Makes about 2 1/2 quarts
Use this blend in drawers and closets, particularly where woolens and furs are stored. The bulk herbs absorb the oils and help fix and marry the fragrances. Sandalwood is one of my favorite fixatives, but because it is fairly expensive, I often substitute oakmoss (a lichen), patchouli, cedar, vetiver, frankincense, or myrrh.
Whichever herbs you choose, dry them completely, then chop or crush them finely or powder them before blending.
• 4 cups lavender flowers
• 2 cups peppermint leaves
• 2 cups rosemary leaves
• 1 cup patchouli leaves
• 1/2 cup whole cloves
• 1/4 cup thyme leaves
• 5 drops essential oil of clove
• 10 drops essential oil of white camphor
• 20 drops essential oil of peppermint
1. In a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, mix together the lavender, peppermint, rosemary, patchouli, cloves, and thyme. Add the oils and stir well.
2. Place the mix in a glass jar, cover, and age in a cool, dry, dark place for several weeks.
3. Make sachets and fill with the herb blend.
Louise Gruenberg gardens as much as possible and cleans house as little as possible in her Oak Park, Illinois, home. She also writes and teaches about herbs. Due to popular demand for reprints of this article, it has been reprinted from our February/March 1997 issue with the author’s permission.
Click here for the main article, “Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks.”
