The Simple Things

Taking time to live well
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Make | Koromogae Linen Spray

David Parker September 28, 2025

Photography by Louise Gorrod

Koromogae is the switchover between the seasons in Japan: a chance to get out the clothes and furnishings you’ve had in storage, and carefully stash away the things you’ll no longer need for the coming months. This homemade linen spray will keep your clothes fresh (and moth free) until the warmer weather. Simply spritz sheets, clothes, towels, curtains and other fabrics in your home for a refresh that you can make in minutes.

Makes 1 bottle

You will need
90ml vodka or rubbing alcohol
20-30 drops of essential oils (see suggested combinations below)
350ml distilled water
Measuring jug
Spray bottle (at least 500ml)
Small funnel

To make…
1 Pour the vodka or rubbing alcohol into a measuring jug and carefully add your essential oil drops. If using a blend, rather than just a single scent, do it slowly so you can make sure you have a fragrance that you like.

2 Add the water and mix thoroughly.

3 Using a funnel, add the liquid to the spray bottle and screw the top on. Label the bottle and remember to shake thoroughly before using.

Maker’s note: If you use rubbing alcohol rather than vodka it’ll have a stronger smell and requires a more thorough shaking to mix the ingredients each time you use it. This spray will last up to one year – however, if the spray starts to smell differently, it’s time to replace.

Scent combinations to try: Lemon and lavender; Sandalwood and clementine; Rose, lavender, jasmine and sandalwood.

This project is from our Home Economics page which, this month, is all about the Japanese tradition of Koromogae - the seasonal switchover in the home. You can read more about it in our October issue.

Project by Karen Dunn, photography by Louise Gorrod.

Buy this month's The Simple Things -buy, download or subscribe

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In Making Tags issue 160, linen, home fragrance, natural cleaning
Comment

The Stuff of Life: The Linen Works

louise gorrod July 29, 2015

It’s been a few short months since we first opened the doors of our online shop, The Stuff of Life. Although the paint is barely dry we are fast filling our shelves with some great products. I’m going to be regularly popping over here to the blog to bring you some of my shop picks for the season.

 

For me, this is the season for eating alfresco whenever the opportunity arises. Doesn’t even the most modest of meals always taste better when eaten outdoors? Picnics and lingering garden dinners are what the warmer longer days call for. When eating outside I still like to 'set the table' and make the simplest of meals an occasion: a simple cloth and napkins is all it takes. Our shop features a generous choice of table linen, including a beautiful range of Italian washed-linen in soft muted colours by The Linen Works. From the pretty Dot Linen and the fresh Arles Stripe to the timeless Linen Hemstitch, the quality of all the designs are second to none. To be quite honest, once you’ve owned a real linen table cloth, you’re never cover your table with anything else.

Click here see the full collection, which also includes bedding and clothing.

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Credits: Top image | Parisian Blue Dot Linen Tablecloth, Piped Linen Cushion, Piped Parisian Blue Dot Linen Cushion | Arles Striped Placemat, Arles Striped Napkin | Arles Striped Hand Towel |Linen Hemstitch Napkin | Linen Artisan Pinny

Find many more beautiful and useful things at The Stuff of Life shop - shop.thesimplethings.com

August's The Simple Things is on sale - buy, download or subscribe now.

 

In Shop, Eating, Living Tags shop, the stuff of life, the linen works, linen, table linen, tablecloths, napkins, the simple things shop
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Featured
  Buy ,  download  or  subscribe   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Order  our new Celebrations Anthology   Pre-order a copy of  Flourish 4 , our new wellbeing bookazine   Listen to  our podcast  – Small Ways to Live Well
Aug 29, 2025
Aug 29, 2025

Buy, download or subscribe

See the sample of our latest issue here

Order our new Celebrations Anthology

Pre-order a copy of Flourish 4, our new wellbeing bookazine 

Listen to our podcast – Small Ways to Live Well

Aug 29, 2025
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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