Fresh herbs clean your house and leave a pleasant scent

Fresh sage can be boiled and used in a recipe for a cleaner. (STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES, 1996)

You don't have to cook to experience the fragrant aroma of fresh herbs in your home. In the "New Book of Herbs" (DK Publishing, $30), author Jekka McVicar offers guidance in getting that refreshing scent while cleaning.

Here's an sample recipe from the book:

All-purpose surface cleaner

Handful of fresh sage

1 ¼ cups water

1 tablespoon baking soda

8 drops lemon juice

Put sage leaves and stems in a saucepan. Add the water, cover and bring to a boil. Once it reaches a rolling boil, lower heat and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

When liquid is cool, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any impurities.

Pour cooled liquid into a bottle and add baking soda and lemon juice. Put top on bottle and shake well.

Use to clean bathroom sinks and kitchen surfaces. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Herb alternatives: Two handfuls of fresh thyme sprigs or one handful of fresh rosemary sprigs, cut to fit in the saucepan.

Compiled from The Orlando Sentinel