logo
Sainsbury's 50p buy will get rid of stubborn scuffs on your grubby patio – and you can find it in your child's schoolbag

Sainsbury's 50p buy will get rid of stubborn scuffs on your grubby patio – and you can find it in your child's schoolbag

The Irish Sun3 days ago

YOUR patio will look sparkling and brand new with the help of a 50p Sainsbury's buy.
With
Advertisement
2
It can be tricky to keep your patio clean
Credit: Getty
2
Experts have revealed you can use a rubber to remove patio scuffs
Credit: Sainsburys
But before you invite anyone over, you may want to give your patio a bit of a scrub, to make sure it's looking shiny and brand new.
Your first thought might be to use a pressure washer, but these can be incredibly pricey, and can even end up
However, Sam Stevens, a garden expert from
"Cleaning the garden doesn't have to be an expensive job. We all love a cheap and cheerful hack and the good
news
is that there are plenty of items you'll already have in your home that can be used in the garden," he said.
Advertisement
Read more garden stories
How To Use An Eraser To Clean Your Patio
Although traditionally used by schoolkids to rub out spelling mistakes and maths errors, Sam revealed that you can use an eraser to help clean your patio.
The expert explained that if plant pots have left any marks on the patio, you can simply buff the scuffs using a rubber.
If the marks aren't too stubborn, they should come away, leaving your patio sparkling.
Rubbers are super cheap, and if there isn't one in your kids' schoolbag, you can pick one up from Sainsbury's for just 50p.
Advertisement
Most read in Fabulous
More Patio Cleaning Hacks
Frustrated but determined, Evie stumbled upon a life-changing tip during a casual scroll through the comments section on cleaning TikToks.
I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out
A recommendation buried within the comments caught her attention - someone suggested using a 69p bottle of Aldi bleach as a simple yet effective solution for sparkling patios.
She poured the bleach over the slabs, letting it soak in for around five minutes without scrubbing or extra effort.
Advertisement
Then, she fired up her jet washer again - and the results were nothing short of incredible.
Christie, who is known as @
on TikTok
also recently revealed her
How to repair broken patio slabs
THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff.
The experts advised: 'If you have a loose paving slab, then it's unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio.
'To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose.
'Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio.
"As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath.
'When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.'
She explained that she simply uses a mop and bucket, which she fills with Flash floor cleaner, along with bicarbonate of soda and boiling water.
Sharing a video of her demonstrating how it's done to her 3,501 TikTok followers, she showed how she used a mop and the mixture to clean the patio slabs.
Advertisement
Christie explained that the process is "satisfying" and that it is 'easy' to 'get all of the mud and dirt off of it.'
Plus,
Molly Woodward-Moor, Creative Director at
,
revealed that
can be used to care for stone tiles as well as lift dirt or stains that may build up on them
.
To use the product on the patio, the liquid can be diluted in warm tap water.
Then using a soft-bristled brush or non-abrasive sponge, the solution can be scrubbed into areas that need cleaning.
Advertisement
This is a gentle method for stones, that avoids scratching their surface or causing damage to tiles.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

B&M's £1 pantry staple will banish flying ants from home – as ‘tens of millions' of insects to swarm UK in just DAYS
B&M's £1 pantry staple will banish flying ants from home – as ‘tens of millions' of insects to swarm UK in just DAYS

The Irish Sun

timea day ago

  • The Irish Sun

B&M's £1 pantry staple will banish flying ants from home – as ‘tens of millions' of insects to swarm UK in just DAYS

THE B&M pantry staple that will keep pests out of your home, as experts warn this year's Flying Ant Day could be one of the biggest in recent years. This handy hack offers a low-cost, toxin free way of keeping the pesky Advertisement 2 The current weather makes for perfect conditions for flying ants Credit: Getty 2 A warning has been issued as "tens of millions" are set to swarm Credit: Getty Ground pepper can be used to deter ants from your home and is available for £1 at B&M. A study from Vanderbilt University says that ants have 400 smell receptors which allow them not only to smell their immediate surroundings, but also play a role in their communication and navigation. That is why putting down strong scents like pepper can help to deter them, as it will overload their receptors. Cheap trick to keep your home pest free There are a couple of different ways that you can use the pepper deterrent. Advertisement Fabulous The easiest is to simply sprinkle it in areas where you typically see ants in your home. However, you can also use it to mix up a makeshift bug spray, offering a cheaper alternative to forking out on insect repellent. By mixing one measure of pepper to ten measures of water you will create a spray which can then be used throughout your home. A Texas A&M University showed that water with pepper is more likely to kill Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Where to spray the ingredient in your home However, be careful not to spray it near where your pets might be, as it could cause irritation to their respiratory system or cause an upset stomach. Pest control experts are anti a significant surge in flying ant activity this year, as a result of the ideal combination of altering wet and warm weather. 'Killer' ants invading US as carnivorous insects attack humans with needle-like bite – and number will spike in weeks Biggest flying ant day in recent memory This summer's particularly high humidity is perfect for swarming. Experts have suggested that year's Flying Ant Day - the annual mating flight where millions fill the skies in synchronised displays - could be one of the biggest in recent years. Advertisement Paul Blackhurst, Head of the Technical Academy at Rentokil Pest Control, told He added: "This natural event, when vast numbers of winged ants, known as alates, take to the skies at once in search of mates from other colonies, could be one of the most prolific for years." Keep pests out all summer IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.

Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years
Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years

The Irish Sun

time2 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years

THEY might not be the most instant transformers. But climbing plants can be a brilliant way to hide ugly fences or walls, and there are seven in particular that gardening pro 3 Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the seven climbing plants that are perfect for covering up ugly walls and fences Credit: YouTube 3 They provide pretty flowers and gorgeous fragrance when trailed on fences Credit: YouTube "Climbing plants are wonderful for transforming ugly sheds, walls and fences with a mass of flowers, foliage and fragrance," he said in an installment of his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh "The wonderful thing about climbers is that there's a climber for every situation!" The former Ground Force presenter went on to detail his favourite climbing plants, as he explained where and when they can be used. At the very top of his list is the Clematis 'Shimmer', which is perfect for growing in full sun or partial shade. Read more Gardening stories It produces large flowers, in this instance purple, and does that a couple of times per year. Second on the list, the Clematis 'Montana'. These "very, very vigorous" plants will "cover the side of a cathedral", Alan said, and can grow up to 12 metres in height. So they definitely aren't the ones to choose if you've got a small area you want to cover. Most read in Fabulous With both the Montana and Shimmer varieties, they like their "roots in the shade and heads in the sun". "When you plant them, a little bit of flagstone laid on the area around the roots will stop the sun from striking it and drying the soil out," Alan explained. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either If you've got a spot in the shade that needs covering with a climbing plant, it's worth considering Lonicera 'Scentsation' (Honeysuckle). The "woodland native" that's "happy in dappled shade" produces spidery flowers and "the most glorious" honeysuckle scent. It can grow to between four and nine metres, and flowers the most during spring and summer. "It has twining stems, so loosely loop them in as they grow to cover the area you want to," he added. Or, if you want a "reliable" climber, then the Hydrangea petiolaris is a good choice. It's suitable for shade, and can grow up to eight metres wide. How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. And the main draw of the plant is that it's a "self clinger", that "glues itself to the wall as it spreads". "It will cover quite a large area on a wall that's often too shady to cover with anything else," Alan continued. The Thunbergia 'Black Eyed Susan' is up next, and grows up to 2.5m tall. While the majority of the plants Alan has recommended are perennial, this is annual - meaning it only survives for one year. But it makes a pretty addition to a garden for "late spring, early summer and right through to early autumn". The sixth plant on Alan's list, which can top 9m in height, is the Rhyncospermum Jasminoides. "This is another plant for a sunny, warm fence," he said. "Give it sun and you'll get these glorious white flowers and a fabulous scent." The seventh and final climber Alan recommends is the Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'. It's more of a "shrubby" climber that doesn't cling, you have to train it to grow where you want it to. And he added that it's also a good choice if you're short on space, as there's a nifty way you can train it for a smaller area too. 3 You need to consider whereabouts the area is that you need to cover when choosing a climber Credit: Getty

Ex-Premier League manager wins bitter battle with neighbours over 7 ‘nuisance' trees full of squawking magpies
Ex-Premier League manager wins bitter battle with neighbours over 7 ‘nuisance' trees full of squawking magpies

The Irish Sun

time3 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

Ex-Premier League manager wins bitter battle with neighbours over 7 ‘nuisance' trees full of squawking magpies

FORMER Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has won his battle with neighbours to axe seven "nuisance" trees at his Cheshire mansion - despite fears for magpies. The Advertisement 3 Retired football player Kevin Keegan Credit: Getty 3 The sycamore trees near his home (not pictured) are all in poor condition. Similar trees are pictured on a public road Credit: Matthew Pover One protestor even sent a sound recording to the local council of birds in the trees including blackbirds, blue tits, parakeets, robins and Magpies, in a desperate bid to save the 60ft-high sycamores. Newcastle are called the Magpies because of their black and white striped kit, like the bird's plumage, and The 50-year-old trees were slapped with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) before the row of four houses, including Keegan's, were built. But Keegan and his neighbours have now successfully applied to the local council to have the "dead and decaying" trees completely felled to the ground. Advertisement Read more neighbour rows In a letter, one objector wrote: "The protected trees have always provided a welcome and quite natural habitat for the wide diversity of animals, especially birds. "For many years, our property and those of our neighbours have overlooked an empty field. Now our view, especially during the winter months, is of four detached houses. "During the summer months, a time when most people enjoy being out in their gardens, the protected trees have provided a level of privacy, shade from the sun and good noise reduction (for all parties). "Over the last 40 years I can honestly say the protected trees have caused no real problems at all. To destroy live trees would be a tragedy." Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Exclusive Another objector, whose house backs on to They said: "I am in total agreement that tree maintenance and action is required to the trees. My objection is with some of the proposed action." A third objector said: "The face the trees are now considered a nuisance shouldn't necessitate their wanton removal, after all the trees were there long before the houses were built." Keegan won three Division One Championships, two UEFA Cups, one FA Cup and a European Cup in his playing career at Advertisement As a manager, he is famous for his "I would love it if we beat them" rant at Sir Alex Ferguson as his The former England boss moved to his five-bedroom Cheshire pad in 2002 and has since added a loft conversion, two dormer windows and a rear conservatory. Officials at Trafford Council gave the go-ahead for the tree felling by April 2027, but ordered that new trees should be planted. They said: "The sycamore trees proposed for removal are all in poor condition, most have areas of dead bark on the lower stem, structural weaknesses in the crown and poor leaf budding rates. Advertisement "Decay is evident in several previous pruning points and these trees are likely to become hazardous in the near future if they remain." 3 The former England boss moved to his five-bedroom Cheshire pad in 2002 Credit: Jon Bond - The Sun

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store