2010HomeHackspostBadge.jpg In case you missed out yesterday, we've been on a roll making eco-friendly scented cleaners. First it was a laundry booster and stain fighter and then it was a fabric softener replacing vinegar rinse. Today, it's a scented linen powder! Don't pay for extra packaging and products when you can make your own in a few easy steps.

What You Need

Materials:
2 cups Baking Soda
1 bunch Fresh Herbs or Citrus Peel
Oven/Microwave
Blender, Electric Spice Grinder or Mortar and Pestle
1 Pint Glass Jar with screw on lid
Awl or Hammer and Nail

Instructions

1. Prep Your Jar: To start, we'll prep the jar that is to hold your linen powder. Using an awl or hammer and nail, poke 9 small holes in the top of the lid.

2. Dry Herbs: You can dry most herbs quite quickly in the microwave, or you can place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and heat in the oven at 180 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-4 hours (depending on the herb/peel thickness). Once dry, remove from oven and allow to cool completely. (if your oven doesn't go that low, higher is alright, just keep it as low as possible and watch so they don't scorch).

3. Grind Herbs: Using the grinder of your choice (electric spice grinder, mortar and pestle or blender) grind herbs until they are a fine powder. Add in a few tablespoons of baking soda and blend again. Note, electric spice/coffee grinders should not pulse for longer than 15 seconds. Make sure to use more short pulses instead of one long one. Add powdered mixture to jar.

4. Shake, Shake, Shake: Add remaining baking soda to the jar. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top and screw on lid. Shake your mixture until all of your herbs are mixed in and unidentifiable. Remove lid, discard plastic and reattach lid.

5. To Use: After washing your fitted sheet and before putting it on the bed, sprinkle your new herb-tastic mixture over your mattress pad. A little goes a long way, so there's no need to make your bed look like the snow covered Alps. Apply more at the top of the bed, where your shoulders and torso hit are prime spaces to stir up a little smell. Add your fitted sheet and make your bed as usual. Launder as your normally would, the remaining powder will actually help boost the stain-fighting powers of your regular detergent and will rinse clean! The mixture is also great for carpets and cars (just make sure to vacuum it all up).


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(Images: Sarah Rae Trover)