Latest news with #CatherineGreen
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Why you should be putting bay leaves in your washing machine
WASH THIS Why you should be putting bay leaves in your washing machine YOUR laundry routine could be transformed with the help of a £1 seasoning. Bay leaves are most commonly used to flavour hearty dishes such as soups or stews, but they also have another hidden use. Advertisement 3 A kitchen herb could change your laundry routine Credit: Getty 3 Bay leaves aren't just used for cooking Credit: Getty For thousands of years, the leaves have also been used for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. If you toss a handful of the budget leaves in to your washing load, they are said to banish harsh odours such as sweat and cigarette smoke. How does it work? As the laundry spins in the machine, the leaves release compounds that eliminate bacteria, instead of simply masking the smell. Plus, they can also help to keep your washing machine clean. Advertisement Over time, washing machines can end up smelly and mouldy, due to a build up of detergent. However, if you add bay leaves to your machine, they prevent odour causing micro-organisms from growing. To try out this hack, place a handful of dry bay leaves into a fabric bag, and stick it in alongside your washing load. Make sure to use detergent as well, as the leaves are not a replacement, but an addition to your laundry routine. Advertisement A stain-remover too YouTube account Clever Hacks, also revealed that you can use bay leaves to remove tough stains. "A simple trick with bay leaves will save your clothes", they said. How to hang out your washing on the line and do no ironing, folding or sorting when it's dry "Simply throw a few bay leaves into the washing machine with your stained clothes, choose any setting and the stain problem should disappear." The Youtuber added, that if the stains are particularly bad you can place your clothes in a pot of boiling water with a handful of bay leaves, and leave them to boil for three hours. Advertisement "The squeeze out the clothes and throw them in the washing machine with detergent", they added. "Take the clothes out and enjoy their cleanliness." Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills! What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process. However, not everyone is convinced of the effectiveness of bay leaves. 'I am not aware of any studies on the effectiveness of bay leaves in washing machines against bad odours,' Dr. Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association told MyHomebook. Advertisement The expert confirmed that bay leaves do have anti-microbial properties, but added: "Assuming that's true, I wonder how many leaves would be needed for the concentration of the active ingredient to be sufficient to have an antimicrobial effect in a washing machine when diluted with water.' Sceptical of the hacks effectiveness, the Dr instead recommend alternative hacks to keep your laundry smelling good, such as removing laundry promptly after a load is finished, and leaving the machine open after use, so that it can dry out. The expert also recommend cleaning the detergent drawer regularly and doing a hot wash with bleach once a month. 3 Close up view on clothes dryer with washed and dried shirts in and door open.
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Why you should be putting bay leaves in your washing machine
WASH THIS Why you should be putting bay leaves in your washing machine YOUR laundry routine could be transformed with the help of a £1 seasoning. Bay leaves are most commonly used to flavour hearty dishes such as soups or stews, but they also have another hidden use. Advertisement 3 A kitchen herb could change your laundry routine Credit: Getty 3 Bay leaves aren't just used for cooking Credit: Getty For thousands of years, the leaves have also been used for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. If you toss a handful of the budget leaves in to your washing load, they are said to banish harsh odours such as sweat and cigarette smoke. How does it work? As the laundry spins in the machine, the leaves release compounds that eliminate bacteria, instead of simply masking the smell. Plus, they can also help to keep your washing machine clean. Advertisement Over time, washing machines can end up smelly and mouldy, due to a build up of detergent. However, if you add bay leaves to your machine, they prevent odour causing micro-organisms from growing. To try out this hack, place a handful of dry bay leaves into a fabric bag, and stick it in alongside your washing load. Make sure to use detergent as well, as the leaves are not a replacement, but an addition to your laundry routine. Advertisement A stain-remover too YouTube account Clever Hacks, also revealed that you can use bay leaves to remove tough stains. "A simple trick with bay leaves will save your clothes", they said. How to hang out your washing on the line and do no ironing, folding or sorting when it's dry "Simply throw a few bay leaves into the washing machine with your stained clothes, choose any setting and the stain problem should disappear." The Youtuber added, that if the stains are particularly bad you can place your clothes in a pot of boiling water with a handful of bay leaves, and leave them to boil for three hours. Advertisement "The squeeze out the clothes and throw them in the washing machine with detergent", they added. "Take the clothes out and enjoy their cleanliness." Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills! What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process. However, not everyone is convinced of the effectiveness of bay leaves. 'I am not aware of any studies on the effectiveness of bay leaves in washing machines against bad odours,' Dr. Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association told MyHomebook. Advertisement The expert confirmed that bay leaves do have anti-microbial properties, but added: "Assuming that's true, I wonder how many leaves would be needed for the concentration of the active ingredient to be sufficient to have an antimicrobial effect in a washing machine when diluted with water.' Sceptical of the hacks effectiveness, the Dr instead recommend alternative hacks to keep your laundry smelling good, such as removing laundry promptly after a load is finished, and leaving the machine open after use, so that it can dry out. The expert also recommend cleaning the detergent drawer regularly and doing a hot wash with bleach once a month. 3 Close up view on clothes dryer with washed and dried shirts in and door open.
Scottish Sun
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
The £1 hack that'll leave your clothes crease-free and smelling amazing – with no iron in sight
You only need two ingredients IT'S FAB-RIC The £1 hack that'll leave your clothes crease-free and smelling amazing – with no iron in sight Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT is a pretty simple task but ironing is detested by millions when it comes to household chores. In fact, a whopping 60% of Brits have confessed they will do anything to avoid it despite most of them owning an iron and board. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 According to one thrifty TikToker, the answer to crease-free clothing is simple - and you can find it for just a quid Credit: tiktok/@cerverafitmom 2 Cleaning fans will need just two ingredients for the DIY concoction Credit: tiktok/@cerverafitmom Luckily, if you're one of them there's an easy hack that will help get your clothes crease-free without doing the dreaded ironing. While there are plenty of crease releasers on the high-street, turns out, you can easily make your very own for a fraction of the price. What's more, not only will it save you heaps of cash in the long run but the £1 concoction will also leave your laundry smelling fabulous. The cash-savvy solution was recently shared on TikTok by one money-smart cleaning fan only known as @dagger95. read more on cleaning WASH THIS Shoppers are saving after a laundry essential gets slashed from £4 to just 45p According to the thrifty TikToker, the answer to crease-free clothing is simple - and you can find it for just a quid. She told fellow social media users: ''I do this with just water or ever water and a little bit of fabric softener in a Febreze bottle or any bottle. ''You do not need a special solution. hope this helps all my broke besties, like me.'' If your favourite fabric softener is running low, you can find a mega 1l bottle for £1 at Savers - or £1.70 at Aldi, £2.50 at Sainsbury's and other supermarkets. Before using this spray, it's best to test it on a small, hidden part of your shirt or garment to make sure it won't cause any discolouration. To use this DIY wrinkle releaser, hang your garment on a clothes hanger or lay it out flat on your bed. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' Pull the garment taught as you generously spray the DIY mix over it and run your hand over the wrinkles to help smooth them out. You want to make the fabric damp, but not soak it - as the more you spray, the longer your clothes will take to dry. If you choose to de-wrinkle your outfits before bed, you can be even more generous with the affordable spray. Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills! What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process. More de-creasing hacks If you don't own an iron or simply can't be bothered, digital department store Freemans has partnered with domestic cleaner Mariya Gurkova at home services business Fantastic Services to provide some top alternative hacks. Mariya revealed that a damp towel and tumble dryer are all you need to mimic an iron. She said: 'Put the wrinkled item in the dryer with a damp towel or a few ice cubes and run it on medium heat for about 15 minutes. "Steam will be generated inside the dryer by the moisture from the towel or ice cubes, which will help loosen the wrinkles and smooth out the fabric. When dried, fold immediately to avoid ironing." She added: 'You can also use a hair dryer to remove last-minute wrinkles. "Simply dampen the wrinkled area of the garment with water or a wrinkle-removing spray. Use the lowest setting and pull the fabric taut when drying. "Hair flat irons can help remove creases from small sections of clothing." Mariya also suggested that a hot cooking pot can be used to give your clothes a quick iron. All you need to do is fill the pan with boiling water, let it heat up the pot and then pour it out. You can then use the base of the pot to smooth out your garments.
The Irish Sun
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
The £1 hack that'll leave your clothes crease-free and smelling amazing – with no iron in sight
IT is a pretty simple task but ironing is detested by millions when it comes to household chores. In fact, a whopping 60% of Brits have confessed they will do anything to avoid it despite most of them owning an iron and board. Advertisement 2 According to one thrifty TikToker, the answer to crease-free clothing is simple - and you can find it for just a quid Credit: tiktok/@cerverafitmom 2 Cleaning fans will need just two ingredients for the DIY concoction Credit: tiktok/@cerverafitmom Luckily, if you're one of them there's an easy hack that will help While there are plenty of crease releasers on the high-street, turns out, you can easily make your very own for a fraction of the price. What's more, not only will it save you heaps of cash in the long run but the £1 concoction will also leave your laundry smelling fabulous. The cash-savvy solution was recently shared on TikTok by one money-smart cleaning fan only known as @ Advertisement read more on cleaning According to the thrifty TikToker, the answer to crease-free clothing is simple - and you can find it for just a quid. She told fellow social media users: ''I do this with just water or ever water and a little bit of fabric softener in a Febreze bottle or any bottle. ''You do not need a special solution. hope this helps all my broke besties, like me.'' If your favourite fabric softener is running low, you can find a mega 1l bottle for £1 at Savers - or £1.70 at Aldi, £2.50 at Sainsbury's and other supermarkets. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Before using this spray, it's best to test it on a small, hidden part of your shirt or garment to make sure it won't cause any discolouration. To use this DIY wrinkle releaser, hang your garment on a clothes hanger or lay it out flat on your bed. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' Pull the garment taught as you generously spray the DIY mix over it and run your hand over the wrinkles to help smooth them out. You want to make the fabric damp, but not soak it - as the more you spray, the longer your clothes will take to dry. Advertisement If you choose to de-wrinkle your outfits before bed, you can be even more generous with the affordable spray. Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process. More de-creasing hacks If you don't own an iron or simply can't be bothered, digital department store Mariya revealed that a damp towel and tumble dryer are all you need to mimic an iron. She said: 'Put the wrinkled item in the dryer with a damp towel or a few ice cubes and run it on medium heat for about 15 minutes. Advertisement "Steam will be generated inside the dryer by the moisture from the towel or ice cubes, which will help loosen the wrinkles and smooth out the fabric. When dried, fold immediately to avoid ironing." She added: 'You can also use a hair dryer to remove last-minute wrinkles. "Simply dampen the wrinkled area of the garment with water or a wrinkle-removing spray. Use the lowest setting and pull the fabric taut when drying. "Hair flat irons can help remove creases from small sections of clothing." Advertisement Mariya also suggested that a hot cooking pot can be used to give your clothes a quick iron. All you need to do is fill the pan with boiling water, let it heat up the pot and then pour it out. You can then use the base of the pot to smooth out your garments.
Scottish Sun
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
I'm the Queen of Clean & swear by 69p Superdrug buy to get rid of greasy suncream stains – it's probably in your handbag
CLEAN BREAK I'm the Queen of Clean & swear by 69p Superdrug buy to get rid of greasy suncream stains – it's probably in your handbag FROM barbeques to days at the beach, summertime can be a lot of fun but one essential may be damaging your favourite clothes. While essential for your health and well-being, suncream can be fatal to your wardrobe. Advertisement 3 Suncream is one of the many stains you can get on your summer wardrobe (stock image) Credit: Getty 3 Lynsey Crombie shared the DIY hack she uses to remove stubborn stains from her clothes all summer long Credit: Supplied The summer staple can be a real nuisance to remove from clothes if it comes into contact with them. And you'll want to act quick as the longer you leave it, the worse it'll become. So if you're out and about when the stain happens, a cleaning expert has shared a handy hack. You probably already have the holy grail item somewhere in your handbag. Advertisement To begin, This Morning's Lynsey Crombie recommended gently blotting the stain to absorb as much of the cream as possible. This will help to prevent the product from spreading further across the material. Hand sanitiser And the best way to stop this from happening is to cover the stain with hand sanitiser. With a high alcohol content, this product acts as an on-the-go solvent when you can't throw the stained item into the wash. Advertisement Hand sanitiser can help loosen and lift sunscreen stains, especially those containing oils and certain chemicals, as it breaks down these substances. The alcohol helps to emulsify the oils in the suncream, making them easier to wash away. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' And you can pick up a bottle of hand sanitiser for just 69p from Superdrug. Other DIY hacks And if you find yourself trying to save your clothes from suncream stains while you're away at the beach, your saving grace is literally all around you. Advertisement "Cover the stain with sand to dry it out," the cleaning expert advised. "As soon as you can, rinse the stain from the reverse under a cold water tap, to help push it out of the fabric." And if a spillage mishap happens at a barbecue, begin by scraping any excess product with a blunt knife. Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills! What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process. This helps to prevent it from seeping further into the fabric. Advertisement "You should then flip the item inside out and rinse under cold running water to push the sauce out from the back, as this helps lift the stain rather than spread it," Lynsey said. "Cold water also prevents the stain from setting." Summer cleaning hacks Plus, hacks for removing stubborn sweat stains from your clothes this summer. A three-ingredient paste will leave any yellowed item looking whiter and brighter than ever. Advertisement But you may want to rethink drying your clothes on your line this summer. However, if you do hang out your clothes a simple hack can speed up the process.
