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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
UK households warned over common hosepipe mistake that costs you money
Before you toss your hosepipe in the shed in the midst of widespread bans across the UK, make sure you follow these expert storage tips - or risk having to spend more money As hosepipe bans come into force across much of the UK, Brits are being warned to be careful about how they store them away – or risk losing money. Yorkshire became the first UK region on July 11 to initiate this year's wave of hosepipe bans after a dry spring. Meanwhile, there are bans coming in for Kent and Sussex in South East England and Swindon, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire in the coming days. A hosepipe ban by South East Water begins on July 18 and Thames Water's hose restrictions starts on July 22, which will impact millions of Brits. READ MORE: Never plant 'silent killer' flower in garden despite its beautiful colours However, before you stow your hosepipe away, an expert has urged Brits to be cautious. Otherwise, you can end up wasting water and incurring a charge. Storing your hosepipe can lead to sunlight damage, knots and kinks and general wear and tear. Your hosepipe may even need to be replaced, which can cost an average of £50. Max Ledsham, an expert from Kingfisher Direct, has provided the key steps for correctly storing a hosepipe to prevent damage. Even better, they're incredible simple to follow. He urges gardeners to fully drain the water before storing away, as moisture can cause algae growth and damage the interior of the pipe. You can always use the excess water on plants and grass. You should also store it out of the sunlight, as prolonged sunlight and heat damage can cause cracks and brittleness to appear in your hosepipe. Instead, Max says you should store your hosepipe inside in a cool, dry location, like a garden shed or garage. Equally, you should your hosepipe off the floor and on a wall mounted hanger instead. Max recommends that this can prevent exposure to dirt, as well as keeping pests from crawling inside. Of course, you should also be careful to wrap your hosepipe neatly around the hanger. This prevents the formation of knots and kinks, which can weaken parts of the hosepipe over time and cause breakage. Max advises that storing your hosepipe away during the ban is crucial as it will stop you from using your hosepipe out of habit. After all, if it's out of sight it's out of mind. He says: 'Failing to adhere to the hosepipe ban regulations can result in legal penalties and a £1000 fine issued by the court. In order to correctly follow the ban you must avoid using a hosepipe to water your garden, including plants, vegetables and grass.' He continues: 'In addition, you can't use a hosepipe to clean private vehicles or any outdoor surfaces like patios, walls or windows. Finally, you must not use a hosepipe to fill a paddling pool, cold plunge pool, hot tub or pond'.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Five expert hacks to stop your bins from smelling this summer – are you storing yours all wrong?
THE warm weather can cause your kitchen bin to be emit unwanted odours. To stop your leftover from marinating in the heat, experts have revealed five simple hacks to keep your bin smelling fresh all summer long. 2 Echo News spoke to a variety of cleaning pros and rounded up the top five steps to a fresh bin. First, home cleaning company Method recommended emptying your bin every couple of days. They added that this is especially necessary if you've just thrown away anything "particularly pungent". "If you're dealing with food waste, consider getting a compost bin to separate out organic scraps and reduce bin stink altogether," they explained. Ryan Kaila, who works as a waste and recycling expert for Kingfisher Direct, revealed another way to limit bad smells in your bin. "Baking soda is a household item that can be used to reduce foul smells in the bin," he advised. "Simply sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda in the bottom of the bin before placing a new bin liner in." He explained that baking soda is effective in neutralising odour molecules in the air. According to the expert, for this hack to work effectively, you should always wash your bin thoroughly beforehand. Keeping your bins out of direct sunlight can also help prevent foul smells, says Michael Bogoyavlenskiy, CEO of Cleaning Express. I'm a cleaning expert, you're mopping your floor all wrong, all you need is a pair of socks "First, try to keep your bins in the shade if you can, as this'll limit how hot they get," he explained. "If it's not possible to move them, consider building a bin storage area that provides some shade." He also suggested double-bagging particularly smelly items, including fish packaging, before throwing away. You can also sprinkle in scented products along with baking soda, battling the bad odours. Scented bin liners and bin fresheners are popular choices, while anti-bacterial sprays, such as Method's all-purpose cleaner, can also be added to a bin before adding a bin bag. 5 cleaning hacks Say goodbye to ironing Don't have time to smooth out the wrinkles of a shirt with an iron? Lenor 's Crease Releaser makes wrinkles vanish - simply hang up creased items, give them a quick spritz and smooth against a hard surface. Teabags for trainers When trainers smell a little squiffy, pop a used (and still moist) tea bag inside and leave for about an hour. The tannins will seep into the sole of the shoe to fight nasty-smelling odours. Remove limescale without scrubbing When bathroom taps start looking a little grimy with limescale, slice a lemon in half and sprinkle on baking soda. Rub the fruit over the taps and with a gentle clean they will come up sparkling. Use a toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. Streak-free mirrors and windows White vinegar is a handy secret weapon when it comes to keeping mirrors and windows streak-free. Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle. Squirt then wipe with a microfibre cloth and voilà, clean glass in an instant. Make your home smell amazing For dust-free skirting boards, pour some fabric softener onto a cloth and give them a quick wipe. It will stop dirt collecting so quickly and, as an added bonus, make your home smell amazing. Finally, you will want to ensure your bin remains dry as moisture can significantly increase bacteria levels, causing bad odours. If you notice condensation inside your bin, wipe it down with a microfibre cloth before replacing the bin liner. The experts at Method also recommend disposing of any food waste in sealed containers. This helps to prevent the buildup of unwanted residue at the bottom of your bin, helping to keep things fresh and reduce unwanted smells. 2
