The calendar might say it is officially spring but around the mid-Atlantic we don't quite feel it yet. It is still in the stage that the sun seems much warmer when viewed from inside.

I have been clearing out my closet and paring things down.  Last year I wrote about trying to re-do my large, weirdly shaped closet.  That ways round 1 with getting rid of things.  This week has been round 2. 

I used to store my off season clothes with moth balls.  I am one of those people who rather like the smell of them (reminds me of my grandmother). But then I also like the smell of gasoline and the old ditto/mimeograph paper.

Recently I have been using lavender sachets which I have made myself.  It is quite easy.  All you need is a bunch of dried lavender, a porous cloth container, wax paper and some ribbon.

Dried Lavender Sachets: Ingredients: dried lavender, gauzy cloth or fabric gift bags, wax paper, ribbon. 

1. Place a piece of paper or wax paper on your work surface.  Use it to collect the dried lavender as you strip from the lavender stalk. Or you can hold a bunch upside down and rub between your hands  I tend to swipe down the stalk removing the dried lavender that way, although be careful of splinters.  Let the pods fall onto the paper.

2. Prep your sachet.  You can use the gauze type small gift bags (find at dollar store) or make your own.  I had some left over gauze fabric from another project.  Cut a circle as large as you want the sachet to be. (6-7 inches in diameter) 

3. Fold the wax paper in half and funnel the dried lavender onto the center of the circle or into your gauze gift bag.  Collect the various sides into a small ball.

4. Pull taut the opening of the gift bag and tie the strings into a bow. If using your own material, gather the various sides to form a small ball. Tie a bow around opening.  Try to re-loop so you can hand the sachet on hangers if need be.

5.  I have used the left over stalks as kindling for either our inside or outside fireplace.  Burns quickly and smells good too.

I also read about making a safe, good for the environment cleaning solution using water, distilled white vinegar and lavender oils. Lavender and vinegar have natural antiseptic properties but adding the lavender makes the solution smell quite nice.

Lavender Cleaning Solution: Ingredients:  distilled white vinegar, tap water, lavender essential oil, spray bottle.

1. 1 cup Distilled White Vinegar, 1 cup regular tap water, 40 drops of lavender essential oil, spray bottle.

2.  Mix the liquid ingredients in a pitcher or bowl.  Pour into your spray bottle.

3. Use the cleaning disinfectant anywhere on any surface you would use a multipurpose cleanser. 

Do you use natural or homemade cleaning products? What are they? What other smells remind you of spring and warmer weather?