The bane of any good bbq, a swarm of mosquitoes can ruin a night’s fun. Used to be that the most reliable way to ward them off was a solid DEET-based repellent. Of course, we now know that beyond being bad for the environment, DEET has recently been linked to brain cell damage and can even interfere with several medications. Frequent applications of DEET have been tied to neuron death in parts of the brain that control muscle movement, learning, memory, and concentration. Why take a chance with your health? There are plenty of healthy, eco-friendly ways to guard off the blood-sucking little bastards.

A Solid Standby

Citronella is hardly a new concept – it’s been used in outdoor lanterns and torches for decades as a way to add light to any outdoor setting and keep mosquitoes at bay. Pure, essential oil of citronella is what’s required here, and bought in bulk it’s easy to burn in any basic lantern. If you want a topical product, your best bet is the beauty product section of your local natural food store.

Other Oils

Believe it or not, there are heaps of other oils that are not only as or more effective than traditional DEET based products in warding off insects, but actually have other unexpected benefits. Take soy oil, for instance. Often cheap and easy to find, soy oil has been reported by reliable sources like The New England Journal of Medicine as being just as effective as more traditional products. What’s more, it has a great benefit of being a good body moisturizer and is even thought to slow the growth of body hair.

NEEM seed oil has actually been proven as more effective than its chemical counterparts. Lavender oil has also been known to work and smells great, often thought to reduce headaches and relieve stress.

Unexpected Alternatives

Surprisingly, the essential oil in catnip – you know, the stuff that your pet goes bloody bonkers for – has been found to be about 10 times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes by a research group in Iowa. And if all else fails and you can’t find any of these fancy oils, why not try something simpler like indulging in a good bit of spaghetti? Loaded down with garlic, of course – mosquitoes find it more repellent than a horny teenager might. 

Just remember to think a bit outside of the usual and you’ll likely find the perfect, healthy and natural alternative that works for you. 

It can be argued that commercial drain cleaners are some of the nastier chemicals in your home cleaning arsenal – laced with warnings and accompanied by a host of horror stories, there’s plenty of reason to worry when stashing a bottle of the stuff under your sink. Obviously, these chemicals can’t be any easier on the environment than they are on our plumbing, so using them not only comes with worry but a healthy heap of eco-related guilt. Tell the old stand bys to shove off with some great eco-friendly methods that will keep your drains clean without all the worry.

Rely On Yourself

While the household cleaning industry wants us convinced that the only way to remove a clog is to burn through it, the truth is that a lot of simple, everyday items can remove the gunk. Before investing in high priced options, try a plunger. Often effective on more than just toilets, they can push out a clog with just a little bit of elbow grease. Plumber’s snakes are certainly an option, though only professionals should attempt to work them. Instead, look on the shelves of your local health food store for some bacteria-based enzyme cleaners that will eat the clog free of your pipe without eating everything else.

Make It Yourself

Of course, a lot of people don’t realize that the answer might be as simple as a cup of baking soda down the drain. Chase it with three cups of boiling water and you’ve got an all natural alkaline solution that will loosen a lot of grime. If the drain is already completely clogged, try this same method with washing soda first. Washing soda, or sodium carbonate, is in the same family as baking soda, but is even more alkaline. There are no fumes to worry about, but wearing gloves isn’t optional. It will remove wax from floors, cut grease, and yes, unclog drains without too many problems. If none of that works, try the old science experiment route of vinegar and baking soda.

Congratulate Yourself

These methods, when done properly and combined with regular drain maintenance, can keep your drains as clear as any over the counter household cleaner – without all the nasty additives. Be good to your environment and have some added peace of mind – steer clear of the traditional products and try to fight plumbing woes with a bit more time and some standard baking soda.