Better Homes and Gardens Australia — December 2017

CONTAIN YOUR CANS

Keep canned food in neat order

• and on rotation – by using a can
  holder, where you feed the cans
  in from the top and retrieve them
  from the bottom. You can buy these
  units from kitchen storage stores or
  have a go at building one yourself.
  If making, use the dimensions of
  the cans as your guide to build a
  pine box with two sides, a middle
  shelf that gently slopes back and
  a bottom shelf that gently slopes
  forward. The middle shelf is shorter
  than the length of the box so cans
  drop down to the bottom shelf.
  Glue and nail a stop rail at the front
  to prevent tins from tumbling out. ■

1 MOVE OUT MICE
Drench a cotton ball with several
drops of peppermint, eucalyptus
or spearmint essential oil. Place
them wherever you suspect mice
are entering your home, plus behind
the fridge, dishwasher, washing
machine and dryer. You can also put
them in the roof space or garage.
This may deter mice, but you will
need to take further measures if
the infestation is more serious.

2 BYE-BYE BUGS AND MOTHS
In a spray bottle, make a 50:50
white vinegar and water solution.
Add about 15 drops of eucalyptus,
5 drops of peppermint and 10 drops
of cedarwood essential oil. Mix
well. Use the solution to spray and
wipe the surfaces of your pantry.

3 ANTS, BEGONE!
Put undiluted white vinegar in a
spray bottle and squirt it wherever
ants commonly appear. Also try
wiping peppermint essential oil
or sprinkling ground black or
cayenne pepper in the path of ants.

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES,

SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

If you are sick and

tired of pesky critters

invading your kitchen,

and you wish to avoid

harsh chemical-based

deterrents, have a

go at these friendlier

solutions to help send

them packing.

see ya,

critters!

Forever trying to partner plastic

container lids with their bases?

Buy a set with components

matched by colour. It’s a time-

saver! See me tackle this pantry

clean-up on BHG TV. Check your

local guide for more info.

GO TO BHG.COM.AU FOR MORE

DECO TIPS AND TRICKS.

Hello

homemakers!

TARA DENNIS

4 COMBAT

COCKROACHES

Place a few drops of citronella

essential oil on cotton balls. You

can also try adding peppermint

essential oil to the same or separate

cotton balls. Position the cotton

balls in trouble areas, such as

inside cupboards, under the sink

or behind the fridge. Also adjust

your cleaning routine to include

a DIY spray solution. To make:

mix 120ml of water with 5 drops

of cypress essential oil and 10

drops of peppermint essential

oil in a spray bottle. Spray and

wipe the solution on surfaces

wherever cockroaches appear.

SAY ‘BUG OFF’ WITH OILS

Here are more essential oils you

can try using to repel creepy-

crawlies from your kitchen:

citronella, clove, lemongrass,

lemon eucalyptus, rosemary,

tea tree, cedar, catnip, lavender,

basil, rose geranium, cinnamon,

thyme, lemon, orange and pine.

Photography Chris Jones, Getty Images; projects and styling Hannah St John

112 BHG DECEMBER 2017

SEASONAL CLEAN