Stinky Washer, Mosquito Repellent Plants & Gnats

Author

Joan Clark
October 14, 2026

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Hello there,

Home care gets easier when you know the right tricks. We've found simple solutions for common household challenges that will make your day.

In this issue:

  • Fresh Solutions for a Clean-Smelling Washing Machine

  • Banishing Gnats from Your Houseplants

  • Plants That Keep Mosquitoes at Bay

  • And more…

CLEANING

We've all opened the washing machine door expecting fresh laundry and gotten hit with that sour, musty smell instead. Sometimes, even the appliance that cleans our clothes needs a deep clean every month or two. These seven smart washer fixes tackle everything from hidden mold in the rubber seal to detergent buildup that's turning your washer into a bacteria hotel.

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PLANTS & GARDEN

Certain plants contain natural oils and compounds that mosquitoes find unbearable, turning a garden into a fragrant fortress against bites . We've gathered 20 varieties that do double duty as beautiful landscaping and powerful pest deterrents, including lavender, which has been used for centuries in Mediterranean homes to keep insects at bay.

TIP OF THE DAY

Coconut Maraca

A fresh coconut should feel heavy and sound full of liquid when you shake it gently near your ear. Store whole, unopened coconuts at room temperature for up to four months in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.

Check them weekly by shaking and listening for sloshing water inside. If the sound becomes faint or disappears, or if you see mold around the three dark spots, the coconut has gone bad and should be discarded.

BUG CONTROL

We once left a basil plant on the kitchen counter for three days and returned to find it hosting what looked like a tiny gnat convention. Did you know that those little pests can lay up to 300 eggs in moist soil? This guide walks through 4+ proven methods to reclaim houseplants and send those uninvited guests packing for good.

FUN FACT

Disposable Contacts

The first disposable contact lens Ron Hamilton introduced in 1987 was designed to be thrown away after one week. Wearers still had to clean them each night, but replacing them weekly instead of yearly cut infection rates.

Daily disposables did not arrive until 1995. That eight-year gap meant an entire generation learned to treat "disposable" as something you kept in a case, not a trash can.

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THANK YOU!

Your home deserves to smell fresh, look lush, and stay pest-free . Whether you're banishing washing machine odors, evicting gnats, or planting mosquito blockers, these tips help you create a space that feels clean and alive.

May your laundry smell like sunshine,

Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team

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