Latest news with #cleaningpro
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
28-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Two cheap products just 70p in total can repel pests including ants from your home and garden this summer
AS the hot weather approaches, homes across the country will be trying different tips and tricks to keep insects at bay. But you don't need to spend a fortune on posh products, in fact, this 70p hack is all you need. 3 3 3 As temperatures rise, most pests are on the search for a tasty snack - with countertop food, waste and even spillages making for a tasty treat. Ants are no different and alarmingly, they can lay up to 800 eggs a day once they are in your home. And since these insects love anything sweet, even the smallest of spills in your kitchen can attract them. While wiping up your countertops and storing leftovers properly is essential, there's an extra step you can take. But instead of reaching for some ant killer, there are kinder options that will simply deter them from your home, rather than killing them. With this in mind, cleaning pro Chantel Mila, who posts under the handle @mama_mila_ on TikTok shared her method for deterring ants. Chantel said: "Say goodbye to ants in your kitchen, this mix is a must-have to keep ants away, and it doubles as a great multipurpose cleaner." Chantel suggested creating an all-natural spray combining lemon peel with white vinegar and allowing it to infuse for two weeks. After two weeks, she explained you should combine the mixture with equal parts water in a spray bottle. Chantel then said: "This powerful mix can be used on cracks to deter ants, due to the D-limonene in the lemon peels." Nature's Defenses: Organic Solutions to Garden Pest Problems She explained that the ants are also not fans of the scent of white vinegar. And that the concoction is not only good for deterring ants from your home, but it can also double as a great multi-purpose cleaner. With a costing as little as 99p in Aldi, and white vinegar at only 35p in Sainsbury's - this is an easy way to prevent pests without using harsh chemicals. Chantel's followers were quick to comment on the video, with one joking: "Couldn't wait two weeks, burned down my house!" Keep pests out all summer Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mossies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass. While another said: "Need a solution ASAP, these ants are irritating me, I'm constantly cleaning but don't know why they keep coming back." One fan simply said: "Love how simple this is." Meanwhile, a cheap 6p item from Home Bargains creates a 'relaxing' atmosphere in your garden as well as repelling insects. You can also use soap and tights to repel flies from your home this summer. A budget-friendly hack can also help to banish slugs and snails from your garden. You can also use a £1.40 household item to deter ants from entering your home. Plus Lidl is selling a £9 garden gizmo in stores that will keep insects away when entertaining outside this summer. And finally, a 49p hack helps to keep wasps from your garden, but you'll want to act soon.
