Before the days of disposable Swiffers, air freshener and Lysol, our ancestors had many home remedies for keeping things clean and healthy. Some simple, others not so simple, we must respect their wisdom, and sometimes we still find that a product like vinegar or baking soda works a thousand times better than a new commercial equivalent. Of course, on the other hand, some of their concoctions are nothing less than ridiculous...
For better or worse, here are some more tips from our fore-Mothers...
To Keep Out Red Ants:
Place small bundles of green sage wherever the ants appear.
To Cure Watering Eyes:
Rinse them in a light chamomile tea each morning and again before bed.
To Cure Hoarseness of the Voice:
Make a strong tea of horseradish, and sweeten with honey. Drink a cup every evening until the voice returns to full strength.
To Cure and Earache:
Take a tablespoonful of fine salt and tie it up in a small cheesecloth pouch. Heat until quite hot and lay it on the ear. Shift around periodically and reheat as necessary; Pain should subside within a few hours.
A Simple Mixture for Bath Salts
- 10 oz. Tartaric Acid
- 9 oz. Baking soda
- 6 oz. Rice Flour
Mix well together and keep in an airtight container; add to water at bath time for a refreshing dip.
Toothache Remedy
For temporary relief of a toothache, take a cotton swab doused with oil of cloves and hold it against the area of pain. More Folk Recipes for Cleaning and Housekeeping
