Laundry,Room,With,Washing,Machine,Or,Tumble,Dryer.,Modern,Household

Combat smelly workout wear

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.

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

How to clean a shower

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.

Employee,Hand,In,Rubber,Protective,Glove,With,Microfiber,Rag,Wiping

How to clean walls

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.

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

How to clean cloudy glasses

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

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!

Young,Female,Spring,Cleaning,House,Interior,Holding,A,Duster,For

Tips to keep your home dust free

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

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

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

How to get rid of dust mites on soft toys

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.

Children's,Hands,Decorating,A,Window,Glass,For,Christmas

How to remove sticker residue

Whether you’re dealing with label adhesive on a glass jar that you want to recycle or you have kids who really like putting stickers everywhere figuring out how to remove sticker residue off home surfaces can be challenging.

The good news is………

This all too common job is super easy with the right tools and you probably already have these in your kitchen cupboards.

Olive oil and white vinegar

A winning combination to remove sticky residue from any surface in your home. After applying a thin layer of olive oil to the affected area, simply scrub it with a recycled tooth brush, then, spray the sticky area with white vinegar and gently scrub using a dry cloth.

Then just wash away any lingering oil and vinegar with washing up liquid and dry/

WD-40

WD40 has so many amazing uses but it is also a great adhesive remover. Spray the solvent generously to soak the sticky area. Allow it to sit and work its magic for a few minutes, then use a dry rag or a plastic scraper to remove the adhesive. 

Orange oil

If have any orange oil based products in your cupboard, for restoring wood or an essential orange oil then both these products work wonders. Just soak the area and then scrap the adhesive away.

Rubbing alcohol

Soak a cotton ball or pad in rubbing alcohol, then applying it to the sticker until it’s fully saturated. Repeat twice , use a plastic scraper to slowly peel off the sticker.

Nail polish remover

Add a few drops or acetone nail polish remover to a cotton ball or pad and repeat the above steps.

Want to know how to remove candle wax then check out my how to remove tips.

Want to learn more 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

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How to clean an iron

This is question I am asked a lot but every model is different so it is sometimes hard for me to answer, if you ironing isn’t gliding effortless across your garments or if your plate has got oily or sticky then grab your owners guide and just check to see if they have a how to clean section, if you have misplaced the guide most are online so just do a search on your iron brand and model number.

But I do also have a few tips which may help you or maybe you need so simple ironing tips, after all it ones of those household chores many of us try to avoid.

Simple ironing tips

How to Clean an Iron Plate with Mineral Buildup

Mineral deposit buildup in the vents and on the face of the iron which can cause issues with the steaming function of your iron plus cause white chalk like marks when you are ironing, which will result in you having to wash that garment again.

The best thing you can do to prevent the mineral build up in your iron is to ensure you empty the water tank and steam reservoir after every single use.

  1. Start by making a homemade iron cleaner. Mix together bicarbonate of soda and water until you have a thick paste.
  2. Apply the paste to the iron’s soleplate, coating the areas with heavy mineral deposits and wipe off straight away with a wet cloth
  3. Dip a cotton bud is some neat white vinegar and gently insert into the steam vents and around that areas.
  4. Empty any water from the reservoir tank, this is applicable if you have a steam generator iron and add in 50/50 water to white vinegar. Run the iron on full steam over the sink and keep pressing the steam shot until all the liquid has gone, this will be flushing out any minerals.

How to Clean a Sticky Iron

Believe it or not, newspaper makes a great iron cleaner, especially when the soleplate is sticky. Turn your iron up to the highest setting and turn steam off completely. Now run the hot dry iron across newspaper or some kitchen roll until it’s clean. If it is till sticky just simply sprinkle a tablespoon of salt on the newspaper or kitchen roll.

How to Clean an Iron with Oily Residue

Simple solutions work surprisingly well for irons suffering from some oily residue on the soleplate. Make sure the iron is unplugged and completely cool. Wipe the soleplate with a clean rag dipped in vinegar. Then rinse with a soft rag dipped in water. If vinegar didn’t do the trick, repeat the process starting with a rag dipped in ammonia. Dry with soft cloth or kitchen roll and you are done!

But there is a fantastic product I do highly recommend, called faultless hot iron cleaner. which can be used to remove melted webs, fusible, iron-on interfacings, trims, burned-on synthetics & coatings caused by excess starch & detergent build-up makes iron glide easier so ironing seems faster. Plus it is the sort of product that will last you ages as you only need a tiny amount.

White,Boys,T-shirt,On,Clothes,Line,Against,Blue,Sky

How to hang clothes on a washing line

Is there are a right way and a wrong way to hang clothes on the line?

You bet there is! If you’ve ever wondered why your clothes take so long to dry, or why they’re an odd shape, or why you have to iron every single item to get it looking presentable to wear, read on for my advice on the correct way to hang clothes on the line allowing fast-drying, wrinkle-free results!

USE THE BEST PEGS

Your choice of clothes peg is important and there is no one size fits all the choice is huge and if you are not sure what to look for then check out my top peg buying tips.

Material

Clothes pegs are usually made from plastic, stainless steel or wood. Plastic clothes pegs are durable and weather resistant, but they can be flimsy, snap easily especially in the colder weather and sometimes struggle to hold heavier items.

Stainless steel clothes pegs are durable and strong, while wooden clothes pegs offer a traditional look and are much better for the environment.

Size

Clothes pegs are available in a range of sizes. Smaller clothes pegs struggle to hold heavier items like wet jeans, bed linen or winter coats. You’ll need to use more of them per item, which will give you less overall. Large and robust clothes pegs are suitable for heavier items.

Grip

If your garden is exposed to the elements, you’ll need clothes pegs with good grip. Those with a tough and sturdy spring can hold heavier items, but delicate garments can become damaged if your pegs grip too harshly. For silks, satins and delicate items of clothing, go for soft grip and gentle pegs.

Durability

Durability and weather resistance is important, as all too often the springs snap under a heavy weight, leaving your clothes a crumpled mess on the floor! Wooden clothes pegs are usually very strong but they’re rarely weather resistant. Ensure you read reviews before you make a purchase.

INVEST IN THE BEST WASHING LINE FOR YOUR FAMILY

Ensure you get a clothesline that matches your largest laundry load. A 9/10kg drum holds a lot of washing. If you use a washing line that is too small this will mean you have to do multiple, smaller loads; or overload your clothesline, which leads to longer drying times, potentially wrinkles and much more of your time.

PEG SHARING

Sharing pegs on the line might be quicker when hanging out and save line space, however, it’s not recommended to give your clothes the best chance to dry quickly. Give your laundry enough space between items to allow better airflow for drying and to avoid causing wrinkles. The more airflow the better. Lighter items, such as gym clothes, shirts and pillow cases dry much quicker than heavier items so they don’t need as much space between items. Hanging your clothes out on a sunny day even in winter will dry your clothes quicker so the spacing is not as much of an issue.

SHAKE BEFORE HANGING THEM

As soon as you take your washing out of your washing machine you must shake them and make sure nothing has got tangled. Sometimes when you grab your wet laundry you will find a pair of trousers that has a leg inside out or a shirt with one sleeve tangled inside itself. Pull it back into shape and give it a light shake. but be mindful that items can stretch when wet so be careful not to shake to hard.

HANGING ITEMS THE WRONG WAY UP

We all hate unsightly peg marks on shoulders and shirt hems, but which is better – hanging clothes upside-down or right-side-up? Hanging your items upside-down will mean you won’t stretch the shoulders/arms of shirts, or the waist of trousers. The best way for shirts is to hang them on the line with a coat hanger, as this reduces the chance of wrinkles and makes the so much easier to iron.

The old fashioned saying is

If you wear it on top hang it from the top

If you wear it on the bottom hang it from the bottom

But this rule doesn’t work for everything, sometimes you just need to make your own judgement call with laundry hacks.

The best way to hang sheets on the line is to hang your sheets over multiple lines to give them the best airflow for drying. This also works for heavy items, such as blankets and throws. Hanging heavy items over multiple lines will spread the weight so your clothesline stays taught for longer. If you only have one clothesline, try to hang your heavy items lengthways on the line so the weight is spread out as much as possible.

Check out some of my laundry favourites