Latest news with #TheSunRaffle
The Sun
03-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Four savvy ways to make use of lemons around the house
WHEN life gives you lemons, don't just make lemonade. The versatile citrus fruit is the key to many household task hacks. From cleaning your kitchen to getting insects to buzz off, a bowl of lemons could benefit every home. SIMPLY THE ZEST: Citric acid in lemons is antibacterial and antiseptic, so has lots of uses around the house. If your chopping board needs a refresh, sprinkle it with salt and scrub the surface with half a lemon to give it a new lease of life. You can also put half a lemon in a bowl of water then pop it in the microwave on high. Once the water heats up, which will only take a few seconds, the citrusy steam will loosen the dirt inside the appliance, making it easier to clean. COLD COMFORT: It is cheaper to buy lemons by the bag but that may mean that some of the fruit gets wasted. Instead of letting them get overripe then throwing them away, cut any you won't use in time into slices and freeze flat, before bagging them up for whenever you need them. You can even put small slices into ice cube trays then top up with water. The lemony cubes can go straight in a drink. PEST OF THE REST: Lemons' strong citrusy smell is great for deterring ants, flies and other pests. Mix one part lemon juice to three parts water and squirt it around doors and on windowsills to make ants do a U-turn. Mrs Hinch shares her top tips for the big spring clean – from vacuuming your mattress to washing oven trays in the bath To make flies buzz off, cut a lemon in half and stud the flesh with whole cloves. SQUEEZY START: A l emon drink to start the day is said to aid digestion and boost immunity and hydration. To make one, mix the juice of half a lemon with a teaspoon of honey then add just boiled water. You can also add lemon juice to fresh grated ginger and turmeric. Mix and freeze in ice cube trays. Pop a cube out and stir into boiling water for a speedy goodness-packed drink. Sieve if you don't like the bits. Deal of the day SIZZLE your sausages on the Charles Bentley five-burner gas barbecue, down from £289.99 to £229.99 at Tesco Marketplace. SAVE: £60 Cheap treat 7 GET a pot of sweet peas for £1.50 each at B&M or get your garden blooming with five for £5. SAVE: £2.50 on five Top swap 7 LOOK good in the Love & Roses T-shirt, above, £26 from Next, or give us a wave in the broderie anglaise sleeve jersey top, below, £14.99 from Shop & save THERE'S a third off selected bangers and burgers at Sainsbury's. Ten Taste The Difference sausages are down to £2.90 from £4.35. Hot right now UNTIL tomorrow Morrisons is offering a third off its Market Street sirloin, taking an 8oz steak down from £6.80 to £4.54. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Three cheap and easy tips to clean your barbecue in time for the good weather
Sun Savers Published: Invalid Date, WITH the weather hotting up – and the long weekend on its way – it's the perfect time to host in the garden. But don't worry if your barbecue has seen better days, these easy steps can make it sparkle in no time. 7 GRILL POWER: Raid cupboards for ingredients that will shift grime stuck to grills. Try pouring a little beer over a heated grill and the acid will loosen dirt, so you can scrub it off. Onions also work wonders thanks to their natural acids. Just cut in half and rub across grates. And lemons are also powerful at cutting through grease. Again, just cut in half and rub over the metal. A tough wire brush is ideal for scrubbing grime and grease off the grates. But rather than buy one, you can use aluminium foil screwed into a ball. STAIN OR SHINE: For stains that are tougher to budge — and if you have a barbecue with a lid — grab some vinegar and mix with equal part water. Then pour the solution on a metal tray and heat up the barbecue. Close the lid and leave for around 15 minutes. The steam should loosen the grime. Or before heating, you can mix up a paste of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar and let it sit on the grills for at least 30 minutes. Then scrub off with warm soapy water. Proper temperatures for perfectly cooked meats BRING TO RUST: If your barbecue has been sitting outside and developed rust patches, you can also use the same bicarbonate and vinegar paste and apply to these areas to help clean it up. After using your barbecue, try rubbing a light layer of vegetable oil across the grills and other areas to help prevent rust in the future. Deal of the day 7 PAMPER yourself with this Boots self-care beauty box, £34, featuring goodies worth £137, including hair serum, sleep mist and teeth whitening strips. SAVE: £103 Cheap treat WITH its mood-boosting fragrance, Radox mineral therapy shower gel, £1 from Boots, will help you feel uplifted after a shower. Top swap LIVE the five-star lifestyle with the Bottega Veneta bag, £2,150, at Selfridges. Or back in the real world, look stylish for £26 with this microweave bag from Next. SAVE: £2,124 Shop & Save LIFT your lashes with help from Revolution tubing mascara, down from £10.99 to £6.39 at Superdrug. Hot Right Now BRING some colour to your garden with four perennials for £10 at B&M, saving £2. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the mor
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Six genius ideas to transform leftovers and cupboard stables into exciting lunchbox meals that your kids will love
THE summer term may have only just begun, but if you're already sick of making the same old sandwiches, we've got the answer. These genius ideas transform leftovers and cupboard staples into exciting lunchbox meals that kids will actually eat. 6 CHIP 'N' DIP: Revive stale pitta bread by cutting each one into triangles and air-frying until crisp. Blend chickpeas with lemon, garlic and tahini for instant hummus, or mix yoghurt with grated cucumber and mint for a refreshing tzatziki. Add veg sticks for crunch. SALAD SAVER: Whip up speedy couscous following packet instructions and then mix with chopped roast veggies from last night's roast. Add a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice to bring it together and leave to cool. Pop portions in airtight containers for lunch boxes. TORTILLA TREAT: Rescue limp tortilla wraps by filling with grated cheese and mashed beans, then fold and dry-fry until golden. Cut into wedges and pop into a lunchbox. They're perfect cold and packed with protein. GRATE IDEA: Make mini frittatas by adding leftover veg to whisked egg and crumbling or grating cheese into the mixture. Pour into a muffin tin and grate more cheese over the top before baking for 5-10 mins on a low heat. Once cooled, store in an airtight container. WRAP IT UP: You might already have rice papers in the cupboard, but if not you can pick up packs of them for around £1.50 in specialist Asian supermarkets. Soak rice papers briefly in warm water, then fill with leftovers from dinner — veggies and leftover meat work well. RICE BITES: Mix tinned tuna with cooked rice, an egg and breadcrumbs, then shape into patties. Fry until golden and leave to cool. Can be eaten hot or cold and the protein will keep kids full till dinner. Deal of the day 6 CHECK out the mid-season sale at A pair of Bayaband Flip sandals was £34.99, now reduced to £20.99. Cheap treat MAKE dessert a luxe affair with Ferrero Rocher white ice cream lollies, a pack of four was £5 at Iceland, now £2.50. Top swap LIE back and enjoy the mini heatwave on a set of reclining Von Haus chairs, £82.99, or get a similar set at George at Asda for £59. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 6 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the mor
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Five savvy tips to have a fabulous ‘no-spend' weekend to save money
IF Easter saw you splashing out more than intended, try getting your budget back on track with a 'no-spend' weekend. It can be trickier to resist spending when the weather is rain or grey. 7 Here's some ideas to have a fab weekend without eating into your bank balance . . . BOOK WORM: Head to the library and sign up for free if you're not already a member. This is especially good for rainy days. You can easily while away time browsing books and picking your next reads. And it's not just for adults, kids will love flicking through pages. GET COOKING: Get creative, try out a new recipe. Rather than spending cash on food, raid the cupboards for ingredients that need using up for your feast. Tesco has a recipe finder tool on its website where you give at least three ingredients and it will provide you with a recipe to try. See BOARD GAMES: Dig out your favourite boardgames and invite some friends round on a rainy afternoon or evening. You could whack on a frozen pizza for an easy catering option and ask guests to bring round a bottle. MOVIE NIGHT: Make a night out of the TV by turning your living room into a home cinema experience. Pick out a film or two you want to watch then make snacks to keep you going — homemade popcorn mixed with a bag of sweet treats is perfect. Then dim the lights and get comfy with plenty of blankets and cushions. ART ATTACK: Making art or using your creative skills is a wholesome activity for all ages. Dig out any supplies you have at home from modelling clay to paint and scraps of material and challenge yourself or kids to create something that can be displayed at home. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability. Deal of the day TAKE your family away for a cheap break. This Pro Action four-person tent is down from £60 to £45 at Argos. Cheap treat TUCK into these Oreo ice cream sandwiches, £2.47, from Asda as a tasty snack. Top swap NOURISH your pout with Laneige's lip sleeping mask, £21 from Boots. Or give your lips some special attention and save cash with the W7 overnight mask, £3.75 from Superdrug. Shop & save WITH in-built UV protection, this dress is perfect for your hols. It's down from £39.99 to £19.99, Mountain Warehouse. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Four savvy ways to give your old make-up a new lease of life
Mel Hunter Published: Invalid Date, MANY of us have old make-up gathering dust at the back of drawers and cabinets. But you can give some items a new lease of life. 7 Try one of these ideas before discarding unused beauty items. EYESHADOW: Old eyeshadow can be scraped out of palettes and crushed up for use in crafts. Kids will enjoy dipping their fingers in the dust and making patterns on paper. Or mix with water or white paint to create new shimmery colours. Empty palettes can also be used for mixing paints, or as part of creative play. You could also try mixing crushed powder with clear nail varnish to make a new shade for your nails. MASCARA: You should replace your mascara within six months of first using to avoid the risk of eye infections or irritation which means it's easy to rack up lots of old packs. Wash and clean the wand, however, and it can still be used as a dry brush for eyelashes or eyebrows. Or use it for cleaning small, intricate items such as jewellery. Again, you can repurpose it for arts and crafts by giving to kids to use as a paintbrush. BRONZER AND BLUSH: Powdered bronze and blush can also be crushed and mixed with body lotion at application to create a tinted moisturiser — great for summer. If you have any near-empty pots, wash them out and use for decanting lotions in for travelling. RECYCLE: If your tube of foundation is nearly finished, cut it open to get the last drops. If you can't find any further uses for old make-up, empty and clean the containers to recycle in return for rewards. Eyeshadow palettes, mascara, and other small cosmetic packaging can be handed in to Boots through its recycling schemes. If you recycle five items and spend £1 in-store you'll collect 500 extra Advantage card points. Deal of the day ADD some serious luxury to your outdoor setup with this inflatable Lay-Z-Spa hot tub down from £379.99 to £298.99 at Robert Dyas. SAVE: £81 Cheap treat GIVE your lips a shiny finish with NYX butter gloss, £5.99, from Top swap SERVE some refreshments in this sweet strawberry tumbler, £5, from John Lewis. Or Asda 's similar option is £1. Shop & save EMBRACE your wild side with this leopard-print mini dress down from £33.99 to £20 at New Look. SAVE: £13.99 Hot right now BUY two or more mains at Mexican food chain Chiquitos this month and get unlimited standard nacho refills for 90 minutes. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
