We post often about the importance of keeping your home clean, so we thought we would do a brief blog about practicing good self-hygiene during the Summer holidays, which is just as important. The Summer holidays are an exciting time for families and children, with many of us travelling at peak times to capture some sun, sea and much-needed time-out! Stay clean, healthy and protected whilst enjoying your well-earned break. You can also follow these simple rules at home if you choose a 'staycation' this Summer. Before you go... Before you pack your cases, check whether you need any vaccinations. Even if you’ve been to a particular place before, you may need a booster jab to keep you protected from insect-borne diseases (such as malaria) for the duration of your holiday. It’s always best to check with your GP. Make a list of medications you need to take, such as rehydration salts, antihistamines, paracetamol, diarrhoea tablets and ibuprofen. If you or anyone else in your family suffers from a medical condition, always make sure you have sufficient supplies. If you are flying to your destination, then it’s always advisable to carry these in your hand luggage. If you’re staying home this Summer, make sure you have these staples in your medicine cupboard. If you’re travelling with a baby or young child, check what food will be available at your destination for them to eat so that you can plan accordingly. Also ensure you have medication such as Calpol. We always take a Sterimar, a natural sea water nasal spray which helps to restore the nose's natural functions, treating allergies and blocked noses. Especially with the change in climate and air conditioning units playing havoc with our respiratory systems. Stay Sanitised One essential item we would never travel without is anti-bacterial wipes to use on the plane, train or in the car, so you can sanitise your hands and surfaces throughout the journey. Remember to wash your hands regularly with soap and clean water, or if soap and clean water are not available, use a good hand sanitiser (it’s a good idea to carry a miniature bottle with you). If and when you do get access to a wash basin, give your hands a good wash to reduce the risk of spreading germs. Spend at least 20 seconds rubbing them with soap and water, paying particular attention to the backs of the hands, under the fingernails, and between the fingers. Always dry them thoroughly using a clean dry towel, paper towel or hand dryer. This may be a short, sweet blog, but it’s very important that we are vigilant and practice good hygiene to protect ourselves and our families from germs and bugs. Now you can enjoy your Summer break with peace of mind that you are keeping yourself and your loved ones as safe as you can.

If you're anything like us, you don't like letting anything go to waste, so keep hold of those pumpkin skins and seeds, as you're going to need them for this delicious recipe! This delightful, aromatic sharing dish uses ALL parts of your pumpkin, bringing an abundance of textures and flavours to your dish. Ingredients: - 1 x whole pumpkin 2 x teaspoons fresh or lazy garlic 1 x teaspoon fresh red chilli, finely chopped 1 x bunch thyme, finely chopped 100g butter, melted 100g sea salt flakes 200ml vegetable oil 500ml white wine vinegar 200g sugar 750ml water 1 x bunch chives, finely chopped (to garnish) Method: - Firstly, preheat your oven to 180°C (fan-assisted). Then, b reak down the pumpkin by cutting the skin off in larger pieces, removing the seeds and separating from fleshy parts and chopping the main part of the pumpkin into approximately 1" x 1" cubes. Melt the butter in a bowl, then add the chilli, garlic, chopped thyme and 2 pinches of salt. Mix the chopped pumpkin with the melted butter and herbs. Place into a roasting tray ,or a ceramic roasting dish that has been lined with baking paper. Then top with more baking paper and cover the dish with foil and seal well. Roast for 30–35 minutes until the pumpkin is soft, then uncover and roast for a further 10–15 mins until the pumpkin has a lovely golden colour. While the pumpkin is roasting, prepare the pickle mix by adding the water, vinegar, sugar and 50g of salt to a saucepan & bring it to a boil. Simmer for about 5 mins. Chop the pumpkin skin into smaller pieces and blanch in boiling water for around 30 seconds. Strain the pumpkin skin, place it into a bowl and pour over the pickling liquid. Then set aside. To make the pumpkin seed praline, simply toast the seeds in a dry pan until they start to colour, then place them into a blender while still hot, cover with vegetable oil and blend until smooth. Once the pumpkin is finished roasting, sprinkle over the chopped pickled skins, then drizzle over some pumpkin seed praline and finish it off with a sprinkling of chives, if desired. Try it with some home/part-baked warm crusty bread and butter. You can thank us later! Top-Tip: Clean up as you go along.

Everybody wants a clean home. Aside from having a home that looks immaculate and smells like a dream, clean homes have many health and wellness benefits, too. Ridding your home of dust/mites can reduce allergies, while routine house cleaning can help you quickly detect mould. Let’s not forget that physical clutter leads to mental clutter, or, in other words, a messy space can increase your stress levels. Have you heard the phrase ‘tidy house, tidy mind’? But let’s be honest: daily housekeeping is a tedious chore that often feels like a full-time job. It’s never ending! If you’re hiring a Cleaner for the very first time, it can be difficult to figure out how efficient your Cleaner is going to be. You have this great expectation that your house is going to be spotless in that two-hour slot you booked, but be prepared, you may be left feeling slightly disappointed that the Cleaner didn’t manage all the jobs on your ‘wish’ list, and that’s exactly what it is… it’s a wish list. Unless you communicate well with your Cleaner and manage yours (and their) expectations! First of all, it’s extremely important to understand that your Cleaner is not a magical wonder-being. If you hire a Cleaner for a couple of hours, you can’t expect everything to be perfect after the first session. It can take multiple cleans to get your house to a standard that your Cleaner will then maintain. There are so many factors to consider when asking your Cleaner to complete tasks in a specified timeframe, for example: - How big is the property? How many people live there? Do you have pets? Do you have children? Are the rooms relatively tidy and free from clutter? When was it last cleaned? Is it a newbuild, or an older period property? What exactly are you expecting your Cleaner to do? I could go on! If you take advantage by leaving last night’s dishes in the sink for your Cleaner to wash up, then you must remember, it all takes time. You’re basically robbing Peter to pay Paul! Clearing away your breakfast plates because you left the house in a hurry, picking up kid’s toys off the floor because you didn’t tidy them away. These are all obstacles and TAKE TIME AWAY from the job in hand. Cleaners are not generally hired to tidy; they are hired to clean, and this is where valuable time can get swallowed up, and you may be left disappointed that your expectations haven’t been met when you have paid for a professional Cleaner. So, what can realistically be accomplished in two hours? Assuming the house has been cleaned to a maintainable standard, then two hours every week should be adequate time for a professional Cleaner to maintain a two/three-bedroom house. That includes hoovering, wiping, dusting and any other small household cleaning tasks. Of course, this is only achievable if you take care of some basic cleaning tasks yourself in between. If you struggle to be/stay tidy, you might want to consider enlisting the help of a professional de-clutterer or tidier. Yes, they do actually exist and could help you to keep your home clutter-free, so in turn, your Cleaner can navigate the house and get it spick and span much more efficiently. How to get the most from your Cleaner? We would highly recommend creating a list of ‘cleaning needs’ and ‘cleaning wants’. Your Cleaner can work through the list of high-priority tasks, then any extra time they have can be spent dealing with the less important chores. Communal areas usually need the most attention and have the most impact. As a benchmark, you could try spending two hours cleaning on your own. This should give you a more accurate guide as to what can be achieved in your home. As every home is different, we offer a fully tailored cleaning service, and we are always happy to help you to decide what kind of cleaning arrangement will work best for you.

There are many reasons for a Fall clean: - Dust can decrease your indoor air quality, and there’s nothing more important than breathing fresh, clean air… so what are you waiting for? Next comes the dilemma – clean it yourself OR pay a cleaning service to do the dirty work for you!? If you’ve opted to tackle it yourself, we have some tips to help you prepare your home for winter, and whilst it may seem like a daunting task, it really doesn’t have to be. Just bear in mind that some tasks may only take a short time, whilst others may take a while, so schedule your time accordingly. Before you start, make sure you’ve got adequate cleaning supplies. Good antibacterial surface cleaning spray, window and glass cleaner, bathroom and kitchen sprays, and plenty of cloths. If you’re going to be working on the bathrooms, make sure everybody has finished showering for the day and spray your tiles from top to bottom, leaving them to soak whilst you tackle another job first. When you come back to them later, they will be much easier to clean. Start with germ hotspots such as door handles, handrails, bannisters, light switches and TV remotes. These are all perfect environments for bacteria to spread. Busy homes naturally get spills and stains on furniture and sofas, but with the right care a sofa can stand the test of time. If you can remove the covers, give them a proper wash, ensuring that you follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you can't remove them, give your sofa a spot clean and a thorough vacuum. Vacuum and flip mattresses on beds and sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the surface, leave for a couple of hours, then vacuum off. This will remove any odours, draw out sweat and clear away mites and dust. It’s also a good time to clean and vacuum underneath the bed. Lay down door mats at each external doorway to ensure that muddy shoes and mucky paws don't trample dirt into the house during the winter season. Ask family and friends to remove their shoes at the door to keep floors as clean as possible. Here’s a checklist we’ve compiled to help with your clean: - Clean out your fridge and get rid of clutter. Wipe with antibacterial spray. Check dates and clear out expired food (or anything you know you’re not going to eat). Dust your refrigerator coils. (This helps your fridge run more efficiently!) Dust the tops of your kitchen cabinets and the baseboards. Wipe down kitchen cabinets inside and out. Clean out the clutter under your sink. Clean your microwave inside and out. Wash and disinfect your rubbish/recycling bins. Deep clean your oven and cooker hood. Vacuum sofas, carpets and rugs and spot clean as needed. Vacuum or sweep under furniture. Dust your plants. Dust ceiling fans. Wipe down TV screens and computer screens. Clean out your fireplace, if you have one. Wipe down remote controls. Wash your shower curtain and liner (or replace, if necessary). Clean your shower head. Scrub your bathroom tiles/grout. Wash and disinfect your bathmats (or replace, if necessary). Deep clean and disinfect around your toilet, especially if you have little boys (or big boys!) Dispose of any expired cosmetics or toiletries, including prescriptions or medications. Wash all bedding, including sheets, blankets and comforters. Dust your blinds. Wash the curtains. Vacuum and flip your mattress. Declutter bedside tables and dressing table surfaces. Dust skirting boards and ceiling coving. Wipe down light switches in every room. Wipe down doors and doorknobs. Launder or replace your pets’ bedding. Open the windows to air out your home. We recommend that you break these tasks down into bite size chunks and do a couple of jobs each day, and maybe even break it down by room. Your home will be sparkling in no time!

Many teenagers don’t enjoy cleaning their rooms and often decline any invitation to do so. However, learning how to tidy up and clean is an essential lesson in personal hygiene and self-discipline. It is your responsibility as a parent or guardian to make them contribute towards the housework. Teaching your teens about cleaning before they leave home is crucial. Not only is it a valuable life lesson about obligations and responsibility, but it will also save you some time and stress while it teaches your teens important lessons about caring for themselves and their environment. So, what are the most important cleaning tasks to assign to your teen? If they're going off to college or university, then cleaning their rooms and doing their laundry are absolute musts. What if they're moving into their own apartment instead? That's when cleaning the bathroom and kitchen will be critical, as well. Incentives are a great motivation for anything, and that includes cleaning! You don’t get paid for cleaning the house, so why should your children? Well, it may just be the motivation and introduction they need to earn their own money. Not only are they learning life skills, but also the value of money, and budgeting skills. Start off with the most basic tasks first, and don't forget to demonstrate everything. Vacuuming is pretty straight forward, but your teen may not think to vacuum things such as the sofa, and underneath furniture. Since practice makes perfect, don't wait to teach your teens quick cleaning lessons the summer before they leave for college, start when they're a little younger and make sure they get in lots of practice through weekly chores. While they're perfecting their cleaning skills and learning responsibility, you will get a much-needed break from your usual duties. You can decide what works best for your household, but here are a few chores to consider delegating: - Cleaning their bedroom Tidying away their belongings, or those belonging to younger siblings Folding and putting away clean clothes Vacuuming, sweeping & dusting Setting the table Clearing the table Loading and unloading the dishwasher or washing and putting away the dishes Stripping their beds for washing Cleaning birdcages and litter boxes Mopping floors Washing the family car Taking the bins out Daily household chores for teens have so many benefits, no matter how old they are. You will also feel a weight lift off your shoulders with less pressure to do things around the house.

It’s the night before the cleaning company you hired is scheduled to arrive. Needless to say, your house is a little messy, and there’s nothing wrong with that since that’s the reason you’ve booked a Cleaner in the first place. You’re probably wondering… Should I tidy up a little? Should I do a pre-clean? “Maybe the Cleaner will judge me on my house being messy/dirty if I don't”. Well, it’s all down to personal preference (and time), I guess. Whilst most people book a Cleaner because they don't have the time themselves, a really quick clean/tidy (literally 5 minutes) will give your Cleaner the best opportunity to clean your house efficiently, so you'll definitely get better value for your money! Whilst you would expect to leave the general cleaning tasks up to your Cleaner (and quite rightfully so), there are a few quick and easy things you could do, like making sure that various items are in their place. Worktops and surfaces are often clutter magnets for mail, school papers, and random bits and pieces, so try to move these, or at least straighten them up into a neat pile. You could also tidy away items such as children's toys (get the kids involved), and dog toys from the floor so that vacuuming is less of an assault course. Undoubtedly, when you’re paying by the hour you want to get as much cleaning done as quickly and effectively as possible, and while your Cleaner is more than capable of picking up items and organising things, if they are spending time tidying things away and moving things around then they will inevitably have less time to clean. If it’s your Cleaners first time visiting your home, you could write a brief note with your expectations, highlighting any priority areas. That way your Cleaner will understand what you want them to focus on in the time scheduled. We have a few tips on getting the most out of your clean: - Preparing Your Home Ensure all surfaces (and flooring) is free from clutter ready for cleaning. If you have a cordless vacuum cleaner, please ensure it is fully charged. There's nothing more frustrating than a vacuum cleaner dying halfway through a job. Cleaning Products Check your cleaning supplies and please always ensure that you have everything required for your Cleaner to fulfil your requirements. If you don’t have adequate cleaning products it makes it very difficult for your Cleaner. Prioritise Your Requirements Your Cleaner may be unable to complete all of your requirements in the time scheduled, particularly if it’s your first clean, therefore, it is always best to make a note of your priorities before your Cleaner arrives. Every client is different, so be clear with your Cleaner about what is most important to you. Leave a note if you’re not going to be at home. A clear and concise cleaning schedule will really help your Cleaner to understand your personal requirements and ensure that they prioritise tasks tailored to suit you. Be Honest It can feel awkward to criticise, but it's important that you are honest about your cleaning service, and indeed your assigned Cleaner. If you’re not happy to share constructive feedback with the Cleaner direct, then let us know so that we can address it on your behalf. Likewise, if you're happy with the service (or a particular Cleaner), then please let us (and them) know. Praise where it's due can really make somebody's day! "A PERSON WHO FEELS APPRECIATED WILL ALWAYS DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED" - Anonymous

Love how you look Many of us are holding onto clothing that we used to wear, but don’t want to get rid of because ‘one day’ we might want to wear it again. If you’ve held onto an item of clothing for any more than a year, you’re probably not going to like it when you put it on anyway. Our bodies change, as does fashion! If you really feel like you can’t let it go, put it away somewhere. Don’t keep it in your day-to-day wardrobe. Ask yourself these three key questions: - Is the item something you still wear? Is it a timeless classic? Does it still fit you? It is so important for your mental health to LOVE how you look right now. Not when you lose/gain weight or when you have the money to go shopping. You will have clothes in your wardrobe that make you feel good, right now, exactly how you are. Be proud of yourself and dress in a way that makes you feel great! Feel refreshed We all know how good it feels when we have spring cleaned our homes (or the Cleaner has been), and your wardrobe is no different. We go in there at least once every single day, so you want it to feel clean, fresh and be easy to navigate. Make room for new clothes When your wardrobe has been cleaned out, there will be room for you to add new pieces that are perfect for you and your current lifestyle. When your wardrobe is cluttered you can’t see properly what is in there, and great items get lost amongst other items and hidden away. Save time You will save so much time when your wardrobe is decluttered and functional. Think about how long you spend every day deciding what to wear. Add that time up over a year, or even a month, and it really starts to add up. When you have decluttered, and given your wardrobe the makeover that it deserves, you will be able to easily see what you have in there, and you will be able to make decisions so much quicker and easier. Make ‘mixing and matching’ easier Most people feel so overwhelmed by what they have in their wardrobe, that they end up just choosing the same few outfits over and over again, because it’s too hard to look through and create anything else. You will have so many more options when you can see everything clearly. It makes it so much easier to put fresh new looks together. Shop smarter and only buy what you need It is amazing what happens when you can clearly see what is in your wardrobe and what is missing. It makes clothes shopping so much easier, and you will come home with the exact pieces that you need. No more spending on unnecessary clothes. Make some money If you have clothing that you no longer wear and is still in really good condition, think about selling it. Vinted, Depop and eBay are really good places to start. Get listing your unworn items and make some money out of unworn clothes which would otherwise be sat in your wardrobe gathering dust. Charity shops Another option, if you are not wanting to sell your clothing is to take it to one of your local charity shops. This can really help someone else with their wardrobe and give them a new look. Just because you don’t love it anymore, it doesn’t mean that nobody else will. It may be exactly what another person is looking for! What more? You’re helping a charity to raise money! Recycle Some retailers such as H&M and Zara have garment collection programs for clothing and textiles that are subsequently reused or recycled. De-stress Honestly, the difference that this will make to your day-to-day life is astonishing. You’ll almost definitely feel like a weight has been lifted. Being organised can help you to feel calmer and more relaxed in the morning when you are getting ready. Life’s too busy to be stressing over what outfit to wear. Choosing what to wear each day should be easy, enjoyable and fun!

If you want to prevent bad luck from coming your way, then traditionally, you should not wash any clothes or do any housework on Good Friday. According to old tradition, doing housework on the observed day will bring bad luck to your family. What is Good Friday? Good Friday is a Christian holiday that commemorates the death of Jesus Christ. Can I eat meat? Traditionally, Good Friday was a day of “black fast”; as well as the usual restrictions against meat and dairy during Lent, this was a day of severe fast. However, whether you eat fish or meat for your main course, the most common food on the Good Friday menu in the UK, are hot cross buns. While every family may have their traditional recipe for hot cross buns, they are all made from sweet yeast dough, with currants or other dried fruit and spices like cinnamon. Why do we eat Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday? There are a few different theories as to why people traditionally eat hot cross buns on Good Friday. One story suggests that a monk in the 12th century was the first to bake the yeasted sweet buns and mark them with a cross in honour of Good Friday. They are eaten to mark the end of Lent, as they contain the dairy products that were traditionally forbidden during the Christian period of fasting. An old English superstition suggested that hot cross buns baked on Good Friday would never go mouldy or spoil. But hey, who leaves them long enough to find out. Whatever the tradition, whilst some of us will still be cleaning, it’s safe to say we will definitely be eating ALL the hot cross buns we can get our hands on. Happy Good Friday!

How Is White Vinegar made? Vinegar is typically made through a two-step process of fermentation from a carbohydrate to an alcohol. From this alcohol, it’s then fermented into acetic acid. In other words, sugar is converted into alcohol, to which water is added and then fermented into vinegar. The carbohydrate in question in the case of white vinegar can be corn, rice, or sugar. There are no hidden nasties! When you look at how white vinegar is made, and what it is made from, white vinegar itself is considered eco-friendly, particularly when it comes to natural cleaning. It’s 100% all-natural, biodegradable, vegan, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic. As vinegar is edible and easily biodegrades, vinegar is considered an eco-friendly natural cleaning ingredient. What SHOULD you clean with vinegar? Kitchen Sink Use a 1:1 ratio of diluted vinegar and water and store it in a spray bottle. Then you can spritz your kitchen sink, counters, or any other spots that you'd normally use bleach but want to be food safe. To counteract the vinegar smell (not that it lingers), you can use soapy water to rinse the sink afterwards. Floors Don't use expensive cleaners— just mix 1:1 vinegar to water and mop the floor with it! This will protect your floor from a strong concentration of acidic vinegar and will help lift off any grease or dirt. Greasy Stovetop Vinegar's acidity helps cut through grease easily. Spray some vinegar and water mix onto a splattered stovetop, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub down with soapy water. It should wipe right off. If not, leave it to sit a bit longer. Baking Sheets Clean baking sheets by mixing ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup white vinegar with hot water in the sink. It will bubble up like a science project, but that reaction is what helps loosen the residue. Make sure your sink is plugged so they can stay submerged, and let it soak for about 30 minutes to an hour before scrubbing away with a scouring pad. Try not to scrub too hard or you will scratch the protective layer off the baking sheet. Stainless Steel Pots & Pans If you have a particularly grubby looking stainless-steel pan that won't come clean, boil together water and vinegar for a few minutes. It will dissolve grease and get rid of any weird stains or water spots. If it's super dirty, you can go longer. The more vinegar you use here, the more quickly the cleaning happens. Then dump the vinegar mixture and wash as normal with soap and water! Microwave Combine equal parts water and vinegar in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for about five minutes to loosen any gunk with the steam, then just wipe clean. TIP: make sure to put a chopstick or toothpick inside the bowl—if not, the water can overheat and cause the bowl to explode! Coffee Makers & Tea Kettles Whether you use an electric kettle or standard coffee maker, they can be cleaned in the same way to get rid of mineral build-up (this is known as descaling). Pour a 1:1 ratio of water to vinegar into the water reservoir or directly into the kettle. Run it through the coffee maker or simply boil the water in the kettle, then rinse thoroughly with water. For automatic coffee makers (including those that use pods), you may have to run plain water through a few times to get the smell and taste of vinegar out. You can also use vinegar and water to clean stained tea or coffee cups. Blender or Food Processor Stuck on food, stains, or weird smells? Again, 1:1 water to vinegar and blitz it in the blender or food processor, then wash with warm soapy water, as normal. Cloudy Wine Glasses If minerals in hard water are causing your wine or drinking glasses to get cloudy, soak them in the sink with some non-diluted vinegar for a few minutes and wash as normal. The vinegar should dissolve the minerals. Plastic Cutting Board After cutting raw meat, it's good to not only wash your cutting board, but also disinfect it with a mixture of water and vinegar. Wipe it down thoroughly with a mixture of vinegar and water—this is a great time to store the 1:1 mixture in a spray bottle for easy cleaning. It's always best to use plastic cutting boards with meats. Dishwasher Pour a cup of undiluted vinegar on the floor (inside) of the dishwasher (beneath where the racks slide in—not on the door), and run one cycle empty, without any dishes. The vinegar works to loosen up any mineral deposits that may have built up. Refrigerator and Freezer Use a 1:1 ratio of water to vinegar to scrub the inside of your fridge and freezer. Fridge Water Dispenser Use a super small brush (like a straw cleaner), dip it in vinegar, and clean the inside and outside of the water spigot. You can also use a clean, new toothbrush to scrub, removing any mold, yeast, calcification, and mineral deposits. After you’ve cleaned, run the dispenser once to make sure any vinegar is flushed out. Knife Block Inside of knife blocks are the perfect breeding space for germs and dirt. To clean, put some white vinegar on a paper towel, wrap it around a table knife, and slide it into each knife slot to clean them thoroughly. Bins Now that you've cleaned your entire kitchen with vinegar, you're probably ready to take out the rubbish. Before you add a new bag, spritz the bin inside, and the lid with that 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water and wipe it out. Repeat every time you change the bin liner to keep the bin fresh! What should you NOT clean with vinegar? Mirrors, despite what you may see online, you shouldn't use anything acidic, whether vinegar or lemon juice, to clean mirrors Steam irons Stone or granite kitchen countertops Electronic screens Wood or stone flooring Knives Is there a difference between white vinegar and cleaning vinegar? White vinegar has 5% acidity; while cleaning vinegar, on the other hand, has 6%. Although it's only a 1% difference in acidity, it actually results in cleaning vinegar being 20% stronger than white vinegar. Vinegar for Mold. Bleach and vinegar can both kill mold, but vinegar is much more effective for removing mold from porous materials. This is because bleach only kills mold spores on the surface of affected materials. Vinegar will penetrate porous materials and kill the mold at the roots. Next time you’re in the supermarket, treat yourself to one of the cheapest, most useful cleaning products for your next cleaning frenzy!