Now that Easter is approaching, it's time to dust off the bunnies and dig deep into spring cleaning. Almanac.com gives tips on spring cleaning remedies you can mix up yourself. This advice and much more is available from The Old Farmer's Almanac website, Almanac.com. For monthly seasonal advice, recipes, and craft ideas, go directly to almanac.com/season/index.php.

Concoct It Yourself

Carpet and Room Freshener

Make your own at a great savings over commercially prepared mixtures.

• 1 cup crushed, dried herbs (such as rosemary, lavender, etc.)
  
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  
  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
  
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
  
  

Combine all ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, leave it for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It gives the room a pleasant smell and neutralizes carpet odors.

Moth Repellent

This is a nice change from mothballs

• 1 handful each of dried thyme, tansy, peppermint, pennyroyal, and whole cloves
  
  
• 2 handfuls each of dried lavender, southern-wood, santolina, and lemon peel
  
  
• 1 tablespoon powdered orris root
  
  
• Several drops of lemon or clove oil
  
  

Mix all ingredients well and spoon into small cheesecloth or cotton bags, filling each with about 1/2 cup. Hang in closets or over hangers that hold your woolens.

Drain Cleaner

• 1/2 cup baking soda
  
  
• 1/2 cup vinegar
  
  

Pour baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by vinegar. Let these bubble away for about 20 minutes. Then turn on the hot water and let it run for 3 or 4 minutes, or pour down 2 kettlefuls of boiling water.

The preceding excerpt is from The Old Farmer's Almanac website, Almanac.com. For more information on the Almanac's line of products, please visit www.almanac.com

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If you enjoyed this article you might also want to check out:

• Homemade Alcohol Cleaners
  
• An Allergic Reaction to Cleansers
  
• Spring Cleaning for Today's Mom
  
• Green Cleaning With Essential Oils
  
• Cheap Cleaning Supplies - Family Corner

Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips @stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!

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