Latest news with #homeHacks
The Sun
12 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Sainsbury's 50p buy will get rid of stubborn scuffs on your grubby patio – and you can find it in your child's schoolbag
YOUR patio will look sparkling and brand new with the help of a 50p Sainsbury's buy. With temperatures set to soar again this week, many Brits are likely making plans to have friends over for cocktails in the sun. But before you invite anyone over, you may want to give your patio a bit of a scrub, to make sure it's looking shiny and brand new. Your first thought might be to use a pressure washer, but these can be incredibly pricey, and can even end up damaging your slabs. However, Sam Stevens, a garden expert from Pergolux UK revealed a budget-friendly method, which you may be able to find in your kids' pencil case. "Cleaning the garden doesn't have to be an expensive job. We all love a cheap and cheerful hack and the good news is that there are plenty of items you'll already have in your home that can be used in the garden," he said. How To Use An Eraser To Clean Your Patio Although traditionally used by schoolkids to rub out spelling mistakes and maths errors, Sam revealed that you can use an eraser to help clean your patio. The expert explained that if plant pots have left any marks on the patio, you can simply buff the scuffs using a rubber. If the marks aren't too stubborn, they should come away, leaving your patio sparkling. Rubbers are super cheap, and if there isn't one in your kids' schoolbag, you can pick one up from Sainsbury's for just 50p. More Patio Cleaning Hacks Council house mum Evie, recently revealed her struggle with her patio slabs, admitting that despite her best efforts with a jet washer, it 'hardly did anything.' Frustrated but determined, Evie stumbled upon a life-changing tip during a casual scroll through the comments section on cleaning TikToks. I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out A recommendation buried within the comments caught her attention - someone suggested using a 69p bottle of Aldi bleach as a simple yet effective solution for sparkling patios. She poured the bleach over the slabs, letting it soak in for around five minutes without scrubbing or extra effort. Then, she fired up her jet washer again - and the results were nothing short of incredible. Christie, who is known as @ christiestimson11 on TikTok also recently revealed her budget friendly hack for scrubbing her slabs. How to repair broken patio slabs THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff. The experts advised: 'If you have a loose paving slab, then it's unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio. 'To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose. 'Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio. "As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath. 'When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.' She explained that she simply uses a mop and bucket, which she fills with Flash floor cleaner, along with bicarbonate of soda and boiling water. Sharing a video of her demonstrating how it's done to her 3,501 TikTok followers, she showed how she used a mop and the mixture to clean the patio slabs. Christie explained that the process is "satisfying" and that it is 'easy' to 'get all of the mud and dirt off of it.' Plus, Molly Woodward-Moor, Creative Director at Stone Superstore, revealed that 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.
CNET
07-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Keep the Gap Between Your Stove and Countertop Clean With This Quick Hack
Cleaning the kitchen is a regular part of keeping your home tidy, but there is a section that tends to hide its dirt, and crumbs from easy wiping. The narrow gap between your stove and counter seems to attract every stray crumb and spatter of grease. It's not easy to reach without pulling your stove away from the way, but it can quickly accumulate a serious mess. Instead of struggling to yank your stove out and clean it properly, we have an easy hack to keep that hidden pocket clean like the rest of your kitchen. The counter and stovetop are where you do most of your cooking, which also means that it's where crumbs and other residue tend to congregate. Keeping this area clean isn't just about appearances -- it's also about preventing a buildup of food debris that can attract rodents or other pests. Most people hate cleaning this space because accessing it usually requires moving the stove, which is a huge pain and can be dangerous. The good news is that you can skip the heavy lifting and awkward cleaning attempts. There's a foolproof hack -- all you need is aluminum foil, and you'll never need to clean the floor between your stove and wall again. Want a massive kitchen upgrade? Explore the best dishwashers, best washing machines and best refrigerators of the year. How aluminum foil keeps the area between the stove and counter clean 1. Measure the length of the crack and add 4 inches to the length. 2. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil that is as long as your measurement. 3. Fold the strip of foil in half, lengthwise. 4. Fold over the edges of the foil to make a foil boat-like shape. There's no science to this step. Just crinkle the edges over to form sides. A fresh boat ready for floor-protecting duty. Alina Bradford/CNET 5. Slide your aluminum boat into the crack between the counter and the stove so that it's sitting on the floor and pushed back into the shadows so that casual observers can't see it. It's kind of like a drip pan for that little crack. The aluminum boat will catch all the crumbs and drips. All you need to do is toss it in the trash when it gets dirty and replace it with a new boat. For more cleaning tips, explore how to wash your bedding the right way and how to clean your kitchen in less than 15 minutes.
