It’s 2021, y’all! 2020 was definitely "something”! We experienced a global pandemic that affected every home on earth! My God! Let me repeat, EVERY home on earth was affected by the results of COVID! No home was exempt; rich, poor, every race, and creed, we all quarantined, were in lockdown, are still masking up, social distancing, and sanitizing! And boy, are we sanitizing! I have walked into businesses and the bleach has burned your eyes red and my hands look like Disney’s Princess and The Frog’s Mama Odie’s because I have washed and sanitized them bone dry! The season of COVID has the potential to bring the blues to your door but keep them OUT, not by sanitizing but cleansing your home and starting the new year with creating an atmosphere of freshness. 

According to American Addiction Center, a clean home and cleaning your home is not only physically appealing but there are mental benefits as well:

-Empowerment: Gives you the ability to gain control of your environment

-Relieves stress: Cleaning burns energy and fulfilling the task of cleaning/decluttering releases anxiety 

-Boosts confidence: The pride in accomplishing a task to a positive result 

-Provides peace: Satisfaction of an improved home   

So let’s get started. 

Start by deep cleaning your home. Wash all the linen, bedspreads, and quilts. Throw away the tattered and worn linen and towels. I know, I know, honey, I am Black, we all have the “good” towels and linen for guests. Baby, as my Aunt Azalee taught us, “You are the “special” in the occasion! You brought it, so YOU use it!  You can survive off of the good towels until you get more “regular” towels! Mop floors, baseboards, and declutter your drawers and cabinets. Yes, my dear, those spaghetti stained plastic food containers must go into the recycling bin! 

Rearrange and change out the artwork on the wall, especially the ones you have been saying you were going to change or move to that perfect spot. Change out plants, decorative pillows, and curtains.  Utilize what you have. The majority of us have more than enough stuff to renew our entire home without extra purchasing.

After your home cleansing, air out your home by opening up the windows for about 15-30 minutes. I know it is winter, so bundle up because the benefits of fresh air in your home outway being a lil chilly for a minimum of 15 minutes. Airing out your home especially during the winter months allows the recycled air used air and trapped smells out and fresh air in to replace it and flow through your furniture fabric and mattresses.       

Now it is time to change and set the mood of the home by adding an inviting fragrance from candles, flowers, spices, etc. For all of this and more check out The Nile List Home And Garden

The Nile List business owner, Shayla Hill, founder of Hill + Daniel home fragrances knows a thing or two about turning your home into a welcoming and harmonious environment.  With Ms. Hill’s background in Home Environmental Care, Hill + Daniel’s variety of fragrances are handcrafted and designed to relax, calm, and transform a living space into a loving space. 

For DIY fragrances, simply look in your pantry, refrigerator, or walk outside. 

Suggested DIY At Home Fragrance Bar finds:

• Fresh Rosemary

• Sage

• Allspice

• Cinnamon

• Clove

• Oranges

• Lemon

• Grapefruit

• Vanilla

• Cedar

• Pine

A quick home refresher is to just set out in a bowl of the most powerful of the citrus smells, Lemons. Place 9 lemons in a bowl to be exact. Nine lemons, in the Chinese principle of Feng Shui (Chinese practice of the art of placement of items for the flow of Life/Force), represent fullness, longevity, and happiness.

The smell of lemon is a natural antidepressant, and is a true pick me up! So here is a DIY recipe for Fab Foodie Club's  Lemon “Positive Vibes Only” spray for your home. 

Fab Foodie Club’s Lemon “Positive Vibes Only” Home Spray  

Things needed:

-2 Lemon slices

-Sprig of mint (my favorite is Spearmint)

-Lemon juice

-2 cups Hot water

-Empty spray bottle

Boil 2 cups of water in a small pot

Add and dissolve 1/8 cup of baking soda

Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice

Add lemon slices

Add a sprig of mint

Turn off the pot's heat

Set mixture aside and allow to cool.

Once cooled, pour the mixture into the spray bottle. Shake and spritz your "Positive Vibes" around your home.

After usage, I prefer to store my spray in the fridge. 

For more great recipes and fun, log on to Fab Foodie Club and join me on my social media platforms @fabfoodieclub (Instagram)  Fab Foodie Club (Facebook & Youtube)

Many blessings!