Latest news with #cleaninghack


The Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
My old-wives hack gets rid of rust from garden furniture for FREE – it used to be a gypsy secret but I'm revealing all
WITH summer in full swing, if you want to ensure your garden furniture is in tip-top shape, then you've come to the right place. And luckily for those on a budget, who don't have much cash to splash on pricey cleaning products, this simple trick is totally free. 3 3 3 A savvy woman has shared an old-wives solution that not many people outside of the gypsy community know about. Revealing all on the 'proper gypsy secret', Nichol shared the key to banishing rust from garden furniture. According to Nichol, rather than buying cleaning sprays or pastes, you can use mud - yes, you heard that correctly - to get your garden furniture sparkling. Posting on social media, Nichol demonstrated her messy hack, in a clip that was shared alongside the caption ' Gypsy secret sorry it's out there now.' She then said: 'And this is how you get rid of all that rust - a little bit of mud, make sure there's a little bit of stones in there.' Nichol praised the 'natural ingredients' and added: 'This is a proper gypsy secret - all natural ingredients get rid of all that rust.' As she rubbed the mud over the rusty legs of a garden chair, she claimed: 'You will be thanking me.' Thrilled with the age-old technique, she simply shared: 'A bit of mud, a bit of water, it costs nothing. Thank me later.' The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ nicholsonbaba, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 286,700 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 2,136 likes, 151 comments and 753 shares. Social media users were thankful for Nichol's advice and eagerly raced to the comments to express this. One person said: 'Never skip a gypsy cleaning tip.' Another added: 'That is the best way, the old fashion.' A third commented: 'Fantastic tip, thank you!!!!!' Whilst someone else chimed in: ' Gypsy way is the best way.' However, not everyone was as complimentary about the messy hack, as someone else wrote: 'I'd rather just buy a new chair.' Meanwhile, one cleaning fan shared their DIY hack to banish rust, as one user explained: 'I also like to use ketchup for rust.' Whilst another chimed in: 'WD40 for me.'


The Sun
12-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 30p BBQ cleaning hack that removes burnt food & grease in seconds, saving you hours of scrubbing & it smells good
YOUR barbecue is getting more action than it has all year as temperatures soar across the weekend. And if you've opened it up to find last year's grime on it, or want to prepare for the mess you'll make after burning the sausages this weekend, here's a quick cleaning hack. 1 Before you even think about picking up a brush, turn your BBQ on high for 10-15 minutes with the lid firmly closed. You'll see smoke rising as the old grime burns away. "This method completely transforms BBQ cleaning," a cleaning pro said. "The intense heat burns off leftover grease and food residue, making everything infinitely easier to remove." Once cooled slightly, a quick brush with your usual BBQ cleaning tool will remove everything effortlessly. How does it work? The science behind this hack is straightforward – heat breaks down the oils and charred bits that normally require serious elbow grease to shift. What would typically take you 30 minutes of aggressive scrubbing becomes a quick five-minute job, Lottomart suggests. Refresh your BBQ For an extra cleaning boost while the grates are still warm, try this natural trick: halve a fresh lemon, dip it in coarse salt, and rub it over the surface. The citric acid cuts through any remaining grease naturally while leaving your BBQ smelling wonderfully fresh. The timing for this cleaning hack is crucial: "Don't let it cool completely, but make sure it's safe to handle. "The residual heat helps with cleaning, but safety always comes first," the expert adds. Lemons can be picked up for as little as 30p from a supermarket, making it a super cheap cleaning hack. Try the onion trick too Another natural cleaning hack many BBQ owners swear by is using an onion. Top grilling tips 1. Preheat the grill For 10-15 minutes, with the lid closed, warm up your grill. It helps cook food evenly and stops it sticking. 2. Oil the grates Using tongs and a paper towel with some oil on it, wipe the grates. Your meat and veg will get iconic grill marks on and not stick. 3. Use two heat zones Split your BBQ into two if you can, one side super hot for searing and the other side cooler for slow cooking - essential for burgers, sausages or meat with bones. 4. Don't press your burgers It squeezes the juices out and makes them dry - let them cook untouched and flip only once if you can. 5. Let meat rest After cooking, leave your meat for 10-15 minutes under foil, this will help the juices redistribute to stay juicy, not dry. 6. Keep the lid closed Not only does it help trap heat, but ensures food is cooked evenly - think of it like an oven. Turn up the temperature slightly and attach half an onion to a fork for a makeshift handle. Gently rub it over the hot grill, removing any burnt-on food whilst letting the onion's natural juices help clean the barbecue. Make sure that the BBQ has cooled completely before touching it again. Another more unusual cleaning hack is to use grass on your BBQ. "Place a cooled BBQ grill on the lawn overnight – the dew helps loosen debris for an easy wipe-down", the experts explained. "No grass? Wrap it in a damp newspaper instead. "Suitable for aluminium and stainless steel grills only."


The Sun
05-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Parents go wild over ‘brilliant' 15p hack that removes grim stains from your whites – it's a must for school uniforms
WHEN it comes to washing white clothes, many of us find ourselves trying every trick known to mankind get tackle stubborn stains. This is especially true for socks - which are prone to becoming mucky in practically no time, especially if you have kids. 3 3 Luckily, one savvy mum has come to rescue, after revealing an easy hack which will take your white socks from dirty to brand new with no faff. The best part? It costs just pennies too - and is a must for keeping your kid's school uniform looking pristine. Sharing the game-changer of a trick social media users begged her to reveal, mum Jemma Craig took to Facebook where she raved about a special product - Stain Remover Soap. Uploading a snap of her white socks before and after using the cleaning essential, Jemma said in the post: ''Thank you so so so much to who ever recommended this soap! ''It's saved me a fortune in new socks, it's worked a treat.'' The soap, which is made from natural ingredients and doesn't contain any harsh chemicals, sells for £7.99. Although that may seem rather steep, you get a whopping 50 uses from one bar - which works out to be just 15p per use and is certainly a better option that forking out for new socks. To get the best results and make your white sparkle like new, the brand recommends to wet the fabric first, moisten the soap and rub it into the stubborn stain. If necessary, leave for a few minutes, then rinse with clean water or put in the washing machine. What's more, not only is the soap kind to your garments but also the animals, as it's cruelty-free - a win-win. The cleaning must-have boasts an impressive five-star rating from delighted customers, with one person claiming nothing compares to this stain-banishing soap. ''I own every stain removed on the planet and this one outdoes every one.'' Another was singing praises and wrote: ''This soap is the best stain remover soap. Takes lots out stains out. Love it, can't be without it.'' A foodie chimed in: ''Tried it on a curry stain and it removed the stain completely. So very happy with this product.'' Fellow cleaning fans can order the soap online via the website and choose between a two-pack (£14.39) and a three-pack (£19.18). 10 Grossest Areas People Forget to Clean By Danielle Mason, who has 20 years of experience Under and Behind the Fridge Crumbs, dust, and spills accumulate over time, attracting pests and creating bad odours. Shower Curtain & Liner These collect mildew and soap scum but are often overlooked. Wash or replace them regularly to keep your bathroom fresh. Toothbrush Holder One of the germiest places in the bathroom, filled with bacteria and toothpaste residue. Rinse and disinfect it weekly. Dishwasher Filter Food particles and grease build up, leading to unpleasant smells and reduced efficiency. Remove and clean the filter every few weeks. Washing Machine Seal The rubber gasket traps mould, mildew, and detergent buildup. Wipe it down with white vinegar and leave the door open to air dry. Light Switches and Remote Controls Touched daily but rarely cleaned, making them germ hotspots. Wipe them down with disinfectant regularly. Under the Sofa Cushions Crumbs, dust, and even lost items hide in the cracks. Remove the cushions and vacuum thoroughly. Kitchen Sink & Plughole Food residue builds up, causing bad odours. Pour boiling water, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar down the drain to freshen it. Ceiling Fans Dust piles up on the blades and gets redistributed into the air when turned on. Use a microfibre cloth or pillowcase to clean them easily. Doormats They trap dirt and bacteria from shoes but are rarely washed or vacuumed. Shake them out weekly and deep clean them every month. Head to her Instagram pages for more cleaning information @ missmasoncleaning @ daniellemasonuk 'Better than bleach' However, if you want to try out another hack before ordering the soap, cleaning whizzes have also been swearing by a 16p trick they insist is '' better than bleach ''. One person had taken to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips group on Facebook to ask for advice, writing: "I'm going to try bleach on these stubbornly stained white t-shirts and socks. "They all have a little different coloured logo on them though. "Can I still use it?" People quickly took to the comments section to offer their own suggestions, with many recommending Napisan. "I would avoid using bleach," one wrote. "I used it on school shirts and it turned them yellow I had to bin them. "I would try Napisan." "I would recommend Napisan," another commented. "Bleach used to be my go-to until it turned my socks and a top yellow. "Napisan is amazing, doesn't affect other colours and works so much better than bleach." Manufacturers recommend adding two tablespoons of Napisan alongside your regular detergent in the wash for the best results. You can even wash at 30 degrees with Napisan. It works to remove stains by releasing active oxygen, which also kills germs - which is why so many parents use it to get rid of marks on their kids' clothes. For more intense stains, mix 60g of Napisan with four litres of water and soak the stained items in there for six hours. Then wash as normal.


The Sun
27-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The £1 hack to remove pet hair from clothes – one woman tried it and was ‘ashamed' at how much came out
IF you've got a four-legged pal, you'll know how frustrating it is to find hairs covering your laundry. So it comes as no wonder that a woman has been praised after sharing a quick hack to remove pet hair from your freshly washed clothes in seconds - and it's budget-friendly too. 3 3 3 Taking to Facebook, Sarah Jane Hively revealed how she used a common beauty buy to tackle the annoying problem all pet owners are too familiar with. According to the cleaning whizz, a member of the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips group, the secret remedy is Velcro hair rollers. That's right, the rollers not only work wonders for giving you a fancy hairdo but they can also remove stubborn pet hair with no faff - and you can find them for just a quid at Poundland. All you need to do is simply throw a couple of them in the washing machine, put it for a wash and let the rollers work their magic. Once the wash has finished, you can rub the rollers together to remove the hair - or you can pick the strands off - and then they're ready to use again. If you don't have a Poundland store nearby, plenty of other retailers are selling the hair must-have too, such as Savers and B&M - there's really no need to fork out for fancy ones. However, you should be careful to not wash any delicate items, such as silks or woollens - as the hack could damage these garments, one woman recently warned. However, other than these, the rollers work wonders when they're put in the drum. Sharing the game-changer of a hack online, Sarah also uploaded two snaps of the rollers - and the jaw-dropping ball of hair that came out of them. ''The lady that said about Velcro rollers in the washing machine for pet I'm ashamed,'' she chuckled in the caption of the post. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' ''Works a treat! Thank you.'' Replying to other fans of Mrs Hinch, Sarah also said: ''These are Poundland cheap Velcro ones. ''They haven't pulled mine (clothes) ..i'm guessing the Velcro isn't as strong as ones purchased from Boots.'' 10 Grossest Areas People Forget to Clean By Danielle Mason, who has 20 years of experience Under and Behind the Fridge Crumbs, dust, and spills accumulate over time, attracting pests and creating bad odours. Shower Curtain & Liner These collect mildew and soap scum but are often overlooked. Wash or replace them regularly to keep your bathroom fresh. Toothbrush Holder One of the germiest places in the bathroom, filled with bacteria and toothpaste residue. Rinse and disinfect it weekly. Dishwasher Filter Food particles and grease build up, leading to unpleasant smells and reduced efficiency. Remove and clean the filter every few weeks. Washing Machine Seal The rubber gasket traps mould, mildew, and detergent buildup. Wipe it down with white vinegar and leave the door open to air dry. Light Switches and Remote Controls Touched daily but rarely cleaned, making them germ hotspots. Wipe them down with disinfectant regularly. Under the Sofa Cushions Crumbs, dust, and even lost items hide in the cracks. Remove the cushions and vacuum thoroughly. Kitchen Sink & Plughole Food residue builds up, causing bad odours. Pour boiling water, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar down the drain to freshen it. Ceiling Fans Dust piles up on the blades and gets redistributed into the air when turned on. Use a microfibre cloth or pillowcase to clean them easily. Doormats They trap dirt and bacteria from shoes but are rarely washed or vacuumed. Shake them out weekly and deep clean them every month. Head to her Instagram pages for more cleaning information @ missmasoncleaning @ daniellemasonuk And people in the comments section were quick to praise the pet owner for sharing the hack, which has been liked more than a whopping 9.3k times. As fans tagged their friends and family, one said: ''I wish I'd seen this and hour ago, I've just put some cat blankets through.'' A dog lover chimed in: ''I've got 5 spaniels….this is a game changer.''


The Sun
13-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Ultimate 65p Tesco buy will keep your paddling pool crystal clear all summer – & you probably already have it
A PADDLING pool owner has revealed a simple 65p trick she uses to keep her water crystal clear all summer long. With temperatures set to reach up to 29 degrees today, and the Met Office predicting a scorching summer, many Brits are likely digging the paddling pools out of the garden shed in a bid to keep cool. 2 2 However, after a long winter of neglect, you may have realised that your pool is covered in algae. Your first thought might be to blast your paddling pool with a pressure washer, but these can be incredibly pricey, and end up wasting water. Instead one pool fan shared the budget friendly hack they use to scrub theirs clean. Sharing a the purse-friendly tip on their TikTok channel, Dub said: "Here's one household item that keeps your pool clean." In a video, Dub holds up a box of bicarbonate of soda and pours it into her swimming pool. She then uses a brush to scrub the sides of her pool and get it sparkling. Backing up this hack, Millennium Pool revealed that if you add water to the bicarbonate of soda, and make it in to a paste, you can use it to scrub algae off the side of your paddling pool. The pool company added that bicarbonate of soda also helps to make your pool water crystal clear. This is because it increases the PH level of the water. Alicia Johnson , The founder of Cleaning Green LLC, explained: "Adding baking soda to your pool will raise both the pH and alkaline level, which will help increase the pool's clarity and improve stability". Inflating a Kid's Pool: Quick Hack with a Hair Dryer The expert revealed that you should use 680 grams of bicarbonate of soda for every 10,000 gallons of water. Bicarbonate of soda is extremely cheap, and you can pick it up for just 65p from Tesco. Dub's (@ hack has likely left many impressed, as it has racked up over 93,000 views on the video sharing platform. TikTok users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts on the hack. How to keep cool in hot weather Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. One person said: "I buy it in bulk at Costco! Works great!" A second person said: "I use two chlorine tabs and two baking soda tabs to keep mine clear and blue." A third person said: "I want to jump in." Mum Danielle previously suggested that Pink Stuff can be a great budget friendly hack for cleaning your paddling pool. She said: "When getting the paddling pool out of storage it can be dusty and covered in mud. "I suggest using the Pink Stuff and bleach and giving it a good scrub with a brush and microfibre cloth. "I then rinse it thoroughly with the hosepipe and get an old towel to dry it out then leave it to dry in the sun upside down before filling."