Latest news with #Number1Plates
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I'm a high-end valet cleaner – the 3 everyday habits that are silently destroying your car's interior
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE everyday habits could be destroying your motor's interior, according to experts. Most drivers think they're taking good care of their cars, but one luxury valet cleaner says three everyday habits could be doing serious damage without you realising. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 These three everyday habits could be doing serious damage to your motor's interior Credit: Getty 2 These tips will help prevent big repair bills Tommy Reece, based in London, has cleaned everything from top-spec Range Rovers to six-figure super cars. He warns even the most well-off clients are guilty of these common mistakes. During a chat with motor experts Number 1 Plates, he revealed the top three red some maybe surprising. Tommy said: "These are the things I see in almost every car I clean. "They might seem harmless, but they absolutely trash the interior - and it's not always something you can just wipe away." 1. Eating fast food in your car Whether it's a quick burger or cheeky drive-thru coffee, eating on the go is the number one mistake. "Chips under the seats, ketchup in the stitching, greasy fingerprints everywhere - fast food is the biggest killer of clean interiors," Tommy said. Number 1 Plates' motor experts agreed. They said: "Oil and salt from food can sink into fabrics and plastics. Motoring expert shares hacks to fix up your car using simple household goods "Once that smell sets in, it's incredibly hard to remove.' Their advice is to eat before, not during, your drive. 2. Never dusting or hoovering If you think your car looks clean because the outside is gleaming, think again. Tommy revealed: "Most people never touch the inside. "You get a build-up of dust, crumbs, dog hair, even makeup residue. "It slowly eats away at your interior.' Number 1 Plates recommends a quick vacuum once a week and a microfiber wipe down of your dash and controls to prevent long-term wear and tear. 3. Leaving drinks unsecured Your morning coffee may be your interior's worst enemy. Tommy said: "I've seen spilled lattes under seats, sticky energy drinks in cup holders, and fizzy drinks that have etched into leather. "One client lost £600 repairing a panel after a protein shake exploded." According to Number 1 Plates, drivers should use sealed, spill-proof containers or simply wait until parked before drinking anything. So, if you want to protect your car's resale value and avoid big repair bills, start by breaking these everyday habits. "A little care goes a long way," Tommy said. "It's always the small things that do the most damage."
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I'm a high-end valet cleaner – the 3 everyday habits that are silently destroying your car's interior
THREE everyday habits could be destroying your motor's interior, according to experts. Most drivers think they're taking good care of their cars, but one luxury valet cleaner says three everyday habits could be doing serious damage without you realising. 2 These three everyday habits could be doing serious damage to your motor's interior Credit: Getty 2 These tips will help prevent big repair bills Tommy Reece, based in London, has cleaned everything from top-spec Range Rovers to six-figure super cars. He warns even the most well-off clients are guilty of these common mistakes. During a chat with motor experts Number 1 Plates, he revealed the top three red some maybe surprising. Tommy said: "These are the things I see in almost every car I clean. Read more Motors news "They might seem harmless, but they absolutely trash the interior - and it's not always something you can just wipe away." 1. Eating fast food in your car Whether it's a quick burger or cheeky drive-thru coffee, eating on the go is the number one mistake. "Chips under the seats, ketchup in the stitching, greasy fingerprints everywhere - fast food is the biggest killer of clean interiors," Tommy said. Number 1 Plates' motor experts agreed. Most read in Motors They said: "Oil and salt from food can sink into fabrics and plastics. Motoring expert shares hacks to fix up your car using simple household goods "Once that smell sets in, it's incredibly hard to remove.' Their advice is to eat before, not during, your drive. 2. Never dusting or hoovering If you think your car looks clean because the outside is gleaming, think again. Tommy revealed: "Most people never touch the inside. "You get a build-up of dust, crumbs, dog hair , even makeup residue. "It slowly eats away at your interior.' Number 1 Plates recommends a quick vacuum once a week and a microfiber wipe down of your dash and controls to prevent long-term wear and tear. 3. Leaving drinks unsecured Your morning coffee may be your interior's worst enemy. Tommy said: "I've seen spilled lattes under seats, sticky energy drinks in cup holders, and fizzy drinks that have etched into leather. "One client lost £600 repairing a panel after a protein shake exploded." According to Number 1 Plates, drivers should use sealed, spill-proof containers or simply wait until parked before drinking anything. So, if you want to protect your car's resale value and avoid big repair bills , start by breaking these everyday habits. "A little care goes a long way," Tommy said. "It's always the small things that do the most damage." The household items you're not cleaning often enough IF you want to ensure your home is squeaky clean, you'll need to listen up. Below are the household items you're forgetting to clean, and how to get them sparkling... Remote Controls: Wipe with a disinfectant cloth. Use a cotton bud for crevices. Light Switches: Wipe with a disinfectant wipe. Use a mild soap solution for tough stains. Door Handles: Clean with an antibacterial spray. Wipe down regularly. Underneath and Behind Appliances: Vacuum or sweep regularly. Mop with a suitable cleaner. Shower Curtains and Liners: Wash in the washing machine. Use a bleach solution for stubborn mildew. Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths: Microwave damp sponges for one minute. Wash dishcloths in the washing machine. Computer Keyboards and Mice: Use compressed air to remove debris. Wipe with a disinfectant wipe.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
I'm a high-end valet cleaner – the 3 everyday habits that are silently destroying your car's interior
THREE everyday habits could be destroying your motor's interior, according to experts. Most drivers think they're taking good care of their cars, but one luxury valet cleaner says three everyday habits could be doing serious damage without you realising. 2 2 Tommy Reece, based in London, has cleaned everything from top-spec Range Rovers to six-figure super cars. He warns even the most well-off clients are guilty of these common mistakes. During a chat with motor experts Number 1 Plates, he revealed the top three red some maybe surprising. Tommy said: "These are the things I see in almost every car I clean. "They might seem harmless, but they absolutely trash the interior - and it's not always something you can just wipe away." 1. Eating fast food in your car Whether it's a quick burger or cheeky drive-thru coffee, eating on the go is the number one mistake. "Chips under the seats, ketchup in the stitching, greasy fingerprints everywhere - fast food is the biggest killer of clean interiors," Tommy said. Number 1 Plates' motor experts agreed. They said: "Oil and salt from food can sink into fabrics and plastics. Motoring expert shares hacks to fix up your car using simple household goods "Once that smell sets in, it's incredibly hard to remove.' Their advice is to eat before, not during, your drive. 2. Never dusting or hoovering If you think your car looks clean because the outside is gleaming, think again. Tommy revealed: "Most people never touch the inside. "You get a build-up of dust, crumbs, dog hair, even makeup residue. "It slowly eats away at your interior.' Number 1 Plates recommends a quick vacuum once a week and a microfiber wipe down of your dash and controls to prevent long-term wear and tear. 3. Leaving drinks unsecured Your morning coffee may be your interior's worst enemy. Tommy said: "I've seen spilled lattes under seats, sticky energy drinks in cup holders, and fizzy drinks that have etched into leather. "One client lost £600 repairing a panel after a protein shake exploded." According to Number 1 Plates, drivers should use sealed, spill-proof containers or simply wait until parked before drinking anything. So, if you want to protect your car's resale value and avoid big repair bills, start by breaking these everyday habits. "A little care goes a long way," Tommy said. "It's always the small things that do the most damage." The household items you're not cleaning often enough IF you want to ensure your home is squeaky clean, you'll need to listen up. Below are the household items you're forgetting to clean, and how to get them sparkling... Remote Controls: Wipe with a disinfectant cloth. Use a cotton bud for crevices. Light Switches: Wipe with a disinfectant wipe. Use a mild soap solution for tough stains. Door Handles: Clean with an antibacterial spray. Wipe down regularly. Underneath and Behind Appliances: Vacuum or sweep regularly. Mop with a suitable cleaner. Shower Curtains and Liners: Wash in the washing machine. Use a bleach solution for stubborn mildew. Kitchen Sponges and Dishcloths: Microwave damp sponges for one minute. Wash dishcloths in the washing machine. Computer Keyboards and Mice: Use compressed air to remove debris. Wipe with a disinfectant wipe.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm an Uber Eats driver here are my little known tips for bagging free food and they're all totally legal
NOTHING beats a takeaway, especially on a Saturday night but the high prices are enough to send you back to frozen dinners. However, one Uber Eats driver has revealed his secret, and perfectly legal, tips for bagging free food. 1 Tom, 33, reveals the insider tips that platforms don't shout about — including birthday freebies and sign-up deals Speaking to Number 1 Plates, Tom, who works full-time as a Uber Eats driver, says: 'You don't need to scam anyone or lie about your order. 'There are just things the apps don't advertise clearly — but once you know them, you'll start spotting the patterns.' Tom, who's completed over 7,000 deliveries, has seen everything from unclaimed meals handed over for free to birthday rewards customers forget to redeem. Most food delivery or loyalty platforms offer instant rewards just for joining — but many users forget to claim them. Tom says drivers see the same deal-savvy people cashing in week after week. Here are some of the best apps with download or sign-up freebies: Greggs App – Free hot drink when you join McDonald's App – Free Cheeseburger, McFlurry, or fries (rotating offers) Burger King App – Free Whopper or fries with sign-up Krispy Kreme Rewards – Free Original Glazed doughnut just for joining Toby Carvery App – Free dessert or starter with main course Subway Rewards – 250 bonus points = free drink or cookie KFC Rewards Arcade – Spin for freebies like wings or fries after purchase Starbucks Rewards – Free drink after collecting enough stars, with frequent bonus days 'Honestly, if you've got a birthday, you've got free food. Some people use this every year like clockwork,' says Tom. But for those missing out, he reveals the places to bag a birthday freebie. Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut (often no purchase required) Greggs – Free sweet treat (cookie, doughnut, etc.) Costa Coffee – Free cake when you register your birthday Hotel Chocolat – Free selector box (requires app and account) Barburrito – Free burrito TGI Fridays – Free dessert or cocktail Chiquito – Free main meal Beefeater / Brewers Fayre – Free meal vouchers via their rewards programme Subway – Free cookie or side during birthday month Who stars in the Uber Eats commercial? Tom says one of the lesser-known ways people get free food is when orders aren't collected or delivered — and the platforms just refund or replace it with little hassle. 'Sometimes the restaurant messes up, or the customer isn't in,' he says. 'If the food's already been cooked, it's got to go somewhere. That's when replacements and refunds get handed out, no questions.' How to save money on your takeaway TAKEAWAYS taste great but they can hit you hard on your wallet. Here are some tips on how to save on your delivery: Cashback websites - TopCashback and Quidco will pay you to order your takeaway through them. They're paid by retailers for every click that comes to their website from the cashback site, which eventually trickles down to you. So you'll get cashback on orders placed through them. Discount codes - Check sites like VoucherCodes for any discount codes you can use to get money off your order. Buy it from the shops - Okay, it might not taste exactly the same but you'll save the most money by picking up your favourite dish from your local supermarket. Student discounts - If you're in full-time education or a member of the National Students Union then you may be able to get a discount of up to 15 per cent off the bill. It's always worth asking before you place your order.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
UK's cheapest petrol pumps revealed for drivers to fill up at ahead of sunny weekend – it'll save you £200 a year
Plus tips to save fuel at leading supermarkets GAS ME UP UK's cheapest petrol pumps revealed for drivers to fill up at ahead of sunny weekend – it'll save you £200 a year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE cheapest petrol station in the UK has been revealed - and it can save motorists a whopping £200 per year. Amid this rising cost of fuel, choosing the right pump has never been more important - and could save you some extra cash. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A road user fills her tank with petrol at a gas station in London Credit: EPA Number 1 Plates, one of the UK's leading motoring experts, is encouraging motorists to rethink where they fill up. A new study from the motor experts highlights how simple decisions at the pump could save drivers hundreds of pounds annually. After analysing data from 100 Shell and 100 BP stations across the UK, they found that these brands tend to sit at the higher end of the pricing scale compared to supermarkets and some independent providers. A difference of £3.69 was found between BP and supermarkets like Tesco. Over 50 tanks per year, drivers could be spending up to £184.50 more by not shopping around. The motoring expert firm said that products like Shell V-Power and BP Ultimate include advanced additives, adding cost for drivers who opt for them. Many Shell and BP stations are in high-rent, high-footfall areas like city centres and motorways, which increases the costs. Meanwhile, supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisons operate high-volume sites and can pass savings on to consumers. The research reflects average fuel prices from January to 9 May 2025. A spokesperson from the company said: "We analysed 100 Shell and 100 BP stations, and while both are well-established brands, the price differences can be significant depending on where and how often you fill up. 'Drivers don't need to switch brands entirely — but they should stay informed. Using fuel comparison tools can lead to consistent savings over time.' Details of the study Number 1 Plates gathered pricing data from 200 forecourts — 100 Shell and 100 BP — across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Using and other verified trackers, they compared prices to Morrisons, Tesco, and independent brand Gulf, to give a clear national overview. Average Unleaded Prices (Jan–9 May 2025) BP – 143.7p per litre Shell – 141.78p per litre Gulf – 139.5p per litre Morrisons – 138.8p per litre Tesco – 137.0p per litre What That Means at the Pump Filling a standard 55-litre tank at: BP costs around £79.04 Shell: £77.98 Tesco: £75.35 Meanwhile, drivers can fill up for free using a clever fuel trick at Tesco and Esso. Petrol and diesel prices fell in March for the first time since last summer, giving drivers a bit of a breather ahead of the busy Easter getaway. New data from RAC Fuel Watch shows petrol dropped by nearly 4p a litre in March, down to 136.03p, while diesel fell to 142.51p — saving motorists around £2 a tank. But with prices varying by as much as 10p a litre, experts are urging Brits to shop around — and clever motorists are slashing even more off with a Tesco Clubcard fuel trick. Shoppers earn points every time they spend at Tesco — and those points can be turned into money-off fuel vouchers. They work at Tesco petrol stations and selected Esso forecourts that have a Tesco Express store inside. You can even earn them by sending parcels with Evri or shopping with Tesco's reward partners. To find a participating Esso garage, use the 'Find a Station' tool and select the Clubcard filter. Simon Williams from the RAC said: 'Drivers are finally seeing some relief from high pump prices, which has come at a good time with the start of the Easter school holidays and one of the biggest bank holidays of the year for travel. 'It's a shame prices on forecourts haven't fallen further and faster, but this reflects the higher margins many retailers are now choosing to take. 'We urge drivers not to presume the forecourt they've visited for years is necessarily the cheapest anymore.' He also warned the cheaper prices may not last, adding: 'Crude oil prices are starting to edge up again. If that continues, wholesale fuel costs will rise — and pump prices could follow.' Last month, TopCashBack was offering new customers to the site £5 free fuel until March 31. The money saving deal meant that punters got a fiver's cash back if they fill their car with at least £10 worth of petrol. OTHER WAYS TO SAVE FUEL If you never shop at Tesco, there are other schemes that can help. For instance, if you have a Nectar card, you can use your Nectar points to get 5p off every litre of fuel bought at Esso when you swap 300 points. You can also spend Nectar points at Sainsbury's to buy fuel. However, you cannot use Pay at Pump to redeem the points, instead you need to swipe your card at the kiosk. If you regularly fill up at Shell garages, consider becoming a Shell Go+ member. Every 10th visit you will get a fuel reward worth between £1 and £50 off. The discount you get depends on your average spend over the last nine visits, so someone who spent £100 every time would get a bigger reward than someone who spent just a tenner. BP also has a BPme scheme, where you earn points for money spent on fuel or in service station shops. You get 1 point for each £1 spent in-store, 1 point for every litre of regular fuel, or 2 points for every litre of Ultimate fuel. Every 100 points you earn can be redeemed for £1 off your fuel or shop spend.
