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Cleaning Tips for Students

by Cleaning Tips

Surviving student living takes a lot of patience and teamwork amongst your housemates. When you first move in you are going to want to get to know each other and party rather than worry about building a cleaning rota.  But sharing your personal space with others isn’t always easy. 

Student living is all about working together and supporting each other, the best way is to set the standard as soon as possible and get all the boring bits out of the way. Draw up a list of tasks that need to be done and decide who is going to be doing them.

Someone may be great in the kitchen and will want to do most of the cooking whilst another may love the tidying up after parties.

See who is willing to do what.

Draw up a simple rota that may include tasks like:

• Shopping for household essentials
• Cleaning
• Washing up
• Managing the paperwork

If at the end of your year you want your deposit back and no additional charges, then you really are going to need to keep on top of the cleaning.

In the kitchen, I would suggest that after using the oven and hob you give it a quick wipe-over with some warm soapy water, this way it won’t ever get that horrible build-up of grease and grim that can take ages to get off, smoke out the kitchen or may even mean you call in a professional oven cleaner and this is not cheap.

Clear out the fridge on a regular basis: get rid of gone off, mouldy foods and rotting leftovers. Don’t overfill the freezer so it doesn’t shut properly.

Keep the bins emptied and clean, dirty bins can attract flies and stink.

If you spill drinks or splash food onto the worktops, wipe it up as quickly as possible as foods and drinks can stain, and this could result in the landlord not being happy.

When it comes to the lounge area, use throws to protect the sofas and chairs, or if it is leather make a point of a weekly wipe over, and if you have a carpeted room keep stain remover to hand, student parties often result in drink stains so get this up as soon as you spot them, a new carpet can be an expensive add at the end of your agreement.

In the bathrooms keep those showers flowing frequently and use a drain unblocker on a regular basis, easy to use simply pop down, leave overnight and keep cleaning those toilets as they will be getting a lot of use.

Keep the window open as much as you can to prevent mold and mildew build-up.

At the end of your tenancy, you will be required to leave the property as you found it, so these simple tips should help you stay on top.

Simple Cleaning Rota

Daily Tasks

  • • Vacuum
    • Wash up dirty dishes
    • Open the windows every morning to let the air flow throw
    • Clear plates and mugs left in shared areas
    • Clean the kitchen sink
    • Bleach the toilets
    • Take out the rubbish

Weekly Tasks

  • • Mop the hard floor areas
    • Full bathroom clean
    • Dusting

Monthly Tasks

  • • Clean the windows
    • Tackle the cobwebs
    • Dust the skirting boards
    • Wipe over internal and external doors

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Queen of Clean November Christmas countdown

by Christmas

Do you want to beat the rush this Christmas and be super organised?

If you do then keep on reading……….

The Christmas countdown is on. I really can’t believe it’s nearly that time of year again.   Some of you may have already started planning and preparing your Christmas which is amazing.

I love Christmas it’s a very magical time of the year and as much as I love to be organised I don’t like to start too soon. November really is the month to get going, this way you will free up your December allowing you time to catch up with friends and enjoy any pre-Christmas activities.

I have broken up the key tasks which will run over a 4 week period throughout November to hopefully guide you to a stress free December full of Christmas joy.

Week one

Set a budget

Family budgets can change yearly so it’s always important to plan your budget for food, presents, decorations, outfits and social events. To keep organised with you present buying download my Present buying printable this way you can set your budget and list what you have brought.

Start buying those gifts

As of now I will start to pick up a few bits each week and I will list what I have brought using my Present buying printable that I will carefully have hidden in my diary.  There have been years where I have brought items and had no idea who the gift was for.

Maybe plan a shopping day with friends or family.

Find a hiding place

Choose your hiding places wisely and clear a space. I tend to clear out one of my clothes drawers in the bedroom and this always gets me started.  There are plenty of hiding places in your home if you think about it. My tops places are listed here

Book tickets

If you planning a family outing to the local pantomime, or a visit to see father Christmas then get this tickets booked now.

Social planning

Start talking to family members and friends and set aside dates aside time to see people.  You don’t want to double book do you?

Week 2

Book those appointments

Whether its hair cuts for the whole family, dental appointment’s or beauty treatments now is the time to get these booked in. Make the calls this week and get these written down with reminders added to your phones. Most places will have their Xmas diaries open now and will start to be taking appointments so beat the rush and get in quick.  Nearer the time you may not actual no longer need the appointment but at least you have the option.

Pet Plans

You may be going away this Christmas or be spending times at various other people’s houses. Pets aren’t always welcome so start to think about where they can go. Book into a kennels or see if friends and family are around to support you. Don’t wait until a week before as the chances are they will be booked up.

Baby Sitters

If you have younger children and you have few Christmas functions to attend now is the time to start to booking your baby sitter. They will appreciate the notice and you can go ahead and plan your nights’s out with one less thing to worry about.

 

Week 3

Gift Wrap

Get out and purchase gift wrap, bottle bags and tags.  There is such a huge choice when it comes to gift wrapping but in the past I have found that some of the nicer patterns do sell out fast and don’t forget to look at more eco friendly options such as linen bottle bags and eco friendly gift wrap or look at foil large gift bags which are great for larger presents and can be reused year after year. If your having a theme which runs right through to your gift wrapping then now is the time to go out and find the right paper for you.  Don’t forget the matching tags.

Keep everything together using a gift wrap storage bag. If you can wrap as you go and don’t forget my ironing board trick.

Christmas Cards

I am finding I am get less and less cards these days and more festive messages through social media.  But I still love Christmas cards and feel that they are a tradition we should stick. A card can mean a lot to some people.  Purchase your cards and make sure you buy enough. There are lots of eco friendly cards made from recyclable card which is great.

For your children work out how many children are in their classes at school and nursery and get your child to join in by putting together a list of the names so they have a list ready for when they come to write their cards. 

Put together a list of who you are sending cards to and check international posting dates.

Always have a few spares in case you receive cards from people that you haven’t planned to give one too. It is always nice to show acknowledgement.

Don’t forget to buy your postage stamps and check you have updated your address book.

Make kitchen Space

On the lead up to Christmas It great to pick up a few bits every week to help with budgeting. Clear out a kitchen cupboard ready for Christmas foods such as chocolates, nuts and snacks.

Take stock of your pantry and baking staples. Add flour, spices, and sugar to your shopping list, so you are prepared for any Christmas baking.

Freezer de-clutter

Now that you have made the kitchen cupboard space its time to start thinking about freezer space too.  Give you freezer a good de-clutter. The freezer is a cold and desolate place that’s home to forgotten, icy food its time to remove all unusable food, and salvage the rest. Maybe spend a week eating what you actually have in their rather than adding to it so you have a clear space ready for those frozen party nibbles.

Getting head of the cleaning

Plan some time into your schedule to take a day of work to give your home a really good deep clean before the decorations start to go up. Also you may want to consider a professional cleaning services to spruce up your carpets and shine up those hard to reach outside windows.

Week 4

Order your meats

If you are hosting Christmas dinner this year get those meat orders in.  Don’t forget to order your chipolatas and bacon too for your pigs in blankets.  If you order and pay early it is one less thing to worry about. 

Local farm shops do some great offers on your Christmas meats too and sometimes can even deliver.

Christmas Crackers

Get these in this week loads of great choices on the high street.  But remember to make sure they match your Christmas table theme and always have a few spares in case you end up with some unexpected guests.

Don’t forget ECO Christmas crackers made from sustainable materials are becoming more common.

Christmas party outfits

I am sure many of us have packed December diaries but that means a few Christmas outfits for you and your family and don’t forget those Christmas jumpers too.
Christmas Jumper day Thursday 8th December this year. Add this date to your diary and set a reminder in your phone.

Don’t forget your accessories too lots of pretty sparkly bags around along with sparkly earrings.  If you treat the kids to Christmas Eve PJ’s it may be worth you looking at getting these now too before all the sizes sell out and don’t forget your party shoes.

I do have a discount code for Dorothy Perkins which is QOC20 and they have some lovely party wear in.

Travel

If your travelling by train for Christmas get those tickets booked now, prices for Christmas week will be reasonable at the moment but if you leave it much longer you will find they will start to double or even triple

Advent calendars

There must be a calendar for almost anything these days! if you are looking for a specialist calendar, whether it be from Lego, Smiggle, Benefit, Body Shop get these now.

If you can donate a gift box or an advent calendar to a local charity I know these items are very much appreciated and don’t forget woman’s aid are always on the look out for unused toiletries.

 

Sounds like a lot doesn’t it but when you break it down into weeks it becomes much more manageable. Enjoy your festive planning and I will be popping up gently reminders as we go.

Top,View,Floral,Composition,Female,Hands,Remove,Sticky,Layer,From

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

Clothes,Hanging,On,A,Washing,Line,To,Dry.

How to stop birds from pooping on your washing

by Laundry

Birds love nothing more than pooping on your dry clean washing which causes nothing but stress and hassle for us. There is nothing worse than hanging out your clean fresh smelling washing and having birds poop all over it. My washing always smells so good too. Personally I really don’t want to touch bird poo and scrub it off. Bird poo is also very dangerous.  Histoplasmsis is a respiratory disease that can come from bird poo and it can be fatal. I found out about this when I filmed a County House episode for Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners. They wanted me to stay in a room where a lady had hung herself that was covered from top to bottom in bird poo!  As if I would-have stayed in there…….

My bird phobia is really bad, I struggle to walk down our local high street and the children often have to protect me by surrounding me and I do struggle to sit in the garden especially if no one else is at home. If I hear a bird flap or a tree rustle. I run straight inside with an almighty scream. No wonder my neighbours think I am mad!

So what can we do to stop birds for ruining our fresh clean washing. 

Some of my lovely social media followers sent me some amazing ideas so I thought I would share them with you.

Change the position of your clothes line.  If your clothes line is near a fence, wall or a tree where birds can land then move it away.

Hang old unwanted CD’s around the garden. The don’t like to see their reflection and if the CD’s click against each other random sound patterns will help keeps the birds away too.

I have heard today that birds are very scared of owls. So invest in some garden ornaments of Owls to scare them away. I am not sure I will be even able to cope with fake birds in my garden.  although I did find these ones that don’t look too bad. Garden Owls There are also these reflective hanging owls

Washing line protectors. Now this is a great idea and is also great for when its raining too.  I am definltley going to invest in one of these

Now I did already know this one, so why haven’t I brought some?  But hanging chimes are great for keeping them away. These twisting scare rods scare away all species of birds.  They also look great too. Click here for the chimes

Bird Tape. I had never heard of this and what a great idea. Bird Tape is an effective bird deterrent made of polypropylene tape, which emits a penetrating vibration that birds won’t go near.  I really love this idea and can’t wait to see how effective it is. Bird Tape

If like me you are struggleing with the Bird poop in your garden then I hope this ideas can help.

A massive thank you to my lovely followers who helped me put together these ideas.

Happy Washing
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxox

bbqqq

Host an organised and clean BBQ this summer.

by Home Organising

Hooray BBQ season is here, its time to start cooking and enjoying our outside spaces and  host lovely get to together with family and friends. Hosting a BBQ can be busy and to host a good BBQ you need to be prepared. We had a really big BBQ last year it poured with rain and the gas run out!!!!! so it really was a bitof a disaster but this taught me to be much more organised and prepared for the British Weather.

Lets get started in hosting the perfect BBQ

Cooking Equipment & Utensils

Have you got all the equipment to enable you to cook safely. Different utensils for raw meat, cooked meats and the vegetation option.
If you are using a gas BBQ do you have enough gas
You may also want to have a cooking thermostat  to hand so you can check your meats have been cooked well. Nothing worse than all of your guest getting food poisoning from undercooked foods.
Tubberware and kitchen foil are essential.
A small table for the chef is also a great idea so they have a little more room
Cool bags to keep uncooked meat to save you going in and out.

Cleaning Materials

Big tip for BBQ’s is always use disposable plates and cutlery this way it can be chucked away straight away
Have a few heavy-duty bin bags in the garden so people can easily dispose of their rubbish.
Scatter hand sanitziers around so people can freshen up their hands
Have a bowl of soapy water just for the cooks hands so they can wash their hands after handling different types of meats.
Keep cleaning cloths and sponges with an antibacterial spray or washing up liquid to hand so spillages can be dealt with quickly
Keep kitchen roll or napkins in easy reach areas for everyone to use
Anti bacterial wipes and good to have near the BBQ.
Plus  tea towels for drying hands

Weather

Check the weather and makes sure you can bring the BBQ inside if needed. Do you have enough room, can you still cook outside. This is so important to plan and if you do cancel give your guests plenty of notice.  Gazebos with sides can be a good investment with the great British weather.

Garden

Make sure your garden is in top condition. You don’t want your guests to be wading through over grown grass. Cut the lawn and tidy up any edges along with hanging baskets and flower beds.

Seating

Make sure you have plenty of chairs and table space. If you don’t ask people to bring their own or ask neighbours.
Picnic blankets make a good option for children so scatter a few off these around and maybe add a few cushions if you have them. When they have finished eating you pick these up and put them straight into the washing machine.

Nibbles

Snacks like crisps and carrot sticks with dips should be on offer to starve off hunger, while you guests are waiting for the meat to cook, and to prevent them from getting too drunk too quickly.

Drinks

Make sure you have brought plenty of drinks and non alcoholic drinks for the drivers and younger guest.  If it’s a warm day store them in a cool place. I brought this amazing cooler ice table last year and it went down so well.  I just simply filled it with ice and drinks.  This also saved people from going in and out of the house and into my fridge.

Dessert

Delegate this task to your guests, people will always ask if they can bring anything and take them up pn this offer. Don’t try to be a superhero and manage every single thing. Let other people contribute slightly after all you are hosting.

Sun cream

If it’s a warm day have sun cream to hand that guests are welcome to use. It may also be a good idea to have plasters to hand too for any little accidents that may happen.

Set the mood with your music

Certain songs just scream, “SUMMER!” and will keep your party guests in a great mood all afternoon and evening long. Prepare a BBQ playlist with plenty of songs so your guests don’t keep hearing the same song over and over agin. That would really annoy me!

Keep garden decorations simple especially if you have young guests

There’s really no need to overdo it with decorations  string up some garden lights around our patio and bring out some mason jars with tea lights for after sunset. I absolutely love these flower bulb ones

Toilet

Assign one toilet for your guests so that your other bathrooms and toilets stay clean.  Make sure you have plenty of loo roll and a hand towel.  Also have a spray to hand incase anyone does an embarrassing smell.

Have fun

Now the boring bit is over its time to go and enjoy yourself with family and friends

My summer stains post will help will help with any ketchup and grass stains Take a look here

Thank you for reading
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

This post contains affiliate links 

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Cleaning with White Vinegar

by Cleaning Tips

Chances are, you’ve got a big bottle of vinegar stashed away in your cupboard. While you may use it for cooking and salad dressings, did you know it’s actually one of the most powerful cleaners on the market? Cleaning with vinegar is not only cheap and 100% natural, and it is extremely effective. 

Vinegar is made from acetic acid, so this makes it a natural disinfectant for so many germs including salmonella and E Coli. It can be great for some kitchen surfaces and appliances, as well as in the bathroom. It’s a brilliant product to have in the store cupboard and avoids using store-bought abrasive cleaners.

It’s strong enough to kill bacteria and dissolve mineral deposits, grease, and dirt.

White vinegar does have a smell but don’t worry it does disperse very quickly.

Lastly, it’s cheap! So you can clean to your heart’s content.

Window and Glass cleaning

Our windows can look really dirty really quickly but all they need is a homemade vinegar and water solution to get them sparkling in no time. I keep a spray bottle filled with half vinegar, half water then wipe clean windows and mirrors with a lint free cloth , don’t forget to label your bottles when you are making homemade cleaners.

Lime scale and hard water build up

Limescale and hard water build up can be a real pain to get rid off and many of the cleaning products on the market just don’t seem to work very well. 

Soak shower heads in a bag of white vinegar, if your shower head does not come off drench an old tea towel in white vinegar and wrap around the head .

Spray neat onto shower doors, draining boards and taps, leave for 15 minutes and then rinse away.

Carpet Stains

We all spill drinks or find marks on our carpet from time to time. white vinegar mixed with.a little washing up liquid can really help at removing those unwanted stains.  Simply mix together and add to a spray bottle, use a soft bristle brush to scrub away at the stain and then using a white cloth blot dry.

Repeat the process if necessary and then rinse away using a damp wet cloth.

Descaling the Kettle

To get rid of that horrible limescale inside your tea kettle or coffee maker, pour the water and vinegar solution directly into the appliance or water tank.

This is a monthly task that needs adding into your cleaning routine.

Simply fill the kettle with half water and 30ml of white vinegar then leave to sit for 30 minutes.  Once the time is up boil the kettle, empty and rinse thoroughly.

This will keep limescale at bay and eliminates the need of using harsh chemicals.

Prevent Mildew in water areas

If you have any mildew patches in the bathroom, around the shower, bath, window or on the shower curtain then spray liberally with neat White Wine Vinegar  leave to sit for a while to allow the product to work and then rinse away.

Remove odours from kitchen sink

Another task to add into your monthly routine is to pour a scoop bicarbonate of Soda and then add 20ml of white vinegar the two together will cause a chemical reaction which will free up any blockages and can get rid of those nasty sink odours. But this will not kill bacteria as the two actually cancel each others cleaning power out!

Clean and deodorise microwave

Many of us forget to give the microwave a good clean every now and then and it can quickly become a bit stinky.

Using a microwave-safe bowl, fill with 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1 cup water.  Place in the microwave pop on a high heat for 5 minutes.

Let it sit in microwave while it cools. 

You can then easily wipe down inside of microwave and  lingering odours should disappear. 

Cleaning the fridge

Mix a gallon of warm water and 2 cups of White Wine Vinegar to wipe down inside of refrigerator, including shelves, walls, and packaging. 

Your refrigerator will be clean and smelling clean without harming any food with harsh chemicals.

Freshen up laundry

If you feel your laundry is looking a little dull simply add 20ml of white vinegar into your washing machine. This will help brighten your colours and whiten your whites.

Grass stains

Make a mixture 20ml of white vinegar with 20ml of water. Apply the solution to the stain and blot with a clean cloth.

Repeat this process until you’ve removed as much green as possible, and then wash as usual.

Arm pit stains

A common stain which is so easy to remove using the power of white vinegar simply liberally spray under the arm of the garment, leave 15 minutes and then pop straight into the washing machine.

Cleaning your washing machine

Simply add two 100 ml into the detergent compartment or directly to the drum and then run a hot cycle to freshen up your machine. 

Wash fruit and veg

Vinegar will help remove bacteria and pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables, fill a bowl with water and add in 20ml of white vinegar, leave to soak for 5 minutes, remove then rinse. and dry off.

What Should You Not Clean with Vinegar?

There are many instances when you wouldn’t want to use vinegar, with such great power comes great responsibility!

Here are a few instances when you would want to avoid cleaning with vinegar.

  • Natural stone. Never use vinegar on your natural stone countertops or flooring including granite, marble, and quartz. It can react with the stone and defects in the surface, also causing the stone to become dull and lose its shine.
  • Hardwood floors. I know many people who use vinegar on their hardwood floors! In reality, over time it can dull the shine and sometimes void the warranty of newly installed hardwood floors.
  • Electronic screens. Vinegar can actually strip phones, TVs, and laptops of their protective coating which can enhance glare and even interfere with touch screens.
  • Knives and other metal utensils. Vinegar can corrode the metal and actually dull the knife edges, especially those made of stainless steel.

Man,Cleans,The,Filter,In,The,Dishwasher.,Maintenance,Of,Home

Dishwasher cleaning

by Cleaning Tips

Your dishwasher cleans your plates and dishes so if your dishwasher isn’t clean your plates and dishes certainly aren’t going to be clean.  Lots of people forget about cleaning the dishwasher and washing machine but these items really need to be looked after.

I have covered washing machine care before so todays it’s the turn of the dishwasher.

Cleaning the dishwasher is something I aim to do fortnightly.  I have shown this on my instastoriesbefore so  a lot of you will already know my process.

Before using my dishwasher I always ensure the dishwasher is fully filled and then I  set it on an overnight setting using the ecological wash option.

To clean here is what I do using all natural products.

Empty the filter of your dishwasher (mine simply twists and pulls). You can find how to do this in your instruction manual or on your washer manufactures website.

Wipe down all your seals and around the door with a solution of 50% white vinegar, 20% neat lemon juice and 30% water. I put the solution in a spray bottle as it can be used for other household cleaning jobs. I use Lemon juice as this leaves a fresh clean smell and lemons are also great for breaking down dirt and grim.

Place a cup of white vinegar mixed with lemon juice in the top of your dishwasher and run it on a hot cycle this will help break down any grease and gunk.

Once cycle has completed sprinkle the bottom of your dishwasher with bicarbonate of soda, bicarbonate of soda is great at eliminating any nasty smells.

You do not have to rinse this from your dishwasher just leave until the next time you use.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, this really is a simple cleaning method that takes no time at all.  I love cleaning with natural products especially lemons. Take a look at other ideas I have for cleaning with lemons.

Buying white wine vinegar and neat lemon juice in supermarkets can be expensive or not always easy to find so I have found some cheaper options for you.

White wine vinegar – CLICK HERE

Lemon Juice – CLICK HERE

As Always thank you for reading
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

This post contains affiliate links 

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Spend less money on your household cleaning

by Cleaning Tips

Cleaning your home can be expensive, there are so many wonderful products on the market presented in well-designed pretty bottles but it’s not always necessary to buy all of these products and spend lots of money.

When it comes to buying cleaning products, buy them in large quantities! You can use the wholesale stores for your shopping. For example, if you browse through the wholesale online stores and amazon you can bulk buy cleaning products at an affordable rate.

If you get together with some friends, you can buy a bulk order and split it between you so avoiding having too much in the cupboards.

When it comes to purchasing anything, buying on sale saves a lot of money. Above that, there are many stores out there which offer lucrative seasonal and end-of-the-line bargains. So always check that supermarket bargain aisle.

Lots of cleaning products now can be bought as a refill pack. These in the long run will save you money and they are better for the environment as there is less waste packaging.

Lastly you can make some fantastic cleaning products for yourself from simple ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboard. You can make some effective homemade cleaners using white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, lemons, soda crystals etc. All these products are extremely cheap and they’re really good. So, just buy them, use them as house cleaning agents and save a lot of money. They can be really some frugal replacements for expensive detergents and soaps. You can even grate a bar of soap and make a fantastic laundry detergent.

Cleaning with natural home made products saves time, space and money.

A few of my favourite staples……..

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a natural disinfectant and is fantastic at killing germs, bacteria and mould. Plus, it is great at removing tough stains and descaling kitchen appliances such a coffee machines and kettles. I like to run 100ml through my washing machine every couple of weeks.

I also love to use white vinegar for those pesky water marks. White vinegar can work out expensive if you buy from supermarkets but if you buy in bulk and pop into spray bottles it works out much cheaper and will last you ages.

Cleaning with white vinegar

Bicarbonate of Soda

Bicarbonate of Soda  is great for eliminating odours. If you have a smelly fridge simple add a small dish of Bicarbonate of Soda to the middle shelf and this will soak up and nasty smells. 

Mixed with white vinegar it’s also a very powerful drain cleaning and is great at keeping sink wastes unblocked and odour free if done on a regular basis.  This is one of my absolute favourite cleaning tips.  If the waste is particularly dirty this combination will bring the dirt up for you to see.  

Bicarbonate of Soda  very much replaces the household cream cleaner. It’s great for cleaning up baths and PVC just mix with a little washing up liquid. Bicarbonate of Soda is also great for cleaning up stained Tupperware and oven grills. 

I also use it freshen up my carpets. Add you favourite essential oil mix together, sprinkle on the carpet leave for around 30 minutes and then Hoover off. This will eliminate odours and make them smell fresh again.

Lemons and Lemon Juice

Juicy lemons smell gorgeous and can really help improve shine.  It is really surprising how well they can clean your home.

Use a drop of Lemon juice to clean your dish washer rather than buying the expensive dishwasher cleaning tablets. 

Lemons are also great for removing limescale.  Cut a lemon in half and pop on the end of your tap, leave this for an hour or so to get to work to give it time to work. 

You can also mix some Lemon juice with White Wine Vinegar to make a really good bathroom cleaner, pop both ingredients into a spray bottle with a little water and this is great for the shower door and taps.

One of my favourite lemon cleaning tips is to put a few lemon half’s in a bowl of clean cold water in the microwave and then put the microwave on full power for 5 minutes.  The lemon will release the grease which will make it really easy to wipe off with a cloth.

White Toothpaste 

White Toothpaste is great for cleaning up white rubber trims on your trainers that have become discoloured. Use a dry cloth and buff away using the toothpaste and then rinse off with warm water. Such a simple process which will give you amazing results.

White tooth paste is also great at cleaning your jewellery and making it sparkle again.

Plus another toothpaste tip that my husband loves and uses all the time is to add some onto a paper towel and then clean your car headlights with it.

Alcohol

Alcohol. who would have thought that alcohol can help keep the house clean.  Well it can and its great. I use cheap Vodka or rubbing alcohol to help out around the home. It’s perfect for cleaning windows inside and out and will keep them frost-free. 

I also pour a capful in with my fresh flowers as this will help keep them alive longer plus it great for removing pen marks.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning – I am a massive fan of steam cleaning.  Once you have invested in the steamer all you need is water to keep your floor clean and your upholstery and curtains fresh. With steam cleaning there is so much you can clean including your toilet, floors, sofa’s, shower doors, curtains and so on.  Steam kills 99% of germs and bacteria so its saves you the cost of buying household floor cleaner and fabric refresher sprays. If you are looking for a budget friendly floor steamer than check this one out from Russell Hobbs. Don’t forget I have a fantastic handheld one in my range.

E Cloths

E cloths – Initially you may think that these cloths are quite expensive but the beauty is you don’t need to use any chemicals or products with them.  It’s simply water. Add water to a spray bottle and then wipe with you ecloth to remove dirt and grim or to shine up surfaces. There is a great starter pack that will help get you started.

Essential Oils

Finally Essential oils can be mixed with water and bicarbonate of soda to add relaxing smells to your cleaning. Go for Tea Tree, Peppermint or Lemon oils as these are all natural disinfectant.

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

This post contains affiliate links 

Christmas,Presents,On,Dark,Background

Christmas present hiding

by Christmas

Hiding Christmas presents is something I have to think about every year. I like to be super organised and start my Christmas shopping as early as I can, the summer sales can be great for picking up bargains but my issue is where do I hide them?

I always have to think of clever ideas where no one in my family will be quick to look. I also have to remember where the hiding spots are.

Being organised is always the key with Christmas.

I am sure some of us as children we went off looking for Christmas presents, you may even as gone as far finding them and then opened up your presents to see what was inside and then quickly stuck it back together again. Naughty Naughty!

I have come up with a list of places that you can potentially use as hiding places. But make sure you keep a list of what you have brought, who you have brought for and where you have hidden the present.  Print of my trackable printable to help you keep track of your Christmas shopping.

I have been known to hide presents to well and then I can’t actually find them when it comes to wrapping them up! Not a good move.

My top hiding places are

  • Garage or shed – Hide them in empty boxes or thick bin bags.
  • Laundry Basket – Hide items in a disused pillow case and then leave this at the bottom of the ironing pile.  I mean in my house I tend to be the only one who does any ironing so the chances of anyone looking here are very slim.
  • Suitcase – The holiday suitcases have been put away and are no longer in use so this is the perfect place to hide items
  • Family – Use the family for deliveries and to hide items, they may have a spare room where you can leave items that no one will see. This is good for larger presents such as bikes.
  • Car boot – If you have a boot tidy in the back on your car this is another great hiding spot but always ensure you lock your car.
  • Empty shoe boxes – You may have a few of these in the bottom of your wardrobe so empty out the shoes and fill the boxes with presents.
  • Loft – Perfect place that children will struggle to get into.
  • Plastic Tupperware tub – We all have quite a few of these in the kitchen cupboards, keep a few empty and use these to hold small gifts.
  • Filing cabinet – If you have a home office the filing cabinet is a great place as this can also be locked.
  • Ottoman – Mine is full of bedding and towels so I can hide items in between.
  • Underwear drawer – This is a personal space where no one should go so hide a few items in here.
  • In books – Gift cards, iTunes vouchers can easily be hidden within a book

I hope I have given you a few ideas to make your Christmas present hiding a little more stressful.

Plan your perfect Christmas with Meal Planning, Card Lists, Gift Lists, TV viewing, 10 Day Count Down and more with the perfect Christmas planner and keep all your wrapping paper, gift tags, ribbons together in the perfect fabric storage organiser. This is literally a must have!

Ironing,Clothes,On,A,Yellow,T-shirt,On,The,Ironing,Board

Simple Ironing Tips

by Cleaning TipsLaundry

Ironing may not be your favourite way to pass the time, but it’s the key to looking good. With these top ironing tricks and tips, you can speed up your ironing, make it effortless and easy.

Remember not every single item of clothing you wash needs to be ironed.  Some clothing can be taken straight off the washing line or pulled out of the dryer, hung on a hanger and put straight away after a good shake.

What fabrics don’t need to be ironed?

Never iron sequins, velvet, or screen-printed clothing. Also, some fabrics are labeled “non iron” or “wrinkle resistant,” usually polyester and nylon.

Fabric condition can help decrease creases when washing your clothes but remember fabric conditioner is not required for all items.

Check care labels

Check the care labels in the garments and then split into temperature piles. start with the coolest temperature and work your way up.

  • Low-temperature: Acetate, acrylic, nylon
  • Medium-temperature: Polyester, silk, satin, wool
  • High-temperature: Linen, cotton, denim

Planning your ironing will save you time and prevent accidental melting or scorching.

Be prepared

Check the plate of your iron is clean, any stickiness can cause damage.

How to clean your iron

Use a sturdy steady ironing board with a good width that has a good rest area for your steam generator iron and a linen rack. When ironing position your board to be the height of your belly button. It is vital to keep a good posture when ironing.

Use a well padded ironing board cover and change once it starts to get burnt marks as these can cause damage to the plate of your iron. Most covers can be washed too, so add this task into your seasonal cleaning planner.

If you don’t have an ironing board, you can still iron by using a sturdy flat surface like a table or work top and prepare it correctly using an ironing blanket or thick cotton towel as a liner.

Invest in a good steam generator iron as this really will speed the process up and you will be surprised at the amount of time you save.

If you don’t have a steam generator iron before ironing, spritz your shirts with water. This ironing tip will help you get out stubborn wrinkles. Perhaps your iron even has a spritz option. If it does, use it! Once the item is dampened, iron as normal. The combination of water and heat will tackle wrinkles easily.

Grab some silver foil simply place a sheet of foil under the cover of your ironing board. The foil reflects heat, smoothening out the underside of your clothes as you run the iron press on the top side.

Top tips

Iron delicate fabrics inside out such as, silk, satin, linen and corduroy and also on items that sometimes are left with shine. This shine effect is most noticeable on dark colours.

You should iron fabric lengthwise to prevent stretching.

When ironing shirt collars, cuffs or pockets that are double the thickness of fabric, iron on the inside first and then on the outside to smooth any final wrinkles. 

Always remember to keep the iron moving. Stopping at any point could burn your clothing.

If you can hang the items straight onto hangers after ironing, folding them when hot can create creases which will set in.

When you are done

Keep your iron away from small children, irons can get very hot and cause injury.

Let your iron cool off and empty any water from the tank before you put it away.

Ironing is easy, why complicate it? Now that you’re privy to these convenient ironing tips and tricks, go ahead and try them. Don’t forget, the key is using the right iron so it is definitely worth investing in a good one and make it fun, listen to music or set the ironing board up so you can watch television.