Sainsbury's 50p buy will get rid of stubborn scuffs on your grubby patio – and you can find it in your child's schoolbag
With
Advertisement
2
It can be tricky to keep your patio clean
Credit: Getty
2
Experts have revealed you can use a rubber to remove patio scuffs
Credit: Sainsburys
But before you invite anyone over, you may want to give your patio a bit of a scrub, to make sure it's looking shiny and brand new.
Your first thought might be to use a pressure washer, but these can be incredibly pricey, and can even end up
However, Sam Stevens, a garden expert from
"Cleaning the garden doesn't have to be an expensive job. We all love a cheap and cheerful hack and the good
news
is that there are plenty of items you'll already have in your home that can be used in the garden," he said.
Advertisement
Read more garden stories
How To Use An Eraser To Clean Your Patio
Although traditionally used by schoolkids to rub out spelling mistakes and maths errors, Sam revealed that you can use an eraser to help clean your patio.
The expert explained that if plant pots have left any marks on the patio, you can simply buff the scuffs using a rubber.
If the marks aren't too stubborn, they should come away, leaving your patio sparkling.
Rubbers are super cheap, and if there isn't one in your kids' schoolbag, you can pick one up from Sainsbury's for just 50p.
Advertisement
Most read in Fabulous
More Patio Cleaning Hacks
Frustrated but determined, Evie stumbled upon a life-changing tip during a casual scroll through the comments section on cleaning TikToks.
I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out
A recommendation buried within the comments caught her attention - someone suggested using a 69p bottle of Aldi bleach as a simple yet effective solution for sparkling patios.
She poured the bleach over the slabs, letting it soak in for around five minutes without scrubbing or extra effort.
Advertisement
Then, she fired up her jet washer again - and the results were nothing short of incredible.
Christie, who is known as @
on TikTok
also recently revealed her
How to repair broken patio slabs
THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff.
The experts advised: 'If you have a loose paving slab, then it's unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio.
'To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose.
'Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio.
"As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath.
'When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.'
She explained that she simply uses a mop and bucket, which she fills with Flash floor cleaner, along with bicarbonate of soda and boiling water.
Sharing a video of her demonstrating how it's done to her 3,501 TikTok followers, she showed how she used a mop and the mixture to clean the patio slabs.
Advertisement
Christie explained that the process is "satisfying" and that it is 'easy' to 'get all of the mud and dirt off of it.'
Plus,
Molly Woodward-Moor, Creative Director at
,
revealed that
can be used to care for stone tiles as well as lift dirt or stains that may build up on them
.
To use the product on the patio, the liquid can be diluted in warm tap water.
Then using a soft-bristled brush or non-abrasive sponge, the solution can be scrubbed into areas that need cleaning.
Advertisement
This is a gentle method for stones, that avoids scratching their surface or causing damage to tiles.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Drone came so close to colliding with passenger jet it BLOCKED pilot's view from windscreen
The drone is said to have looked about three metres long DRONE SCARE Drone came so close to colliding with passenger jet it BLOCKED pilot's view from windscreen A DRONE came so close to colliding with a passenger jet that it covered the pilot's view from the windscreen. The Airbus A320 was at 9,000ft when the near-miss occurred. 3 A drone nearly collided with a passenger jet as the aircraft took off from Heathrow Credit: Getty 3 The Airbus A320 was at 9,000ft when the near-miss occurred Credit: AFP A report into the close call in May told how the plane had just taken off from London's Heathrow Airport. In-flight incident investigation body UK Airprox Board said it looked to be about three metres long. The board's report added: 'Both the Captain and the First Officer saw a bright white object pass overhead from the opposite direction. It appeared to be approximately 2-3 metres in size at the very least. 'It may have been larger as it filled a good proportion of the windshield.' The report did not disclose the airline operating the plane or destination. It said the craft — presumably being controlled from a location on the ground close to the airport — was also spotted on radar by air traffic controllers. A drone was seen near London's City Airport around the same time. The report added: 'The First Officer observed that the object was triangular in shape. 'The Captain only saw the object for a second or two in peripheral vision so could not reliably comment on the shape. No markings were identified.' The pilot said: 'It went over us, probably within about ten metres'. Harrowing moment plane comes terrifyingly close to helicopter as it takes off at airport The reports concluded 'a definite risk of collision had existed'. The operator of the drone was not found. The legal drone height limit is 400ft. Flying one without permission near a UK airport can lead to unlimited fines or up to five years in prison.
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Vet lists 11 dogs you should never own if you have kids – and greyhounds are a surprising entry on the list
Both small and large dogs pose different risks, according to the experts PET PROBLEMS Vet lists 11 dogs you should never own if you have kids – and greyhounds are a surprising entry on the list IT'S no secret that different dogs are better suited to certain homes and owners. This is a vital choice for anyone looking to welcome a furry friend into their home, but especially those with young children as some breeds are suited to different lifestyles. 2 Some pets are known for their feisty nature, which may not bode well with young kids Credit: Getty 2 Even gentle giant might not suit busy family life Credit: Getty Advertisement This means some breeds aren't suited to life with boisterous young kids, no matter how cute they might be. According to experts Ashley Bates and certified veterinarian Dr. Maja Platisa at Dogster magazine, there are 11 breeds you might want to think twice before adding to the family. Of course, every dog is different and can have varying temperaments and social skills depending on training. Chihuahua You might think this small breed would be good with kids, but Chihuahuas can be pretty feisty. Advertisement READ MORE ON PETS RUFF CROWD Getting a dog-sitter for your summer holiday? You should never deep clean before Although they can bond well with their owner they can have little patience for other members of the household, meaning small children could not get along well with them Not only that, but their small size means they're not suited for rough play, the pros told Akita Although adorable, this breed is known for being stern, which doesn't always mix well with children. Akitas can also be territorial, meaning they could pose a risk to house guests and other children. Advertisement Chow Chow Chow Chows might look like adorable teddy bears, but often don't like the company of strangers and loud kids. That said, they are loyal to their immediate family, according to the pros. Reality star slammed for animal cruelty as he admits he rehomed his pet dog because he's too busy being an influencer Greyhound Although this breed is known for its gentle demeanour, Greyhounds often don't deal well with loud noises and the chaos that naturally comes with having young kids. The sweet pooches are generally better suited for more relaxed households and older kids. Mastiff Mastiffs are known for loving children, but because of their large size they might not be suited to homes with babies or toddlers. Advertisement Their mammoth weight and strength could be dangerous for little ones. Pekingese This cute breed can be pretty stubborn and may not love the high energy of a home with young children. Their small size also means children could also accidentally hurt them when playing. Rottweiler Because of their large size and protective personalities, this breed tend not to be best suited to homes with young kids. Although loving, their large size could put little ones at risk, the pros noted. Advertisement Belgian Malinois Although this breed is considered to be highly intelligent, their energetic nature might be too much for young children. As a particularly high maintenance breed, they might be better suited to owners who can dedicate more time to their needs. Shar Pei This protective breed is also known to be particularly grumpy, which may not be best suited for families with young children. Their loyal bond might sound enticing but they can also be wary of strangers and less adaptable to the chaotic nature of family life. American Pit Bull Known for their immense strength, this breed could accidentally hurt smaller children due to their size. Advertisement Moreover, American Pit Bulls generally have territorial instincts which may create conflict with other pets. Alaskan Malamute This energetic breed can be less adaptable to the changes that comes with family life. And although they're very cute, the breed can have a strong prey drive, which could potentially pose as a danger for young children or other animals.
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Thousands score top GCSE grades despite Covid but record numbers of older teens forced to resit exams
This year's 16-year-olds were the first cohort to complete their entire secondary education since Covid RESULTS ARE IN Thousands score top GCSE grades despite Covid but record numbers of older teens forced to resit exams THOUSANDS of pupils scored top GCSE results despite starting secondary school when Covid shut classrooms - as more older teens than ever were forced into resits. This year's 16-year-olds were the first cohort to complete their entire secondary education since Covid, starting Year 7 in autumn 2020 when schools were still in lockdown. 3 Official exam board data shows 21.9 per cent of entries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded top marks Credit: Getty 3 A student reacts after opening their GCSE results at the City of London Academy Southwark, a school sponsored by the City of London, on August 22 Credit: Getty 3 Pupils at Solihull School in Solihull receiving their GCSE results Credit: PA Despite fears of long-term disruption, results have remained remarkably stable. Official exam board data shows 21.9 per cent of entries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded top marks (grade 7/A or above) – almost unchanged from 22.0 per cent last year. This was higher than in 2019, the last year before the pandemic, when 20.8 per cent of entries achieved the top grades. And more pupils than ever managed a clean sweep of the very best grades. READ MORE ON POLITICS WH-A-Y! School in one of London's poorest boroughs outperforms Eton on A Level results day A record 576 teenagers scored straight 9s in at least ten subjects, up from 543 last summer. But English and maths continue to remain the toughest hurdles, with 60.2 per cent securing a pass in English and 58.3 per cent in maths. Older pupils continue to struggle most, with the entry from those aged 17 and over jumping 12.1 per cent this year to 482,402. Most were sitting compulsory resits in English and maths, where only 15.3 per cent scraped a pass in maths and 19.7 per cent in English. Education leaders have called for the Government's policy of compulsory resits in the two subjects at GCSE to be scrapped. Jill Duffy, chief executive of OCR exam board, said: 'Nearly a quarter of GCSE maths and English entries are resits. "This is an all-time high. 'Less than a fifth of resitting students achieved the grade 4 they need to break out of the resit cycle. This is a resit crisis. 'Tinkering at the edges of policy won't fix this. "We need fundamental reform to maths and English secondary education – especially at Key Stage 3 – to support those who fall behind in these crucial subjects. 'Boys are slowly catching up with girls, but the GCSE attainment gap remains significant.' Meanwhile, subject choices are shifting. Spanish surged by 5.7 per cent to become the most popular language, while German dropped 4.2 per cent. Triple science entries also climbed, with higher results than the double award. The gap between girls and boys at the top grades is also at the narrowest point this century. Nearly a quarter (24.5 per cent) of girls' GCSE entries were awarded at least a grade 7/A compared to almost a fifth of boys' entries (19.4 per cent ) – a 5.1 percentage point gap. GCSEs 2025: By the Numbers Top grades (7/A+): 21.9% in 2025, compared with 21.8% in 2024 and 20.8% in 2019 Passes (4/C+): 67.4% this year, compared with 67.6% in 2024 and 67.3% in 2019 Overall pass (1/G+): 97.9%, the lowest since 2005 when it was 97.8% Girls v Boys: 24.5% of girls' entries hit 7/A+, compared with 19.4% of boys – a gap of 5.1 points, the smallest since at least 2000 Regional gap: London led with 28.4% top grades, while the North East lagged at 17.8% – a 10.6-point divide UK nations: Northern Ireland scored 31.6% 7/A+, ahead of England on 21.8% and Wales on 19.5% This is the narrowest lead enjoyed by girls since at least 2000, which is the earliest archive data available. Meanwhile, 70.5 per cent of girls' GCSE entries were awarded at least a grade 4/C compared to 64.3% of boys' entries – a 6.2 percentage point gap. Regional trends showed sharp divides, too. London pupils raced ahead – with 28.4 per cent of papers awarded top marks – while just 18.6 per cent hit the same level in the North East. In the North West, the figure was 20.1 per cent, also well below average. Northern Ireland students stormed ahead of the pack, with 31.6 per cent hitting top grades and more than 83 per cent achieving a pass. Wales was close to the England average at 21.7 per cent scoring the highest grades. Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator at Ofqual, England's exams regulator, said this year's GCSE results are 'stable' in comparison to the past two years – when grading returned to pre-pandemic levels in England. He said the differences this year are 'natural variation' that would be seen between any year. Sir Ian said: 'The standard of work required to achieve a grade seven or a grade four at GCSE is the same this year as it was last year, and what we're seeing is statistically insignificant changes at those key grades from last year to this year. 'That means basically that the underlying pattern, the underlying standard of performance amongst students from last year to this year, is stable.' Winners and Losers WINNERS - Spanish became the most popular foreign language, rising 2.6% to 136,871 entries - Statistics rose 9.5% to 34,879 entries - Triple Science entries climbed, with stronger results than double award LOSERS - German dropped 4.2 per cent - French was overtaken by Spanish for the first time - Overall GCSE entries fell 0.4 per cent to 6.16m On the gender gap, Sir Ian added: 'What we see today in the results is a very small apparent narrowing of the gap in performance between boys and girls. 'It's important for people to understand that there is still a gap in the performance of boys and girls, but what we can say is that it doesn't appear to be growing at the moment.' In England, Ofqual brought GCSE grading standards back in line with pre-Covid levels in 2023 and exam regulators in Wales and Northern Ireland returned to pre-pandemic grading last year. The move came after Covid-19 led to an increase in top GCSE grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. Many of the pupils who are receiving their GCSE results this summer were in Year 6 when schools closed because of the pandemic. Education leaders have warned that these pupils, who moved from primary to secondary school in the middle of the pandemic, have faced a series of challenges – including school attendance issues and cost-of-living pressures. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said this cohort of students had shown 'remarkable resilience' despite the disruption to their education.
