There’s something wonderful that happens when November rolls in. The beautiful foliage that transforms from green to red, the crisp, cool weather outside, and the delicious fall scents that can be enjoyed almost anywhere you go, are just a few things that make November an amazing time of year. Seasonal smells like cinnamon and pumpkin have qualities that tend to enhance mood and create a sensation of warmth that complements cool weather. If you want your home to be filled with those same cozy and delicious aromas, check out these fall flavored cleaning ideas to add a little seasonal fun to your next cleaning day.
Apple Cider Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Create an aroma resembling seasonal apple cider mixed with your very own cleaner. Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, then infuse it with dried citrus peels such as orange or lemon, dried apple slices or apple potpourri, and whole cinnamon sticks. Let the mixture sit for a few days in a cool area before straining and using it as a multi-purpose cleaner. If using fresh fruit peels, use the entire portion or discard the solution 48 hours after straining and using.
Cozy Forest Scented Mop Solution
Using a mild or unscented mop soap cleaner add a mixture of these essential oils: a tablespoon of pine, a teaspoon of eucalyptus, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, and half a teaspoon of ginger. If you don’t want to use essential oils, you can also alternatively boil these ingredients, whole, in a small batch of water and mix into your mop solution. Use solution on hard floor surfaces and enjoy the crisp woodsy scent of fall for days.
Autumn Spiced Carpet Deodorizer
To refresh your carpet (as well as hard surface floors) sprinkle baking soda across and make sure to cover the corners. If you have a darker colored carpet add a sprinkle of autumn spices like cinnamon or ground cloves. If you have a lighter colored carpet add a few drops of essential oils of spiced orange or cinnamon instead of ground seasoning to ensure no discoloration happens. Let the spiced baking soda mixture sit for a while before vacuuming to maximize fall freshness.
Warm Apple Pie Sink Refresher
Similar to the previous deodorizer, this solution will remove nasty kitchen sink odors, but also kill bacteria and help to keep your sink from clogging. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, sprinkle in half a teaspoon of ground nutmeg and half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Pour in a cup of apple cider vinegar followed by a cup of hot water. Wait about 15 minutes for the solution to fizz up and around the sink then slowly rinse everything down the drain with boiling hot water.
Pumpkin Spice Cleaning Paste
Is there anything baking soda can’t clean? Combine baking soda with a generous amount of pumpkin spice extract or essential oil drops, and a solution of water mixed with lemon juice to form a paste. Use this paste on counter tops, toilet bowls, sinks, and showers to clean and brighten surfaces. Let the paste sit for 10 minutes or longer if used in a toilet bowl or ceramic bathroom sink to strengthen the pumpkin spice aroma in bathroom areas.
Thanksgiving Air Freshener
Boil water in a pot with whole cinnamon sticks, orange peels, rosemary sprigs, and star anise. Let the mixture simmer until it becomes fragrant across the house. Let the mixture continue to simmer on low, adding water every so often to continue freshening the house or cool completely and pour as much of the mixture as possible (including spices) into a spray bottle. If placed in a spray bottle, spray aroma around the house until no water is remaining or up to 48 hours. Discard the remaining mixture after 2 days.
As always, make sure to test any DIY solution in a small discreet area before applying to larger surfaces.
