Combining an onion with cloves may seem unusual, but this simple remedy has been used for centuries for its numerous health and household benefits. Both onion and cloves are known for their powerful properties, and together they create a natural solution for various daily challenges.

The onion’s sulfur compounds help clear mucus and support breathing, while cloves add antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Because of this, many people keep an onion studded with cloves beside the bed at night to help with coughs and congestion, or boil them together in water and drink the strained liquid as a tea to support the immune system during cold season.

This combination is also well known around the home. The strong aroma of onion paired with the intense scent of cloves naturally keeps mosquitoes, flies, and other insects away, so placing one near windows or in rooms works as a simple repellent. At the same time, the mix can act as a natural air freshener that neutralizes unpleasant odors, and some people even use the juice as a gentle household cleaner. It is an easy, low-cost way to freshen up a space without chemicals.

Making it takes just a minute. Peel a medium onion and insert 10 to 15 whole cloves into it. Then place it where you need it most — by the bed for a calmer night, near a window to deter bugs, or in the kitchen to absorb smells. For other uses, you can warm the onion with cloves and use the juice, or simmer both with honey to make a soothing syrup to take by the spoonful when you feel a cold coming on.

What makes this trick special is how simple and versatile it is. You likely already have both ingredients in your kitchen, and you can adjust how you use them depending on what you need that day. In a time when many things are complicated, this old-fashioned combination is a reminder that small, natural habits can still make a big difference in how you feel and how your home smells.