How To Clear Negative Energy At Home Using Grocery Store Staples (Yes, Really)

Here are some of my favorite simple ingredients that I use to lift the energy in my home, inspired by feng shui philosophy and ancient traditions. Even if you don't buy that they'll brighten your space on an energetic level, they'll also leave it feeling physically fresher and more clean.

When I want to be extra fancy, I grind up some dried parsley or mint extra-fine and add it to the baking soda powder. Both herbs are known in some traditions for their money magnetism, and I love them for their freshness.

There are so many wildly effective ways to use salt to clear negative energy, but one of the easiest is to place the mineral in a small bowl and put it anywhere in your space that could use a boost. (Again, you want to keep it out of reach of pets and kids!) I leave the bowls for as long as I feel it's needed—sometimes it's just for a day, sometimes up to a week. When I feel my house is lighter, I fill the bowls with warm water to dissolve the salt and rinse it down the drain. 

Lemons are incredible for space clearing. You can chop up a few and place them in several glasses filled with water and a pinch of sea salt. Leave them out for a day (they will start to attract mold if left out longer!) with the intention of adding more bright energy to your home.

Dried bay leaves, the kind you cook with, have amazing space-clearing properties. I've had clients around the world have lots of luck burning bay leaves as you would incense. You can light a leaf or two in a fire-safe container and stay beside it until it is fully burned. But remember: NEVER leave anything burning unattended!

I used to fear that my home would smell of vinegar if I used it for space cleansing, but the scent dissipates once it dries. I mix a solution in a spray bottle of 50-50 vinegar and water and use it to clean my windows, bathroom, sinks, stovetops, and other nonporous surfaces. You won't want to use this on stone, granite, or wood, and you'll want to test it on grout to be sure it is OK for the surface you're working with. Beyond the energy-boosting benefits, vinegar is an incredible natural cleaner.

These are just a few thought starters, but any way you can think to "clear" the energy in your home before the new year is excellent. Clean your desk. Declutter your problem space (more tips on that here). Who knows—all that newfound clear space could help you feel brighter, more focused, and in the flow of magnetism and abundance.