Latest news with #clothingcare
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The quick cleaning task to do NOW to stop moths ‘invading your wardrobe' and destroying your clothes this summer
HAVE you noticed more moths around than usual over the last few weeks? Well, it's completely normal since moths are most active around June and July - but that doesn't mean you have to put up with them ruining your wardrobe. 2 2 Moths are actually harmless to humans and are just attracted to light, which is why they find themselves inside at night. But when they do enter properties some species can damage fabrics and clothing. Luckily, a pro has shared some top tips for keeping moths at bay - and a simple cleaning task can make a huge difference. Laurence Barnard, Country Business Manager and pest control specialist at BASF Pest Control Solutions, shared his advice, and it's perfect for this time of year. He told "Clothes moths are primarily attracted to homes because they find warmth, darkness and access to their preferred food sources - natural fibres such as wool, silk, cashmere and fur. "Moth larvae feed on keratin, a protein found in these fabrics and are especially drawn to clothing that is dirty or stained with sweat, oils or food." He added that moths can often hide in places like wardrobes, storage boxes and drawers as they're usually undisturbed. How to prevent moth infestations The pro suggested keeping clothing storage areas clean, as well as ventilated to keep moths at bay. Regularly vacuuming is also a must as this will remove moth eggs and larvae. If you can, pack away seasonal or rarely worn garments into airtight containers to physically stop moths from getting to them. Plague of parasites that hitch a ride on flying insects and 'slurp liquid from human skin' sweep holiday hotspot As for natural repellents, he suggested cedar blocks, lavender sachets or essential oils, which can discourage moths. However, these repellents should only be used alongside the previous cleaning advice, he added. Not only that, but clothes should be washed or dry cleaned before storing them away, the pro said. "Moth larvae are attracted to the sweat, body oils and food stains left on garments," he said. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to inspect your clothes for signs of damage. You can also air them out to keep them fresh, the pro said. What to do if you do find damage According to the pro, the best way to deal with damaged clothes due to moths is to wash them in hot water or freezing them as quickly as possible. 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
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I'm the Queen of Clean & swear by 69p Superdrug buy to get rid of greasy suncream stains – it's probably in your handbag
FROM barbeques to days at the beach, summertime can be a lot of fun but one essential may be damaging your favourite clothes. While essential for your health and well-being, suncream can be fatal to your wardrobe. 3 3 The summer staple can be a real nuisance to remove from clothes if it comes into contact with them. And you'll want to act quick as the longer you leave it, the worse it'll become. So if you're out and about when the stain happens, a cleaning expert has shared a handy hack. You probably already have the holy grail item somewhere in your handbag. To begin, This Morning's Lynsey Crombie recommended gently blotting the stain to absorb as much of the cream as possible. This will help to prevent the product from spreading further across the material. Hand sanitiser And the best way to stop this from happening is to cover the stain with hand sanitiser. With a high alcohol content, this product acts as an on-the-go solvent when you can't throw the stained item into the wash. Hand sanitiser can help loosen and lift sunscreen stains, especially those containing oils and certain chemicals, as it breaks down these substances. The alcohol helps to emulsify the oils in the suncream, making them easier to wash away. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' And you can pick up a bottle of hand sanitiser for just 69p from Superdrug. Other DIY hacks And if you find yourself trying to save your clothes from suncream stains while you're away at the beach, your saving grace is literally all around you. "Cover the stain with sand to dry it out," the cleaning expert advised. "As soon as you can, rinse the stain from the reverse under a cold water tap, to help push it out of the fabric." And if a spillage mishap happens at a barbecue, begin by scraping any excess product with a blunt knife. Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills! What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process. This helps to prevent it from seeping further into the fabric. "You should then flip the item inside out and rinse under cold running water to push the sauce out from the back, as this helps lift the stain rather than spread it," Lynsey said. "Cold water also prevents the stain from setting." Summer cleaning hacks Plus, hacks for removing stubborn sweat stains from your clothes this summer. A three-ingredient paste will leave any yellowed item looking whiter and brighter than ever. But you may want to rethink drying your clothes on your line this summer. However, if you do hang out your clothes a simple hack can speed up the process.
