You can turn your dreaded laundry chore into a luxury with this homemade aromatic Lavender vinegar Laundry Rinse.

This can be used in place of synthetic chemical fragrance and fabric softeners. The scent will uplift you, your whites will become whiter, colors brighter, odors eliminated and your laundry softened naturally. Think about it! It is even more appealing because is all natural therefore biodegradable and won’t harm you nor the planet.

Lavender Vinegar Laundry Rinse Materials and Methods

Materials

French lavender oil 1 teaspoon (Lavandula augustifolia)
Distilled white vinegar 16 ounces

Methods

• Mix the distilled with the essential oils as using the measurement above
• With the aid of a funnel, pout the combo into a bottle or glass jar
• Shake properly and label the bottle accordingly, clearly stating it meant for laundry and not cooking.
• To use a homemade lavender vinegar laundry rinse, shake the bottle to form a uniform mix with the essential oils and add a quarter cup (¼) to the fabric softener tray if your washing machine has one or to your laundry’s final rinse cycle. For large loads, add about half cup (½).

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Other Essential Oils can be used

You can replace lavender oil with other essential oils of choice that are great for laundry, e.g. eucalyptus.
When shopping for scents meant for laundry rinses, ensure you are buying organic ones. They are often found in vitamin stores, aromatherapy suppliers and natural food markets.

Lavender Vinegar Laundry Rinse  can also be gifted to family and friends, it is economical and easy to make. Add some fancy labeling or gift tags, stating the benefits and uses if you are giving them away as a gift.

Vinegar is available in many different sizes and brand names. You can buy a 16-ounce bottle, remove the label, add your essential oil of choice and have the bottle relabeled. Nothing could be easier!

If your vinegar comes in a jumbo-sized bottle, and need a smaller storage for your vinegar rinse, why not re-purpose a glass milk jar or mayonnaise jar?

How does Lavender Vinegar Laundry Rinse work?

Vinegar is acidic, this property helps remove traces of mineral deposits or alkaline detergents, giving you a soft, non-dingy looking laundry. Additionally, acetic acid in vinegar and other properties helps combat bacteria, mold, and viruses, making it great for washing dirty clothes and cleaning rags. Vinegar is also a deodorizer.

Vinegar also adds scents to your laundry, and its inherent antiviral, fungicidal, antiseptic and antiviral helps fight germs and molds.
This mix can also be used to clean your washing machine. To remove buildup of soap scum, mold or mineral deposits. Just ass a cup of your vinegar rinse to a hot-water cycle and run your washing machine empty. This is also a form of maintenance that can be carried out periodically.

Warnings and Precautions

Vinegar irritates the eye on contact, liberally flush your eyes with water for several minutes, 5 to 10 minutes on contact.
Essential oils should not contact your eyes, if it happens, flush liberally with water for about 5 to 10 minutes. Consult your health adviser if irritation persists. On exposure to your skin, wash with warm soapy water. Most essential oils are not toxic to the skin, such as coconut and lavender, which is widely used to treat insect bites, skin burns and many more.

Under no circumstance should you mix vinegar with bleach. It will form a toxic chlorine gas.

Fix nitrogen deficiency in the garden – Ever taken a look at garden plants and observed some of the plants are not performing well, looking sickly – yellowish or brownish? This could be a sign your soil is nitrogen deficient. To make your garden a success, you must be able to detect when to boost your soil nitrogen levels.

Plants need nitrogen to survive and reproduce, they also need it as an important component of photosynthesis. Once you understand the nitrogen needs of your plants, boosting your garden nitrogen levels becomes easier. Plants in the wild do not often suffer from nitrogen deficiency as garden plants. This article explain methods by which you can fix nitrogen deficiency in the garden

How to Spot nitrogen deficiency

Diagnosing nitrogen deficiency is quite easy. You will observe stunted growth, yellow or pale leaves, this is mainly due to the plant inability to produce chlorophyll. This is caused by chlorosis, which usually begins at the base of plants spreading to the top, making the plant weak and spindly.

How to Spot a Nitrogen Burn

Spotting a nitrogen deficient soil is important, so also is a nitrogen burn. A nitrogen burn is a result of too much nitrogen in the soil. When plants absorb excess nitrogen from the soil, they shrivel up or appear burned.

Soil test

Garden soils should be tested once a year. Running a soil test will inform you what state your garden soil is, and how much supplement is needed to bring the soil up to the required levels. You can conduct a soil test using this kit

How to Fix nitrogen deficiency in the garden

Your garden soil nitrogen levels need replenishing in order to keep vegetables, herbs and other plants growing at optimal levels. The following are natural ways you can supplement your garden soil with much-needed nitrogen

1. Grass clippings

Got grass clippings? Don’t throw them away, use them as a nitrogen and potassium booster for your garden soil. Grass clippings are readily available and free, and when placed in thin layers around plant base, it forms a compost faster and are great for fixing nitrogen into your garden soil.

2. Coffee anyone?

Coffee compost can be prepared by mixing equal parts of grass clippings, coffee grounds, and leaves. The mixture should be turned over weekly until it forms a fine texture. This mixture can be used to top up the soil around plants, ensure you water after topping. If you will be making use of uncomposted coffee grounds, ensure they are firmly worked into the soil as it can drain moisture off the garden soil.

3. Leaf Mulch

You can fix nitrogen deficiency in the garden by covering the soil with a leaf mulch. This can be done when the growing season has ended, spread about three inches of fallen leaves on the garden soil and water.

4. Leguminous plants

Leguminous plants can help fix needed nitrogen into your garden soil. Legumes take nitrogen readily available in the air around them and process into a nitrogenous compound which your plants need. Groundnuts, peas, and beans are examples of legumes which can fix nitrogen into your garden soil as well as serve as a companion plant with corn and asparagus.

5. Weeds

Thinking about weed as an unwanted plant in your garden is correct, but on the other hand, they can also be beneficial, as long as they find their way into a composter first. Burdock and nettles are weeds which speed up the breakdown of compost. A finished compost is a great source of nitrogen for the soil. Weeds that are yet to flower are best, pull them off the yard or surrounding, sun-dry for a day or two and throw into a compost.

6. Human urine

This sounds disgusting, but human urine from a healthy body is a great source of nutrients for the plants. It is a great source of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen than commercial fertilizers. Mix a cup of urine to eight cups of water to fertilizer and fix nitrogen deficiency in the garden.

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Animal Manure

Manure from animals is a great source of nutrient to your garden soil when applied appropriately. Animal manure should be composted before use, it is important they are used in moderation. Below are some livestock manures that can be used.

7. Cow manure

Cow manure is the least nitrogen-rich of all livestock manures. However, it can be used as an all-around garden compost bringing balance to the soil.

8. Horse manure

Horse manure is very rich in nitrogen. Horse manure itself is considered hot to touch. Horse manure can be composted and used on nitrogen-demanding plants such as lettuce, corn, garlic, and potatoes. Horse manures should not be used on flowers, tomatoes, and peppers. The best way to apply horse manure as a nitrogen-booster to your soil is to mix with compost and work it into the soil

9. Sheep manure

Sheep manure contains more nitrogen than horse manure, but contains almost the same levels of potassium, making it more ideal than horse manure. Sheep manure should be composted and work gradually into the soil.

10. Poultry manure

Poultry manure contains twice the amount of nitrogen in horse manure. Poultry manure can be mix with compost, this will nourish your garden soil.

11. Blood meal

Blood is rich in nitrogen and can be used to fix nitrogen deficiency in the garden, it is dried animal blood majorly a cow blood. Blood from the animal is collected and dried into a powdery form. Blood meal will boost the nitrogen levels of your garden soil, giving your plants the needed nutrients to remain healthy and strong. Blood meal is also an animal deterrent, it can keep possums, raccoons, dogs and other critters off your garden. It should be used in moderation to avoid nitrogen burn. Remember to grab an organic blood meal devoid of annoying chemicals

12. Fish emulsion

Fish emulsion is a quick acting liquid fertilizer made from fish. It is a quick nitrogen booster for garden plants. Fish emulsion is generally concentrated and will require dilution before use. It is usually diluted in a ratio ½ cup in one gallon of water. It is important to note the inscribed ratio on your chosen fish emulsion before use. If you selected an emulsion ratio of 2-4-1, you need to feed plants twice a week. If 4-4-2, you need to use half as often. If you have a little fish farm in your garden, the next time you wash and empty your tank, water your pots and gardens with water from the tank, watch your plants thank you for that otherwise grab an organic liquid fish fertilizer.

13. Worm tea

Worm tea is also a liquid fertilizer made from worm castings. When applied on garden soil, it boosts nutrients levels including nitrogen, nourishing your plants. It is also important in helping the soil retain moisture, helps seedlings grow, fix beneficial microbes into the soil and fix nitrogen deficiency in the garden soil.

Natural Air Fresheners For Homes and Offices – Smells are found everywhere, from rooms to kitchens, offices etc. and at times they are not very pleasant. The kitchen at times smell like garlic or fish, how do you douse the smell? Needless to mention a bathroom that doesn’t smell a bouquet of jasmine.

Before you reach for the chemical-laden potentially harmful air fresheners sold in stores which is harmful to you and the planet. Why not take a pause look around your home, you may have an alternative do-it-yourself natural air fresheners For homes and offices lying in your closet.

This article contains natural DIY ideas that are easy to make, inexpensive, cost friendly and effective. This will make use of natural ingredients often found around the house, especially the kitchen. Some of the ideas may require you to make a short stop at the store, but its worth it and you will only be picking natural ingredients. So, here they are, ward off bad smells with these ideas and keep your home and offices smelling nice and fresh.

Natural Air Fresheners For Homes and Offices

Coffee

Coffee combats bad odors. Whether ground, brewed, or oven baked, its smell will permeate the surrounding and absorb lingering odors such as garlic or onions. Set a few bowls of coffee grounds around, or before taking out the trash whose smell affect the whole room, place coffee grounds at the bottom of new garbage bags. Using coffee grounds as an air cleaning agent.

Dried Herbal Potpourri

You can create a beautiful potpourri by blending beautiful dried flowers, essential oils, and fragrant herbs. The resulting fragrance from this combo is sure to enliven any room. “How to Make Herbal Potpourri

Pomander Balls

You can get more creative by using this age-long fun filled room refreshing technique. Orange pomanders can also be placed in a strategic part of the house to serve as deterrents to pests, due to the clove buds’ inherent chemical properties.

Fresh Herbal Bouquet

Permeate your room with herbaceous scent using freshly cut herbs such as lavender, geranium, rosemary, peppermint in small pots or vases. They will look enticing and beautiful if they are grouped together in odd numbers i.e. threes and fives on a table.

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Houseplants

What could be more natural than a green plant? There are several plants that purify the air of pollutants and allergens. These plants that clean your home helps to reduce health risk, reduce energy consumption and ultimately purifies the air. More about this can be found in this video “Kamal Meattle on How to Grow Fresh Air.”

Simmering Potpourri

This method is as old as I can remember, it is a home freshening method favored mostly by holiday celebrators, real estate agents, and cooks. They freshen the room with a spicy-citrus scent, and odors such as onions, garlic are eliminated. The citrus and spice release essential oils which have antiseptic, antimicrobial properties which disinfect the air.

Aromatherapy Diffuser

This entails diffusing essentials oils. Essentials oils have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, they will not only freshen up your home but purify it as well. To get this rolling,
Boil a pot of water, take it off when boiling
Add a few drops of an essential oil (e.g. eucalyptus or lemon).
The scent of the essential oil will diffuse through the whole room
You may consider an investment in a ring, electric, car or candle diffuser.

Vinegar

Kill bacteria, and other microbes lurking in the air around your home with vinegar. Get an empty spray bottle, fill up one part of the bottle with vinegar to four parts water, then spray your room to freshen it. Alternatively, pour vinegar into a bowl and place in a corner of your kitchen to get rid of the smells.

These are non toxic, cost friendly, DIY natural air fresheners For homes and offices that will eradicate all smells and odors completely.

Lemon lime spray – Ever wanted an homemade cleaner which can be used to clean everything from your windows, to the bathrooms to the kitchen? We’ve got you covered. The lemon lime spray combines the three most effective natural cleaning agents – vinegar, lime and lemon. It is going to leave your house with a citrusy scent which will inspire you to clean your house again and again.

Lemon Lime Spray

Preparation time: 5 mins

Yield: About 2 cups
This multipurpose spray combines the effective cleaning properties of three ingredients – vinegar, limes, and lemons. It is an all-purpose cleaner that can be used everywhere from the kitchen to the windows and bathrooms.

When you inhale the fresh citrusy scent, you get the feeling its time to get some cleaning done in your home. It is planet friendly, safe and cost-effective, its ingredients are natural materials and have disinfecting properties. It is easy to make, so cleaning by using this combo generously is not a problem.

Materials
1 lemon Juice
1 lime Juice
1 cup of distilled white vinegar
1 cup water

Method

• Extract the juice from the lime and lemon and filter through a natural cloth into a measuring cup. This ensures all pulps are removed, otherwise you will have cogs on the sprayer.
• Add your lime, lemon juice and water together, and pour into a spray bottle
• Spray the resulting combo over any surface that needs cleaning and allows it sit for few minutes. This allows the grease to dissolve, mineral deposits to loosen, grime to lift and disinfect the surface.
• Generously rinse with water, unless it’s a quick clean you are performing, or cleaning windows or mirrors. Pat dry with a clean, soft cloth for a shiny look.

The combined low pH of vinegar (pH 2.2), lemon (pH 2.0) and the acidic nature of vinegar and citrus (acetic and citric acid) makes the surface inhabitable for microbes to grow on. It’s a double-edged cleaning spray.

The acidic levels of vinegar, limes, and lemons also help to dissolve mineral deposits such as calcium and lime and loosen soap scum due to its alkaline properties. Coffee and tea stains are not exempted, so it is great for cleaning kitchen sinks and many more.

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Ideas:
You can reuse an old t-shirt as a sieve. Cut the shirt into cleaning clothes and use a piece as a sieve to remove lime and pulp.

You can extract your lime and lemon juice using a hand-held citrus juicer

If you have a hand-held citrus juicer, you can squeeze the lime or lemon backward with the inside of it set towards the drainage. This helps the essential oils which have antiviral, antimicrobial and antiseptic and bactericidal properties are released from the rind during extraction. The is an added benefit for eliminating microbes while you clean.

For tough cleaning jobs, allow the lemon lime spray to stay a little longer on the dirty surface. If you are looking to clean excessive mildew in the shower, for instance, you need to allow the spray more time on the surface before cleaning with a scrub brush. Then rinse.

Need more to carry out more scrubbing action? Add some baking soda! Add the baking soda to the shower, cooktop, oven or toilet, then create a paste by spraying the lemon-lime spray. Allow it sit for a while for tough jobs and then wash with a scrub brush or cellulose sponge. The buildup of rust, scum, grease, dirt, and odor will disappear.

Caution:
Do not use products containing citrus juices or vinegar on marble, they will etch the surface. In contact with your eye, vinegar can cause irritation. Wash generously with water for 5 to 10 minutes if it makes a contact with your eyes.

Warning:
Do not mix vinegar with bleach. It will form a toxic chlorine gas. So, before applying vinegar-containing cleaning products, ensure you are not mixing It with a bleached-based cleaning product (e.g. bleach cleansers or toilet bowl cleaners).

The most important season to clean your carpets – Many people wonder what season of the year is best to have their carpets cleaned. Do you belong to this category? Well, that makes plenty of you. This question often comes up every year among individuals and in households, when it’s time to take a decision on the most important season to clean your carpets.  In Dublin, people tend to have their carpets cleaned in the spring, while others prefer summer.

This happens because most household only thinks about having their carpets cleaned during the spring cleaning time, others think cleaning in the winter is not a good idea, and they would rather wait for another time.

How often do you clean your carpets, regularly? Our guess is you probably don’t clean until you have visitors or guest coming or when there is a visible layer of dirt on your carpet. Fact is most of us don’t clean our carpets regularly, if you think about the dirt, germs, bacteria that may be lurking under those beautiful carpets, you might want to have a rethink, such that it will become easier to decide the most important season to clean your carpets.

These are some of the reasons to clean your carpets;

Improved appearance

Your carpet will look sparkling clean, removing dirt, moisture, and debris from your carpet.

Improved Smell

Traffic from near and far distances will bring dirt to your carpet, loop in accidental spills and you get a blend of odor which might permeate your home making it smell bad.

Health

Maybe the most important reason of all, carpets can harbor harmful pathogens which may negatively impact your health.

So, summer, winter, fall, when is it going to be? Many people would actually prefer to wash their carpet after grueling winter weather, so they could have everything thrown on their carpet out by washing and get ready for spring, after which we can open our doors letting in fresh air. Below are some reasons, let’s make a case for the most important season to clean your carpets

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Spring

Winters sometimes come with plenty of snow, moisture, and rain. Well, in this case, you might want to consider a spring carpet cleaning. After the nasty winter weather, your carpet will be embedded with dirt, moisture, mud etc. you might want to consider a spring cleaning.

Summer

In Ireland, the summer months are spent outdoors, in the swimming pools, going on sightseeing, vacations reducing the traffic at home. If the condition of your home is like this, this is an opportunity to clean your carpet.

Fall

Many people have their carpet cleaned during the fall, the intention most times is to make your home sparkling clean for the holiday, and to usher in the winter months. If you normally have long winters, you might want to have your carpet cleaned during the fall.

Winter

The winter months are oftentimes characterized by indoor activities, shorter days, closed windows, indoor heat etc. we spend most of the day indoors, and after the traffic and bustling of the fall months which have the potential of loading dirt and debris into your carpets, this might be the perfect time to have our carper rid of this nuisance.

Whatever period works for you, it’s important you get your carpets cleaned regularly, take into consideration the period of the year and your personal preference and decide the most important season to clean your carpets.