Harsh chemicals not your cup of tea? Here are some herbal housekeeping helpers, just in thyme for a good, old-fashioned spring cleaning:

• Use fresh sorrel leaves from your garden to renew your copper-bottomed pans. Just wet and scrub.
• Discourage hungry moths with cedar shavings, which can be more cheaply purchased from pet-supply stores. If the cedar doesn't smell strong enough, add a few drops of cedar oil. Package your cedar repellant in cloth bags and drop into drawers with stored woolens. Fragrant additives for an extra moth-chaser kick: powdered cloves, fresh rosemary, southernwood, lavender, tansy.
• Your dryer will deliver sweet-smelling clothes (and your laundry room will smell like your favorite herb shop!) if you toss in a cloth bag filled with herbs, along with the laundry. Try mint, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary.
• A bouquet of fresh basil and sweet bay on the window sill will banish flies from the kitchen. Drops of mint oil on a cotton ball will send mouse critters packing. Fresh bay leaves, placed in a container with grains, cornmeal, or flour, wards off weevils. Raccoons in the garbage can? A sprinkling of cayenne pepper on the lid will give them paws for concern.
• Renew and polish wood furniture with a soft cloth moistened with a mixture of 3 tablespoons linseed oil, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil.