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What I’m Wearing this Summer

by FashionLifestyle

Fashion

Whenever I am sharing tips on my socials or presenting on TV, I always get so many questions about what I am wearing, my next biggest passion other than cleaning is fashion, I love following fashion accounts, getting outfit inspo, and love swapping style tips with my friends and family. In this section, I am sharing my current favourites.

From pretty dresses to classic denim, here you will find the latest trends I am wearing this summer. x

Tap the image to get yours!

Red Dress

Black Long Sleeve Dress

Piper Sandals

Orange Gingham Dress

Hot Pink Floral Leopard

Red with Pink Stars Dress

Pale Blue Zebra Dress

Blue with Pink Stars Dress

Pink T-Shirt

Strapless Beach Maxi Dress

Blue Tie Front Midi Dress

Blue Floral Dress

Basket Bag

Poplin Shirt

Pink Skirt

Black Button Dress

Wide Leg Trousers

Barrel Jeans

Navy Mom Jeans

High Waist Lounge Jeans

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Moth Season

by Bedroom Tips

Moth season in the UK runs from May until October, so one benefit of the cooler months is that we do not have to worry about moth infestations.  I am often asked how to rid of moths, especially the ones that get into your wardrobe and carpets, so I have put together some of my top tips using natural methods to help prevent them and keep them at bay.

Wardrobes & Cupboards 

Use Eucalyptus Oil – Wipe neat onto the inside of the doors and walls in your cupboard or wardrobe, alternatively add a few drops onto a padded coat hanger.

Use Lavender Oil – Pop some fresh lavender into small drawstring mesh bags and hang in your wardrobe and cupboards. Link to lavander: https://amzn.to/3SdMubk

Vacuum – Vacuum inside wardrobes and cupboards regularly, and look for any moth nests. 

Cedarwood Rings – These are fantastic, natural eco products that help keep moths at bay. Hang on hangers or put inside drawers. They will last for up to 3 months. Link to Cedarwood Rings: https://amzn.to/3d18UfK

If moths have made their way into your wardrobe, they may have also begun to start nesting and laying eggs. If untreated, moths in our clothes can be the cause of skin irritation, blisters, and rashes.

Freeze any clothes or belongings that show any signs of moth activity. Keep these items in the freezer for at least 24 hours in a sealed plastic bag to make sure any larvae are killed off.

Wash clothes that contain larvae or eggs. Use the hottest setting you can and use the highest heat in your dryer. Wash and scrub any areas you found larvae or eggs with a vinegar and water solution.

The Carpet

Moths also enjoy taking residence in our soft furnishings and carpets. If you notice your carpet fraying or small white patches where they are eating away the fibres, you know you have a moth problem.

Keep Rooms Cool – Moths like warm areas where dead skin and hairs are present such as carpets, rugs, blankets, and bedding.

Steam Clean – Use a carpet cleaner or steam cleaning to kill off the eggs. Move and clean under furniture.

Lavender – Mix lavender, white vinegar and water then lightly spray your carpet daily.

Let the Light in – Keep curtains and blinds open when possible as moths don’t like natural light.

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Washing at lower temperatures

by Laundry

Recently I was asked to appear on BBC radio to discuss washing at lower temperatures.
The average family does 400 loads of laundry per year? That calculates out to 7.69 loads per week.
I always used to wash clothes at 60 and bedding at towels at 90 degrees but last year I made the switch.  Number one I didn’t have time for this being long cycles and number two my clothes just never looked quite right. When  I ironed them some tops just weren’t square!
Taking my washing down to 40 degrees and under has meant quicker cycles which is perfect when you have a busy life like mine.
With advances in washing machines and laundry detergents, it’s now possible to get clothes clean and fresh at lower temperatures. Modern detergents are designed to work just as well at low temperatures.
Using a washing liquid rather than a powder is better for stained clothes and is more effective on food, grease and oily stains. Some washing powders don’t dissolve well and can leave a residue on clothes. Liquid detergent can be doubled up as a stain pre-treater too.
From research taken I am certainly not the only one that has made the change.Washing at lower temperatures does save you money on your household bills and does use less energy which in turn is good for our planet.

Washing at lower temperatures will benefit you because………….

Your clothes will last longer
Your clothes will stay in shape and will not shrink
Less fibres will be lifted from your cloths
Your clothing will keep its colour better.
Everyday wear can certainly be washed at lower temperatures

But there are a few items I would continue to wash at 60 degrees………

Underwear
Socks
Bedding
Towels
Outerwear such as coats.
Don’t forget to look after your washing machine invest in some washing machine cleaner  which will eliminate nasty residue build up in the pipes and crevices of your washing machine and remove those nasty odours. 
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Click here to get yours.
When washing save money and the environment by doing full loads, try not to do a load with just a few items. If you don’t need to do a daily load then do one every other day.
And also remember to give your denim a little extra care. Have you read my post, how to look after your jeans?

I hope you have enjoyed this post and as always thank you so much for reading. 

Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

 

This post does contain affiliate links 
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Drying your Laundry over the winter months

by Laundry

Getting your laundry done when you no longer have the facility of the washing line in the winter can be a real pain. Who really wants to go out in the freezing cold and hang out there washing when the chances are it probably won’t dry. This can make getting your daily laundry done a real chore.  We are left with not many options and one is to dry our clothes indoors, which to me can be really unhealthy and potentially cause mould and mildew.

I have put together some solutions that will hopefully help you out and make the winter laundry more bearable.

Extra spin 

When your laundry cycle  has finished do an extra spin.  You will be surprised at how much this can help with the drying time and how much more water is removed. The washing machine uses less energy than the tumble dryer so this is definitely worth trying.

Tumbe Dryer

Running a tumble drier can be expensive so I highly recommend adding in wool tumble dryer balls these will speed up your drying time, reduce static and prevent your clothes getting tangled. These fabulous balls also give off a fresh scent too so an added bonus! For a small load add in 3 balls and a larger load 6 balls, they will last approx 1000 uses. Just store them in your tumble dryer so you never forget to add them in.

Create a drying space.

If you are lucky enough choose a spare bedroom or unused room for your drying racks . Keep the room well ventilated. Open the windows and shut the door so the fresh air can circulate.

Hang garments

One of my favourite drying tricks is to hang clothes on coat hangers and then hang them on the curtain rail with the window ajar or on the bathroom shower rail.  You will be so surprised at how quickly clothes can dry like this plus it also makes the clothes less creased so much easier to iron, if you need to iron them at all.

Good non slip hangers are essential to keep your garments in shape.

A Dehumidifier

A DEHUMIDIFIER is another great option to help dry cloths. Some of the newer models are so advance and have setting specially designed for drying clothes. The drying mode is very suitable for wet weather or seasons. It can remove excessive moisture from clothes and keep them dry and clean. 

Portable Electric Cloths Dryer

Electric cloths driers are a great alternative to the tumble drier. They are energy efficient, simple and easy to assemble. The heated, thermostatically controlled, lightweight aluminium frames will dry your laundry gently – perfect for delicates like satin & silk that are not suitable for a tumble dryer and cost as little as 10p per hour to run.

Do not over loads radiators

Don’t hang clothes on the actual radiators as this will make your boiler work harder and increase your heating bills. Instead opt for the Radiator airers and you will find the clothes crease less too so much easier to iron. These radiator aires are easily attached to a radiator, and because of the robust arms that keep your clothing safe while they dry, they will remain firmly in place. Folds flat for easy storage when not in use. A plastic covering on the drying rack for clothes gives you the assurance of a long, rust-free life. The arms will firmly stay in place over the radiator, bath, or door, keeping your laundry secure while drying.

Cold and sunny winter day

I love my washing line and still believe the best way of drying clothes is outside. I  will hang some of my washing out to dry outside if it’s a cold sunny winters day.  Light items such as shirts and bedding will dry if they are outside for the majority of the day but when you bring the washing in it will feel cold. By drying our clothes outside we keep them fresh and well aired. This avoids moisture being trapped in the fibres encouraging musty smells that are always unpleasant.  Putting clothes away clean and aired will enhance the life of any garment over time, which means your favourites remain your favourites for longer!

Don’t forget the sun is also a natural disinfectant and bleaching agent so if the sun is out make sure you get it out.

This post contains affililate links