Finding a cockroach in your home is never a fun surprise, but you don’t need to reach for those smelly, expensive chemical sprays to get rid of them! Baking soda and cloves are a “double-threat” that cockroaches absolutely hate. While humans usually love the warm, spicy scent of cloves, it contains a compound called eugenol, which is a natural repellent that overwhelms the sensitive scent-receptors of pests. When you combine that with baking soda—which is a natural “dryer” that messes with their exoskeleton—you create a barrier that keeps them far away from your kitchen and bathroom.

How This Incredible Spray Keeps Your Home Pest-Free
The secret to this spray is how it works on two different levels. First, the intense aroma of the cloves sends a “danger” signal to cockroaches, making them avoid the area entirely. Second, baking soda acts as a powerful deterrent. Unlike commercial poisons that can be harmful to pets or children, this mix is completely safe to spray around your pantry and baseboards. It doesn’t just chase them away; it makes your home smell fresh and clean like a spice garden, rather than a chemistry lab!

Recipe: The “Bug-Off” Clove & Baking Soda Spray
This spray is easy to make and perfect for reaching those tricky cracks and crevices where pests like to hide.

Ingredients:

2 cups of Hot Water (not boiling, but hot enough to dissolve things).

2 tablespoons of Baking Soda.

1 tablespoon of Whole Cloves (or 10 drops of Clove Essential Oil).

1/2 cup of White Vinegar (this helps the scent linger longer).

Optional: A splash of dish soap (this helps the spray stick to surfaces).

Instructions:

The Infusion: Place the whole cloves in the hot water and let them steep for about 20 minutes. The water will turn a light brown color as the eugenol is released.

The Mix: Once the water has cooled slightly, stir in the baking soda slowly. It might fizz a little, so do it over the sink!

The Addition: Pour in the white vinegar and the dish soap, then give it a gentle stir.

The Bottle: Strain the liquid to remove the cloves and pour it into a clean spray bottle.

The Application: Spray this generously along baseboards, under the sink, behind the fridge, and near any doorways or windows where bugs might crawl in.

The Refresh: Re-spray the areas once a week to keep the scent strong and the barrier effective.

Three Reasons Why This Spray is Incredible
Completely Safe: You can use it in the kitchen and around food areas without worrying about toxic chemicals getting near your family’s meals.

Long-Lasting Scent: Cloves have a very “sticky” scent that lingers much longer than citrus or floral smells, providing a permanent “do not enter” sign for pests.

Cleans as it Protects: Because it contains vinegar and baking soda, this spray actually helps clean your surfaces and remove the “scent trails” that cockroaches use to navigate.

A Friendly Tip for Success
To make this even more powerful, you can place the “leftover” cloves from your infusion in small mesh bags and tuck them into the back of your cabinets. Cockroaches love dark, damp places, so focusing your spray in those hidden corners is the key to success. If you keep up with this simple routine, you’ll notice your home stays peaceful and pest-free!