Spiders certainly get a bad rap: although there are plenty of benefits to having them scurrying around our houses — such as controlling other destructive pests like flies and cockroaches — many of us would still rather have them out of sight, out of mind.  

According to a 2021 study from the British Psychological Society, an estimated six percent of the general population admits to a deep-seated fear of spiders. But whether you suffer from arachnophobia or not, you still might not want these eight-legged companions in your home. 

But how can you eliminate, or at least significantly reduce, the amount of arachnids in your home without resorting to toxic chemicals? We’ve compiled some of the best all-natural ways.

Related: Do Air Purifiers Really Work? And What Do They Actually Do?

Peppermint or Eucalyptus Essential Oil

According to the Home Depot website, spiders loathe the smell of peppermint and eucalyptus. 

Simply mix 15 to 20 drops of essential oil into a spray bottle filled with water. Spray it on the affected areas where you’ve spotted spiders (or even just noticed their webs) and watch how quickly those arachnids will avoid the space moving forward. 

Cinnamon 

It doesn’t stop with peppermint or eucalyptus — spiders will also scurry in the opposite direction if they detect the smell of cinnamon. (Honestly, why do they hate the best-smelling things?)

You’ve got a few options here: you can use anything from dried cinnamon sticks and essential oils to soy candles. Bonus: your house will smell incredible. 

Related: We Tried the Bissell Little Green and Here’s Our Honest Opinion

Keep Cats and Frogs as Pets

Some household pets are known to help control the spider population. 

So, if you’re a pet person, consider investing in a cat or even a frog — both are more than happy to eat any spiders that cross their paths. Although, if you’re not too keen on a frog hopping around your house (we don’t blame you), a cat is probably a better option. 

Spider Catchers 

Spider catchers are one of the most humane ways to free a spider you spot in your house — if you’re not too squeamish about getting up close to them, that is.

This eco-friendly option from Amazon won’t squish the spider, so you can catch and release it with ease. Simply squeeze the handle to open the bristles, place over the spider and set it free outdoors. 

Check Your Countertop Fruit Bowls 

A common culprit for an influx of the spider population in your home could be all the fruit flies making a beeline for the fresh fruit resting on your counter. As it turns out, fruit flies make a tasty snack for spiders.

To avoid accidentally offering up a feast to spiders, check your countertop fruit bowls frequently and remove any rotten or overly ripe items immediately to avoid attracting fruit flies. 

Keep a Clean House

At the end of the day you can also just take preventative measures, such as vacuuming up spiderwebs, keeping food stored in tightly sealed containers and picking up any clutter ASAP (to avoid dark, dusty spots under all that clutter) to help keep the spider population under control. 

Related: 8 Cleaning Secrets From Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

The holidays are right around the corner — and if you’re playing host this time of year, you can pretty much expect at least one wine-related accident. (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.) While many of us certainly love to indulge in a glass of red wine on occasion, spilling it on a piece of furniture, like a gorgeous couch, can permanently ruin the fabric. That’s because wine contains a chromogen (or pigment) called anthocyanin, which is essentially responsible for its deep red hue. It’s the same chemical that lends red berries their bold colour. So, what can you do if red wine ends up on your furniture? Try these three expert cleaning tips for a quick wine stain fix that’ll put your mind at ease.

Related: How to Naturally Clean the 10 Most Stubborn Household Stains

Step #1: Blot the Wine Stain Immediately

Act fast, and resist the temptation to stare in shock and horror at the spillage. If you give the stain time to sit, it will inevitably embed itself into the fibres of your chair or couch. Grab a clean, dry cloth or paper towel and immediately start blotting the stain gently. Absorb as much of the wine as possible. (If the stain is already dry, it’s A-OK to introduce a bit of water on the cloth or paper towel before blotting to help with absorption.) However, be sure not to scrub at it furiously — this will only cause the stain to spread outwards and sink into the fabric.

Related: The Most Important Step to Treating Stains That Everyone Forgets

Step #2: The Magic Wine Stain Concoction

Once blotted with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel, use a combination of dry baking soda and a couple spritzes of vinegar. Make sure they are placed directly on the entire stain to thoroughly saturate the affected area. Let the treatment sit for about five to 10 minutes before blotting once again; if it’s bubbling up, then it’s working its magic.

Next, blot it gently again… this time with a damp cloth. If you’re still noticing some staining, repeat the above steps until it has completely disappeared.

Related: 15 Things You Should Be Cleaning With Baking Soda

Step #3: Voila!

Once the treatment has been removed and the stain is officially gone, vacuum the spot to remove any remaining residue.

Alternative Options for Removing a Wine Stain:

Don’t have any baking soda and/or vinegar on hand? Try the following combos for equally effective treatments:

• Three parts hydrogen peroxide mixed with one part dish soap
• Sprinkling the stain liberally with everyday table salt
• Equal parts white vinegar and club soda

In each of these instances, let the mixture sit on the affected area for roughly 10 minutes before removing with a clean, slightly damp, cloth or paper towel.

Each combination will absorb the wine and gently lift the red colour away from the fabric… saving both your couch and your sanity.

For more cleaning tips, check out all of our cleaning and organization content here.

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The hockey world lost one of its shining lights when Walter Gretzky – proud dad of NHL superstar Wayne – passed away on March 4 at age 82. A former hockey player in his youth, the Gretzky patriarch was known for his devotion to his five kids and the entire community in Brantford, Ont.

We revisit the 2017 pilgrimage Home Network designer Tommy Smythe took to check out the modest Gretzky abode as part of Great Canadian Homes – the same place where Canada’s Hockey Dad created a backyard rink and a basement shrine devoted to Wayne’s many amateur and professional achievements. Sacred ground, in Canada.

Related: The Most Canadian Home Ever? This Ontario House Has Its Own Private Hockey Arena

The quaint white side-split was part of the original 1950s housing development in the area. As Walter walked Tommy through the upper level and out onto the back porch, he said, “I consider it sacred” as he looked over the swimming pool he would freeze over with ice every winter.

“Wayne would play hours at a time,” Walter told Tommy. “Sometimes I’d forget about him out here and he’d be out here until midnight.”

While the home’s carpeted upper level gives off warm and cozy vibes – lots of quilts, knick-knacks and family heirlooms – it’s the  basement that makes it one of the most notable and iconic homes in the entire country. The 360° image below is testament to that fact.

It’s a museum, a shrine – but one that Walter would allow guests (fans, members of the Brantford community, etc.) to interact with it. There was no such thing as a “hands off” rule in the Gretzky home.  Memorabilia included signed magazines, framed photos, cardboard cutouts, trophies and game-worn jerseys and gloves.

In short: it’s a hockey fan’s dream, making Tommy the perfect person to take in its full effect (fun fact: he just so happens to be the great-grandson of Conn Smythe, longtime owner, general manager and coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs). That’s a lot of hockey history in one room!

What’s truly remarkable about the space is that it’s only “some” of the many medals and trophies Wayne won over the years. “Now when you hear me say I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes, you can understand what I’m saying,” Walter tells Tommy. “Can you imagine all these experiences?”

As Walter slowly walked Tommy through the entirety of the basement, pointing out framed photos and miniature Stanley Cups, the Home Network designer said what we were all thinking: “Behind every superstar is a superstar dad.” Based on the amount of fans who lined the street to tap their sticks in Walter’s honour as his family wound through the streets of Brantford for his funeral, it’s safe to say he’s cemented himself in history as one of Canada’s greatest dads.

Feature photo of Walter and Wayne Gretzky courtesy of Getty Images.

We’ve been washing our hands and wiping down all the hard surfaces in our homes a lot more than usual these days. If you find yourself low on disinfectant wipes or simply want to cut back on how frequently you use the store-bought variety, there’s a relatively simple hack for making your own homemade reusable cleaning wipes.

Although the ingredients can vary depending on where you look online or what you have on hand, these are the general items you’ll need.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup water
  • 1-2 Tbsp dish soap
  • 1/4 cup isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 10-15 drops of your favourite essential oils (optional, but a nice addition if you want a gentle scent; think: peppermint, lemon, lavender, tea tree, etc.)
  • 15-20 pieces of thin cloths or shredded old t-shirts (approx. 8-10 inches)
  • 1 large container or glass jar with sealable lid

Directions:

1. Add water, soap, rubbing alcohol and white vinegar to glass jar and stir.

2. Add essential oils and stir.

3. Add cut-up cloth pieces to jar, firmly seal lid and shake, so the cloth soaks up the disinfectant mixture.

4. Keep sealed and use cloths as needed.

Note: if you don’t have rubbing alcohol (or would prefer not to include it), you can simply use water, dish soap, white vinegar and essential oils.

Image courtesy of Getty Images