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Clever ways you can use baby oil around your home

by Cleaning Tips

Discover the best uses for using baby oil round the home.

Do not throw away your baby oil, many of us buy baby oil ready for parent hood but it doesn’t always get used and ends up lurking in the back of your bathroom cupboard. Baby oil isn’t just for babies this cheap product has many uses that can be used around the home.

WD40 is not the only product that will stop squeaky doors, baby oil will also silence those squeaky hinges.

Stuck chewing gum can be a real pain to remove saturate it in baby oil, walk away and leave 15 minutes come back and voila the gum will lift with ease. Plus if you happen to get gum in your hair baby oil will help it slip away.

If your leather bags and shoes are looking a little dull, add a few drops of baby oil onto a dry microfibre cloth and gently buff, the oil will moisturise the leather and give it so much shine.

A glittery bath bomb can cause so much mess in your bath and with just normal rinses can take days if not weeks to disappear, pop some baby oil on a cloth run over the glitter and watch it disappear. But remember to be extra careful next time you get into the bath it can be extremely slippery.

Buff up your stainless fridge freezer, but remember to follow the grain for the perfect finish and watch those finger marks disappear.

Stuck zip on your favourite pair of jeans then apply a small amount to a dry cloth rub it on both sides and get it moving.

Clean up those chrome fittings from grubby finger prints apply a little oil to a damp cloth and clean away.

Apply a small layer to your shower screen to help prevent soap scum build up

So many wonderful uses and don’t forget it is amazing for your skin too

Lynsey

dirtytrainers

Give your dirty trainers the boot with these top tips

by Cleaning TipsLaundry

White trainers are a sitting target for dirt. The good news is, like most of us, they ‘scrub up’ well. With the right products hand cleaning your trainers is effective and doesn’t take too much effort at all.

When coming back from a muddy walk allow your trainers to air dry especially if they are wet from the rain. Trying to clean them straight away could actually make them much worse. Once they have dried knock them together outside so the mud falls off or alternatively use a soft natural brush.

Fill a bowl with warm water and add in either a drop of liquid laundry detergent or washing up liquid. Dip your brush and scrub away using a circular motion, start with the upper part of the trainer and then finish with the sole.

Wipe clean using a clean dry cloth. (I tend to save up old tea towels for cleaning our trainers)

If the soles and hard rim are still not looking quite as clean as they could be then use a magic eraser with a little bit of water, the generic term for magic eraser is MELAMINE SPONGES. They work their magic by physically removing stains and dirt from the bottom of your shoes and may even work on some suede and cloth type parts on your trainers. The eraser works a bit like sandpaper and will help to get your trainers looking brand new.

Miracle sponges are available in my QOC range. Get Yours Here

Trainers and the washing machine.

Should you put your trainers in the washing machine ? I am often asked this question and I always advise this is personal choice, I DO sometimes wash our trainers in the washing machine but i DO so with care.

Washing trainers in the washing machine can weaken the bonding agents and could also damage your machine.

If you do decide to use the washing machine then choose a low heat setting no more than 30 degrees, a low spin so they are not chucked around too much and use an old pillow case or a laundry bag.

Remove the laces as there is a chance that these could get stuck in the machine and if the shoe liner comes out take this out.

Use a liquid detergent and mix into the detergent a big spoonful of bicarbonate of soda, the reason I recommend this is because bicrab is a whitener. Do not add in any bleached based products as this will strip the colour.

DO NOT ADD ANYTHING ELSE TO THE MACHINE.

Tough stains

In the course of a day wearing your trainers you going to come into contact with threats such as accidental spillages, but thankfully there is a great inexpensive solution to get rid of these stains.

Toothpaste, white toothpaste is such a great alternative to expensive trainer cleaners, just add a generous amount of white toothpaste to the stained area and rub in using an old recycled toothbrush (toothbrushes are a must for your cleaning caddy as they can come in so handy)

Once you have scrubbed away use a damp cloth to remove any foam or residue and your trainers will not only be minty fresh but bright white too!

Laces

A really easy simple quick solution to brighten up and revitalise your trainers is to replace the laces, laces can be inexpensive and will give your trainers a new lease of life.

Cleaning laces takes time but the best solution I have found is to put them in a saucepan of boiling water and add a heaped spoonful of bicarbonate of soda. Never bleach your laces as this will strip the colour and turn them an off yellow colour making them look worse.

Drying

When drying your trainers what ever you do, do NOT put them on a radiator as this can crack them, weaken the glue, meaning the soles could start to unstick and shrink them.

Always air dry your trainers, trainers can take a while so be prepared to be with out them for 24 hours.

Protecting

If you really want to keep your trainers box fresh it is worth investing in shoe care products such a suede protector or a leather protector, use as soon as you get your trainers and after a couple of wears.

 

Get Yours Here

You can catch up with my full trainer cleaner demo from ITV’s This Morning here

Happy Cleaning

 

 

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Time to Declutter your freezer

by Cleaning Tips

Your freezer is a cold and desolate place that’s home to forgotten, icy food in unlabelled containers and every so often it needs a little TLC.

Easier said than done but try and get into the habit of labelling your left overs and placing them into stack-able containers when you add them to your freezer to give it more structure.

When it comes to defrosting

Empty out your freezer and have a really good sort through the foods. Food that you are keeping put into ice boxes to keep them cold.

Most modern freezers have anti defrost so the build up of frost and ice doesn’t occur but it you have still got frost and ice build up you will need to defrost a few times a year.

Make sure you turn off the power to the freezer before defrosting.

Leave the freezer door open for a while to melt the ice, this can take a while make sure you leave a few old towels on the floor to really soak up the water. If you haven’t got time to stand around and wait for the freezer to melt naturally place in a few pans filled up with boiling water to help speed up the ice melting.

Once all the ice has gone it’s a good idea to give the freezer case a really good clean, I find warm water and washing up liquid works really well.  If you have nasty food smells spray some white vinegar all around and then leave for approx 30 minutes to allow the vinegar to break down the odours.

Clean all the shelves and any drawers the same way and ensure full dry before you put your freezer back together.

Once its all clean you can switch back on, leave a while for it chill and then add the food back in nice and neatly and in order.

If you don’t have the hassle of having to defrost your freezer then give you freezer a good clean using warm soapy water and then dry really well before the food goes back.

Freezer organisation

Make sure you add onto your frozen left overs freezer labels , then you can add the contents, as it is not always easy to tell what it is and the date you added to the freezer.

Categorise your shelves. Have a shelf for fish, one for meat and one for left over portions so you know exactly what you have and can clearly see what meals you have in for the week.

Keep frozen vegetables, bread and chips in the freezer drawers and use bag clips to save food from spilling out.

Use square food containers for freezing left overs so they fit together well and take up less room.

Keep a regular inventory of what you have in your freezer by either using a list which you can stick into the inside of one of your kitchen cupboards.

Dump the packaging many of the foods we buy in the frozen section come in large bulky boxes. Get rid of those as quick as you can, and use a plastic food bags to help you save space.

Remove Shelves If you don’t need them, take them out, just because your freezer comes with shelves doesn’t mean you have to use them. Many of the shelves and drawers are removable, which opens up the space to be able to make it your own.

Stack,Of,Towels,And,Detergent,On,Table,Against,Blurred,Background

Wonderful uses for Fabric Conditioner in your home

by Cleaning Tips

Fabric conditioner is not just for your washing

Did you know that fabric conditioner can also be used as a home cleaning product? Or did you know that you can also use it as stain remover, you can also clean windows and floors and give them that perfect shine and streak free finish. Plus it also leaves your home smelling absolutely amazing.

Just read these tips to see how else you can use fabric soft conditioner other than your washing.

Removing wallpaper

Mix up a solution of warm water and fabric conditioner grab a sponge and then apply directly to the wallpaper. Leave for around 20 minutes and then it was easily peel away for you.

Surfaces

Clean glass tables, shower doors, and other hard surfaces.  Mix the above potion into a spray bottle and apply directly to the surfaces with a dry cloth.  Fabric conditioner is great for stopping dust settling straight away. Very similar to how the tumble drier sheets work

Burnt of food

Hot water and fabric conditioner will soon get those dishes clean. Simple fill with water and add a squirt of conditioner and leave to sit for an hour or so and then the burnt on food and grease will lift away.

Paint Brushes

After a decorating session simple pop your brushes in a container with warm water and a some fabric conditioner to clean them up and keep them soft and subtle.

Stain remover

Apply neat to the stain and leave for a few hours and then wash as normal. Such a quick and simple method.

Hard water stains

If you have stubborn hard water stains apply fabric conditioner neat and let it soak for around 15 minutes and then rinse with a damp cloth. 

Please use my hashtag if you try these tips on your social platforms #queenofcleaneffect.

Thank you so much for reading
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

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Useful ideas on how to use tumble dryer sheets

by Cleaning Tips

I bet most of us have a packet of tumble dryer sheets in their laundry cupboard that aren’t being used. Personally I don’t use them in the tumble dryer. Main reason being our tumble dryer is our in the garage and I just forget to take them through with the laundry plus I am not a huge fan of using the tumble dryer and will always try and air dry our clothes to ensure that my laundry always always smells good.

What actually are Tumble Dryer sheets?

Tumble dryer sheets are meant to go in with your wet washing to help your washing smell good when it comes out. The sheets are coated with stearic acid, which melts when heated. This helps to reduce static, and increase the softness of fabric in the tumble dryer.

Here are a few  very different ways in which you can use them around your home. If you have further suggestions then please feel free to add into the comments below.

TV Screen and electrical items

Electronics are electrically charged, meaning they are basically magnets for dust. You will notice that your TV screen will always have dust even if you wipe it over every day. By using a dryer sheet to wipe your screen clean, the static is counteracted, meaning less dust will be attracted to them in the future.

Dry Spillages

Dry spills such as cereal, flour, sugar and soil can often be harder to clean up than a wet one.Next time this happens grab a dryer sheet and see how quick it is to clear away the spillage. As the dryer sheets are slightly textured on the surface and have tiny fibres which will lift and hold onto dry particles.

Pet Hair

Pet hair one of my biggest bug bearers and I never thought I would have this issue. Hetty isn’t supposed to shed hair but she does. I am constantly tackling her hair.its sends my OCD into overdrive its unsightly and unhygienic.Wipe a dryer sheet over areas littered with pet hair to effortlessly lift it and leave your home looking spotless.

Make your shower door sparkle

A really easy quick way of cleaning of the shower door is to use a damp tumble dryer sheet. You will be surprised as can effortlessness remove hard water and soap scum.

Polish your stainless steel and chrome 

A slightly damp dryer sheet will shine up chrome and stainless steel.

Smelly PE kits and gym bags

Add a dryer sheet to the bottom of your sports bag or even your hand bag to give it a fresh smell and freshen up.

Line your clothes drawers

Very simply place a sheet at the bottom to keep your clean clothes smelling fresh for longer.

Inside you cushions

Pop one inside your sofa cushions and left the wonderful smell drift through.

Suitcases

After your holiday line your suitcase with a few sheets so next time you use it, it smells fab.

Blinds

Wipe the slates on your blinds weekly with them, you will be amazed and what they life off.

I hope these tips have been useful, as always thank you for reading. Please use my hashtag if you try these tips on your social platforms #queenofcleaneffect.

Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

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Wonderful uses for Nail Polish remover around the home

by Cleaning Tips

Nail polish remover is not just for nails. Oh no, this multi-tasking product can do a multitude of tasks around the home.There are two types of nail polish acetone and non acetone.  Acetone is the one to go for as its great for breaking down product. Through my own little experiments I do at home I have many great uses for using nail polish to clean which I wanted to share with you all.

Permanent marker

My children have a real habit of getting felt tips and permanent marker pen everywhere they possibly can.  They all have white wood desks in their bedrooms and initially I thought neat bleach would get the marks out but it didn’t it just discoloured the white to a very off yellow colour.  When I tested out the nail polish remover it worked amazingly and in seconds with a tiny amount on a cotton ball the marks were gone.

Sticker residue

Do you have annoying sticker marks on the soles of your shoes or have you moved into a property where they are pulled off stickers marks all over the bedroom doors.  Nail polish remover will get this marks off in seconds. If it’s on wood always follow the wood grain.

Hair straightens and Hair tongs

These can get covered in sticky hair styling products and soapy water just won’t cut it. Nail polish remover used gently will remove the stickiness and get them looking as good as new.  Wipe over with a soapy solution before using again.

Sanitize

Acetone is a great sanitize and you can use it clean personal items such as tweezers and razors in the bathroom. Simple leave to soak for about 10 minutes and then rinse.

Patent shoes 

Wipe down patent shoes with a kitchen towel dipped in nail polish remover, gently buff to remove any scuff marks and wipe any residue away with a clean cloth. They’ll be so shiny you’ll be able to see your reflection!

Superglue

If you’ve got superglue on your hands or the cap has been clogged up with dried glue, just rub some nail polish remover around the affected area and the acetone will break it down.

Ink stains on shirts

If you need to get ink stains out of your child’s school uniform or your own shirts, just dilute some nail polish remover (1 part remover to 2 parts water) and dab at the stain with a tissue or soft cloth to clean it right off.

Clean paint from windows

If you’ve been painting and some paint has flicked onto the glass, simply dab some nail polish remover onto it with a cloth and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rub away with a damp cloth.

Bath

Sometimes you get nail polish from you toes on the side of the bath which won’t come off with a cleaning product but use your nail polish remover after all its nail polish you are removing!  Also if you have a dirty bath ring or soap and scum stain. Dilute nail polish remover with a little bit of water and clean the bath with a sponge or cloth. Effortless cleaning.

If you have enjoyed this post have a look and see how amazing vodka can be around the home too. Cleaning with Vodka

Thanks for reading
Lynsey Queen of clean xoxo

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Upholstery Sofa Cleaning

by Cleaning Tips

Depending on how we use the sofa it can take a lot of wear and tear.. From eating TV dinner to watching a movie with your pet snuggled up against you. The couch can capture body oils, cooking odours, dust mites and allergies and they will be lurking in your sofa causing allergies and irritation to airways.Eating on your sofa really isn’t ideal, food particles, sticky finger marks and spilt drinks can all occur from enjoying a snack on the sofa.  Keep eating at the table. If you do like to indulge on your sofa you need to keep it clean or at least cover with a washable throw.

Hoover it daily and invest in a good upholstery cleaner or leather cleaner .  Take off cushion covers and wash these as often as you can. As well puff your cushions and lightly steam.

My Sofa Cleaning Tips

Bicarbonate of Soda  is great for a lot of things, including the removal of grime and embedded dirt in your sofa. Test the fabric first in an inconspicuous area, but Bicarbonate of Soda  is safe for most types of upholstery. You will need a couple of cleaning cloths, a a stiff brush, Bicarbonate of Soda and your vacuum cleaner with the smaller brush attachment.

  • Use the stiff brush to brush away crumbs, dust, and other debris.
  • Sprinkle the couch with bicarbonate of soda which you can also mix with an essential oil if you wish and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to thoroughly remove the baking soda or mixture.
  • If you have a steamer very lightly steam just to ensure your killing germs. Always hold approx 30cm away from the fabric
  • Finish of with a Dettol antibacterial spray of a fabric refresher.

For any tough stains that are still present mix together  3/4 cup warm water, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar and one tablespoon of washing up liquid and scrub the mixture in with a hard brush and then blot dry.

Other methods to try for stains which I have tried and tested are:

Teepol prespot treatment

Oxy power Fabric Cleaner

There are plenty more cleaning tips and home hacks so take a read

Now you know how to deep clean your fabric sofa so that it not only looks like new but smells fresh and clean.

Thanks for reading lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

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Keep your Laundry smelling great

by Laundry

Do you want your laundry to smell fresh and clean after every wash? Well I certainly do, I love nothing more than to give my clean dry fresh laundry a good old sniff.  There is something so satisfying  about fresh smelling clothes.

A good mix of laundry products will be key in keeping your washing smelling good but if your clothes are going into a dirty washing machine this will have an impact on your washing too.  It’s so important to take care of your washing machine if you want clean clothes and fresh smelling cloths.

A few simple tips from me will help you to keep your laundry smelling fresh again!

Don’t delay drying your washing

Don’t leave clean washing in the machine after the load has finished washing especially not overnight. Get it our straight away the nice warm, dark environment like a closed washing machine is where bacteria and mold will thrive causing washing to lose its fresh smell.

Damp clothes

Never put damp clothes and towels in the laundry basket. You may have been swimming and emptied your wet things straight into the washing basket. This is not a good move/  Instead come home and put these wet items in the washing machine straight away.  The same rule applies to wet and damp bathroom towels and face flannels.

Make sure items are really dry before you add them to you Ironing basket or put away

Thick towels and heavy clothing such as jeans take longer to dry these items may need a little longer on the washing line or in the tumble dryer.  Around the pockets on jeans can still be slightly damp so make sure this area is bone dry before transferring to the ironing.  A slight damp patch will cause bacteria to grow and again will take away that freshly washed smell.

Dry outside

I love seeing my washing drying outside on the line, for me its one of life’s real pleasures. Freshly aired cloths, towels and bedding is such a fabulous feeling.  The sun is also a bleaching an agent so any whites with stains will really benefit from hanging outside in the sun. Before I hang my washing I always wipe the line over with a kitchen towel or antibacterial wipe.  My pegs are soaked weekly in warm soapy water and are kept insure when not in use.

Choose the right products

I am a big fan of using washing detergent rather than powder or tablets I do find from experience that the detergent helps the washing to smell fresh for longer.  Use fabric conditioner wisely and never use too much as this can really clog up your machine as its such a thick liquid and can cause a build up of gunk. Work with different brands and combinations until you find a fresh smell that you and your family enjoy. Scent boosters are great as they are directly thrown into the drum of the machine and release smells directly on the washing.  Have you read my review of Scent Boosters?

Stains

Pre-treat stains by soaking garments in a mixture of water and white wine vinegar over night. There are plenty of other methods to remove stubborn stains and I always find natural is best Stain removal tips

Hot wash

If  you’re washing smelling football kits or sweaty gym clothes always opt for a hot wash

Tumble dry

The heat from tumble driers can climate the fresh smell of washing so always use tumble dryer sheets or make your own using my method of cut up square sponge cloths, soak them in fabric conditioner, store in a plastic sealed tub and then add one to your drier when you use.  I have tested a few tumble drier sheets and the Asda ones are really good and keep a long-lasting smell.

Look after your washing machine

Finally look after your washing machine. If you don’t clean your washing machine on a regular basis it will start to smell and it will not clean your clothes probably.

As always thank you for reading
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

lynseyimagecleaning15

How to deal with dust in your home

by Cleaning Tips

Do you find that when you dust your home the very next the dust is back and all your hard work has gone to waste? Dusting your entire house is a big a job. However, if you plan, you can get the job done in no time and it won’t be back the very next day. It is important to prepare your home for dusting and then work your way through your house from the top to the bottom.

Before you start emove all clutter from around the house. In order to make the dusting process easier and more effective. Remove things that have gathered on tables or worktops and even my home gets a pile of paperwork build up in the kitchen weekly!  Never dust around clutter like some many people do. If your going to do the dusting you may as well do properly.

Make sure you choose dusting tools that will grab the dust, not push it around. A feather duster may be fun to use or look fancy but for serious dusting, use a microfiber cloth.  Microfibre cloths literally grab dust, are super absorbent, streak free and don’t leave lint or dust behind. Use your favorite multipurpose spray or furniture polish, whichever you feel is appropriate for the surface.  If you do like to use a duster brush for quick clean up, invest in a good quality one that allows the dust to stick.

Dust in the right direction

When dusting a room, start with the highest items and work your around the room and down to the lowest, use a circular motion. Then grab the Vacuum.don’t vacuum before you dust as dust will fall.

Electronics

Computers, TVs, DVD players, music player, and printers are notorious dust magnets. Always unplug the equipment before cleaning. A gentle swipe with a microfiber cloth usually does the job,but if your Vacuum has a brush attachments a little vacuum certainly won’t hurt. Be sure to vacuum dust from around cords and vents to keep devices from getting clogged and over heating. I tend to use a glass e-cloth for the actual TV screens.

Delicate Items

For all those stylish ornaments and other intricate items, where dust can get trapped, lightly mist a clean natural-bristle paint or makeup brush, then wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Walls, Door Frames, Ceilings and skirting boards

All of these areas can hold an amazing amount of dust, if you don’t dust them on a regular basis. Use a  swiffer mop as these are really good for getting the dust of walls and ceilings the dust will stick to the microfiber pad. For door frames and skirting boards I use a mixture of warm water and a tiny amount of fabric conditioner. This removes the dust really well and leaves your home smelling amazing.

Curtains and Blinds

If these are ignored, they can hold a lot of dust.  Be sure to Vacuum both sides of your curtains on a weekly basis, to keep the build up to a minimum. Taking them down and shaking them outside helps remove a lot of the buildup too.  Have them dry cleaned at least once a year or when buying curtains try to opt for machine washable ones. .  For blinds, close completely and dust horizontally starting at the top of each blind and working your way down have you watched my video on cleaning blinds?

Upholstered Furniture

Remove pillows and cushions and Vacuum regularly using the upholstery tool and the crevice tool for corners and edges. If cushion covers are removable then wash monthly to freshen them up.  I also use a multipurpose wipe and gently rub over my crushed velvet sofa and then spray with Fabric refresher

Vents

Use your Vacuum with brush attachment to suck up the dust in the air vents, if the space is really small another really good trick is to use a mascarabrush.

A few of my most receommneded items for dusting are:

Happy Dusting
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxox

This post does contain affiliate links 

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Lint rollers really are very useful around the home

by Cleaning Tips

I love lint rollers  they are such a practiclar tool for helping to keep the house in order. They are super sticky, lightweight and cheap. They make quick work of picking up lifes tiny messes.

Picking up glitter

Removing glitter stuck to surfaces can becomes a real pain to deal with. Many vaccums struggle to pick up glitter so it can be left for days. It then attaches itself to peoples feet and makes its way around your home. But grab a lint roller and zip up those sparkling particles its so easy.

Broken Glass

If you have got some broken glass, it might get very tough to clean the small shards after picking up the bigger pieces. Instead of putting your hands at risk run a lint roller along the broken pieces to pick up

Sound Speakers

It’s always hard work to clean speaker grills and one may end up distorting the sound by pushing dust into the mesh. Using a lint roller gently can remove dust without causing any damage.

Soft Toys

Soft fluffy toys can be covered in dust particles. Run a lint roller over them to keep them dust free and prevent musty smells.

Lampshades

I use a lint roller to  remove dust off my lampshades I found hoovering them was too much and would bring the shape out of shade and I also find if you use a damp cloth you can create water marks.  Try to do this at least twice a week for dust free lampshades.

Inside your handbags

All the crumbs and tiny of that accumulate inside your bags or purses can be removed easily with a lint roller.

Rugs

If you vaccum is struggling to pick up small bits then roll the lint roller over.

Car

The car seats as well as spaces between the dashboard and below the seats is likely to hold lots of little particles, crumbs and dust, specially if you have got kids. A lint roller can really help.

Curtains

A lint roller can make removing dust of curtains so easy. Simply work a section at a time.

Remove Dandruff From Clothes

If you are a sufferer of dandruff a lint rollers is a great way to keep those white marks of your shoulders.  Easy enought to carry around in your bag or brief case too.

Christmas Tree Clean-Up

Use a lint roller to pick up fallen needles from your Christmas tree.

Finally . . . your clothes!

You can use your lint roller for what its actually meant for.  Removing marks and fluff from your clothing!

Why not give this a try. click here to buy

I am also a big fab of steam cleaning as this too is such a quick and effective cleaning method.  There are so many items you can clean with steam too. Read my post on what you can steam in your home

As always thanks for reading my post
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

This post contains affiliate links