Latest news with #laundrytips
The Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The £1 hack that'll leave your clothes crease-free and smelling amazing – with no iron in sight
IT is a pretty simple task but ironing is detested by millions when it comes to household chores. In fact, a whopping 60% of Brits have confessed they will do anything to avoid it despite most of them owning an iron and board. 2 Luckily, if you're one of them there's an easy hack that will help get your clothes crease-free without doing the dreaded ironing. While there are plenty of crease releasers on the high-street, turns out, you can easily make your very own for a fraction of the price. What's more, not only will it save you heaps of cash in the long run but the £1 concoction will also leave your laundry smelling fabulous. The cash-savvy solution was recently shared on TikTok by one money-smart cleaning fan only known as @ dagger95. According to the thrifty TikToker, the answer to crease-free clothing is simple - and you can find it for just a quid. She told fellow social media users: ''I do this with just water or ever water and a little bit of fabric softener in a Febreze bottle or any bottle. ''You do not need a special solution. hope this helps all my broke besties, like me.'' If your favourite fabric softener is running low, you can find a mega 1l bottle for £1 at Savers - or £1.70 at Aldi, £2.50 at Sainsbury's and other supermarkets. Before using this spray, it's best to test it on a small, hidden part of your shirt or garment to make sure it won't cause any discolouration. To use this DIY wrinkle releaser, hang your garment on a clothes hanger or lay it out flat on your bed. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' Pull the garment taught as you generously spray the DIY mix over it and run your hand over the wrinkles to help smooth them out. You want to make the fabric damp, but not soak it - as the more you spray, the longer your clothes will take to dry. If you choose to de-wrinkle your outfits before bed, you can be even more generous with the affordable spray. 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. More de-creasing hacks If you don't own an iron or simply can't be bothered, digital department store Freemans has partnered with domestic cleaner Mariya Gurkova at home services business Fantastic Services to provide some top alternative hacks. Mariya revealed that a damp towel and tumble dryer are all you need to mimic an iron. She said: 'Put the wrinkled item in the dryer with a damp towel or a few ice cubes and run it on medium heat for about 15 minutes. "Steam will be generated inside the dryer by the moisture from the towel or ice cubes, which will help loosen the wrinkles and smooth out the fabric. When dried, fold immediately to avoid ironing." She added: 'You can also use a hair dryer to remove last-minute wrinkles. "Simply dampen the wrinkled area of the garment with water or a wrinkle-removing spray. Use the lowest setting and pull the fabric taut when drying. "Hair flat irons can help remove creases from small sections of clothing." Mariya also suggested that a hot cooking pot can be used to give your clothes a quick iron. All you need to do is fill the pan with boiling water, let it heat up the pot and then pour it out. You can then use the base of the pot to smooth out your garments.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The £1 hack to remove pet hair from clothes – one woman tried it and was ‘ashamed' at how much came out
IF you've got a four-legged pal, you'll know how frustrating it is to find hairs covering your laundry. So it comes as no wonder that a woman has been praised after sharing a quick hack to remove pet hair from your freshly washed clothes in seconds - and it's budget-friendly too. 3 3 3 Taking to Facebook, Sarah Jane Hively revealed how she used a common beauty buy to tackle the annoying problem all pet owners are too familiar with. According to the cleaning whizz, a member of the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips group, the secret remedy is Velcro hair rollers. That's right, the rollers not only work wonders for giving you a fancy hairdo but they can also remove stubborn pet hair with no faff - and you can find them for just a quid at Poundland. All you need to do is simply throw a couple of them in the washing machine, put it for a wash and let the rollers work their magic. Once the wash has finished, you can rub the rollers together to remove the hair - or you can pick the strands off - and then they're ready to use again. If you don't have a Poundland store nearby, plenty of other retailers are selling the hair must-have too, such as Savers and B&M - there's really no need to fork out for fancy ones. However, you should be careful to not wash any delicate items, such as silks or woollens - as the hack could damage these garments, one woman recently warned. However, other than these, the rollers work wonders when they're put in the drum. Sharing the game-changer of a hack online, Sarah also uploaded two snaps of the rollers - and the jaw-dropping ball of hair that came out of them. ''The lady that said about Velcro rollers in the washing machine for pet I'm ashamed,'' she chuckled in the caption of the post. Doctor shares why you must never wash clothes at 90 or 40 degrees & the right temperature for 'everything but gym gear' ''Works a treat! Thank you.'' Replying to other fans of Mrs Hinch, Sarah also said: ''These are Poundland cheap Velcro ones. ''They haven't pulled mine (clothes) ..i'm guessing the Velcro isn't as strong as ones purchased from Boots.'' 10 Grossest Areas People Forget to Clean By Danielle Mason, who has 20 years of experience Under and Behind the Fridge Crumbs, dust, and spills accumulate over time, attracting pests and creating bad odours. Shower Curtain & Liner These collect mildew and soap scum but are often overlooked. Wash or replace them regularly to keep your bathroom fresh. Toothbrush Holder One of the germiest places in the bathroom, filled with bacteria and toothpaste residue. Rinse and disinfect it weekly. Dishwasher Filter Food particles and grease build up, leading to unpleasant smells and reduced efficiency. Remove and clean the filter every few weeks. Washing Machine Seal The rubber gasket traps mould, mildew, and detergent buildup. Wipe it down with white vinegar and leave the door open to air dry. Light Switches and Remote Controls Touched daily but rarely cleaned, making them germ hotspots. Wipe them down with disinfectant regularly. Under the Sofa Cushions Crumbs, dust, and even lost items hide in the cracks. Remove the cushions and vacuum thoroughly. Kitchen Sink & Plughole Food residue builds up, causing bad odours. Pour boiling water, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar down the drain to freshen it. Ceiling Fans Dust piles up on the blades and gets redistributed into the air when turned on. Use a microfibre cloth or pillowcase to clean them easily. Doormats They trap dirt and bacteria from shoes but are rarely washed or vacuumed. Shake them out weekly and deep clean them every month. Head to her Instagram pages for more cleaning information @ missmasoncleaning @ daniellemasonuk And people in the comments section were quick to praise the pet owner for sharing the hack, which has been liked more than a whopping 9.3k times. As fans tagged their friends and family, one said: ''I wish I'd seen this and hour ago, I've just put some cat blankets through.'' A dog lover chimed in: ''I've got 5 spaniels….this is a game changer.''
CNET
20-06-2025
- General
- CNET
Stop Shoving Your Fitted Sheets in the Closet and Do This Instead
My linen closet looks picture-perfect at first glance. Pillowcases are stacked neatly, comforters are folded just right, and extra pillows sit in an orderly row. But hidden in the back corner is the one thing I can never seem to conquer -- my fitted sheets. No matter how many tutorials I watch, they always end up looking like a wrinkled lump of frustration. If you've also given up on folding fitted sheets the "right" way, you're not alone. They're notoriously tricky, and most of us just shove them into a corner and call it a day. But with the right visual guide and a few simple moves, you can finally fold a fitted sheet like a pro and bring real order to your linen closet. CNET The reason why fitted sheets are so dang hard to fold is that they have stretchy, rounded edges. It's obvious how to fold a square object, but folding a rounded one? That's a little tougher. Many people think folding a fitted sheet is an impossible task that takes a team (or at least several hands) or some kind of crazy gymnastics to accomplish. But if you're hoping to get ahead on your cleaning, you're in luck: We'll show you a foolproof, less complicated way to fold a fitted sheet. For more tips, learn how to best wash your sheets and bedding, and learn about these laundry symbols or you might ruin your clothes. How best to fold a fitted sheet First, lay the sheet out on a flat surface like your bed or the floor. Then, grab one edge and tuck it into the edge directly across from it. So, if you grab the right edge, tuck it into the left edge. It doesn't matter if you're tucking horizontally or vertically -- just don't tuck diagonally. Also, as you tuck, make sure the corner seams line up. Tuck it in, smooth it out. Alina Bradford/CNET If you do this part right, the elastic will be folded down and the new edge of the sheet will be smooth, right angles. Do the same thing to the bottom corners. When you're done, your edges should look something like this. Alina Bradford/CNET Final steps The hardest part is now over, and you just need to smooth out the edges and corners. If the sheet won't lie perfectly flat, don't panic. The bumps will be hidden by the time you finish folding it. Now, you should have a rectangle-ish shape to work with. Fold the sheet in half so that the elastic edges are hidden, smooth out the corners and fold the sheet in half again. Keep folding it in half until you have a nice, neat bundle. This will probably take some practice -- it definitely took me a few times to perfect. Give it a few tries and you'll have folded linens that you can easily store without all the hassle. A tidy fitted sheet can be achieved. Alina Bradford/CNET Bonus: A quick shortcut There is another, albeit lazier, way. You can just fold your sheets however you want, then stuff them into a matching pillow case. Your linen closet will still look tidy and no one will ever know. More laundry tips and tricks
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
The secret button on your washing machine that can slash your energy bills by £72
WASHING machines are a busy household's best friend, but they can be a drain on your wallet. Luckily, experts have revealed a handy little tip to help make your laundry cheaper. 1 You can save around £72 a year on your energy bills by flicking the spin button before popping wet clothes in the tumble dryer. Miele kitchen appliance expert Ryan Adams, director of Ati Harrogate has revealed why this handy tip can save big money. 'Placing wet clothes directly into a tumble dryer forces the appliance to work much harder. "Running a second spin cycle in the washing machine to remove excess water and untangling items before drying helps the clothes move freely in the drum, reducing strain on the dryer. 'Including a thorough spin cycle before tumble drying can help households potentially save between £29 to £72 annually.' And that's not the only tip guaranteed to save you some cash - Ryan also has strong views when it comes to mixed washing. We often chuck all sorts of clothing and bedding together, but one mixture to avoid is washing towels and bed linen. This combination can also cause damage to your washing machine drum too. Ryan said: 'Washing towels and bed linen in the same load can cause excessive strain on a washing machine. "The added water weight often exceeds the recommended load capacity, potentially damaging the drum shaft and bearings. "Additionally, these items tend to form a single heavy ball during the cycle, which can bounce around and harm the machine's internal parts.' Another tip is to always check pockets, as coins can wreak havoc on washing machines and driers. "These items can bang around inside the drum, leading to expensive repairs. A quick check of pockets before starting a load can save your machines and prevent unnecessary costs.' Finally, another thing to keep in mind when you're next working through a pile of dirty washing is to remember to empty the lint trap. Ryan said: 'Neglecting the lint trap can have serious consequences. "A clogged trap reduces airflow, forcing the dryer to work harder, which not only wastes energy but also risks overheating the appliance. 'Regularly cleaning the lint trap before each drying cycle makes it more efficient and safer, preventing fire hazards.' More ways to save on laundry bills It's not just eco settings that can slash your energy bills when doing the laundry. Make sure you only run the machine when it's fully loaded. Cutting down on a half full cycle each week adds up to significant savings over a year. Consider using colder washes more frequently. A large part of the energy consumer by a machine is to simply heat the water. When drying clothes, try to ditch the tumble drier where possible. Drying clothes outside is easy and quick in the summer. When temperatures are cooler, consider investing in a heated clothes airer which use far less energy than a drier. And put your clothes on an extra spin cycle first to wring out as much water as possible. If you do use a tumbler drier make sure all lint is removed from the filters, which can impact the efficiency of the machine and means it has to work harder and use more energy. Popping an old tennis ball in a tumble drier with your laundry can help clothes to separate out and dry faster to help you use less energy. 4 ways to keep your energy bills low Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips. 1. Turn your heating down by one degree You probably won't even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70. 2. Switch appliances and lights off It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills 3. Install a smart meter Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used. 4. Consider switching energy supplier No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you've let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven't browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
How to dry laundry without a dryer when it's cold or wet outside
Getting clothes and linen dry in constant wet weather can be frustrating. Maybe you don't have the luxury of a tumble dryer, or you're reluctant to use it to save on your next power bill. Add a sudden drop in temperature and the process of drying our washing can become even tricker. Some experts, like Lish Fejer, a science communicator and ABC reporter in Ngambri/Canberra, discourage the use of tumble dryers because of the amount of energy they consume and the impact they can have on your clothes. "[Tumble] drying is bad for your clothes; it wears them down," Lish says. Lish runs The Fix It Chicks with co-creator Jenny Edwards, teaching people cheap ways to wash and dry laundry. Here are some of the alternative methods you can use for drying clothes and linen in wet or cold weather. If the clothes can withstand it (avoid wool, linens and silks, for example), put them on a high-spin cycle in the washing machine, and repeat. "You can give drying a head start by spinning to get rid of as much water as possible," Lish says. When you take your clothes out of the washing machine, she suggests rolling them up in a clean, dry towel to remove excess moisture. Lish says when using a rack for air drying, make sure the clothes are spaced out well so air can circulate around each item. Using pegs means you won't have to fold the items over. "Look at any glass or window that is being hit by the sun — put your drying rack there, that will activate the drying process," Lish says. If heading out for the day, hang sheets and towels over chairs and tables. "I love a coat hanger; I hang shirts on them and put them over door frames and architraves." Ventilation is important to minimise condensation and avoid mould. "Humidity in the house is a big one [if drying clothes indoors]," says Lish. "How do you get rid of that moisture in your house without it causing mould and mildew and the health effects that come with that?" She recommends opening a window to manage this (weather dependent). You can also increase air flow indoors by using a pedestal or ceiling fan which Lish says uses little energy and helps with evaporation. The extraction fan in your bathroom will be effective when drying in there. Some split-system air conditioners have a dehumidifying mode that doesn't cool or heat (and therefore costs less to run). Drying happens best outside, so if you have the space, take advantage. If its overcast or rainy, using a balcony or undercover area is ideal — even if shady and cold. A windy day is a bonus, as items will dry faster. If you're strapped for time (or motivation), throw the wet load of washing onto an outdoor table on a towel in the sun, on a picnic blanket, on the trampoline, or on the heated floor. For small items, Lish lays them on a towel in the back of her car and parks it in the sun while at work. "You do have to occasionally go turn them over, and I leave the windows open a little." If you have a hot water system in the cupboard, you could also fold clothes that are nearly dry and place them on top. "Be careful not to cover the pressure valve," warns Lish. Lish says to throw in a clean, dry towel with your wet items. "That will significantly reduce the amount of time it needs to be on for as it absorbs some of the moisture." Susan Toft, the CEO and founder of a nationwide domestic laundry business, says the biggest mistake people make is simply "putting items in that are not meant for the dryer, because you can damage them". "Wool, in particular, will shrink. And that's probably the thing we see the most," she says. But, she says, you should also take great care with bras, other delicate items (such as anything with silk), and clothing with prints on it. "The best tip is to always follow the care label," she says. Consumer advocacy group CHOICE also advises caution when drying anything with lycra in it — so throwing in your activewear might not be the best bet. But if you do end up shrinking something, it's not the end of the world. For jumpers, you can wet them and pat them out with towels to try and stretch them back out, and then leave them to dry in a shady spot.
