Ask The Experts Q: What’s a natural but effective way for me to clean the oven? A:
Bicarbonate of soda and water is a powerful combination to tackle built up grease and dirt and it can also be used on the glass door. Mix two parts of bicarbonate of soda with 1 part water to get a fizzy paste, which will work as a light exfoliant. If you have a really bad build up, swap it for Castile soap. Rinse it off, then finish with a wipe over of lemon and vinegar to naturally disinfect the surfaces.
Caroline, Eco-Domestics, Orpington
Q: I need to get some building work done. What questions should I be asking when I receive quotes for the work?
Q: How can I improve my balance? A:
There are many factors which may cause you to have altered balance and may need looking into but one thing to try is to improve your proprioception, which refers to the body's ability to perceive its own position in space. We use this ‘sixth sense’ all the time. For example, knowing without looking whether your feet are on soft grass or hard surface, balancing to reach something from a high cupboard or knowing without looking if you have lifted your foot enough to clear a small step. Practising and maintaining your proprioception is important to help improve your balance or even fine motor skills with your hands. We all know how important having good balance is. Try closing your eyes and signing your name on a piece of paper. You can also test your balance by holding onto a surface as you stand on one leg, then see if you can lift your hands off the surface or even close your eyes – but be careful! All this will help maintain your ability to know where your body is in space and may help your balance. Keep practising as you will improve and grow a bit of your nervous system. Remember, if you don’t use it you’ll lose it!
A: When you’re doing any sort of building work it’s essential that you get someone you can trust who will do the job to a high standard and for a fair price. Some questions you should think about asking include ‘How long have you been in business?’, ‘Are you insured? And if so, for what?’, ‘Do you have references or testimonials from clients?’, ‘Who will oversee the work and who should I liaise with on the project’, ‘how and when can I make any changes to the build – before or during the construction?’, ‘what exactly does the quote include?’, ‘how long will the build take and how many people will be working on it?’ and ‘What’s your inspection process and what happens if things need to be corrected after the build? Do you do a final walk-through with me?’ Colin Wheeler, Horton Builders, Petts Wood
Joanna Ward, JLinks Physiotherapy 26 Life in... Orpington June 2020
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