Table,Dishware,Decor,Dinner,Concept

Tired of pesky flies ruining your outdoor dining experience?

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

Try this simple and effective hack: Fill up a few clear glasses with water. Then, place some pennies at the bottom of the glasses. Place these glasses of water around your table and even among the plates of food strategically. You will notice fewer flies buzzing around your food and your head!

Being honest I was sceptical with this one but after two goes, for us this worked no flies and no wasps, could be pure conincidence but worth a try!

How the it works:

The concept behind the pennies-in-water hack is based on the idea that the sunlight refracting through the water and pennies creates a visually confusing pattern for flies. Flies have compound eyes that are sensitive to light and motion. The theory is that the light refraction caused by the water and pennies may mimic the movement of predators, scaring the flies away.

Other solutions to try:

  1. Keep the Area Clean: While this tip may offer some temporary relief, it’s essential to keep your outside space clean. Clear away any food scraps, spills, and rubbish to promptly to discourage flies.
  2. Fly Fans: Flies are less likely to land in areas with a breeze. Consider placing fans strategically around your dining area to create airflow and discourage flies from settling.
  3. Citronella and Essential Oils: Some people find that using citronella candles, essential oil diffusers, or natural fly repellent sprays can help deter flies from gathering.
  4. Cover Food: Use food covers or mesh screens to protect your food from flies. This not only prevents flies from landing on your food but also helps maintain its freshness.
  5. Eliminate Breeding Sites: Flies are attracted to areas with decaying organic matter, like compost piles or outside dust bins. Make sure these areas are well-contained and regularly cleaned to prevent fly breeding.
  6. Consider Professional Solutions: In cases where fly infestations are persistent and disruptive, you might consider seeking professional pest control services.

Limitations:

It’s important to manage expectations when trying home remedies like the penny-in-water hack. While some individuals may report success, others might not experience the same results. Flies are attracted to various factors, including odours, heat, and food, so no single method can guarantee complete fly prevention.

In summary, the penny-in-water hack is a low-cost and non-toxic method that you could try as part of a comprehensive approach to managing flies during outdoor activities.

A,Cut,Apple,Has,Attracted,Fruit,Flies,To,Feed,On

How to get rid of fruit flies

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

Getting rid of fruit flies is easier than it seems with my really simple DIY homemade trap. The best part is it uses only 2 ingredients and a few common household items, getting rid of pesky fruit flies naturally and easily.

If you LOVE having a bowl of fresh fruit on your counter, unfortunately, this will bring unwanted guests into your home!

Fruit flies are a nuisance and gather on fruit, near sinks and around kitchen bin cans. They’re unsightly and unsanitary and they don’t just fly around, they lay eggs in your food. They also reproduce like CRAZY, so if you don’t nip the problem in the bud you’re likely to have an explosion of fruit flies within a few weeks.

I have had lots of luck with this simple recipe that uses ingredients you probably already have at home.

How does the fruit fly trap work?

The flies are attracted to the smell of the apple cider vinegar because they love fermenting fruit. They enter the holes in the plastic wrap, go to check out the vinegar, then get stuck in the soap. It’s a clean and quick way to get rid of fruit flies in just a few days.

How to Make the Best Fruit Fly Trap

Into a recycled jam jar/mason jar add half a cupful about 40ml of apple cider vinegar and a few drops off washing up liquid.

Tightly cover the jar with plastic wrap, like clingfilm then secure with a rubber band/ hair band around the lip of the jar so it stays put. Gently poke TINY holes into the plastic wrap using the end of a toothpick. Don’t make them too large or the fruit flies may fly out.

Then just leave the trap out for a few days in areas where fruit flies gather. Toss every few days and refresh with new solution if needed.

So easy and no more fruit flies.

Spacious,Bathroom,In,Gray,Tones,With,Heated,Floors,,Freestanding,Tub,

How to clean a shower

by with No Comment Bathroom TipsCleaning Tips

Do you want to get a spotless shower with minima scrubbing, if YES then keep on reading. Your shower surface can attract bacteria, grime and mildew which can be unsightly and make your shower look filthy and very uninviting as well as dirt, dust, hard water spots, soap scum, and other residue such as shower gel and shaving foam can build up in the shower over time,

Here is my step by step guide on how to clean the shower to keep it sparkling fresh in no time at all using simple ingredients.

STEPS TO CLEAN THE SHOWER

Remove all contents such as shower gel, razors etc from your shower and wipe over each item with a warm soapy cloth to remove any soap build-up on the product.

Start by focusing on any mould/mildew build up. Spray directly onto the affected areas white vinegar and then leave to work for 30 minutes before rinsing away, if you have mould/mildew build up on the tile grout then spray the area with white vinegar, then use a grout cleaning brush to scrub in before leaving and rinsing.

If you have stubborn build-up around your taps, dab on a cleaning paste and leave for 10 minutes. Alternatively grab some kitchen paper spray with white vinegar and then wrap around the tap, leave for 10 minutes then rinse and buff dry with a cloth.

Use your preferred bathroom cleaning spray and spray liberally on the glass, walls and floor of the shower. Scrub in using a scrubbing brush, leave the product on for a few minutes to work and then rinse away. Grab a squeegee to remove water from the surface and buff dry with a dry microfibre cloth.

Shower door seal

Remove the rubber seal from the shower screen/door, it should come off easily and then pop it in the bathroom sink filled with warm soapy water. Scrub the seal with a small cleaning brush or recycled toothbrush.

Spritz a dry cloth with vinegar and wipe over the seal then wait until the seal is completely dry before putting back into place.

Shower drain

Use a drain snake poke down your plug hole and pull out any hair and gunk that easily builds up, even if you think your shower is clean I can guarantee you will find gunk.

once cleared either use a bathroom plug unblocker or sprinkle down one cup of bicarbonate of soda, leave 20 minutes then rinse away.

Shower head

Half-fill a sandwich bag (or bucket if the shower head is detachable) with vinegar. Insert the shower head immersing it in the vinegar. Tie the bag with a rubber band to secure onto shower head and sit for an hour (if you have a brass or gold shower head, remove after 5 minutes or keep checking).

If your shower head in a waterfall, drench an old tea towel in white vinegar and wrap around.

Remove the shower head from the bag and use the mini brush to clean build-up. Turn on the water to flush out any mineral deposits. Use a toothpick to poke holes to help remove mineral deposits if needed. Rinse with water.

Finally polish the shower head with a clean dry microfibre cloth.

Lynsey’s Top Tip

Keep a squeegee in your shower and use after each use to remove water and save hard water up.

Empty,Glasses,And,Wine,Carafe,In,Stylish,Modern,Kitchen

How to clean cloudy glasses

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

If you are hosting a dinner party or simply just grabbing a glass of water there is nothing worse than dingy-looking glasses.

There is a way to clean up cloudy glasses and limit how often the unwanted haze returns and you can do using staples you most likely already have in your kitchen cupboards.

All you need

How to Clean Cloudy Glasses 

Cloudiness in glassware is usually caused by two things: Calcium and magnesium left behind from hard water. Washing them by hand is the best way to keep them clean and spot-free, but with busy lives the dishwasher makes light work of washing up.

Soak in white vinegar 

You need the white vinegar to be warm before using it as an effective cleaning agent. Fill your sink with hot water and let your bottle of white vinegar soak for one minute. Next, drain the sink and refill it with the now warm vinegar. Just use enough to cover the glasses and then let the glasses soak for one hour. 

Remove the Film 

Take the glasses out of their vinegar, gently scrub with your sponge and rinse with hot water until they are crystal clear.

Dry the Glasses

To dry use a lint free cloth or a flour stack towel, these cloths are perfect and will not leave any fibres behind. Fibres can make your glasses look dingy.

Prevent the Cloudiness From Returning

Since glassware becomes cloudy from dried water droplets, is to prevent water from drying on them in the first place which mainly happens when using the dishwasher. Hand washing and drying immediately is the best solution and will help keep your glasses from getting cloudy.

Cloudiness Could Be Permanent 

If you have tried the above and your glasses are still cloudy after they dry, the condition is likely permanent.

Angle the glass toward the light, if you see shades of pink, purple, brown, or blue this is a sign that your glasses can’t be brought back to life.

Hand,And,Glove,Cleaning,The,Bathroom,Tiles.

How to clean tile grout

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

Over time, grout can become dirty, mouldy and unsightly. But with the right tools cleaning grout is easy!

If you don’t regularly clean up your grout it can become filthy and hard to clean. There are a few ways to clean stubborn grout, all which include a bit of elbow grease!

Depending on the how dirty your grout is, you can use the following suggestions and see which one works for you…

To begin with, wipe over the grout area you want to clean with hot water, this will help clean and remove some dirt and grime on the surface.

Steam clean

Attach the small hard brush to your handheld steam cleaner and begin by steaming straight onto the grout line. Use the brush lightly and gently scrub as you go. The dirt will be lifted from the grout effortlessly. Finish the job by wiping over with a damp microfibre cloth, use white to see the amount of dirt that has been lifted as this is very satisfying to see.

Shaving foam

This is the cheapest and hassle free way of cleaning grout. Simply apply shaving foam on the grout lines, scrub in using a recycled toothbrush or grout cleaning brush, leave for 10 minutes and rinse with a damp microfibre cloth.

Scrub mommy paste

If your grout hasn’t been cleaned in a while, I find a cleaning paste like the scrub mommy power paste is a quick solution to get rid of dirt and grime. Apply using the provided scrub sponge rub in and watch the dirt lift away.

Powdered stain remover

Mix up with warm water and apply direct to the grout lines. Use an oxi stain remover for best results.

White toothpaste

White toothpaste is a minty miracle, dampen a recycled tooth brush or damp grout cleaning brush with warm water, apply toothpaste just as you would if you were brushing your teeth and work into the grout lines. Leave on the grout lines for a few minutes before rinsing away.

Bicarbonate of soda paste

If you are looking to use a homemade cleaning product mix together bicarb and washing up liquid until you have a nice thick paste. Then apply to the grout lines, scrub in and rinse away. This paste is also great for shinning up sinks and cleaning soap scum lines from the bath.

Whatever method you choose, with the right tools and cleaner you can have your grout look good as new!

Cute,Teddy,Bear,With,Copy,Space,On,Blue,Color,Wood

How to get rid of dust mites on soft toys

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

Dust mites can be a real pain and more often than not they live inside our kids soft toys.

Dust mite allergy is one of the most common allergies, and I’m sure most people don’t realise this could be the reason behind a lot of sinus or hay fever symptoms.  

Dust mites like to hide in the following:

  • Soft toys
  • Quilts
  • Sheet
  • Mattress
  • Pillows
  • Curtains
  • Carpet
  • Furniture and Clothes

Here to washed stuffed toys

  • Pop the soft toys into a laundry bag.
  • Use your usual detergent.
  • Add in 4-6 drops of tea tree essential oil as this is a natural disinfectant.
  • Reshape them when they come out of the wash.
  • Either hang them by the ears to dry or lay them flat too dry.
  • Give them a little dry brush with a soft brush to get them looking fluffy again. 

In the freezer

Place the soft toy into a plastic bag and pop in the freezer for 24 hours and this will also kill the dust mites and bacteria.  Once they have thawed out you can just put them in the dryer on a low setting for about 15-20 minutes to shake them up.

Vacuum

Another thing you can do is vacuum them. I know it sounds strange but a good vacuum every week using the nozzle removes the dust mites as well as dirt and fluffs up the fur at the same time.

Steam

For delicate soft toys, steam out the dirt and grime with a handheld steamer. The steam will sanitise the toy, making it safe for your child to cuddle with, steam will also help deep clean toys with batteries that can’t go in the washing machine.

White shaving foam

Shaving foam hacks

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

 I love a good simple cleaning hack! I never forget the day I discovered that white shaving foam is an amazing cleaner!

I dropped a new mascara on new carpet and quickly just dashed to the bathroom and grabbed the nearest soap like product and wow the results where amazing!

Sometimes, a household item can be surprisingly useful for things other than what it’s meant for, which means you don’t always need to spend a fortune on cleaning products. The humble can of white shaving is a fantastic cleaner and is so cheap if you stick to buying supermarket own branded logo.

So not only can you shave your legs or your face but clean your house too.

Make sure you keep a can in your cleaning caddy!

White tile grout

Typical grout needs to be cleaned every four to six months due to the built up dirt and bacteria that sits in grout lines and can potentially make the rest of the floor look dirty. Squirt the foam into the grout lines and then either using a recycled tooth brush or small grout cleaning brush and scrub in. Leave a few minutes and then wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.

It really is as simple as that and the good thing about using shaving foam is that it is perfectly safe for children and pets.

Stop your bathroom mirror from fogging up

Cover your mirror with white shaving cream, leave it for 30 seconds and simply wipe with a microfibre cloth or good quality kitchen roll and this will completely stop your mirror from fogging up, the bonus is it will also help prevent streaks.

Remove stains or your carpet/upholstery

Spray a bit of shaving cream on carpet or upholstery stains, scrub in using a soft bristle brush, allow them to dry and then blot clean using a white cloth. You can use it on upholstery in the car, too plus to tackle any mattress stains.

Polish up stainless steel

You can keep stainless steel looking polished by putting shaving cream on a clean cloth and wiping clean. You can do the same with all of your chrome fixtures in the kitchen bathroom, or laundry areas. Shaving cream great at removing hard water stains and leave such an amazing shine.  

Clean up the toilet base

Urine can end up on the sides of the toilet or the floor and after time the smell can become rather unpleasant, shaving foam is a quick and easy way to fix this! Simply cover the area around the toilet and on the sides of the toilet, really where there may be urine build up. Let the shaving cream sit for about 20 minutes and then wipe with a hot wet cloth or a mop with hot water. You will notice the urine smell has disappeared. You can do this every month or so, or just when the toilet area starts to smell. 

Make Jewellery Sparkle

Shaving cream is effective but gentle and perfect for cleaning jewellery. Pump a dollop of cream in your hand and rub your jewellery around.

Remove Oil Stains From Suede

To treat unsightly oil stains on suede furniture, coats or handbags, apply a small amount of shaving cream, rub it in, and then wipe it clean. You may need to fluff up the nap after the suede dries.

Want to learn more about to clean safely then grab a copy of one of my books and I will show you how to clean your house and tidy up your life

Wicker,Basket,With,Dirty,Laundry,Indoors,,Space,For,Text

The best laundry hacks

by with No Comment Laundry

Most of us don’t enjoy doing the laundry. Yet that pile just keeps on getting bigger and bigger.

But a few simple tips and tricks can make your life so much easier.

Keep socks paired in a mesh laundry bag.

Those mesh bags that we use for bras and delicates are also great at keeping small items from getting lost too. Most houses definitely have a sock monster. A top tip to get in the habit of is using a mesh bag for your socks, leave it next to or hanging in your laundry hamper and then as you take your socks off toss them in. When it is full add the mesh bag straight to the wash.

Zip your zips up

Not only can the zipper itself break or damage the drum in your machine, but the sharp metal teeth of the zipper can snag on fabric or lace and ruin your delicate items. To avoid this, be sure to zip up any clothing items with a zip before adding to your washing machine.

Keep white chalk in the laundry cupboard to treat grease stains.

Why I hear you asking, chalk is ultra – absorbent, you can rub a bit on any oily or grease stain as they happen and the chalk will absorb the grease and keep the stain from setting until you wash your garment.

For more stain tips check out my stain busting guide.

Decrease your clothes with ice cubes.

If you have a tumble dryer you can quickly “iron” your clothes with the ice cube tip. Just pop in the wrinkled items no more than 3 otherwise it won’t work into the dryer with an ice cube or two, on the warmest possible setting for 10 minutes, and let the ice cube create steam in the dryer to leave your clothes looking smooth. This is perfect tip for when you need something quick for a night out, let the steam do the work whilst you are getting ready.

Put your clothes in the freezer.

It won’t kill bacteria, but an overnight stay in the freezer will help to refresh your clothes and combat odours enough to, say, wear that pair of jeans one more time before washing them. Alternatively if it is freezing cold day pop them outside for a few hours, the frozen air will do the same and if the sun is out the sun will act as a natural disinfectant.

Ditch dryer sheets for woollen dryer balls.

Dryer sheets are great for fragrance but not a lot else so instead, go for a pack of woollen dryer balls they will keep the air moving, smooth out wrinkles and speeding up your drying time. Add 3 to a small load and 6 to a larger load.

Hand-wash your clothes in a salad spinner.

Those hand-wash-only items can be a pain to clean. But small items can be thrown into a salad spinner if you have one, add a bit of laundry detergent or Castile soap with water to give them a wash, this will be more powerful than hand-massaging but gentler than the washing machine. You can also use the spinner to dry them afterwards!

Use this tip for swimwear too.

Pre-soak your Sweaty sports clothes in vinegar.

For that foul-smelling load of gym clothes, soak your clothes in a half a cup of white vinegar mixed with cold water for at least an hour before washing. This will help remove unpleasant smells and break down sweat stains.

Prevent Colour Runs

If you’re not one to separate clothes by colours or have loads that are too small then try using a colour catcher. These magical little sheets lock dye in and you can actually see the colour has been absorbed when the wash is done. You can get reusable ones that last up-to 30 washes. But I still recommend trying to keep your whites together.

Shake your clothes to make them dry faster

To help clothes dry quicker, try shaking out some of the excess water before hanging or adding to the dryer. It will open up the fabric and make them dry faster with fewer wrinkles.

Or you can also speed up drying time by throwing a dry towel into a load of wet clothes for the first 15 minutes of the drying cycle. The towel will absorb a lot of the water.

IMG_9759

Declutter and organise your cleaning products

by with No Comment Home Organising

One of my favourite results of thinning out my cleaning products is being able to see and use what’s left after I’ve decluttered.

This is one category of items people rarely declutter. Decluttering them — scaling them down to the best and most useful — has a huge impact on your cleaning and in the long run will save you time and money.

Here are some cleaning products and tools you can get rid of right away:

Reduce the amount of cleaning products you have.

You don’t necessarily need a different cleaner for every little cleaning task.  Look for products that are versatile so they can be used for various cleaning tasks.  Not only does this take up less space, but it also makes it faster to switch between cleaning tasks.  Use the least amount of product as needed to get your cleaning task completed.  More is not necessarily better! Using too much product can actually increase your cleaning time and any residue left behind can attract more dirt and grime as well as unsightly streaks leading to more frequent cleaning.

Spray bottles that don’t work.

Whether you have a clogged nozzle, the spray comes out all over the place and leak, or the trigger works only half the time, no one wants to fight with a spray bottle as they’re cleaning. Get rid of any of these broken bottles. I like to add my homemade cleaners to glass bottles, this way I can see how much of the product I have left but it is important these bottles work and are labelled clearly.

Ripped holy cloths

Your rags don’t have to be perfect, but once your cloths begin to become worn through and holy, it might be time to get rid of them. You want to maximise the cleaning power of your cleaning cloths and getting a hole stuck on a faucet is frustrating and time consuming. It is so important to look after your cleaning cloths to get the full cleaning power from them, check out my how to guide.

Worn down brushes

Again, you want your cleaning power to be well spent. Scrubbing with flat brushes isn’t well-spent energy. Replace them or trim them down and consider whether it would be worthwhile to spend a bit more money for longer-lasting tools. Don’t forget through recycled toothbrushes always make a great cleaning brush, perfect for getting into those nook and crannies.

Old Magic Erasers.

You certainly don’t have to use a completely new Magic Eraser every time you use one to clean. But once your Magic Eraser is saturated, flat or crumbling then it is time to reach for a new one.

Duplicate tools.

If you have more than one dust pan and brush set, a cupboard full of mops or long dusters, then I bet you just have far too many cleaning tools and I bet you also reach for your favourite each time you clean. Keep those and only those that you use and love. The exception is if you have more than one kind of the same type of tool for specific jobs — and you use them all. For instance, it is good to have an outside broom and an inside broom and they both get used for their respective purposes regularly.

Keep your cleaning supplies where you are going to need them.

The less time it takes you to find your cleaning products, the more likely you’ll be to use them.  As much as possible, store your bathroom cleaning supplies in your bathroom, your kitchen cleaning supplies under the sink etc.  If you’re short on space, just store what you would need for a month’s worth of cleaning and keep the larger product bottles stored somewhere else in your home, maybe your garage or shed but if you only buy what you need you won’t need to find this extra space.

Optimise your storage space

If you’re short on space, look for better storage options to keep those cleaning supplies handy.  I am a big fan of magic hooks, these are great to hang cleaning cloths, brushes and dusters. Categorise products using storage boxes and look at tiered under the sink storage options.

Create a portable cleaning caddy.

Take a little time to put together a basic cleaning caddy then it is easy to carry your supplies to various spots around the house that you don’t have cleaning supplies stored.  Make sure everyone in the house knows where it’s stored so they don’t have any excuses for not cleaning up if they make a mess!  

Christmas,Cleaning,After.,Cleaning,Tools,Broom,And,Scoop,And,Unused

News Years party clean up

by with No Comment Christmas

New Years embrace new beginnings – a chance for everyone to begin fresh and fun and in most cases It is bound to start with a celebration of some sort which will probably get a little messy.

If you have hosted here is a little round up of how to clean up that mess quickly.

Before going to bed.

Get ahead start by having a little tidy up before locking up and going to bed, trust me you will appreciate this in the morning.

  • Put any uneaten food in plastic containers and place it back in the fridge. If you leave it lying there all night, it could quickly rot and start to smell. By doing so, it will stay fresh longer, and you might not have to cook the next day.
  • Seal or re-cork bottles of wine that haven’t been entirely emptied yet. You can use some cling wrap to cover the top if you can’t get the cork back in. 
  • Act on any urgent matters such as stains and spills. They are easiest to remove when treated immediately. for any clothing stains soak pre treat using a stain remover and then soak over nights. In the morning you can add to the wash. For any carpet stains spot treat these using a solution of warm soapy water and a splash of white vinegar, gently dab and then blot to dry using a clean white cloth.
  • Clear out any clutter you see. The last thing you’d want is to navigate a maze full of empty cans and bottles in the middle of the night during those times when you are in desperate need of the loo or get up in the morning to a sea of mess. Grab a heavy duty bin liner and get filling. But remember too recycle.

In the morning

You may be feeling a little hung over so before you start with your big clean up give you some a little TLC, drink plenty of water and have a good breakfast. If you are running on empty you will tire quickly and have to come back to it another day, start the new year fresh and get on with the job at hand. The end result will be worth it.

  • Start by clearing surfaces and dealing with any sticky patches from spilt drinks or dips.
  • Run the vacuum around so you are not treading food crumbs throughout the rest of your home.
  • Throw open those windows and let some fresh air in to get rid of any horrible smells.
  • Start doing the dishes. Fill the dishwasher with bowls, plates, and glasses and hand wash items that won’t fit in.
  • Gather your fabric tablecloths and napkins and give them a quick cycle in your washing machine. Use a good quality detergent and add in a stain remover to pick up any stains. You can also start washing items you have applied stain removers to the night before.
  • Wash or steam the floors
  • Refresh the sofa by giving it a good vacuum and spritz with a homemade fabric refresher.
  • Do not forget to inspect the toilet premises. Everyone tries their best to be hygienic, but once alcohol is flowing and actions are impaired, there can be a few misses. Wear rubber gloves and start wiping the areas with disinfectant, remember to spray and leave the product to work to get the full benefit and kill those germs. Change over the hand towel and wipe over the sink area.

Congratulations you are now a step closer to bringing your home back to normal state.