren’t aware, that’s not a positive reaction. Additionally, you have to spray a lot and scrub hard in order for these solutions to be effective. 

Don’t fight the tub and don’t scrub until you inflict pain on your elbows and shoulders. Use simple ingredients to your advantage and allow them to fight through scum and stains with minimal effort on your part. The following two ingredients will help transform the look and cleanliness of your tub. 

Dish Soap

More often than not, dish soap will work to clean most showers and tubs. Some are more effective than others, as not all varieties can easily fight through built-up grime. If you only use dish soap and a little water, you can actually scrub with a broom and get the tub sparkly and clean. The purpose of dish soap is to break up oils and lift grease from flatware and utensils. It tackles the grease and soap scum that accumulates in your shower the same way. When you wash away the suds, you’ll be shocked to see how clean your tub is. 

White Vinegar

Depending on the type of tub you have, a gentle cleaner like white vinegar may be better for the surface. For example, porcelain bathtubs offer a signature, shiny, luxurious appearance. To keep them that way, you can avoid damage by using a gentle cleaner that combats aromas and grime. Vinegar’s high acidity level helps to loosen mineral deposits, including lime and rust. This same acidity makes it difficult for bacteria and other harmful organisms to exist in your tub. Ultimately, vinegar helps dissolve soap scum to make your tub as shiny and clean as possible. 

DIY Bathtub Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dish soap 
• 1 cup white vinegar
• spray bottle
• scrubber

Instructions:

• Warm the vinegar in a heat-safe glass measuring cup in a microwave until it is hot. Pour this into your spray bottle. 
• Pour the dish soap into the bottle after you pour in the vinegar. 
• Screw on the lid and shake gently to combine. 
• Spray liberally around your tub or shower and allow this mixture to sit for about 30 minutes to one hour. Because of the strong scent, make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated and that the fan is on. 
• Scrub gently and then rinse. You’ll be shocked when you see how clean your tub is!

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Spring has arrived and that means that it’s time for picnics in the park, barbecuing with friends, seeing flowers in bloom, and deep-cleaning your living space. That’s right, folks, it is time to start scrubbing! Given the current times we are living in, sanitizing every surface is of the utmost importance. One of the most integral steps to keeping your home free of external threats is by keeping it clean. Before you bust out the chemicals, though, we want to warn you about to toxic effects of spraying your house with chemical cleaning products.

While common household cleaners can make your living space appear clean, they can damage your health as they linger in your home. Exposing children to these chemical cleaners has been associated with mild skin irritations, asthma, and other poisonings. This is attributed to the inhalation of the chemicals in the cleaning products, but also to the fact that touching the “cleaned” surfaces in the house means that one can absorb the chemicals via the skin.

Indoor air pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly tops the list of environmental dangers. The pollution is primarily caused by the use of cleaning products. If you feel dizzy, fatigued, or experience eye irritation, sore throat, runny nose, or headaches, you are most likely sensitive to the cleaning products. Even though the EPA has ranked indoor air pollution as dangerous, the government doesn’t regulate the safety of cleaning products. Fortunately for you, we have several non-toxic, homemade cleaners that are much healthier than commercial, chemical-laden cleaning products.

DIY Disinfectant Spray

Ingredients

• Enough lemon peels to fill up a quart-size mason jar
• Enough distilled white vinegar to fill that mason jar
• A spray bottle

Instructions

• Fill a quart-size mason jar with lemon peels.
• Fill the jar almost to the brim with distilled white vinegar. Seal the jar and allow it to sit for about one day in a cool dry place.
• Strain the vinegar through fine mesh strainer into another jar or bowl.
• Pour the strained vinegar into a spray bottle, screw the top on, and spray away and start cleaning!

Appliance Cleaner

Ingredients

• 1 part distilled white vinegar
• 1 part water

Instructions

• In a spray bottle, mix one part distilled white vinegar and 1 part water. Spray on your appliances and wipe away with a microfiber cloth.

All Purpose Cleaning Spray

Ingredients

• ¾ cup + 5 teaspoons distilled water, boiled
• 3 tablespoons +1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
• 1 drop liquid castile soap
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops pine essential oil
• 3 drops spruce essential oil
• 1 drop geranium essential oil

Instructions

• Combine all of the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well. Make sure you shake it up every time before you use it. Spray whatever surface you want clean and then wipe the germs away.

Citrusy Dish Soap

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons washing soda
• 5 cups boiling water
• 5 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• Dissolve the washing soda in the boiling water. Add the liquid castile soap and stir until everything is dissolved. Let this cool.
• When the mixture is cooled, stir in the essential oils and pour it into a bottle. It is important to shake well before you use it.

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