This is an excerpt from the article “ Spring into Clean: An Herbal Guide for a Fresh Start” by Julia Linsteadt featured in the Spring Vol 3 | Issue 12 | 2025 edition of Botanical Anthology. For more herb infused spring cleaning recipes, check out the entire article in the magazine! Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the spring season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.
Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in our cultural history. Though today it is most often associated with decluttering and organizing, its origins lie in a deeper desire for renewal and purification. Historically, spring cleaning coincided with the return of longer days, revealing the dust and grime on surfaces of the home accumulated during winter. Homes heated by wood or coal required a thorough scouring to ensure its longevity, a practice that naturally extended to every corner of the living space.
Just as our ancestors meticulously scrubbed their hearths for practical purposes, we can refresh our homes with the gentle power of herbs for a fresh start to a new season. This spring, discover how to create homemade herbal products that will cleanse your space and leave it feeling deeply cared for and rejuvenated.
Don’t forget to include your floors as part of your spring cleaning routine. This homemade lemon balm and mint floor cleaning solution is a gentle yet effective way to refresh your tile, linoleum, and even wood floors. Lemon balm possesses mild antibacterial properties, while mint lends its potent aroma to the solution that helps to repel pests and refresh the space. The solution leaves your floor sparkling clean and sanitized and imparts a pleasant aroma.
To create the floor cleaner, infuse 1 cup of fresh lemon balm and mint leaves with 3 cups of distilled white vinegar in a glass jar.
Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally. After the infusion period, strain the vinegar through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container.
To use, dilute 1/2 cup of the infused vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water in a mop bucket. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil and a tablespoon of Castille soap. Mop your floors as usual, enjoying the invigorating scent of lemon balm and mint.
Julia writes about homegrown and handmade living, including topics related to herbs, gardening, crafting, and cozy spaces on her small farm in Northern California. You can follow her work on afarmtokeep.com
