Recently I was inspired by an Herbal Coop Freshening Spray shared by Jennifer at 1840 Farm. I set out to try her recipe but couldn't find any Lavender Dawn dish detergent, so I ended up improvising and creating my own recipe for a pleasant smelling spray that could be used in between cleanings to keep our coop not only smelling nice but also help repel rodents, insects and calm our laying hens naturally.
Ingredients-
Handful of fresh mint (any kind will work)
Handful of fresh lavender leaves, buds and flowers
Bottle of white vinegar (feel free to substitute vodka - yes vodka!)
Mason jar
Spray bottle
Rip and crush the herbs with your fingers as you add each sprig to the jar release the oils. Fill each jar about halfway with the herbs, then add white vinegar (or vodka) to completely cover, leaving at least 1/4" headroom in each jar.
Screw the lid on securely and then set the jar in your pantry, in a cupboard or on the kitchen counter to 'age' for 2-3 weeks. Shake the jar every few days to reinvigorate the contents. The mixture should start to turn a purplish-greenish-brown color and smell fragrant.
When the vinegar smell has mostly dissipated, the spray is ready to use. Strain the contents and then pour into a spray bottle to use full strength - or slightly dilute with a bit of water if desired. Spray in your coop as needed.
About the Ingredients
White vinegar is a natural disinfectant. It has antibacterial properties, kills mold and is also an ant repellent. (Apple cider vinegar, while great for adding to your chickens water and drinking yourself for all its health benefits, shouldn't be used here - only white vinegar. Apple cider vinegar will attract fruit flies.)
Note: You can substitute vodka for the white vinegar. Vodka is an all natural cleaning agent that kills insects instead of merely repelling them. It is also antibacterial and kills mold and mildew, and is odorless.
Lavender is a naturally calming stress reliever, increases blood circulation, is highly aromatic, and also an insecticide. The aroma is highly beneficial to settle laying or sitting hens.
Mint is a natural rodent repellent.
I started using vodka (buying the largest, cheapest bottle I could find at the liquor store) and much prefer it to the vinegar because the vodka is odorless. In fact, the spray smells so nice that I use it in our home as well as the coop.
I started using vodka (buying the largest, cheapest bottle I could find at the liquor store) and much prefer it to the vinegar because the vodka is odorless. In fact, the spray smells so nice that I use it in our home as well as the coop.
A few months ago I shared my Orange Peel White Vinegar Coop Cleaner [click here for the recipe].
It's a wonderful, effective cleaner that costs pennies to make and is completely safe to use around your chickens. I use this cleaner in our home as well, the citrus oils make a wonderful de-greaser. Used as a Coop Cleaner in conjunction with the Lavender Mint Coop Refresh Spray, the combination will keep your coop (and home) should smelling lovely!
Note: This spray is NOT a substitute for regular cleaning of your coop and at the slightest whiff of ammonia, all soiled coop bedding should all be removed and replaced with fresh bedding.
Note: This spray is NOT a substitute for regular cleaning of your coop and at the slightest whiff of ammonia, all soiled coop bedding should all be removed and replaced with fresh bedding.
Great idea!! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I'm going to even try it as linen spray since it's all natural.
ReplyDeleteHeading out to the mint garden to collect leaves for this one! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDid it seem to work to calm the hens and repel the rodents? Sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLiz
This would be great for freshening up around my home! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it would be a great freshener anywhere! Thanks for stopping by Posed Perfection and leaving me a sweet comment. I'm your newest follower. I hope you'll stop by again for a visit soon and maybe even a follow back. Hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Nici
oh wow, thanks! I was just out at the house this morning and thinking with all this rain it sure it stinky! Now to find some lavendar!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful Lisa! I can almost smell it :) Thanks so much for linking up to Wildcrafting Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteWhen you get a chance, stop by and check out my new blog hop, The HomeAcre Hop at:
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/the-homeacre-hop-2.html
This sounds just wonderful! I will look forward to spring when my mint will return & maybe even my lavender - not sure that will recover after our hard Alaska winters! Will be worth the wait, no doubt. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I have the lavender, well I will when the weather warms up, but I have to buy more mint plants because mine died during the drought this past summer.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have the mint now need some lavender and some vanilla. I will ck prices on the vodka.
ReplyDeleteYou will love this spray! It smells so awesome! I don't use commercial cleaners at all in the house anymore. Between this one in the bathroom just for touchups and a nice smell, and the orange cleaner in the kitchen, our house smells great too!
DeleteCan you use essential oils as a substitute any of the ingredients? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCan you use essential oils as a substitute any of the ingredients? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes you sure could!
DeleteI recently received a bag of Lavender flowers and Lemon Verbena from Mountain Rose Herbs. Is there any reason I couldn't use these in my herbal nesting box mix, along with my other herbs and flowers?
ReplyDeleteThis is also a great natural bug spray for people. I will go outside in the evening and I am eaten alive in just a few minutes. I go back in, spray some on my arms and legs and then stay outside for hours without another bite!
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank you for linking up your wonderful DIY recipes for our HERBAL series! I love your pretty tutorials :) Also, I won a copy of your book from The Nerdy Farmwife! I can't wait to get my little fingers on it… First to look at all the pictures, then to implement all your ideas on our farm. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh excited you won! Please let me know how you like the book - and if you were so inclined to write a review for amazon, I would be thrilled!
DeleteDo you have to use the canning jar to store it in?
ReplyDeleteNo I strain it into my squirt bottle when it's done.
DeleteIf I used larger canning jars would I add more ingredients of just let it sit long?? I love these ideas. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLavender Solution is really useful for your house, This cleaner that would kill germs without hurting anyone or also the other member of the house and leave my home sparkling clean..
ReplyDeleteLavender house care
Can anyone recommend a natural mite repellent?
ReplyDeleteJust wondering about using organic oils instead of fresh plants? I don't have any of those growing at the moment, which means that they would be store bought variety anyway.
ReplyDelete