Latest news with #cleaninghacks
The Sun
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I'm the Queen of Clean & swear by 69p Superdrug buy to get rid of greasy suncream stains – it's probably in your handbag
FROM barbeques to days at the beach, summertime can be a lot of fun but one essential may be damaging your favourite clothes. While essential for your health and well-being, suncream can be fatal to your wardrobe. 3 3 The summer staple can be a real nuisance to remove from clothes if it comes into contact with them. And you'll want to act quick as the longer you leave it, the worse it'll become. So if you're out and about when the stain happens, a cleaning expert has shared a handy hack. You probably already have the holy grail item somewhere in your handbag. To begin, This Morning's Lynsey Crombie recommended gently blotting the stain to absorb as much of the cream as possible. This will help to prevent the product from spreading further across the material. Hand sanitiser And the best way to stop this from happening is to cover the stain with hand sanitiser. With a high alcohol content, this product acts as an on-the-go solvent when you can't throw the stained item into the wash. Hand sanitiser can help loosen and lift sunscreen stains, especially those containing oils and certain chemicals, as it breaks down these substances. The alcohol helps to emulsify the oils in the suncream, making them easier to wash away. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' And you can pick up a bottle of hand sanitiser for just 69p from Superdrug. Other DIY hacks And if you find yourself trying to save your clothes from suncream stains while you're away at the beach, your saving grace is literally all around you. "Cover the stain with sand to dry it out," the cleaning expert advised. "As soon as you can, rinse the stain from the reverse under a cold water tap, to help push it out of the fabric." And if a spillage mishap happens at a barbecue, begin by scraping any excess product with a blunt knife. Laundry tips Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips. How often should you be remaking your bed? When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better. Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets! You want to be washing your sheets once a week - or every 10 days if you don't suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn't look dirty. Using an effective detergent like smol's will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle - that's better for the planet and your energy bills! What temperature do smol recommend then? For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It's gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties. What's the difference between bio and non-bio detergent? Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It's best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively. Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn't contain enzymes, it's still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process. This helps to prevent it from seeping further into the fabric. "You should then flip the item inside out and rinse under cold running water to push the sauce out from the back, as this helps lift the stain rather than spread it," Lynsey said. "Cold water also prevents the stain from setting." Summer cleaning hacks Plus, hacks for removing stubborn sweat stains from your clothes this summer. A three-ingredient paste will leave any yellowed item looking whiter and brighter than ever. But you may want to rethink drying your clothes on your line this summer. However, if you do hang out your clothes a simple hack can speed up the process.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
I tried jet washing my patio slabs & they still looked dirty – a 69p Aldi buy got them looking brand new
WE'VE all been there - standing in the garden with a jet washer in hand, full of optimism, ready to blast away months of grime from the patio. But sometimes, no matter how determined you are, those stubborn stains just won't budge. 3 That's exactly what happened to Evie, a council house mum who regularly shares her cleaning tips and tricks on TikTok via her page ' evie_brooks '. In her latest video, Evie revealed her struggle with her patio slabs, admitting that despite her best efforts with a jet washer, it 'hardly did anything.' Frustrated but determined, Evie stumbled upon a life-changing tip during a casual scroll through the comments section on cleaning TikToks. 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. Intrigued, Evie decided to give it a go. She poured the bleach over the slabs, letting it soak in for around five minutes without scrubbing or extra effort. Then, she fired up her jet washer again - and the results were nothing short of incredible. In her video, Evie showed off her transformed patio slabs, which looked as good as new. The dull, dirty orange tint had vanished, replaced by a fresh, clean surface that instantly brightened her garden - and all for less than a pound. Evie's discovery is proof that sometimes the simplest hacks can make the biggest difference. I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out So, if your patio is looking worse for wear, maybe it's time to head to Aldi, grab that 69p bleach, and give it a go. And who knows - your cleaning success story might just inspire someone else. Evie's video quickly gained traction, racking up an impressive 117.7k views and 21 comments in just one day. Viewers were quick to share their own advice and experiences: One commented: 'Might work even better when you brush in the bleach before you powerwash. Spread it evenly and let it sit for a few minutes.' 3 3 Another added: 'My gardener recommended this too and I haven't tried it but seeing this I'm definitely going to!' A third chimed in: 'Mould and mildew spray by Astonish can get in Poundland. I've tried both, mold spray is way better!' June gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you should take this month. Stake out leggy perennials With all the dramatic weather we've been having, it's definitely time to stake out your leggy perennials (the ones that come back every year). Heavy rain and growth spurts, can make them collapse and flop. Picking out the slugs and snails Hopefully as we move into summer they will do less damage as the plants get bigger. The best way is still to go out at night with a head torch to find them. Pick elderflower heads You can use them to make your own cordial, or add to cakes, champagne or even fry them in batter. Get on top of weeds It's around now that weeds really ramp up in the garden, so keep on top of them with hoe-ing - or just the traditional 'on your knees with a hand fork'. Try and avoid chemicals - remember weeds are just plants in the wrong place. Up the mowing You'll need to mow your lawn weekly now - if you've got time, weed it beforehand as once you mow you chop off the leaves and its harder to see them. Check on your tomatoes Your tomato plants will need attention - water, feed and regularly and pinch out the sideshoots. Chelsea Chop There's still time for the Chelsea Chop - plants like Rudbeckia's, Asters, Penstemons, Sedums and other perennials can be cut back by a third to help them get a bit more bushy, and prolong the flowering period. Sort out your tulips If you can be bothered and have space - lift and story your tulip bulbs to ensure colour next Spring. Deadheading your roses Take them down to the first set of healthy leaves - which will ensure more flowers for longer. Enjoy your space Take some time to sit and enjoy your garden or outside space - it's great for your mental health. Even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The £1.25 M&S essential cleaners are calling a ‘life-saver' & it's perfect for parents with messy kids too
EVERY parent knows the constant battle of trying to keep a child's clothes clean. A budget-friendly M&S buy can help to tackle stains and leave all your laundry looking spotless. 2 Cleaning enthusiasts heaped on the praise for a handy item that is sure to become an essential in your caddy. The buy was shared in a Facebook group dedicated to Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips. Sharing a picture of fabric cleaning wipes, one impressed poster wrote: "These!!!! Currently £1.25 a pack in M&S. They are a life saver!" The M&S customer went on to detail her experience with the Stain Removing Wipes. "I've used on several tops which have had the dreaded spaghetti bolognase sauce on," the Facebook user revealed. She summed up the results by saying she would "highly recommend" the item to other parents. Other cleaning fans added their thoughts on the wipes in the comments section. "And they smell lush," wrote one impressed person. "I've seen loads of good reviews about them," agreed another Facebook user. "These wipes are a life changer for holidays, used them for a couple of years, best stain wipes ever," said a third cleaning fan. Mrs Hinch loves it but it's the most toxic cleaning product ever… I've seen it do so much damage & I'm a pro cleaner "I wouldn't be without these, they are amazing!" commented another buyer. Another homeowner pointed out that the wipes are "great on carpets and car seats too". Fabulous has tried and tested some of the top stain remover hacks out there so you don't have to. The M&S wipes tackled everything from tomato sauce to stubborn oil stains. Instead of reaching for baby wipes to clean up your little one's mess, upgrade to these budget buys. 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. However, for larger or older stains that have alreadt set in, you will likely need something a bit more heavy duty. So if you're investing in these cleaning wipes, be sure to act quickly if you spot a stain. And be warned, tougher stains such as grass may require a little more elbox grease. Or check out the five other highly-rated stain removing products on the market. 2
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
'Cleanfluencers' reveal 10 nifty hacks to keep your house smelling great between deep cleans
No matter how hard you scrub the floors, a house doesn't feel clean until it smells good. This was the idea that FMCG giant Procter & Gamble used to turn its air freshener Febreze from a 'flop' into a billion-dollar brand in the late Noughties - after it initially struggled to find buyers. By scenting the originally odour-less spray - that was designed to eliminate bad smells - the firm saw a massive uptick in sales of Febreze as people incorporated it into their daily lives as the final step of their cleaning rituals. The pleasant scent felt like a reward for their effort - an aspect of human psychology that has fuelled the sales of air fresheners, disinfectants, candles, and diffusers alike while also leading many to come up with their own, free hacks to make homes smell amazing. For instance, UK-based cleaning influencer Carly Wood - who has over 50,000 followers - recently revealed her top secrets for a divine-smelling house in a clip as she confessed 'it's the biggest compliment for me'. And it all starts with the basics, with Carly advising homeowners to deal with their bins as promptly as possible because they 'stink very quickly'. Her next 'old-school' trick is to add a few drops of essential oil to the inside of your toilet tube rolls. This will release the scent every time the roll spins, and you can do this every three-four days to keep your loo smelling delightfully fresh. 2. Set of 3 Honey & Silk Aroma Oils £4.80 Shop Finally, Carly advised pouring your best-smelling disinfectant in the sink, followed by some boiling water, as the scent diffuses through your home. 3. Astonish Zesty Lemon Concentrated Disinfectant 300ml £1.20 Shop Elsewhere, popular 'cleanfluencer' Georgia - who co-hosts The Homebirds podcast - shared her most effective hacks to 'make your home smell BEAUTIFUL' on TikTok last week. Her first trick is to stick felt pads in your drawers and spritz your favourite perfume on it. 4. Argos Home Felt Gard 25mm Round Pads - 16 Pack £1.50 Shop Spraying crease releaser on your bedsheets and duvet covers will keep your bedroom smelling lovely for hours, she added, and popping a dryer sheet into your pillowcases before washing them is also incredibly effective. 5. Lenor Crease Releaser Spray Removes Creases in Fabric, £10.23 Shop 'The next time you find yourself mopping your bathroom, don't just stop at mopping the floor,' she continued. Georgia advised using a floor cleaner with a strong scent, like Astonish's Peony Bloom variant, to swab her bathrooms walls and ceiling as well. 'I kid you not, the smell lasts for days.' 7. Astonish's Peony Bloom floor cleaner £1.09 Shop Meanwhile, one of Australia's best-known home influencers, Chantel Mia, surprised her 1.6 million TikTok followers when she revealed she mopped the tiles in her bathroom using shaving cream to 'neutralise odours'. 8. Gillette Classic Sensitive Shave Foam 200ml £2 Shop In a separate video, she tested different hacks that make her house always smell good and shared the best budget-friendly tricks - including popping two tablespoons of vanilla extract in a baking dish and put it in the oven to 'bake' for a few minutes. 'Your home will smell like cookies,' she revealed. 9. Nielsen Massey Vanilla Extract £7 Shop The Melbourne-based mum also swears by dunking cotton balls in essential oils and placing them strategically around the house including under bin liners. For the tenth tip, it's worth looking into high quality room sprays to upgrade your cleaning routine with minimal effort. Co-founder of cleaning brand Preston Lane Preston Konrad states 'scent is half the battle. 'You know the feeling when you walk into a hotel and everything just smells clean? That's not bleach - it's intentional fragrance. I believe scent is one of the most powerful tools in your cleaning routine. Products that smell amazing instantly make your space feel fresher, even if it's not perfectly spotless.' Preston Lane has rolled out its range of innovative water-based room sprays made without no nasties imbued with scents that will transport you to a sun-soaked European holiday destination. Otherwise, Neom are known for their luxury home fragrances. If you'd like to whip up a DIY scent for your house, Chantel recommended boiling one sliced lemon, four sprigs of fresh rosemary, and one tablespoon of vanilla extract to create a refreshing scene. 'Allow to simmer to fill your home with fragrance,' Chantel wrote and carefully carried the pot of scented water around her home. 'Remember to keep topping up with water throughout the day.' TikTok users were thrilled with the insight, and one woman questioned how the leftovers should be used. 'Distilled water is a great room spray, or with 50/50 white vinegar and water you can make a multipurpose cleaner,' Chantel said. She also said the homemade scent last up to three full days, while a homemade spray would last a few months. 'Going to do that today, hopefully get rid of the foggy smell - all natural as well!' another person wrote in the comments of the video. 'I did this last night and it smelt like Williams Sonoma!' another said.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 39p trick to get your garden furniture rust-free and it works in magic while you sleep
WITH summer now here, most of us want to go out and make the most of our gardens. But, if you've left your furniture out all winter long, then it most probably is rusty and not looking its best. 1 Fortunately, a garden furniture expert has shared the easy way to get it looking brand new again rather than forking out hundreds on new tables and chairs. The experts at Pergolux revealed how you can use common household items to remove rust from garden furniture and tools. Sam Stevens, from the company, said: "A lot of people will be looking at their gardens to get them ready for the brighter and longer days ahead. "Garden cleaning doesn't need to be an expensive job. "We all love a cheap and cheerful hack, so whether you're buffing away stains, achieve a streak-free finish on glass or eliminate rust, you'll find something in your house." And one of the best ways to banish rust is by using a fizzy drink. Fizzy drinks remove rust through a chemical reaction where phosphoric acid converts the rust (iron oxide) into a less harmful iron phosphate compound, reports the Express. This iron phosphate forms a protective layer on the metal, inhibiting further corrosion. You can use the drink to clean pretty much anything, from rusty tools and furniture to hinges and the metal parts of your barbecue. Small tools can be soaked in fizzy drinks overnight while furniture and other large items you will need to pour some of the drink onto a cloth and wrap it over the rusty area overnight. That means it does all of the hard work while you're asleep. In the morning, simply give it a wipe down and the rust should be gone. Value brand fizzy drinks can be bought at all major supermarkets with prices starting at 39p for lemonade and 49p for cola in Tesco and Aldi. You can also use ketchup in the same way if you don't have any fizzy drinks to hand. This is great for brass or copper garden décor including patio furniture, garden gates or old metal watering cans. Simply apply a thin layer of ketchup to the affected area and let it sit for around fifteen minutes before gently scrubbing it away and rinsing with water.
