Clean it, Fix it…

deonstar

I recently refreshed a room at home and realised how much difference a thorough clean and declutter can make. It is always satisfying when a neglected space finally comes up gleaming, and <a href="https://bristolpainters.org.uk/">painters and decorators bristo</a>l often point out that good maintenance helps everything look better for longer.

It was so cold last night I put the heating on for a while but decided to turn off the main heater in the living room. When I bent down to turn it off I realised that the whole of the inside of it was covered in fluff. Even though the rest of my house is a mess I’ll have to prioritise cleaning that now that I’ve seen it. It’s why I’m in such a mess…I’m more concerned about things that can’t be seen than things that can. Eg I saw something on utube about keeping your washing machine clean and all of the hidden parts that accumulate stuff. My washing machine is spotless inside and out. And yet I have clothes that need putting back in the wardrobe from when I tried them on a week ago.

MT62

Saw something on YouTube about applying lavender, or cedar oil onto those woolen dryer balls (she used a dropper) to deter months & carpet beetles. Might give that a go. I think they sell the woolen balls at homebargains.

Great, thanks. I thought I had carpetbeetles last year and bought lots of some stuff to kill them only to find they were furniture beetle ( bad but not as bad as carpet beetle). I had bought some of those woollen balls only to remember that I can’t wear woollen clothes and if any wool came off them into the clothes ( which I assume they would) I wouldn’t be able to wear them ( I’m itching just writing this!). I’ve got a use for them now! I’ll put them in my wardrobe.

Saw something on YouTube about applying lavender, or cedar oil onto those woolen dryer balls (she used a dropper) to deter months & carpet beetles. Might give that a go. I think they sell the woolen balls at homebargains.

Reported

As someone sadly not houseproud, I discovered this programme recently and am a convert.
Sensible, practical, and accessible advice delivered in an easy to follow, measured and non-judgemental style. And cheap to implement!

Oh joy. There are now 4 episodes on catchup from series one that weren’t on it before so I’ve got 4 new episodes to watch! I can’t begin to explain how happy this has made me!

I think they genuinely get a lot of pleasure for helping people. And the houses they work on are normal houses with normal people, not show homes. I tend to look at my house and think about how it would look on right move and sometimes have to step back and think about how I want my home to work for the way I actually live, not how I feel I should live.

Thanks to this thread I am now hooked on this programme! I'm watching all of series 2 and have picked up so many tips on all sorts of things! I already use vinegar, washing up liquid and Tea Tree oil for most basic cleaning, and vinegar and bicarb for clearing/cleaning the drainers in sinks etc., but realise now that it can be used for much more!

So good to be able to see everything in action and the tips and recommendations they give throughout. It's also great that they try to reuse or adapt things already there; very inspiring. Good ideas for storage too.

I also love the camaraderie between the three of them.

Thank you Gransnetters for recommending the programme.

Nannan2

You cn get 5litres white vinegar from ocado.

Amazon too.

It's on BBC1, after Doctors, each afternoon, but as it clashes with Countdown, I only ever see the end of each day's programme. Note to self: watch it on i-Player!

You cn get 5litres white vinegar from ocado.

Clean it fix it is back?😊

Thank you. We live in a very hard water area, and this doesn’t help with cleaning! 🙄

I think it must be one of the new ones which I haven’t seen yet. I have a problem toilet. I had it fitted a few years ago and it’s cheap and horrible and smells if I don’t clean it constantly. Instead of smooth porcelain everywhere it’s quite rough. Also I can’t replace the toilet seat as it’s a shape that is no longer made. I think the plumber had a job lot of cheap toilets that he wanted to use up.

Which series and episode was this on MayBee70, as I would love my toilets to ‘sparkle’?

I buy essential oils from Holland and Barrett. Mind you, after spraying everything with peppermint oil I read that it is dangerous if you have a dog. As is tea tree oil. I’ve recently started using more zip lock bags for everything. I do hate using plastic but they get a lot of use: I have some that I’ve used for years. A local cheap shop sells vinegar in large containers. I did read though that vinegar and bicarbonate neutralise each other so all you need in drains is bicarb and hot water.

Aldom

Where do you buy the essential oils?
Do you buy white vinegar in bulk? If so, where from please?

I get my white vinegar in 5l containers from eBay. Lots of it available there.

I see this has been solved!
Note to self - don't answer till you get to the very end.
Apologies.
#readtheWHOLEthread.
🙄

www.google.com/search?q=long+flexible+brush+for+cleaning+bladder+tubes

Try this!

Hellogirl1

It may seem trivial, but my disabled daughter has a drink bottle with a long, bendy plastic drinking tube, how do I clean the tube? Bottle brushes only go so far, so it`s clean for about 8" at each end, but the rest looks disgusting, despite me soaking it twice a day. I`ve written to the suppliers, NRS Medical supplies, but no reply.

Look up cleaning a "camelback bladder".
My son had one for cycling which we cleaned with a bleach solution and a long flexible wire brush.
His friend used a long piece of dowel and pipe cleaners. He pushed the pipe cleaner through the tube with the long thin stick after a bleach solution soak.
Hope this helps.

Actually there's probably lots of options these days and other makes of bladder. If there's not much online for camelback you may find a long flexible brush at a sports shop that does running or cycling supplied.
Good luck.

I loved the episode yesterday and checked my washing machine last night. I have never thought to clean inside the top of the rubber seal. It was not bad but there was a bit of grubbiness up there

I also loved how a homely workable craft room came about after such a cluttered mess. Good storage ideas too. I would have made sure to have supported the sides of the new crafting table. One of my heavy machines on one side would have tilted it and I noticed that they had placed a machine on each side to stop that

I zip lock or vac pack all my wools against moths. Those herb bags would not be enough to keep them away. The utility area was also an inspiring fix

Must try the bicarbonate, white vinegar and tea tree oil on the loo.

What proportions do you use?

I hate those programs they make it look so easy.

I love it. It makes me want to start cleaning everything! I just wish someone would come along and sort my house out for me.

It must be just me then who finds the whole thing annoying, time for the off button.