Colder temperatures mean less air circulating indoors, as we close up windows and seal cracks against the elements. But that doesn’t mean you have to surrender to stale indoor air. By using lavender around the house, you can cultivate a relaxing environment and clean effectively. Lavender essential oil is antiseptic and antifungal, plus it can soothe the nervous system to help boost the mood in your abode.

1. Smooth Skin: Use salt and dried lavender buds to exfoliate dry or troubled skin. Make a simple salt scrub by combining 1 cup kosher salt, 1 cup almond or olive oil, 5 to 10 drops lavender essential oil and 1/4 cup dried lavender buds.

2. So Fresh: Pour dried lavender buds into a pretty, shallow bowl, and let the aroma waft through the room. This is especially useful in a little-used guest room, keeping it smelling fresh and welcoming for your visitors.

3. Heaven Scent: Add disinfecting lavender essential oil to an electric diffuser, or make your own reed diffuser by mixing 1/2 cup grapeseed oil with 20 drops lavender essential oil in a small glass bottle and adding bamboo skewers. (Although any carrier oil will work, grapeseed oil is great for this project as it doesn’t have much of an aroma.) Note: Make sure the diffuser is kept out of pets’ reach so they don’t ingest the essential oil.

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4. Counter Intelligence: Make a simple countertop cleaner by adding 4 cups of water, 4 tablespoons of castile soap and 10 drops of lavender essential oil to a spray bottle. Wiping down the counters will be so much more enjoyable with the scent of lavender in the air, and the antiseptic and antifungal properties of the lavender essential oil will help clean and disinfect.

5. Top Mop: For a home that smells like a spa, top off a natural floor-cleaning solution of 2 quarts water and ½ cup distilled white vinegar with 5 to 10 drops lavender essential oil.