Housecleaning the Wise-woman way

Yes, yes, I know, we all hate it. But there are things you can do to make it more interesting at least, and maybe more enjoyable. First of all, create a mood within your home. Wouldnt it be much more fun to fold laundry while sitting on your wonderful big feather bed, with a candle and some incense burning and some great music on in the background than while standing in your garage next to the washing machine? When the weather is good, dry your laundry outside on a line, or over a hanging rack. At least your whites and definately your towels and sheets. Nothing feels and smells better and the sun is a natural bleach--plus you'll be saving money and the environment not running the dryer. When you do use the dryer, toss a sachet in the dryer, it will gently scent your clothes. You can keep sachets in your kitchen drawers and cabinets as well as in your clothes drawers and closets, by the way. You'd be surprised at just how much you can actually throw in the washer. People are horrified when I tell them that I wash all my velvets and silks. But it is true. Many tags that say dryclean only are there to protect the designer from any liability if something happens when you wash it. I am also going to say right here and now, I am not responsible either if you do try it, but I do wash most of my things and they are fine. It adds a great vintage feel to them. But while most things can be washed--try cold water, delicate cycle--not everything can be dried in a dryer. Use caution. And the one thing I have found that cannot be washed is rayon.

Burn herbs in your fireplace when it has died down to low embers. It will work as a sort of incense.It can also help keep away fleas--try these herbs in particular: fleabane, mugwort, wormwood. Also for fleas, try putting cedar chips inside your dogs' pillows. To keep ants away sprinkle catmint on their trails. They dont like the scent. Your cats will though, so keep that in mind.

Sprinkle sweet smelling herbs on your rugs before you vacumn, let them set awhile, then vacumn them up.

When you wash floors, (now dont kill me here, I have a point) do it twice. Yes, twice. Wash them once, then refill the bucket with hot water, and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Mop the floors with this to add a gentle scent. You can also wipe down windowsills, door frames, countertops, appliances, sinks, tubs, etc.. with this mix.

Housekeeping Tip of the Month

Spring---drying herbs How easy would you like me to make this? There are the oldefashioned ways of drying, which I prefer, (not that that surprises you, I am sure) and there are more modern ways as well. A quick modern way is to place your herbs on a paper towel and put them in the microwave for for two minutes, max. Or on a ungreased cookie sheet for 5 or so minutes on the lowest setting. But keep the door open so the moisture from the herbs can get out. If you havea serviceable attic, or upstairs room that gets more heat than maybe some of your other rooms do, you can dry your herbs laid out on the floor on a muslin sheet or on cheesecloth. My favorite way is to tie them in bunches with raffia and hang them upside down in a dry, dark place from a wooden rack, like closet rack.. After your herbs have dried you can leave them in their bunches and hang from pegs in your kitchen, or wherever you want them kept. Or you can get adorable little glass jars with corks and crumble the herbs into those. Glass jars for this purpose can be bought as is, or if you are a bath conniseur, like I am, lots of bath salts and oils come in glass jars. Obviously, these are the more expensive bath products, but if you do get them, dont throw out the jars, clean them thoroughly in a hot, hot dishwasher, or wash and soak in boiling water, and reuse the jars for herb storage. Make those suckers pay for themselves!! Be sure your herbs are completely dry before you store them in jars though, as any moisture left in them will cause them to get moldy.