Tips for a Clean & Healthy BBQ Grill!

What is the best way to go about cleaning your backyard barbecue grill?

Whether you use your BBQ grill year round or just during the summer months, it's going to get dirty. So what are some tips to keep your grill clean and healthy?  The best advice we can give is to prevent it from getting overly dirty in the first place.  Below I will go over four tips to keep your BBQ looking and grilling its best.

1.) Don't let the food stick - 

No one wants to see old food stuck on your grill's grates. Not only is it disgusting but it's not healthy either. Avoid having stuck on food with two simple tricks.  The first, simply spray or rub cooking oil over the grates before you put your food down.  Another trick is once you have preheated your grill, rub a halved onion along the grates.  Sounds weird I know but it really does help stop your food from sticking.

2.) Clean it after every use -

This tip is pretty straight forward, clean your grill off when you are done using it. This will help keep your grill healthy and clean by reducing the build up of old food and grease over time. It is a lot easier to get food, grease and other things off your grill when it's fresh and the grates are hot. This will also help make your annual deep cleans easier.

3.) Don't forget the pan underneath - 

Many people focus all their attention on the grill grates when cleaning and forget about the pan underneath.  This can be a big mistake for several reasons.  The grills pan is where the majority of grease and food scraps end up.  Left uncleaned it can begin to attract unwanted pests like mice, rats and bugs.  Also, all this grease and old food can plug up your grills burners, making your grill less efficient. Lastly and the most important reason to remember to clean your pan is that this is where grease fires can occur. Being sure to clean it out regularly can help prevent a disaster.

4.) Deep clean it once a year -

Having a thorough grill cleaning done once a year will help keep your grill healthy and working like a champ! It can also help to minimize the wear and tear seen from years of use. For many the best times to have this done is in the fall after grilling all summer or in the spring before the grilling season starts back up again. If you are not sure on how to go about deep cleaning your grill we recommend contacting a local pro to come take care of it.

If you are in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area and looking for a grill cleaning at an affordable price please visit bbq.joefilter.com.

Gourmet Mac & Cheese on the Grill!

Did you know gourmet macaroni and cheese can be made on the grill?

Yes you read that right,we are going to show you how to make everyone's favorite pasta on the grill! Making gourmet mac & cheese on the grill is pretty similar to making it in your kitchen. You will still need a large pot, saucepan, whisk, and measuring cups and spoons. As well as all of the standard ingredients as listed below.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound macaroni noodles
• 6 cups of your favorite shredded cheeses
• A stick of butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• Milk
• Salt 
• Ground Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• Breadcrumbs

Directions:

The following part can be done on either the stove or the grill.  As well as a side burner if your BBQ has one. If done on the grill preheat the grill to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Once the grill is preheated fill your pot with water and bring it to a boil.  Once boiling your macaroni noodles in the pot and cook until they are "Al Dente". Once cooked to this consistency drain the pot and set the noodles to the side for the time being. 

Set the grill to medium burn. Then using a large sauce pan melt 1 whole stick of butter.  Once melted whisk in your flour to thicken then add 2 cups of milk. Now begin adding your cheese 1 cup at a time being sure to thoroughly whisk each in before the next. If the sauce becomes to thick add more milk. 

Once all cheeses are blended together mix in the noodles as well as a 1/2 a teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black paper. Once everything is thoroughly mixed transfer your mac and cheese to a cast iron casserole dish.  Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and garlic powder, then place on the grill (lid closed) for 12 minutes.  Check half way through to make sure it does not burn. Once done take it off the grill and let it stand for a few minutes before serving.

To add some extra flavor to your macaroni and cheese mix in some grilled peppers, bacon and/or chicken! 

5 Tips for Summer Energy Saving!

Summer is a fun time of year but it's high temperatures often leads to higher energy bills. Learn to save energy during these hot months by following these 5 quick and easy tips!

1.) Change Your Air Filters- 

With your A/C running more frequently do to the summer heat, it becomes more important to check and replace your dirty air filters more often. Energy companies recommend checking and replacing your air filters once a month, especially in the summer months.  After a month your air filter will have filled up with all the dirt and dust  that has been blowing through it. Once this happens your system will have to work harder to continue to pull air through it, using more energy.

2.) Replace Your Outdoor Lights with LED Bulbs-

Summer time often leads to more backyard outdoor activities.  Whether it's the neighborhood BBQ or a pool party, a lot of these activities can stretch into the twilight hours.  To save energy but still keep everything well lit, look into investing in LED bulbs for outside your home.  LED bulbs traditionally use 25%-80% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, while giving off more light. Not just that but they last up to 25 times longer too!

If saving energy is your end game it would be a good idea to look into replacing all your homes lights with LED bulbs.

3.) Use a Clothesline to Dry Your Laundry-

On a beautiful summer day why not air dry your laundry on a clothes line.  Your dryer can use a lot of energy to dry your clothes, even more if you haven't cleaned the dryer vent recently. So when its nice outside simply hang up your laundry to dry.  Not only will this help you save energy, but it will help air out your laundry leaving it with a nice fresh air scent.

4.) Use Your BBQ Grill to Cook-

Cooking a meal in your kitchen can use a lot of your homes energy.  From using the stove, oven, and even the opening and closing of your refrigerator you can add a lot to your energy bill. So during the summer to save energy, try using your grill to cook as many meals as possible. You can cook almost anything on a grill and it uses much less energy to do so. 

5.) Set Your Thermostat to 78 Degrees or Higher-

As mentioned before with the summer your A/C will be running much more often.  To avoid over using your A/C, most energy companies recommend setting your thermostat to the highest temperature that is still comfortable for you and your family.  Usually 78 degrees or higher. To help you with this we recommend getting a Nest Learning Thermostat. The Nest Learning Thermostat learns and programs itself based on your habits and automatically helps save energy. Plus you can control it using your phone, tablet or laptop even when you are not home.

To learn more about how we can help you save energy visit joefilter.com today!

Grilling Lobster!

Lobster is considered to be one of the cornerstones of fine dining, but did you know you can make this delicacy at home on your grill?!

Typically it is just lobster tail that you make on the grill but you can make whole lobsters too, so long as you kill them before putting them on the grill.  Since killing your dinner can be a buzz kill (no pun intended) for some it is usually easier just get lobster tails.

Your lobster tails should be right around 7 ounces in weight.  Be sure to thaw them before grilling! As you are waiting for the tails to thaw, mix 1 stick of butter, 2 tbsp of chives, 1 tbsp of tarragon, a clove of minced garlic, and hot sauce together in a small bowl and set it aside for later.

After the lobster tails have thawed use kitchen shears to cut the bottom of the lobster shell almost the entire length of the tail, exposing the meat. Then take a knife and cut the meat along the same path as you cut the shell making sure not to slice all the way through the lobster. Gently pull open the lobster like a book.  Do not rip the two halves apart!

Preheat your grill to medium heat, then brush the lobsters meat with olive oil and salt to add flavor.  Place meat side down over direct medium heat on the grill for about 5 to 7 minutes.  The shell should become a bright red color.  Flip the lobster over and spoon a large tbsp of the butter mixture you made on top of your lobster meat.  Continue to grill for another 5 minutes or until the internal heat reaches 135 degrees fahrenheit. Take off the grill and serve with your remaining butter mix and lemons.

Yup it's that easy! You can also use this same process for grilling whole lobsters. Now get out there and enjoy some grilled lobster!


If your grill needs a good cleaning after your lobster extravaganza call Joe Filter about our BBQ Clean-up Service or visit bbq.JoeFilter.com.

How to Grill Your Pizza!

Say goodbye to baking your pizza in the oven! 

Try the fun, creative and delicious option of cooking your pizza on the grill instead! It is a lot easier to do then you think. Not only that but grilling your pizza will give it that authentic old school pizza look and delectable taste! This is because the best pizza is typically made in brick pizza ovens that reach temperatures your kitchen oven can't match but that your grill can.  Now the key to being successful at grilling your pizza is making sure you're organized prior to it.  You will need to have your ingredients and equipment ready at a moment's notice... You don't want to leave your pizza burning on the grill as you rummage through cabinets looking for a spatula. Once you organized You can begin the grilling process.

Below is everything you need to know to grill your pizza.

Equipment:

• Grill (gas or charcoal)
• Rolling Pin
• Pizza Tray
• Grill Tongs
• Basting Brush

Ingredients:

• 1 ball of pizza dough (about a pound)
• 1 cup of pizza sauce
• Enough cheese to cover the pizza (typically about 2 cups) 
• Olive oil (this can be substituted for coconut oil if you choose)
• Toppings of your choice (ie: meat and veggie)

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill on high till it reaches 550-600 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Roll out dough into a thin circle using your rolling pin.
3. Brush one side of the dough with olive oil then lay that side down on your grill grates.
4. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil and let the dough cook for about 3 minutes with grill uncovered.
5. Lift the dough occasionally using your tongs to check its progress. Grill marks are what you want but the dough should not be burnt or flaky.
6. After the 3 minutes are up gently flip the dough over so that the uncooked side is now on the grates.
7. Quickly top your pizza. Spread the pizza sauce in a thin layer over the dough. Then top the dough with your cheese and other toppings of your choice. Do not overload the pizza or it will not cook right!
8. Cover the grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.  Keep an eye on the pizza to make sure that it does not get burnt.  If you think you smell it burning lower the heat.
9. After the 3 to 5 minutes uncover the grill and place the pizza on a pizza tray to cool. The crust should be a golden brown and the cheese should be completely melted.
10. Once cooled cut it into slices and ENJOY!

If your grill needs a good thorough cleaning check out bbq.joefilter.com!

Grill Your Thanksgiving Turkey!

Throw your turkey on the grill this Thanksgiving!

Ever wonder how you could make Thanksgiving even better? Well the answer is grilling, that's how! Rather than putting your turkey in the oven this put it on the grill, after all ovens are really just for pies and sides.  

Grilling your turkey is incredibly easy to do. Just follow the directions below and you will be on your way to an EPIC Thanksgiving feast!

Ingredients:

• 12 lbs Whole Turkey (Make sure it has been thawed out)
• 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
• 1 Tsp of your favorite seasoning (I recommend Italian or lemon pepper)

Get to Grilling:

1. Clean off your grill grates and set the heat to medium-high.
2. Rinse off the turkey.
3. Turn wings back to hold neck skin in place & return legs to tucked position.
4. Brush the turkey lightly with olive oil and then season well.
5. Place the turkey, breast side up, in a large roasting pan.
6. Place the pan on the grill and then close the cover.
7. Grill for 2 to 3 hours or until the inner thigh temps out to 180 degrees fahrenheit.
8. Take off of the grill and let stand for 15 minutes.
9. Set the table, give thanks and then DIG IN AND ENJOY!

A Recipe For Awesomeness: Loaded Baked Potato Volcanoes!

Make your next backyard BBQ an eruption of awesomeness with these Loaded Baked Potato Volcanoes!

Have you ever been eating a baked potato and thought "this is good but I wonder how I could make it awesome?" Well here is your answer, the Loaded Baked Potato Volcano!  This glorious creation is a potato that is wrapped with not one, but two pieces of bacon and is erupting a mixture of cheese, sour cream, and green onion!  Not just that but it's easy to make too, simply follow the recipe below.

Ingredients:

6 Large Red or Russet Potatoes

8 oz of Cream Cheese

3 Cups of Cheddar Cheese

6 tbsp of Sour Cream

1 1/4 cups of Green Onions

12 Slices of Bacon

Supplies:

Tongs

Large Mixing Bowl

Mixing Spoon

Toothpicks

Small metal spoon/melon baller

Tin Foil

Instructions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 400˚F
2.  Wash off potatoes in the sink and poke a couple holes in them so they can vent.
3.  Wrap all the potatoes individually in tin foil and place them in the oven for 20min or until they begin to soften.
4. While they cook, mix together the cream cheese, green onions (saving a little for garnish) and 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl.
5. Remove the potatoes from the oven and let them rest until they are cool enough to touch.
6. After taking off the tin foil cut the ends off the potato so that it can stand up.
7. Using a melon baller or a small spoon, carve out the center of the potato. (Be careful not to make the walls or bottom too thin.)
8. Preheat the grill to about 350˚F
9. Pack each potato completly and epically full of the cheese mixture. 
10. Wrap 2 slices of bacon around the potato and keep them in place with toothpicks.
11. Place potatoes over indirect heat on the grill for 30 minutes with the lid closed.
12. Top the potatoes with the remaining cheddar cheese and cook for another 15 minutes.
13. Using your tongs, take the potatoes off the grill and place on a serving tray/plate.
14. Garnish with a tablespoon of sour cream per potato and some green onions.
15. Serve and enjoy!

That's all there is to it! Try it out and impress everyone at your next BBQ!

Sriracha Glazed Jalapeno Grilled Shrimp

Spice up your summer grilling with our sriracha glazed jalapeno grilled shrimp recipe!

Looking for a new and fun BBQ recipe to try? Our sriracha glazed jalapeno grilled shrimp is a sure fire way to spice up your next backyard BBQ.  Not only is it delicious but it's a breeze to make too! Below is everything you need to know!

What you need.

• A clean BBQ grill
• Grill tongs and basting brush
• 1/4 stick of butter (or margarine) 
• 1 Tbs of minced garlic
• 3-5 Tbs of Sriracha  (depending on how spicy you like it)
• 1 pinch of salt
• Jumbo shrimp (uncooked, peeled & deveined) 
• Thickly sliced jalapeno peppers (one slice per shrimp)

Grilling Directions - 

1. Melt the butter in a microwavable bowl.  Add the sriracha, garlic and salt to the butter and mix well.
2. Preheat the grill as you prepare the shrimp.
3. Place a slice of jalapeno pepper into the slit down the back of each shrimp.  Use a toothpick or skewer to hold it in place if necessary.
4. Lightly dip the shrimp in the glaze and place on the grill.  Turn them as needed.
5. Once each side of the shrimp has begun to cook, brush the rest of the sriracha glaze over your shrimp. Try to cover both sides if possible.
6. Grill until the shrimp's internal temperature is 120 degrees and flesh is pearly and opaque.
7. Take the shrimp off the grill and let them cool for a few minutes.

Once they have had a chance to cool off, it's time to dig in and ENJOY! For extra zest squeeze a lime over the shrimp.

Having trouble cleaning your grill or just don't have the time? Give Joe Filter a call (480) 813-9494 and we will get your grill BBQ ready right away!

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Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken Taco Recipe!

Enjoy this day with a delicious grill recipe for Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos!  It's easy to make and all you will need are the following ingredients and a little time.

Ingredients-

• 1 cup fresh lime juice
• a 1/2 cup tequila
• a 1/2 cup orange juice
• a 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 and a 1/2 tablespoons of serrano pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• about 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 boneless chicken breast
• 2 cups of pepper jack cheese (this can be substituted for your own favorite cheese)
• sour cream
• 1 large diced heirloom tomato
• 1 large diced red onion 
• 1 bag of flour tortillas 

Preparation-

To start mix together the lime juice, tequila, orange juice, cilantro, serrano pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a large tupperware container. Add and cover the chicken breasts with the marinade mixture.  Put the lid on the tupperware, and let it chill for about an hour in the fridge.  You can use this time to change your air filters... or enjoy a tasty beverage of your choosing!

Preheat your grill to medium heat.  Rub a halved onion along the grates to create a non stick surface for grilling on. Place chicken on the grill, and grill the chicken for about 18 to 20 minutes or until fully cooked.  Be sure to turn the chicken occasionally. About 10 minutes in drizzle the remaining marinade on top of the chicken and then continue to grill until fully cooked.

Take the chicken off the grill and let it sit for about 5 to 8 minutes.  Take each chicken breast, cut them into pieces, and transfer them to a bowl.  Around the same time, layout your tortillas on the grill (your grill should be off now), and close the lid to warm up your tortillas. 

Now it is time to make your tacos! 

Fill your tortilla with a combination of chicken, onion, tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese.  Add some lime juice or hot sauce for a little extra kick.  Then sit back and enjoy your creation!  

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Having trouble cleaning your grill or just don't have the time? Give Joe Filter a call (480) 813-9494 and we will get your grill BBQ ready right away!

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Tips and Tricks for the Spring BBQ Season!

Spring is almost upon us, which means its time to get ready for the BBQ season! The first step in doing this will be to go outside and check out your BBQ grill to make sure it is still working.  If it is a propane grill make sure your tank is full and connected properly.  The next big thing you will want to do will be to thoroughly clean your grill focusing on the health and safety related areas such as where you cook your food and all the way down to the pan where potential grease fires can begin. Over the winter your grill can play home to all sorts of little critters so do be careful when opening and cleaning.  Once your grill is nice and clean you are all set to begin your BBQ!

Here are a couple tips and tricks for a successful spring BBQ!

Tips for any grill-

1. Always preheat your grill before you begin cooking.
   
   
2. Halve an onion and rub the sliced side along the preheated grates.  This will keep your food from sticking to the grill grates.
3. Always be sure to thaw your meat out before placing on your grill.
4. This should go without saying but wash your hands immediately after handling raw meat.
5. Never cut or stab into your meat. It will cause the meat to lose its flavorful juices.
6. Portobello mushroom caps can be used as a healthy alternative to hamburger patties. That is if your into that sort of thing ;).
7. Simply wrapping your hot dogs in bacon can turn a good BBQ into a great one!
8. You can use a muffin pan to store all your condiments and add on's (ketchup, mustard, diced onions, etc.) at your BBQ.  This way your table is not cluttered with different bowls and dishes.
9.  Always always always clean off your grill once you are done using it. This will help protect your grill and keep you from more work in the future.

Charcoal Grill Tips-

1. To quickly start your charcoal grill pile all your kindling and coals into one area of the grill. Have the kindling on the inside and the charcoal covering it but with holes for the kindling to breath.  Once the coals are fully lit spread them evenly around the grill.
2. Go easy on the lighter fluid. Your food will absorb a lot of the flavor of what it is being cooked over and lighter fluid is not very tasty or healthy.
3. Using additive free charcoal will give you a cleaner burn and put less chemicals into your air and food.

Having trouble cleaning your grill or just don't have the time? Give Joe Filter a call (480) 813-9494 and we will get your grill BBQ ready right away!

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Healthy Seafood grilling!

Seafood both freshwater and saltwater are a great edition to any barbecue. Fish like salmon, swordfish and trout are low in fat and full of vitamins, iron and protein.  This makes them a healthy alternative to the traditional grill favorites like steak, hamburgers and brats. However, being healthy doesn't have to mean it won't taste as good or even better. Their are several delicious gourmet recipes out there when it comes to fish.  Below I will share two great fish grilling recipes, one for salmon and one for swordfish.  Both of these are two of the healthiest fish to eat.

Grilled Lemon Rosemary Salmon:

Ingredients-

4 6 oz salmon fillets with skin on
4 cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 whole sprigs of rosemary (soaked in water for 30 min)
4 fresh lemon wedges
Fresh ground pepper
Wood grilling planks

Directions-

Mix together the garlic and lemon juice with the olive oil in a bowl. Gently brush a generous amount on to the salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired for extra taste. Lay the salmon onto your wood grilling planks.  Lay a few Rosemary sprigs around the salmon on the hot grill and sprinkle the rest on the salmon itself (see picture for reference). Cover the grill and cook salmon for between 10-15 minutes or until flaky. Remove the skin from the salmon and discard it and the rosemary. Garnish salmon with fresh lemon slices and serve.

Lemon Mint Swordfish Steak:

Ingredients-

4 6 oz swordfish steaks
1/2 a cup olive oil

3 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint leaves

3 tablespoons of lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1 minced garlic clove

Salt and pepper

Directions-

Combine the oil, mint, lemon juice, basil, and garlic in a medium bowl and mix together with salt and pepper. Brush the swordfish with 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Preheat the grill on med-heat. Put the sword fish on the grill and cook 3-5 minutes per side. Take the swordfish steaks off the grill and put them on a plate. Drizzle the rest of the olive oil mixture onto the steaks and serve.

Always remember to clean your BBQ grill after cooking!

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Your Grill Is An Extension of your Kitchen!

Did you know that your grill is one of the most versatile cooking tools a person can own? Sadly many do not use it to its full potential and just use it for grilling brats, burgers and the occasional steak. Instead your grill should be used as an extension of your kitchen. In fact your grill should really be thought of as your outside stove/oven as well as a grill.  You can fry up some meat and veggies in a pan or close the lid and use it to bake one of your favorite recipes.

Here are a few ways to use your grill to its full potential.

Use as a Stove Top 

Using your grill like your stove is fairly simple.  You just need a clean grill and all the same tools you would use inside (ie. pots, pans and etc).

Fry-

To fry up some food on your grill first light the grill and get the flame to a desired height. Then simply put a frying pan over the flames on the grates.  Have some butter or oil in the pan and fry up whatever you're hungry for. (DO NOTE CLOSE LID)

Boiling-

This is a process that can be used to cook rice, pasta, potatoes and anything else you want to boil.  It is almost exactly the same as it is on the stove but with two differences.  The first difference is that it can only be done with a pot with short metal handles (no plastic or rubber). The second difference is, instead of putting the a lid on the pot you simply close the grill's lid on it. Make sure you constantly check the pot to make sure you don't over cook. Also always use oven mitts when moving the pot.

Use as a Oven

Using your grill like an oven follows the same principles as your kitchen oven. Use oven mitts, keep at constant temperature and keep it clean.

Bake-

When using your grill to bake the most important tool to have is a thermometer to check the temperature. Below are the steps you need to take to take in order to bake with your grill.

1. Preheat your grill by lighting it and closing the lid.
2. Check the temperature inside the grill with your thermometer.
3. Once the desired temperature is reached put in the item you wish to bake (ie. pizza, apple pie, a casserole, etc.). 
4. Make sure what you are baking is not directly over the flames, and close the lid.
5. Bake for the amount of time the recipe calls for, all the while checking the temperature every so often to maintain a consistent heat.
6. Enjoy!

Roast-

Your BBQ grill is a great tool to use to roast some of your favorite snacks and meals. If you are cooking a big meal and run out of room in your oven for the roast, use your grill instead. To do this cook the roast at constant heat, following the same steps for baking until it reaches the desired temperature. You can also use your grill to roast some chestnuts to snack on or throw some fruit on the grill to give it some extra flavor. 

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Healthy Home DIY Tips & Tricks with Essential Oils

Essential oils are a product made by the distillation of natural material, usually by water or steam. The resulting all natural oils are highly aromatic and can be used for a number of holistic reasons from health and skin care to aromatherapy.  Essential oils can also be used for healthy home do it yourself projects. These projects can range from simply getting your home to smell nice all the way to pest control.

Here are a few do it yourself healthy home tips and tricks you can do with Essential Oils.

Air Filters- 

While doing your monthly air filter replacement in your home, put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the air filter before you install it. Put a drop in each corner as  well as a couple in the center of the filter.  This will keep your home smelling great for a month when you change your air filters again.

Freshen While You Vacuum- 

Depending on the type of vacuum you have this can be done two ways. The first way is if your vacuum uses the disposable paper bags.  If so just add a few drops to the bag before you install it.  If you have a reusable bag or a bagless vacuum simply put the drops on a cotton ball and place the cotton ball inside the bag or canister.  Then every time you vacuum you will leave behind a fresh scent.

Linen Spray-

Get a spray bottle and fill it with 1.5 cups of water.  Then add 3 ounces of vodka and about 30-35 drops of your favorite scented essential oil.  Lavender is a popular choice for this spray. Shake the bottle up to mix the ingredients and spray your linens to give them a pleasant aroma.

Get Rid of Smelly Shoe Odor-

This is possibly the easiest trick you can do.  Put a few drops of some great smelling essential oils on cotton balls and leave them in your shoes overnight.  The next morning your shoes should be smelling good as new.  Just make sure to put your shoes out of the reach of any pets you have when you do this.

Keep your BBQ Bug Free-

No one enjoys a BBQ with a bunch of mosquitos and flies buzzing around.  To keep these annoying bugs at bay drip a few drops of citronella oil on the coals of your bbq and on any candles you have out.

Amazing Smelling Laundry-

To get your laundry smelling fantastic put a couple drops of an essential oil like lavender or your own favorite blend on a dryer sheet. Put the dryer sheet in with your laundry and turn the dryer on.  Your laundry should come out smelling even better then usual.

Homemade Air Freshener Spray-

Rather than using those store bought aerosol sprays that are full of dangerous chemicals you can make your own air freshening spray with essential oils.  Get a spray bottle and fill it up with no more than a cup of distilled water.  Then choose 3 of your favorite essential oils that go well together.  Put 8 drops of each oil in the spray bottle.  Shake well, and wah-la you have a healthy homemade air freshening spray.

Homemade Pest repellent-

If you have pests like mice, spiders and ants in your home this is an easy trick to get rid of them.  Put a few drops of Peppermint oil on a cotton ball.  Then put the cotton balls in the problem areas of your home.  Most of these pests detest the smell of peppermint so this should drive them out of your home.

Easy Simmer Pots-

Want to freshen up your entire house quick and easy?  Fill a pan with water and bring it to a boil.  Once it begins to boil set it to simmer and add drops of your favorite smelling essential oil. This will have your home smelling great in no time. Just remember to keep putting water and drops in the pan as they evaporate into the air,

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