Dirty Talk

Don't waste precious fridge space with bowls of baking soda or coffee - pop in a whole lemon (or two) to absorb smells & deodorise your fridge naturally. Replace it every few months.

Toxicity of boric acid Boric acid, sodium borate, and sodium perborate are estimated to have a lethal dose (LD50) from 0.1 to 0.5 g/kg in humans[verification needed][5]. These substances are toxic to all cells, and have a slow excretion rate through the kidneys. Kidney toxicity is the greatest, with liver fatty degeneration, cerebral edema, and gastroenteritis. A reassessment of boric acid/borax by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs found potential developmental toxicity (especially effects on the testes).[6] Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are known to be especially toxic to infants, especially after repeated use because of its slow elimination rate.[7]

Toxicity of boric acid Boric acid, sodium borate, and sodium perborate are estimated to have a lethal dose (LD50) from 0.1 to 0.5 g/kg in humans[verification needed][5]. These substances are toxic to all cells, and have a slow excretion rate through the kidneys. Kidney toxicity is the greatest, with liver fatty degeneration, cerebral edema, and gastroenteritis. A reassessment of boric acid/borax by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs found potential developmental toxicity (especially effects on the testes).[6] Boric acid solutions used as an eye wash or on abraded skin are known to be especially toxic to infants, especially after repeated use because of its slow elimination rate.[7]

Re: "Essential oils" (i.e. lavender oil) question from a US user -- Look for an herbal shop, health foods shop, or a metaphysical shop. You might also have a go at a natural cosmetics shop (usually something only in large cities-- I saw one last, in Toronto). Otherwise, you might try as a next to the last resort, the candle/soap making aisle at a place like Hobby Lobby or Michaels/MJ Designs. All else fails: Google it. :D Good luck!

Use a natural bristle shoeshine brush to remove dust from ornately carved furniture.

Pongy trainers? Fill an old sock with tea and a couple of drops of tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial. Leave in your shoes overnight.

It's a pre-recycling one. When you've finished squeezing your lemon, don't chuck it in the bin or compost. Cut it open and rub it over your hair - it will give you natural highlights in the sun! Of course if you favour dark hair - stay well clear! Oh and of course - then chuck it in the compost bin :)