Latest news with #Domestic&General
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Remove stubborn sun cream stains this summer using cheap £1 hack
Sun cream can stain clothing very easily and can be very difficult to banish. As temperatures continue to warm up, many people are spending more and more time soaking up the sunshine. Whether it's a day lounging by the pool or relaxing in your back garden, summer can bring a fresh set of challenges to your wardrobe. There's much fun to be had during the holidays, but with this comes an increased load on your washing machine. Think sandy clothes, sunscreen stained clothes and post-festival muddy trainers. We tend to wash our clothes more frequently in the warmer months due to increased sweating and exposure to the elements, but it's important to know how to tackle these summer stains without damaging your washing machine. One of the most searched for cleaning terms during the summer months is 'how to remove sun cream'. This is because sunscreens contain oils which can very easily leave yellow or orange grease stains on your clothing. The chemical most widely used is avobenzone, and when combined with either water or perspiration, it can cause rusty coloured stains which can be difficult to banish. Thankfully, there's a cheap way to remove the pesky stains from your clothing and you'll likely already have the product in your cupboard. According to Ian Palmer-Smith, an appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, white wine vinegar, which can be bought for as little as £1 from supermarkets, will keep your clothes stain-free. Ian said: "Suncreams usually have an oil base, so white wine vinegar can be really handy when it comes to breaking these stains down. Cover the stain in vinegar and leave for twenty to thirty minutes before rinsing. Machine wash the garment in the hottest temperature that is suitable for it, and check that the stain has gone before drying." According to Ian, the same goes for sweat stains. He added: "Pre-treat the affected with vinegar for up to half an hour. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the vinegar off before machine washing as usual. "I would not recommend using vinegar directly in your washing machine because the acidity can corrode rubber elements over time. Instead, opt for regular laundry detergent for the wash cycle to avoid needing a washing machine repair.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. To bring trainers back to life after a summer of fun, Ian recommends putting trainers into a pillowcase or wrapping them up in towels when washing them as this protect your shoes as well as reducing potential for damage to your washing machine. He added: "Trainers made of cotton, canvas, polyester or nylon are typically more durable and able to withstand being put through a wash cycle. Some trainers' adhesives are heat sensitive even to low temperatures so always check this beforehand. 'To ensure your trainers come out of the machine in pristine condition it's important to spot, clean and scrub any caked-on dirt off the trainers first."
Daily Record
18-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Swap fabric conditioner for this as it won't ruin your clothes or machine
Householders are being warned to think twice before adding ingredients to their washing machines. When it comes to washing our clothes, the majority of us believe that using fabric softener is essential to achieving soft and fresh laundry. However, according to experts, using fabric softener as part of your routine could be doing more harm than good, as it has the potential to seriously damage our washing machines. Standard fabric softeners reportedly accumulate within your washing machine and may destroy garments and break you machine over a period of time. Appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, Ian Palmer-Smith, shares his insights into the truth behind fabric softener, and if it is really an essential component in our laundry routines. Ian said fabric softener leaves a thin layer of chemicals on your laundry. He explained: "Fabric softener is a conditioner for your laundry, aimed at making your clothes feel softer. It is not a cleansing agent, so won't be able to take care of any stains. Instead, it is designed to deposit a thin layer of chemicals onto the fibres of your clothes, sheets, or towels during the washing process. This should hopefully result in less wrinkles and static, making your clothes fresh and softer to touch." Speaking about the damage it can do to your appliances, Ian said: "Fabric softener is a thick substance that can easily cause a buildup of residue in the drum, detergent draw, and internal hoses of your machine. "Without regular cleaning or maintenance, overusing fabric softener could eventually cause your washing machines pipes and drains to block, stopping it from functioning. "This could shorten the lifespan of your appliance and leave you needing an expensive washing machine repair. 'Residue buildup resulting from the overuse of fabric softener can also cause mould to grow, potentially contaminating your clothes. Mould exposure can be especially dangerous for people with allergies or asthma, so it's important to regularly check that your machine is clean. 'Mould growth is especially common in front-loading machines, so remember to check often overlooked areas like the rubber door seal, detergent drawer, and drum. Running a hot wash with white vinegar or washing machine cleaner once a month can help to keep mould at bay.' Ian has advised householders to stop using fabric softener on towels as it can affect their drying abilities. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He added: "Overusing fabric softener can also affect your fabrics' moisture-wicking abilities, so it generally shouldn't be used on towels, sports-wear, or other moisture-wicking fabrics. This is because the fabric softener can break down the fibres, and negatively impact the breathability of these clothes by removing their ability to pull moisture from the skin. 'Fabric softener can also irritate sensitive skin, or even trigger an allergic reaction. This is because it often carries heavy chemicals and fragrances. If you cannot find any hypoallergenic options, consider natural alternatives like white vinegar or essential oils.' Ian said there are alternatives to using softener that can be just as effective. He added: "Instead of traditional fabric softener, you can try using distilled white vinegar. It is more eco-friendly, and can also be gentler on your clothes. "Add between 100ml and 200ml of white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment before starting your usual hot wash cycle. 'Alternatively, you could use wool dryer balls or a few drops of essential oils into your tumble dryer along with your washing load to help soften your clothes or keep them smelling fresh."
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Expert shares three barbecue mistakes to avoid this summer
We're currently enjoying the 'warmest spell of the year so far' with Scots seeing temperatures rise as high as 22C this week, just in time for the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend. And with the warm weather comes the itch to fish the barbecue out from the back of the shed, where it's no doubt been collecting dust since last summer. But if you do decide to get the grill out this week, there are a few common mistakes an expert is warning people to avoid. Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General , has shared three mistakes that can damage your fridge, which are easily done during barbecue season. It's best to avoid these common errors if you can this summer, in order to protect your appliance and make sure it lasts through plenty more heatwaves in the future. Here is Ian's expert advice. Deciding whether to put away leftover hot food immediately or once it's cooled down is a dilemma often faced at the end of a summer gathering. But when it comes to appliance maintenance, it's preferable to wait for food to cool down first. Ian explains: 'Putting something hot into your fridge will force the appliance to work harder in order to stay cool. "Hot food that is immediately stored away will give off steam, adding more moisture and resulting in condensation. 'Condensation in your fridge can lead to water leaks and ice build up - both of which should be avoided to protect your appliance. Wherever possible, allow hot food to cool to room temperature before storing it in the fridge.' If you've hosted a BBQ, you may find yourself squeezing more items onto the shelves than usual. But this can sometimes lead to problems later down the line, explains the expert. Ian says: 'Your fridge functions to store food, but it shouldn't be treated like a cupboard. If you cram it full of food, leaving little gaps for air to flow through the appliance, this puts increased pressure on the fridge to maintain the cool temperature. "You may notice some parts of the fridge have ice build up, whilst other shelves feel warm. 'The pressure on the fridge's system can overwork the fan, compressor and other key components. This ultimately leads to inflated energy usage, and energy bills. ' Whilst hosting and preparing food, you'll likely be in and out of the fridge, but with high temperatures , it is crucial that you close the fridge door each time to protect your appliance. Ian says: 'Whilst leaving the fridge door open quickly shouldn't impact its functionality, if you leave the door open for a few minutes at a time whilst preparing food, this will start to reduce its overall lifespan. "Fridges and fridge freezers alike need specific temperatures to work effectively, so if the door is open for an extended period of time, this will cause the appliance to work harder in order to maintain the required temperature. 'This ultimately puts unnecessary added load and pressure on the fridge freezer, which could result in needing a repair. As a general rule, never leave the door open for longer than three minutes.'
