Latest news with #cleaningtips
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
The easy cotton wool hack that keeps wasps out of your home this summer & it takes seconds to do
AS the summer months approach, more and more insects make their way into our homes. While most of them are totally harmless, there's one we'd all rather avoid - wasps. 2 Thankfully, a pest control expert has shared a simple way to keep them out for good without using harsh chemicals. And all you will need to keep them deterred from entering your home is some peppermint oil and some cotton wool. Wasps and hornets are known to have a hatred for mint - and so sprinkling mint around your property might be just the repellent you need. Clancy Bros Pest Control also suggests using peppermint oil as an alternative. To complete the hack all you need to do is put a few drops of the oil into the cotton wool, reports the Express. In addition, cleaning sensation Chantel Mila has shared her tactic of placing peppermint oil-infused cotton balls under bin liners to ward off insects while also keeping odours at bay. She also suggested vacuuming the cotton wool dabbed in oil up so the scent permeates the house to keep wasps out. Mila, who shared the advice with her 1.6 million followers, also noted that she places a mint in jars full of water near windows to block fly entry. The cleaning whizz also combats spider invasion by wiping down walls and floors with orange oil as spiders detest its smell. Chantel also revealed that doorways are a critical point of entry for insects. Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Garden Pest-Free "Dirty door tracks can be a breeding ground for bugs, so wrap a cloth around a blunt knife to clean them easily," she said. Wasps also detest the smell of cayenne pepper, according to Eliminate Solutions. To create a repellent, mix one teaspoon of pepper with one cup of water and spray it around your home to keep these pests at bay. Citronella, a citrus scent commonly found in perfumes and soaps, is renowned for its insect-repelling properties, particularly against mosquitos, but it's also effective in warding off wasps. The pest control firm suggests "burning citronella candles to infuse the outdoor area" as a deterrent. In addition, keeping homes free of exposed food and drinks is crucial to prevent these insects from venturing indoors. Timothy Wong, a director at MandM Pest Control, shared with the Martha Stewart website that wasps are attracted to carbohydrates found in fruits, sugary drinks, and sweets, which explains their presence near picnic areas, rubbish bins, and inside homes. IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. 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 mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Cheap 69p everyday household product that completely cleans your patio and a garden expert ‘swears by'
PATIO cleaning season has arrived with experts revealing their cheap hacks and essential products to use. Maintenance of the patio is not just good for providing a seasonal refresh to the home for summer, but also preventing long-term damage. 2 Weeds and grime regularly build-up on outdoor surfaces, so it is valuable to clean the patio effectively and without causing costly damage. Molly Woodward-Moor, Creative Director at Stone Superstore, therefore provides tips for cleaning the patio this summer, as well as how to care for different types of tiles. One budget-friendly solution she suggest can be made at home, and it only requires a simple 69p buy from grocery stores like Aldi. Washing Up Liquid can be used to care for stone tiles as well as lift dirt or stains that may build up on them. To use the product on the patio, the liquid can be diluted in warm tap water. Then using a soft-bristled brush or non-abrasive sponge, the solution can be scrubbed into areas that need cleaning. This is a gentle method for stones, that avoids scratching their surface or causing damage to tiles. Using washing up liquid is not only a budget-friendly option, but also safer than using harsh cleaning products, or even acidic products like vinegar and lemon juice. Molly suggests tending to dirt and debris in stone tiles once a month to reduce staining. Deep cleaning of tiles should be done once or twice a year, ideally during the spring or autumn time. Washing up liquid can also be used as an ingredient to create a natural weed killer. The solution involves mixing one or two cups of table salt and two tablespoons of washing-up liquid in a spray bottle, that is topped up with white vinegar. The combination of vinegar and salt helps dry out weeds, whilst the washing up liquid helps the solution stick to plants. It can be sprayed directly onto leaves or at the vase of weeds on a dry day, and within a couple of days most weeds will die. This DIY spray can be used once every few weeks as a preventative measure in weed prone areas, however should not be used on natural stones like limestone, marble, or travertine.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Cleaning expert who once worked for Royal Family reveals 5p trick that keeps your car smelling fresh for WEEKS
A FORMER cleaner to the Royal Family has revealed an ingenious car cleaning hack that can leave a motor smelling fresh for weeks. Even better, it's a simple, everyday kitchen cupboard item that costs just pennies. 4 4 4 When it comes to in-car odours, most drivers opt for chemical-based air fresheners or pricey gadgets to keep their interior smelling sweet. But a former cleaner for the Royals, who has spoken to motoring experts at Plates Express, recently revealed her own practical hack for keeping car interiors fresh without spending a fortune. Anne Simmons, 57, from Berkshire, worked in the royal household for nearly ten years and was occasionally asked to prepare official vehicles for last-minute inspections or events. Naturally, she picked up a few clever tricks during her time. One of those is an inexpensive way to get rid of that pesky stale smell that can linger inside your motor. She said: 'One day, I was asked to get a car ready for a senior royal's outing. 'Everything looked spotless, but the inside just smelled… stale. 'We didn't have fancy sprays or scented gels to hand, so I reached into my bag and pulled out a dry tea bag. 'I tucked it under the seat and let it sit. 'By the time they stepped in, the smell was gone - and in its place was a gentle, comforting scent.' I was gutted when scrubbing didn't get my 'stained' blender clean, then remembered a £3.25 spray I had in the cupboard Anne swears by her tea bag hack, adding: 'It's something I've used ever since. 'It's discreet, cheap, and lasts much longer than people think. 'Black tea is my go-to, but you can use herbal ones like lavender or mint if you want a fresher smell.' According to Plates Express, a car's interior attracts lingering smells - even for those who don't smoke or eat inside their vehicle. Wet shoes, coats, or even condensation can create the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. Food, such as crumbs and takeaway wrappers, can make a car smell foul in just a matter of hours. Furthermore, pet hair and dander are another main culprit - especially if you regularly drive around with your dog or cat in tow. Lastly, cars that don't get enough fresh air build-up can smell over time, so making sure a motor is ventilated can certainly help. WHAT'S THE TEA? So, why does a tea bag work so effectively? Simply, tea leaves are natural odour absorbers which, as they dry, pull moisture and bad smells from the air. This makes them ideal for small, enclosed spaces such as car cabins. Better yet, they don't just cover up bad smells with strong perfumes; they neutralise the odour at its source. Anne added: 'Tea bags work quietly in the background. 'They don't overpower, and they don't make people sneeze. 'I just pop one in the glove box, under a seat, or inside the cup holder.' A spokesperson from Plates Express said: 'Using dry tea bags is a clever and cost-effective way to keep your car smelling fresh. 'It's a natural solution that's safe for all car interiors, including leather and fabric. 'But it's important to stay consistent - regular small steps like this make a big difference over time. 'We always encourage drivers to look after their interiors with the same care they give the outside of their car. 'From wiping surfaces to using subtle deodorisers like tea bags, it all helps in keeping your vehicle pleasant and welcoming.'
Washington Post
23-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
What's that film inside my electric kettle, and how do I get rid of it?
Q: What is the soft buildup on the bottom of my electric kettle, and what's the best way to remove it? A: Mineral deposits, also known as limescale, can coat the bottom of an electric kettle with a white or gray film that can seem chalky or crusty, depending on how thick it is. The minerals, typically calcium and magnesium, are left behind when water boils and evaporates because only pure water turns from liquid to the gas we know as steam. The deposits are inevitable, unless you heat only distilled water in the kettle. With tap water, how quickly the deposits form depends partly on the mineral concentration in the water. Deposits form quickly if you have so-called hard water, which has such a high concentration of minerals that soap doesn't lather well. Deposits also are more of a problem if you use a kettle frequently. How you refill the kettle also matters. If you routinely top off water that's in the kettle, rather than emptying and refilling it each time, you will gradually increase the mineral concentration in the kettle and need to remove deposits more often. Mineral deposits are easy to ignore, but a thick crust can affect the taste of the water and block heat transfer. If water seems to be taking longer to boil, or if the kettle switches off before water boils, excessive mineral buildup is probably the culprit. Another sign that it's time to deep-clean: If your kettle has a replaceable filter behind the spout that's clogged with grit. The grit is almost certainly bits of the deposits, which you can remove by lifting the filter out and rinsing it in running water. Wipe with a cloth or use a soft brush to dislodge stubborn bits. KitchenAid, a manufacturer of electric kettles, recommends monthly cleaning to remove deposits, but you can adjust that timing to match what you see or experience. Although it's possible to remove mineral deposits by scrubbing with an abrasive pad, doing that on the inside of a kettle could scratch the interior. It's much safer to use simple chemistry to break the bonds holding the deposits in place. The deposits are usually alkaline, so acids are the way to attack them. You can use a commercial limescale remover, such as Oxo Brew All-Natural Descaling Solution, or try one of several acids you may have on hand (if not, you can buy them in a grocery store). Suitable cleaners include lemon juice, white vinegar, citric acid and cream of tartar. Advice varies about what concentrations to use and how long to let the solutions soak. And cleaning regimens will depend on the thickness and chemical composition of the deposits. There's considerable wiggle room: Within reason, you can use a more potent concentration or let the solution sit longer. Be aware that you might need to repeat whatever process you choose to get a clean kettle. White vinegar is probably the most commonly recommended cleaner. Cuisinart says that if you aren't using a commercial descaler, you should pour enough white vinegar into the kettle to cover the base ½ inch deep, then heat the vinegar until it boils. 'Repeat with cool vinegar until all deposits are removed,' then rinse several times. KitchenAid recommends using one part white vinegar to three parts water, enough to cover the deposits. Heat until boiling, then let it sit overnight. Drain, then fill with water alone. Boil and drain. Refill with water and boil a second time, then a third. Although these instructions differ in details, they all advise repeated rinsing. That's because vinegar has such a strong smell that any remnant can work its way into the first batch or two of tea or coffee you make after cleaning the kettle. Plus, while you're cleaning, the smell can make your kitchen seem like a pickle factory. If a lemon scent is more appealing, you can switch to a solution recommended by Fill the kettle one-fourth full with lemon juice, then add enough water to make it three-fourths full. Boil, let it cool enough so the water won't burn your skin, then pour out the water and scrub the still-hot interior with a cut piece of lemon. Electric kettles often have a capacity of 1.5 to 1.7 liters, or around 6 to 7 cups, so this solution may require as much as 1½ cups of lemon juice. You might need up to two pounds of lemons (about 10 to 12). If lemons are too expensive, head over to the store's section for baking ingredients, bulk spices or canning materials and price out citric acid and cream of tartar. Citric acid, a powder that's manufactured by fermenting a type of mold to match an acid found naturally in citrus, is used to adjust the pH of tomatoes and other produce during home canning. It's also used to add tang to recipes. Cream of tartar is made from tartaric acid, a natural by-product of the winemaking process. Among the reasons it shows up in recipes: It keeps whipped egg whites from deflating prematurely. If your grocery store sells spices in bulk, that's probably where you can purchase these powders most economically. Although both have an extremely tart taste, as you'd expect from an acid, they create only a slightly tangy smell, hinting at lemons or vinegar, while cleaning a kettle. For citric acid, KitchenAid recommends adding one tablespoon to enough water to cover the deposits. Bring it to a boil and pour out, then rinse and dry. Bon Appetit offers a slightly different recipe: Add enough water to cover the deposits, bring to a boil, then stir in a rounded teaspoon to a rounded tablespoon of citric acid, depending on the amount of water. Let sit 10 minutes. Rinse and swirl, and rinse again. If deposits are still visible, repeat this process, but wait longer, even overnight, before you empty and rinse. For cream of tartar, Hamilton Beach recommends putting ½ teaspoon of the powder into the kettle and adding enough water to fill it halfway. Bring to a boil, let cool, then empty and rinse several times. Whatever solution you choose, you get the idea: Dilute an acid in water. Use heat and time to make the cleaner work better. Repeat the process if you need to. Rinse well. And next time, don't wait as long to clean so you have less to remove. Have a problem in your home? Send questions to localliving@ Put 'How To' in the subject line, tell us where you live and try to include a photo.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Cleaning gurus swear by £2 trick to banish stubborn sun cream stains from even the whitest of clothes this summer
WITH spring in full swing and the weather heating up, many of us are sure to be slapping on the sun cream before we head out to spend time in the sun. Wearing sun cream is vital for everyone, no matter your age, but if you've spotted a stubborn stain on your favourite top thanks to your UV protection, don't worry, you've come to the right place. 4 4 4 4 Sun cream can often leave harsh stains on clothes that are a challenge to remove - but luckily for you, cleaning enthusiasts have sworn by a £2 trick that will remove the sticky stuff from even the whitest of outfits this summer. And don't worry if you're on a budget, as thankfully you may already have the secret at home. It comes after a woman posted on Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips, a private Facebook group with 622,800 members, and wrote: "I know this has been asked many times, but I can't remember the answer. 'Sorry to be a pain, but could someone tell me how to get the yellow effect sun lotion leaves on white T-shirts out, please?" Numerous social media users eagerly raced to the comments to share their handy tips and tricks, with the common solution being to use soda crystals, which can be picked up from most supermarkets. One person simply advised: "Soak in soda crystals." Whilst another added: "I use Milton and soda crystals. Soak overnight, then wash, dry outside in the sun." If you fancy giving this trick a try, you'll be pleased to know that you can find the large bags of Dri-Pak Soda Crystals from Asda, Sainsbury's and Savers, for just £2 a bag. To use soda crystals to banish stains, you'll first of all need to grab a clean cloth and blot the stain gently. Then, sprinkle the soda crystals onto the stain and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. The £1.25 buy parents are swearing by to get rid of stains in seconds, and it works on everything from pen to ketchup Following this, you can apply a small amount of dish soap, which you should massage in gently and then let sit for five to 10 minutes. Once you've done this, rinse the garment under warm water and then wash the item as normal. The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez - known as Dr Dray - revealed why you should wear suncream. The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference - and this matters for all ages - is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed. "The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation," she continued, not because you're "not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday". "If you're not doing in your 20s, get on that now." But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn't go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun. Doing this over your lifetime - and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days - "will reduce the visible signs of photoageing", Andrea said. Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin. Not only did many rave about using soda crystals to banish stains, but other commenters suggested the woman try covering the stain in washing-up liquid. As well as this, cleaning fans also claimed that white vinegar does the trick. One user posted: "Distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Leave to soak and then rub original fairy liquid into the area. "You have to get the yellowing, protein and the oil out, and all three of these will do this." Meanwhile, a second recommended: "White vinegar. Spray on, leave for a while, then wash in bio detergent. Try and hang outside in the sun." Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club More hacks to get rid of harsh stains Baking Soda and Vinegar: Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with vinegar and wash as usual. Lemon Juice and Salt: Squeeze lemon juice over the stain. Sprinkle salt generously. Rub the fabric together and leave it in the sun for an hour before washing. Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap: Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Dab the mixture onto the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse. Milk for Ink Stains: Soak the stained area in milk. Leave it overnight. Rinse and wash the following day. White Vinegar for Grass Stains: Apply white vinegar directly to the grass stain. Let it soak for 15 minutes. Wash as usual. Cornflour for Grease Stains: Sprinkle cornflour onto the grease stain. Let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the grease. Brush off the cornflour and wash the garment. Toothpaste for Collar Stains: Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to the collar stain. Scrub gently with a toothbrush. Rinse and wash as usual.
