Home & Garden

lifestyle Home and Garden

The top 10 areas that need extra cleaning attention at home

1) Washing machine: Run the machine with a cleaner specially designed to remove bacteria and ensure the kitchen or laundry room is well ventilated and the washing machine door and drum is left open for a while after use. 2) Door knobs and handles: These are common areas (and letterboxes) that are usually overlooked. Make sure to apply a surface cleaner to the object and wipe every inch and corner, if a small part is missed then it still opens up the risk of spreading germs throughout the house. 3) Surfaces: Surfaces in the home are high traffic areas and whether it be in the kitchen or the bathroom they need to be cleaned with antibacterial spray to ensure they remain germ free and ready to use 4) Floors: Floors often have unseen dirt and germs and need a deeper clean. Brushing hard floors and then mopping with anti-bacterial products is a good way to keep on top of the dirt and germs. 5) Pillows & cushions: These items are getting some extra use during lockdown and need to be washed regularly as a result. Wash cushion covers and for cushion pads or pillows use a non-bio detergent and tumble dry. 6) Lamps and light fittings: These are easy to forget but can hoard dust for a long time so need to be dusted with a soft bristled brush and for fabric shades that maybe tricky to remove, a lint roller can be effective. 7) Hallways: Hallways quickly build up dirt, especially along skirting boards, so these need to be wiped often. Pets often leave a dirt trail throughout the hallway, once they’ve returned from a walk so extra care and attention will be required. 8) Front doors: Front doors can have multiple germs and bacteria on them so it’s important to regularly wipe down the door handle with soap and water. 9) Clothes: Washing clothes in extremely hot temperatures isn’t always required and can be harmful to the environment. Tests have proven that washing your clothes at 60 degrees with a good detergent can be just as effective. 10) Oven: Baking soda and vinegar is an effective and cost-efficient way of tackling burnt on food inside of the oven.

Try this:

Squeeky cleaners has created organic, eco-friendly, pet safe and vegan friendly cleaning products – all 100% natural. They are made from essential oils, plant extracts and minerals that kill over 99.9% of germs and viruses. An Organic Multi-Purpose Cleaner Life Bottle Bundle costs £14.99 from Squeekyshop.co.uk and includes a reusable UK aluminium life bottle, which can be refilled with concentrated refills.

Top 10 most therapeutic household jobs

1. Hedge Trimming 2. Jet-washing the decking 3. Cleaning windows 4. Painting the garden fence 5. Clearing the gutters 6. Sanding furniture 7. Organising kitchen cupboards 8. Hanging the washing out to dry 9. Dusting 10. Hanging Pictures

Victorian Plumbing

MAKE DARK COLOURS WORK IN SMALL SPACES

• Dare to go dark if you have plenty of natural light from big windows. Consider painting radiators, doorframes and shelves in the same colour to keep the look consistent. • Accessories are key to making the dark look work.

Shades of lighter hues or bright pops of colour in accessories such as artwork and cushions/rugs will help tie it all together. • Keep floors and ceilings light to give balance to a room if you’re going darker on the walls, or the walls light if your floor/ceiling are dark.

5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GARDEN BLOOM IN A TINY SPACE

While we may not all be lucky enough to own a large garden, sometimes less can be more. Whether you’re a parent looking for ways to create a kidfriendly space or a young professional wanting to squeeze in some garden furniture in your flat, here are five small garden ideas from Pinterest that will help you learn how to make your garden thrive, no matter the size of your space:

Going upwards: According to the Pinterest 100, vertical gardens are on the rise with searches increasing by 287%. Whether you’re looking for unique designs in your back garden or efficient and practical ways to grow your vegetables, going upwards with your garden is a great way to save space and make it look not only taller, but bigger.

Make a splash: Sometimes adding a water feature can go a long way in creating a bigger space. Consider installing a fountain or a small waterfall as part of the feature because for many, the sound of falling water can be quite idyllic and will encourage hard working individuals to sit outside and relax after a long day. Play with colour: For those of you looking to make up for what you lack in floor space, simply add a touch of colour. Using bright blocks of colour are a great way to add some vibrancy into your garden and breathe in new energy!

Box your plants: If you are a keen herb grower but don’t have enough space for these to flourish in your garden, many people are hanging fixed planters underneath their window sills. This is great way to save space and make sure your plants and herbs can still grow!

With the nice weather increasingly making an appearance, chances are you’ll find yourself spending more time in the garden. And if it needs a bit of sprucing up, have a look at Frenchic’s Al Fresco chalk paint range, which is both durable and weatherproof –ideal for garden furniture or those outdoor upcycling projects! Self-priming, self-sealing with a very low, almost flat finish, it is suitable for wood, laminate, UPVC and composites and metal. It’s also toxin and solvent-free, has no odour and has very low VOC meaning it’s certified safe for use on children's toys.

Frenchic Paint is available from £6.95 at www.frenchicpaint.co.uk and stockists nationwide.