Monday, March 17, 2014

My favorite housewarming gift and spring cleaning smell

Yesterday, we spring cleaned this transitional apartment that we are calling home. It was MUCH needed for many reasons... Ansley and Patrick suffer from all kinds if allergies and with the unknown tenants before us combined with paint overs, we are certain that we are dealing with pet dander, remnants  of cigarette smokers, and mold/mildew... (Patrick can't build this house fast enough...ahem)

That said, we spent the better part of yesterday cleaning every inch of our small space, washing bedding and stuffed animals and cleaning bath toys. It was starting to smell amazing...until we made hamburgers... And even with the doors open and vents blowing, the smell would NOT got away...

I pulled out my secret weapon:
This is my favorite gift to bring to friends who are settling in a new home and my favorite neutralizing/purifying smell. I call it the Williams-Sonoma smell.

Here's the trick. Fill a pot with a shallow amount of water. Add 1 sliced lemon, 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, and 1-3 Tbsp of vanilla. ( I go a little heavy on the vanilla.) Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it simmer. Add water as needed and enjoy for hours!