Three ways a $3.25 Kmart buy can tackle the most common wardrobe pests
Professional organiser Anita Birges' hack for preventing mould and mildew in the home using just a jumbo chalk stick was already impressive on many levels.
But it turns out her simple, budget-friendly trick can do so much more than we realised including deter pests.
Birges revealed in an Instagram post that the hack can also be used to prevent musty smells, silver fish, moths and mice.
Watch the video above.
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All you need for the hack is some jumbo chalk sticks, which can be found at many retailers, including Kmart where it costs $3.25 for a pack of 20, and essential oils.
"Put a few drops of an essential oil on a piece of jumbo chalk and place in your wardrobe cupboards or drawers," the text on Birges' reel said.
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Preventing moths in the wardrobe is important because they do this. Getty
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The type of essential oil will depend on what problem you are trying to solve.
"Clove oil – Prevents mould! The chalk absorbs moisture, while the clove oil is known to kill mould spores," Birges said.
"Lavender oil – Gets rid of moths and sliver fish.
"Peppermint oil – Leaves your drawers smelling fresh and discourages spiders, mice and other creepy crawlies."
Given that three different essential oils can tackle the most common wardrobe problems, the Sydney mum's followers were curious as to whether one stick of chalk could have all three oils on it.
"I would recommend putting one oil per one chalk," she said.
The chalk isn't just a carrier for the essential oils, it also acts as a moisture absorber to prevent mould. This had one person wondering if the chalk left any mess and if it needed to be placed in a container.
"I put it down the side of my drawer and in the top of my wardrobe. On the top shelf no container," Birges responded.
One stick of chalk with essential oil in here will keep it smelling fresh. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The comments also included yet another pest the chalk hack can be used for, proving just how versatile it is.
"Clove oil keeps those tiny ants out of my kitchen," a woman said.
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A small dish with baking soda is also good for bad smells and absorbing dampness. Getty Images/iStockphoto
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Along with chalk, baking soda is another product that you can add some essential oil to and use to absorb moisture to deter pests and mould.
This works particularly well in kitchen cupboards where you can simply place an open box of bicarb soda on a shelf.
You can also pour some baking soda in a small dish and add a few drops of vanilla extract to absorb smells in cupboards and the fridge.
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