Forget about bleach and other harsh, toxic chemicals. Shannon Lush, co-author of Household Wisdom shares her mould-zapping solution: Combine a quarter teaspoon of clove oil with one litre of water in a spray bottle, mist your mouldy bath or shower, leave for 24 hours and rinse away with water.

To remove mould from leather or timbre, add a quarter teaspoon to a 250 ml bottle of baby oil, put a couple of drops on a soft cloth and wipe over mouldy surface.

Take an orange and poke 25-30 cloves in it. Set it out on your counter tops or any area where flies seem to be a problem. You will notice that they do not care for the scent and will find somewhere else to hang out.

Make a mixture of two cups of water, two to three drops of clove oil, or a handful of crushed cloves. Spray into the air where mosquitoes are present and enjoy less bites.

Related: DIY Mosquito Repellents That Are Safe For Kids

Cloves have been embraced for their soothing, congestion-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s very good for reducing symptoms of bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. “Cloves work as an expectorant, loosening mucus in the throat and esophagus so you can cough it up,” explains Neil Schachter, MD, a professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

After seeing your own doctor (to rule out a bacterial infection), try Dr Shaun Mathews’ cold-busting concoction: Combine 1 teaspoon of whole cloves with a few cardamon seeds, and a stick of cinnamon in a small pan. Add 1 1/2 cups of water, bring it to a boil and allow to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Drink small amounts throughout the day, with a little bit of sugar to taste.

Place a few cloves and a cinnamon stick in a cloth bag and place in any closet or small space that needs freshening up.

In a saucepan boil two cups of water, a few cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and a handful of dried cloves. Heat the mixture on a low simmer. Your house will smell amazing!

Warm some cloves (roasting them for a few minutes works great) and wrap them in a soft towel. Apply the towel to any sore spots you may have and feel the pain relief!

Clove oil or clove itself contains potent anti inflammatory components that help reduce the swelling around an infected tooth. It not only kills harmful bacteria present in your mouth, but also helps to numb out the pain that you experience.

Try applying some clove oil or chewing on a whole clove for instant relief from the pain.

Related: 10 Must-Eat Calcium-Rich Foods For Strong Bones And Teeth

Clove acts as an instant natural remedy to get rid of blemishes and pimples, because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also prevents blemishes or marks that usually appear after a pimple has subsided.

Try: Crush few cloves in a mortar and pestle, add one tablespoon of honey and two teaspoon of lemon to the mixture. Now apply this paste on your face and leave it on for about 20 minutes. You can wash off the paste with cold water after the stipulated time to get clear skin.

Related: 10 Recipes To Try For Clearer Skin

Along with other warming spices like turmeric, ginger and cardamom, cloves are used in Indian cooking to kindle digestion. But they’re equally effective in treating vomitting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Try making a soothing tea by infusing six whole cloves with four slices of ginger in boiling water, allow to steep for 5-8 minutes, add a teaspoon of organic honey and sip.

Common problems such as cuts, fungal infections, burns, wounds, athlete’s foot and bruises can be effectively treated with cloves or clove oil. Apply clove oil in diluted form near the affected portions, as direct application of neat clove oil can cause irritation.