After some must needed purging in my kitchen pantry, I didn't want to throw everything to waste. I realized that I have accumulated an abundance of spices that I haven't used in years and some that I didn't even know I had! I found some cayenne at the back of my cupboard that is now a light rusty, brown colour and some cinnamon that has almost lost it's smell. I figured there must be alternative uses for some of these old spices without having to throw it all away.
I found so many different ways you can use your old spices and still enjoy them.
Aromatherapy
- You can make your own scented candles. Try experimenting with what you have on hand, such as cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, thyme and sage. All you will need is some unscented wax or pieces of wax from old candles, melt them down and add in your blend of spices. I found a great blog post by ProFlowers on how to make candles at home, click here to for their instructions.
- Another way to make your home smell amazing is to place some of your old spices into a simmering pot of water. Just place the spices into some cheesecloth and let steep. Using cinnamon sticks, cloves and fresh orange peels will create a delicious smell of freshly baked cookies!
Pest Control
- Another way to deter unwanted pests without using harsh chemicals is with spices from your own spice rack! Spices & herbs such as black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, rosemary and bay leaves will help keep many pests away. Mixing cayenne pepper with a couple drops of dish soap and water in a spray bottle, works perfectly to spray down plants that have been taken over by afids. Clears them up in minutes!
By reusing your old spices and enjoying them in more ways than just cooking, this also helps reduce waste and it also makes for fun projects to do around the house. Give your old spices a second chance!
