Latest news with #JoyceFrench
Daily Record
29-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Householders urged to leave bowls of vinegar out in homes overnight
Experts believe the easy hack is surprisingly effective in tackling one common issue Homeowners with lingering food smells can tackle the issue with various methods. However, according to an expert, one low-cost hack will quickly do the trick. Joyce French, cleaning expert at said simply leaving a bowl of vinegar out overnight will be sure to banish any bad odours in your home without having to use harsh chemicals. The white vinegar solution is great for eliminating alkaline odours and making them less noticeable. Vinegar also has antibacterial properties that can help stop odour-causing bacteria in their tracks. To get rid of persistent cooking odours, Joyce suggests leaving small bowls of vinegar in a room overnight. She also suggests simmering them with water on the stove. For those worried that the smell of vinegar may take over, Joyce said it will quickly disappear along with the offending smells it's tackling. The cleaning pro also said apple cider vinegar is a trusty tool to have at home to help solve offensive odours. The solution, which has slightly sweeter undertones, can be used on curtains or upholstery by misting them with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water. This will combat odours without damaging the colour of delicate fabrics or leaving a chemical residue. If you want to avoid liquids, fresh herb bundles of rosemary, thyme, and mint can help improve the smell around the home and help with closures when small bundles are hung in wardrobes or placed in drawers to keep clothes smelling fresh, reports the Express. Simmering the peels of fruits like oranges and lemons in a pot on the stove is another great way to get your home smelling its best. It also leaves a lovely fresh aroma. You can even combine them with white white vinegar to make your own natural cleaning solution with degreasing and antibacterial properties. You need only put the peels in a large glass jar, submerge them in the vinegar, and let the mixture sit for about two weeks. This will allow the peels to infuse with the vinegar to produce an effective natural cleaning solution. 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. Meanwhile, simmering a handful of herbs in water is said to be "ideal" for getting a fresher scent straight away. A few drops of vanilla extract on cotton wool can also work wonders if you stash them in areas where bad smells accumulate or hide them in the corners of rooms where odours may accumulate. You may also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to an oven-safe dish and warm it at a low temperature for half an hour to make your home smell fragrant and fresh. Joyce recommends various other methods for tackling stenches and improving the smell, including essential oils like lemon, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, and cedarwood. These oils can be used to refresh carpets and fabrics by adding five to ten drops to water in a spray bottle. Baking soda can also be a great tool for seeing off smells as chemicals in the powder counteract the acids that cause bad odors and produce a compound that's less odourous, the expert says. It can be used in different ways, but on carpets, rugs, and mattresses, for example, all you need to do is sprinkle some on and leave it for an hour before vacuuming the power up. In enclosed spaces like a fridge, you can also simply leave the powder in a vented jar until the smells have reduced or cleared. Coffee grounds can also be used to soak up unpleasant pongs in the fridge by putting some in a bowl and leaving it inside for a few days. The expert says you can also use them on carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling some on and vacuuming them off after 15 minutes. Joyce says houseplants are another thing to consider with particular types like peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants known to be particularly effective at removing airborne toxins and improving air quality in room lots of people use.
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Households suffering with 2 symptoms urged to wash bedding immediately
People suffering from constant sneezing and itchiness around their eyes should wash their bedding now in a bid to ease their symptoms and get a better night's sleep Hayfever season is here, and around 16 million Brits suffer with its pesky symptoms every year as the pollen count increases. Pollen can get onto anything and everything, including slotting itself into the fibres of our clothes - and our bedding. This is why hayfever sufferers, especially those enduring constant sneezing, itchy eyes and general irritation, should ensure theirs is washed immediately. Not only that, washing your bedding is crucial for maintaining hygiene. Unwashed bedsheets can accumulate a lot of bacteria, including microscopic organisms like dust mites and other allergens that can trigger allergies, skin problems and asthma. These allergens thrive in most environments, which is why it's even more important to wash your bedding during the warmer months when humidity increases. This includes sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. According to clearing expert Joyce French at he explained: 'Regularly washing bedding is always an important task, but particularly so during hay fever season to keep symptoms at bay and allow for restful sleep. Wash your sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases in a hot wash once a week – hot water is crucial for killing dust mites and eliminating allergens.' Generally, it's recommended to change bed sheets at least once a week. However, in some cases, it can be extended to two weeks when it's considered acceptable. For example, if you don't sweat excessively or have any pets that sleep in the bed. If you're prone to allergies, it's better to be on the side of caution and wash your bedding more frequently - better be safe than sorry! Choosing the right fabrics for your bedding - as well as your nightwear - plays a significant role in improving your sleep quality when dealing with allergies. On the other hand, synthetic fabrics, like polyester, tend to trap moisture and heat, which creates the ideal environment for dust mines. As explained by Secret Linen, natural fibres such as cotton, linen, and bamboo are much more breathable, allowing air to flow and becoming 'less hospitable' to dust mites. Moreover, these materials help regulate body temperature, avoiding sweat buildup and keeping your skin comfortable throughout the night, ensuring a good sleep. By changing your bedsheets regularly - as well as your pyjamas - you can rest assured of having a good night's sleep, away from any allergies that these can bring. Now that spring time has arrived, and summer is around the corner, it's important to avoid these at all costs.
