Surprising £1 item helps to remove oil from the surface of your paddling pool – you don't have to do any work
THE temperatures are rising and the Sun is shining which means Brits will be digging out their paddling pools from garden shed and garages.
But after washing it and filling it up with water, it can still be unsuitable to play in for kids as
oil
can collect on the surface.
2
Padding pools could collect oil on surface from sunscreen and sebum
Credit: Getty
2
Tennis balls are the cheap and easy way to absorb oil from the pool surface
Credit: Getty
However, you don't need to refill your paddling pool every time that happens.
In a cost of living crisis, it could cost you a pretty penny if you are on water meter
and pay for the water you use.
Instead of wasting time, money and precious water, you can use a simple and cheap solution that could fix the problem.
The easiest way to get rid of oil is by throwing in a few tennis balls.
read more on fabulous
Their texture will absorb all of the oil that was left from sunscreen, sweat, cosmetics and sebum.
The best part is it will only cost you £1 to do so, as tennis balls sell for this bargain price in
You can even leave some tennis balls in the pool to keep the oil away.
A pack of three tennis balls will set you back a mere £1, and they can even be useful if you have dogs or want to pick up a new hobby.
Most read in Fabulous
If you want to keep using the pool this summer, it's important to keep it clean to avoid refilling it.
You can lower costs by buying sterilising fluid or using a filter - which means you don't have to keep filling your pool up.
Mum shares the £64.99 paddling pool that won't leave you puffed out blowing it up & it's perfect for the warm weather
Sterilising fluid can be picked up for as little as £4.20 for a litre, from Sainsbury's and will help stop the growth of bacteria and algae.
Or you could get a filter that you place into your pool - when we checked prices online at Amazon, we found the cheapest ones would cost around £13.00
Another
Alternatively, a kitchen ingredient can also be used to
Another budget buy is also said to
Cleaning hacks for outside
IF you want to get your garden summer ready, you'll need to check this out.
ALGAE:
If your fence is covered in
MOSS:
If moss is causing you problems,
PATIO:
IF your patio slabs have seen better days,
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I tested full-face make-up palettes for your summer getaway – budget option is £1.50 a pan
WHILE I haven't got my summer getaway sorted yet, I've found the solution to when you only have cabin luggage allowance. And that's a full-face make-up palette. 5 Three of the best full-face make-up palettes for your summer getaway Here, I put three to the test . . . BUDGET 5 I found the formulas slightly waxy, which means it's hard work getting them to melt into skin Credit: Supplied By Beauty Bay Make Face multi-use complexion palette, £18 for 48.5g, Cream formulas are my favourite. I find they tend to be easier to apply as you can use your fingers rather than needing any brushes. And they often look more natural than those with a powder finish. READ MORE ON BEAUTY There's an impressive 12 shades in this compact – three concealers, two colour correctors, three bronzer/contour shades, two blushers, setting powder and a highlighter shade. It works out at £1.50 per pan, which is a bargain. But I found the formulas slightly waxy, which means it's hard work getting them to melt into skin. MID RANGE 5 Sculpted By Aimee is so good, I've been using it daily, rather than saving it just for travel Credit: Supplied Sculpted By Aimee bare basics palette, £34 for 22g, I've never used every single shade in a palette, but this clever collection has made that possible. Most read in Fabulous The seven pans contain a suits-all edit of products. Three powder eye-shadows (a champagne-hued shimmer, matte warm-toned brown and a shimmery darker brown), a bronzer and a setting powder alongside a cream highlighter and a cream blush. How to stop sore feet and blisters in new sandals The powders are super pigmented, and finely milled so as not to be chalky or dusty, while the balms are buttery enough to blend out in seconds, yet still deposit plenty of colour. It's so good, I've been using it daily, rather than saving it just for travel. LUXURY 5 Kevyn Aucoin Contour Book is brilliant for sculpting cheeks, but there isn't enough variety to replace my usual make-up Credit: Supplied Kevyn Aucoin Contour Book: The Art Of Sculpting & Defining Vol III, £54 for 23.9g, I am a huge fan of Kevyn Aucoin's The Sculpting Powder, so I had high hopes for this palette. There are only six shades, all centered on the cheeks, which can be repurposed as eyeshadow. But the lack of setting powder is a huge omission for my oily skin. The powders are very pigmented, so a little goes a long way, and they don't look at all heavy on the skin. It's brilliant for sculpting cheeks, but there isn't enough variety to replace my usual make-up. PICK OF THE WEEK 5 The sell-out £35 M&S Summer Beauty Bag is back for another year Credit: Supplied THE sell-out £35 M&S Summer Beauty Bag is back for another year. Launched this week, the edit contains the best of the beauty hall, with four full-sized products and seven travel miniatures, all worth £210. Inside, you'll find Colour Wow Dream Coat, new launches such as REN Evercalm Barrier Support Advanced SPF50, and products from This Works, Arkive, Tangle Teezer and Estee Lauder.
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
5 of the best dog breeds for first-time owners – including super-loving pup that's super easy to train & loves kids
DOGS are the most popular pet in the UK, with around 13.5 million households owning a pooch. If you're looking to take the plunge and invite a furry friend into your family, there are several breeds worth considering - especially if you've never owned a dog or had experience taking care of one. Advertisement 2 Labradors are great with kids Credit: GETTY 1. Labrador retriever The most popular dog in Britain - and there are several good reasons why! Labradors are known for being super friendly, full of energy, and easy to train, hence why they make a great first pet. They also love to eat, and Key facts: Advertisement READ MORE ON PETS Lifespan 10-12 years Good with children Easy to train Susceptible to some inherited conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia High exercise requirement 2. Shih Tzu They are known for having loyal, loveable natures, but many Shih Tzus are purebred which means they are more likely to develop certain health conditions. Key facts: Most read in Fabulous Lifespan 10-16 years They need regular grooming because of their long fur Known to bark a lot Don't like being left alone for more than 4 hours 'World's most expensive dog' sells for £4.4MILLION as breeder buys 'Wolfdog' that is 'half-pooch & half-wild beast' 3. Bernese Mountain Dog Bernese Mountain Dogs are sweet and gentle, and loyal to their families - this is why they make a Advertisement But due to their size they need to live in a home with plenty of space. Key facts: Lifespan up to 10 years Needs a minimum of 1 hour exercise a day They have incredibly thick coats so be prepared for a lot of shedding, and regular brushing 4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Kind, gentle and loyal dogs, Cavaliers are so popular, but they need constant company as they get very upset at being left alone, They are happy to live in either a city or the countryside, as long as they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Advertisement Key facts: Lifespan 12 years+ Good around children Need to be brushed daily 5. Poodle 2 Poodles can come in three sizes, pictured is a miniature red poodle puppy Credit: Getty Poodles are playful and adventurous, and generally get on well with other pets and kids. But with their beautiful coats, they need daily grooming, and it also requires clipping and shaping by a professional groomer periodically throughout the year. Advertisement Key facts: Lifespan 10-18 years depending on size Come in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy Need an hour of exercise a day and love to run, swim and retrieve Should I get a professional dog trainer and how much does it cost? IF you're wondering whether to get a professional dog trainer, here's all you need to know... Benefits of Hiring a Professional Dog Trainer: Expertise: Professional trainers have specialised knowledge and experience in handling various breeds and behavioural issues. Personalised Training Plans: Trainers can tailor their approach to meet the specific needs and temperament of your dog. Efficiency: A professional can often achieve results more quickly than an inexperienced owner might. Behavioural Improvement: Addressing issues such as aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking can lead to a more harmonious household. Socialisation: Trainers can help your dog learn to interact well with other dogs and people. Cost of Professional Dog Training: Private Sessions: Typically range from £30 to £100 per hour, depending on the trainer's experience and location. Group Classes: Usually cost between £10 and £30 per session, often running as a course over several weeks. Board and Train Programmes: These intensive programmes, where your dog stays with the trainer, can cost anywhere from £500 to £1,500 per week. Online Courses: More budget-friendly options, ranging from £50 to £200 for a complete course, though less personalised. When considering a professional dog trainer, weigh the benefits against the costs to determine what works best for you and your furry friend.
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The 35p IKEA flower that blooms all summer AND survives winter – it comes in loads of bright colours & perfect for pots
SEASONAL flowers are beautiful, but perennial plants provide infinite colour and joy. Pansies are considered a short-lived perennial, meaning they can survive for more than one growing season. Advertisement 3 Pansies come in an array of colours and flower for months if deadheaded, watered and fed Credit: Getty 3 The pansies come in packs of 10 from IKEA Credit: IKEA They are super colourful, often marked in the centre and look like faces - sometimes with darker blotches or 'whiskered' or plain. They come in an enormous range of colours and variations - from blue, mauve, pink, purple, red, yellow, and white. What's more, they Pansies start petite in size but can spread, so they make the perfect plant to add to your garden borders, pots and hanging baskets. Advertisement READ MORE GARDENING STORIES And IKEA is selling trays of 10 pansies for just £3.50 - that's 35p a plant! The online product description for the pansies reads: "Let your indoor and outdoor plant pots bloom with lively pansies." And IKEA customers were impressed with the pansies, one said: "They've provided continuous spring colour to our garden." Another wrote: "Good value great price, lovely plants." Advertisement Most read in Fabulous A third reviewed: "Good value pansies nice colours and healthy plants." How to care for pansies Pansies do best in full sun to partial shade. If there has been continuous hot weather, they need to be watered regularly - and water the soil rather than the foliage as this avoids the spread of fungal diseases. From spring to autumn, it's recommended that you feed them fortnightly with a liquid fertiliser, and remove the faded and dead flowers regularly, which encourages the plant to keep producing new blooms. Advertisement Maura Derrane leaves fans 'inspired' as she shows off impressive city garden You can do this by either pinching them off with your finger and thumb, or using a pair of garden snips or secateurs to cut off the dead heads. Other flowers that come back every year Chrysanthemums A hardy perennial, Chrysanthemums if planted in the right conditions will return the following year. Campanula portenschlagiana Advertisement Nicknamed the Dalmatian bellflower, Campanula portenschlagiana is a hardy perennial, meaning it will typically return each year. June gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month. Stake out leggy perennials With all the dramatic weather we've been having, it's definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop. Picking out the slugs and snails Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them. Pick elderflower heads You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter. Get on top of weeds It's around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing - or just the traditional 'on your knees with a hand fork'. Try and avoid chemicals - remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Up the mowing You'll need to mow your lawn weekly now - if you've got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them. Check on your tomatoes Your tomato plants will need attention - water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots. Chelsea Chop There's still time for the Chelsea Chop - plants like Rudbeckia's, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period. Sort out your tulips If you can be bothered and have space - lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring. Deadheading your roses Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves - which will ensure more flowers for longer. Enjoy your space Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space - it's great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference. It forms a mat-like ground cover and is known for its spreading habit which is perfect for the front of garden borders or under trees and shrubs. Kalanchoe Also known as "widow's thrill" for its reputation for being very hardy and able to thrive in harsh conditions, including neglect and minimal watering. Advertisement As perennial succulents, kalanchoe thrives indoors and required a period of reduced light and water to simulate winter dormancy. 3 A lovely display of spring flowers – cosmic blue petunias and sunny yellow pansies.
