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Spider season

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

Autumn tends to mark the start of spider mating season, which means you are likely to spot these creepy crawlies popping up all over your home.

Getting rid of spiders in your home for good can be challenging, but it is possible with a combination of prevention and control methods.

Like all species, spiders need water and moisture to survive so you are more likely to find them in the kitchen and bathroom.

And be warned they can easily get in our home coming up through our plug holes so regularly flush with boiling water and keep them covered or keep the plug in.

My tips how you can naturally deter spiders below…

Keep Your Home Clean – Check for spider webs and pay special attention to corners. Regularly clean and vacuum your home to remove dust and debris. Focus on hidden areas where spiders may hide such as under furniture and in hidden areas.

Keep clutter to a minimum – Spiders like cluttered areas where they can hide, so declutter your home to make it less appealing to them, giving them less places to hide away.

Seal Entry Points – Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and holes in walls, doors, and windows. Seal these entry points to prevent spiders from getting in.

Peppermint Oil – Spiders hate the strong smell of peppermint, so it’s the perfect weapon to naturally ward them off, use the oil in a diffuser, light a peppermint candle or add peppermint essential oil, 20 drops into a spray bottle and spray in spider prone areas. s in a diffuser or mix them with water and spray them in spider-prone areas.

Cinnamon – Use cinnamon sticks in areas where you’ve noticed spider activity, such as corners or entry points. You can also try placing them in cabinets, closets, or other areas where spiders tend to hide, use cinnamon candles or Sprinkle cinnamon powder around the perimeter of your home, especially near doors and windows.

Catch and Release – If you’re not comfortable picking spiders up , you can capture them using a glass and a piece of paper and release them outdoors or use a spider catcher.

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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.

book 3

Lemon and Bicarb the ultimate scrubber

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

I absolutely love, using a lemon and bicarbonate of soda for a natural cleaning solution for various surfaces, including my kitchen sink. Lemons contain citric acid, which helps break down grease and stains, while bicarb acts as a gentle abrasive and deodoriser.

Grab your lemons later in the day from the supermarket where they are often price dropped.

Here’s how you can use this mixture for the ultimate cleaning power:

Materials Needed:

  • Lemon
  • Bicarbonate of soda
  • Microfiber or cleaning cloth

Steps:

  1. Cut the Lemon: Cut a lemon in half, ensuring that it’s fresh and juicy.
  2. Sprinkle Bicarbaonate of soda: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda directly onto the cut side of one of the lemon halves.
  3. Scrub: Use the lemon half with the bicarb to scrub the sink surface. Focus on areas with stains, limescale, discolouration, gunk and grime.
  4. Squeeze Juice: As you scrub, you’ll naturally squeeze out lemon juice. The citric acid in the lemon juice helps break down stains and grease.
  5. Scrub Tough Areas: For tougher stains or areas with mineral deposits, you can use a soft scrub brush along with the lemon and baking soda mixture.
  6. Rinse and Wipe: Once you’ve scrubbed the sink, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove the lemon juice and bicarb residue.
  7. Dry and Polish: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to dry the sink and polish the surface. This can help remove any remaining residue and leave your sink looking shiny.
  8. Dispose of the Lemon: You can dispose of the used lemon in your compost or food waste bin to help give off a fresher scent.

This method not only cleans but also imparts a pleasant citrus scent to your sink area. It’s a natural and environmentally friendly way to deep clean and deodorise your kitchen sink.

However, be cautious when using this method on natural stone sinks, as the citric acid in the lemon could potentially damage the stone over time.

Remember that regular maintenance and cleaning can help prevent excessive buildup, making your deep cleaning efforts more effective and less frequent.

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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.

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Combat smelly workout wear

by with No Comment Laundry

If you hit the gym or the local park frequently for a good power walk or run or you may just enjoy wearing workout wear for comfort when doing the housework, you have most likely experienced stinky workout wear. That unfortunate occurrence when the stink lingers after the clothes are clean and dry?

The fibers in workout wear are generally not natural and tend to hold on to odours due to the type of material and how tight the material is woven. It can be hard for detergents to penetrate the tight weave.

The simplest trick to keep the stink at bay

Is to just add an extra rinse. The extra rinse ensures that you remove any detergent and most importantly, any trapped odours.

A few more tips include:

Use a liquid laundry detergent. with enzymes – liquid always works best!  It works so well because it’s powered by an enzyme blend that searches out dirt, stains and those nasty odours.

Don’t over use detergent. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make with all laundry, more detergent does not mean cleaner! If you use more detergent than is recommended, the suds might not get fully washed out of your clothes during the rinse cycle. This can be a big problem, as odour-causing bacteria are likely to thrive if any of the soap remains on your work out gear after it has been washed. Unfortunately, the results aren’t going to be very hygienic or fragrant. The cap on the bottle is normally the measuring tool so use this or read the label for the correct measurements.

Cold water. Avoid the heat. Elastic clothing doesn’t like being exposed to high heat, and that heat will also amplify odours.

Never use fabric softener. The fabric softener coats the fibers making it difficult to clean the clothes. Instead you can add 20ml of white vinegar directly to the drum, white vinegar is a natural disinfectant and will banish those odours from workout wear.

Don’t over-dry workout wear. As soon as the clothes are dry, remove them from the dryer. Letting them continue to dry too long just makes really statically and no one wants clingy shorts or leggings. Workout wear dries quickly so even in the winter months on dry days hang it outside to air dry.

Wash workout wear with workout wear. If you can try and wash together and whilst waiting for a fuller load store work outwear together so that horrible smell does not impact other clothing. The clothes will get cleaner this way and it will be so much easier to sort and put away.

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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.

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How to clean walls

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

We all know that with kids and animals around the house, it can be really hard to keep walls clean and mark free.

Here are some tips on how to clean walls broken down into categories

INK

It’s always such a joy when little ones begin to express their creativity through drawing, colouring, and painting – unless, of course, they decide to do it on the walls. 

  • Spray some hairspray onto a Cloth then rub it gently over the ink mark.
  • Try some rubbing alcohol/surgical spirit onto a cotton ball and dab it on the ink stain until the stain is gone.
  • Apply some toothpaste to it, leave it for 10 minutes, then wash off with water (this method is also great for wallpapered walls).
  • Apply some eucalyptus oil to some kitchen roll and rub directly on the mark.

CRAYON

Another waxy material the kids like to apply to our walls is crayon you can use Magic Erasers to get rid of crayon without taking off the paint or you can make your own using a dampened sponge dipped into some bicarbonate of soda.

DIRTY FINGER MARKS AND SCUFFS

To get rid of dirty fingerprints, mix equal parts of white vinegar with warm water and wipe down the walls. Another option is eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball rubbed on the fingerprints.

GREASE MARKS

The same vinegar/water solution as above but also add in some lemon juice. Lemon juice is a great degreaser and will shift those stubborn grease marks.

For a general clean and freshen up of your walls you can use sugar soap diluted with warm water, to reach up high use a flat headed mop, but don’t forget to dry dust your walls first of all. Sugar soap helps to improve adhesion and give a better finish when decorating and will effectively remove nicotine marks so a great product to keep in your cleaning cupboard.

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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.

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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!

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Tips to keep your home dust free

by with No Comment Cleaning Tips

Dust in the home can be a real pain and no matter how much you dust it does just tend to keep coming back.

Some homes are more prone to dust than others and the environment around your home can be a contributing factor but there are a few simple tips and tricks you can do to try and keep your home dust free

And don’t worry as you do not need to go out and spend money on lots of fancy cleaners as all these tips are super simple and won’t cost you nothing at all.

Close the windows

I love having my windows open, fresh air is a great natural deodoriser but when you have the windows open you are letting the dust in. If any of your windows face a busy road dust will be even more problematic, the dust becomes airborne, so it can easily find it way into your home.

Keep your blinds dust free

Blinds are one of the most common places for dust to settle due to their size and shape. If you have fabric blinds use a lint roller or a damp daddy, avoid using the vacuum nozzle as they can pull your blind out of shape.

For slated blinds pop an odd thick sock on your hand and run over each individual slate, work from the same end of the blinds and start from the top as dust falls. If you haven’t got an odd sock to hand get yourself a dusting glove, these are made from microfibre and will ultimately pick up more than a sock.

Grab a lint roller

A gel lint roller just like the kind you use on your clothes, removes dust and dirt from any other fabric just as well. Regularly use on your curtains and lamp shades.

Vacuum correctly

Keep your vacuum well maintained and clean, if the filter is blocked or clogged with dust it will not pick up any dust from your floors, instead it will start to spit out what you have already picked up. Most vacuums have settings for different floor types so ensure you use the correct setting.

Vacuum in different directions, horizontally and then vertically and get underneath your furniture too as this is where dust will really settle.

Keep clutter at bay

The more items you have lying around, the harder it’ll be to dust them. 

Clutter is one of the most common causes of dust around the home and can affect how much dirt accumulates in different parts of the house. 

Keep plants on your window seals

Plants are an excellent way to keep dust at bay because they naturally absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, which in turn releases oxygen back into the air we breathe. 

Plants placed near windows will not only help clean the air but also help remove some of the dust particles that settle on windowsills – saving you a cleaning job in the future, too.

Plant leaves can get dusty and the best way to remove the dust is to use a recycled make up brush as they are so gently when knocking the dust away.

Keep hold of that last bit of wallpaper

When we decorate we are always left with a little of the wallpaper roll. If your kitchen cabinets or wardrobes don’t go all the way to the ceiling then line the tops with the left over wallpaper to collect the dust and knock of once a week to save the build up of dust.

Keep your pets well groomed

Regularly brushing (and even just petting) your furry friend produces errant hair and dust. If you regularly groom them outside, or in an easy-to-clean space like the bathroom, you can seriously cut down on your cleaning.

No shoes

Commit to a no-shoes policy inside and get a good-quality doormats one to leave outside your main entrance and one inside.

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