The oven is one of the least exciting things to clean. But don’t worry because we’ve got 3 tips on how to clean an oven.
#1: Use your Dishwasher!
You don’t need to spend so much time on scrubbing racks because your dishwasher is perfectly capable; put them in on the hottest setting and if necessary you can leave them in for the next cycle.
If you don’t have a dishwasher, you could fill your bath with hot water and some washing powder and then leave the racks to soak overnight. All you need to do after that is give them a little scrub the next morning.
#2: Use bicarbonate of soda
Make a paste with water and bicarb and once your oven has cooled, spread the paste over the walls and bottom of the oven (but make sure you are avoiding the elements) and leave it like that for at least an hour (leaving it like that overnight would be even better).
After that, a simple wipe with a cloth should get all the grease out of there.
#3: Steam it
If your oven isn’t very greasy and dirty, just bake an oven pan of water for like 20-30 min on the hottest setting. Switch the oven off after that and allow it to cool down before opening the door, then wipe with a damp cloth. That’s it!
Yes, pets sure are really cute! But the mess they leave behind is far less cute. But don’t worry, because after reading these tips you will know how to keep your home from becoming a mess.
#1: Make sure you’re brushing your pet’s hair regularly.
Prevent your pets from leaving their hair everywhere by making sure you’re brushing their hair on a regular basis; the brush will catch most of their hair.
The easiest brush to use is a rubber glove brush.
#2: Use lint rollers!
Lint rollers are not always to be only used for your clothes – you could also use them to get rid of loose fur on your pillows and curtains for example. It’s a fast way to remove these annoying little hairs from your small furnishings.
#3: Use the vacuum cleaner on your dog
There are a lot of pet-friendly attachments such as the Dyson Groom, which is designed to remove loose fur without hurting the dog’s delicate skin. If your pet doesn’t like to be vacuumed, you can try to hold the brush 5 centimetres away from their fur.
#4: Wash their toys in hot water
You can easily clean your dog’s hard plastic or rubber toys in your dishwasher. Add some vinegar instead of detergent and turn on a full cycle.
#5:Clear up urine stains
Even pets suffer from having accidents from time to time. If something like this happens, treat it by blotting with a clean towel to absorb as much as possible. After that’s done, mix up a solution of 50% white vinegar to 50% water, then pour it onto the stain and scrub it with a brush. Pour over some bicarb soda to create a bubbling mound. Let it absorb for a few minutes and then wipe and vacuum up.
With the nice hot weather we’ve been having and still to come you may want to get the best use out of your garden furniture. Here are some tips for cleaning your garden furniture.
Wood
Wooden garden furniture can be so elegant and fitting to its natural surroundings, but it does require upkeep and some tender loving care in the form of cleaning to keep it looking its best. Most furniture made of wood can be cleaned by using the following top tips, with the exception of teak.
Clean wooden garden furniture using a warm solution of sugar soap and a scrubbing brush. For more stubborn areas, you can leave the solution on the furniture for a few minutes before shifting them with the scrubbing brush.
Then using your hosepipe (not pressure washer) rinse off and leave to dry.
If mildew is visible on your garden furniture, a top tip to cleaning your wooden garden furniture is to make a safe and effective solution made up by mixing 1 cup of any household bleach, 1 cup of washing powder and 1/2 bucket of warm water. Soak your furniture with the bleach solution and let it soak for 5 minutes (no longer). Then, simply hose off the solution and the mould, mildew or moss problem should disappear. Please take the necessary precautions when handling bleach solutions.
Try to avoid putting any oil or sealants on new oak furniture as oils tend to make the wood go black and pick up dirt, while other finishes just sit on the surface, change the texture of the wood and need frequent maintenance. The only exception to this rule is if the wood has been exposed to the elements for more than 10 years on average, the surface grain will have opened up and will need replenishing with oils.
Teak
By contrary, teak, is a popular alternative to some hard and softwood furniture due to its resistance to the outdoor elements. Teak tends not to require protective treatments that other wooden furniture may in the form of varnishes and oiling as teak is naturally resistant to the outdoor extremes. However, there is no getting away from dust and dirt, so it still requires some care!
To remove dirt and dust, hose it off with plain water – that is all that is required.
To remove stubborn dirt or bird droppings for example, use warm soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth or soft sponge.
Frequency of cleaning depends on the amount of dirt your teak garden furniture is exposed to, but washing it once a week or every two weeks is usually enough to keep it clean and look inviting.
Please be aware that it is generally not a good idea to use teak oil if your garden furniture is made from grade A teak, because it destroys its natural protective oils. Once you start oiling teak garden furniture you must continue if you want it to remain suitable for outdoor use as most teak oils are made with solvents which replace natural teak oils that maintain the wood’s resistance.
Metal
Oxidation, or rusting, tends to be the most common problem with aluminium or metal furniture. Try some of the below top tips for cleaning metal garden furniture:
Prior to cleaning, prepare the area by removing as much of the imperfection as possible using a metal polishing paste or a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water.
Avoid chemicals such as ammonia and trisodium phosphate (TSP); alkaline cleaners can cause oxidation.
Hose down and wash aluminium frequently to preserve its natural lustre.
To remove any scratch marks, use a soft cloth dampened with a nonabrasive product.
To prevent rust, sand the rusted paint and metal down, wipe off the residue with a cloth dampened with mineral spirit. Then, use a rust-resistant primer before painting with rust-resistant paint.
In more dramatic cases, you could consider having your wrought-iron furniture sandblasted or powder-coated for added protection.
A way to protect the metal material after cleaning with water is to apply a coat or two of car wax.
To keep your furniture in good condition apply the steps above but also keep them covered and place them in the shed away from water to stop any rust appearing.
Plastic
Nobody likes the look of unsightly, dirty plastic garden furniture which has lost its inviting appeal. Particularly if it was once sparkling white! To help restore the colour and its’ shine, try the following top tips for cleaning garden furniture:
Mix 50ml of vinegar with 1L of warm water and wipe down furniture and hose off.
For more stubborn stains, sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda onto a sponge and gently wipe off the stains.
Once the furniture is dry, apply some WD-40 and polish to restore the shine. Make sure you wipe down your plastic furniture well to save yourself from staining clothing.
Then polish with car wax to form a protective layer.
If you require further help or enquires regarding any of our services, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have via
Do you struggle to get from one side of your room to the other? As good as living in London can be. We all know it means living in a small house, with a small bedroom. No one likes to feel small, but if it’s because you’re in a spacious bedroom, that’s got to be good, surely?
Here’s our guide:
Tip One: Install Some Ceiling Shelves
Throughout the whole time you’ve been a resident of your home, do you recall a time you’ve used the space just below the ceiling? It’s true, the 12 inches below a ceiling, is probably the most abandoned framework within any home or building. Also, if you’re feeling bad about that present you got given two years ago, which you’ve never had the chance to use. Place it on the shelves along with the rest of them, there’s no need for that kind of cluster!
Tip Two: Cord Binder Holder
It’s 2018, everyone has at least one form of technology or more. Even most children have their very own smartphone or tablet. As much as we all love technology, we all hate the endless wires! which somehow gets tangled up in knots, even it’s not been touched for months. Using this technique can reduce the clump of wires, making more room in the bedroom.
Tip Three: Tank Top Holders
Hanging all your tank tops onto one hanger with shower curtain rings, would be classed as an unconventional way of doing things, would you agree? However, could you imagine the amount of room you’d have in your chest of drawers without them?
Tip four: Shoe Peg Holders
Mostly everyone has experienced running late, and to top it off, you can’t find your shoes which are piled at the bottom of your wardrobe. Installing pegs at the back of your bedroom door puts your footwear in a neat order, making it easy to find your chosen shoes for the day (or night) and they’re out of the way. Don’t worry, save the clear out for next year!
Tip Five: Bedside Organisers
You’d be surprised to the extent of how handy bedside organisers are. These handy pockets are easily placed on your bed, tucked away in a suitable place for the next time you decide to solve a crossword puzzle sitting on your bed.
Tip Six: Hanging Bag Stand
We all know how difficult bags can be, right? They’re essential to have but very awkward to store! By hanging your bags on your wall, you’ll find that other storage space becomes available to you. So, get all the space you can get; remember, living in London equals to a small house with a small bedroom!
Tip Seven: Magnet Strip for Clips
Here’s another good idea for all of the ladies out there who enjoy a good pampering! For lots of women, being a female involves having the joy of owning lots of girly supplies. Taking care of yourself can be tricky sometimes, especially when all the tools are scattered in various places. Why not put them all in one place? Having your clips, nail clippers, tweezers-etc. on the wall can be classed as quite trendy, smart and efficient.
If you require further housekeeping help or enquiries regarding our services, don’t hesitate to contact St Annes HouseKeeping on:
Email- contact@stanneshousekeeping.com
Telephone- 020 3397 7495 | 0800 999 3397
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have!