Nicola Roy

Nicola Roy compares Zoflora Carpet Fresh and Care Foam with baking soda on an IKEA rug. Zoflora produced a pleasant but short-lived fragrance and required scrubbing and additional vacuuming, while baking soda was cheaper, easier to use and effectively neutralised odours after being vacuumed up. Baking soda was judged the better overall method despite being messier and taking longer.

A cleaning tip shared in the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook group recommends applying toilet limescale remover to a wet shower screen, rinsing it, and drying it with a squeegee to remove watermarks and reduce limescale for several days. Viakal and Domestos are cited as widely available options, but readers are warned to check labels and avoid contact with silver or potentially vulnerable surfaces. Other contributors say regularly using a squeegee or cloth after every shower can prevent build-up without cleaning products.

Cleaning enthusiasts recommend using Elbow Grease yellow kitchen spray as a pre-treatment for greasy clothing stains. The suggested method is to spray the stain, leave it for about 20 minutes, and wash the garment at 40°C. Other reported options include bicarbonate of soda mixed with washing-up liquid or neat Fairy washing-up liquid.

Residents whose wheelie bins go missing should first ask neighbours, check nearby concealed areas and consider whether the bin was blown away. Theft of a privately owned bin can be reported to the police via 101 or the police website, while council-owned bins should be reported to the local council; replacement fees may apply unless the council damaged the bin during collection. Preventive measures include putting bins out later, bringing them in promptly, marking them with a house number, storing them behind a locked gate and using a bin lock when appropriate.

England’s Simpler Recycling reforms, introduced on 31 March, standardize household and business recycling collections but exclude several common kitchen items from household recycling bins. Drinking glasses, glass cookware, ceramic crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, and coffee pods should instead be donated, reused, taken to specialist recycling facilities or placed in general waste where appropriate. Local exemptions may apply, so residents are advised to check their council’s rules.

Legal experts advise homeowners dealing with a neighbour’s pet fouling their garden to begin with a calm conversation, then document repeated incidents with photographs or video. Cat owners generally have fewer legal responsibilities because cats are allowed to roam, while dog owners may be liable for waste, trespass, nuisance or property damage, particularly in shared areas governed by local rules. If informal discussions fail, homeowners can send a formal letter, seek mediation, report breaches to relevant authorities or pursue a civil claim where clear damage and financial loss can be demonstrated. Motion-activated sprinklers, repellents and secured boundaries are suggested as practical deterrents.

Morrisons is trialling Caper smart trolleys at its Preston store, becoming the first UK supermarket to partner with Instacart on the technology. The AI-enabled trolleys recognise items, weigh fresh produce, display a running basket total, suggest products and apply Morrisons More Card discounts. Shoppers can complete payment at a dedicated Caper checkout lane, with the trial intended to assess whether the technology makes shopping more convenient and rewarding in Preston and across Lancashire.

Pest-control specialists recommend placing lemon, orange or lime peels on windowsills, near doors and in outdoor areas to discourage wasps from entering homes. Other suggested deterrents include clove oil, vinegar, mint, basil, thyme and eucalyptus. The advice also stresses covering sweet foods and drinks, sealing bins and removing food residue, while avoiding killing wasps because they contribute to ecosystems, human health and the economy.

A cleaning specialist recommends using washing up liquid mixed with warm water and applied with a microfibre cloth to remove grease and fingerprints from kitchen cabinets. The method involves wiping from top to bottom in circular motions and then drying with a second cloth to avoid streaks. Washing up liquid is highlighted as an inexpensive and effective solution available from common retailers.

Humidity in bathrooms can allow mould to develop even in summer, but removing surface water with a squeegee after showers helps the room dry faster and prevents growth. Experts recommend squeegeeing screens and tiles, properly hanging towels, fully drying bathmats, spreading out shower curtains and improving ventilation by opening windows or doors.

High summer temperatures have improved outdoor drying conditions, but a laundry expert warns that line‑drying towels can leave them rough due to strong winds. Towels, jeans and hoodies are better dried in a tumble dryer to maintain softness. Softness can be restored by washing towels with white vinegar or bicarbonate of soda, used separately. Proper storage and ensuring towels dry fully between uses help prevent stiffness, mildew and odour.

A low-cost method for reducing the visibility of minor scratches on wooden floors uses the natural oils and pigments in walnuts, which can help blend light scuffs into the surrounding wood. Flooring expert Barry Darragh explains that while this trick will not fix deep damage, it can improve the appearance of surface marks, especially as brighter summer light makes them more noticeable. Rubbing the inside of a walnut along the scratch, allowing the oils to absorb, and buffing with a cloth can make floors look cleaner and more polished.

WhatsApp is introducing optional usernames that allow users to connect without sharing phone numbers, a change aimed at improving privacy for its three billion users. The feature is rolling out gradually, and people can check availability through the app’s settings. Tech experts advise securing preferred usernames early, especially those that are short, simple or tied to existing online identities. Users are encouraged to avoid including personal details in their chosen names.

Rats and mice become more active in summer, increasing the risk of infestations as they seek food and shelter in homes. DIY expert Glen Peskett recommends using garlic as a low‑cost natural deterrent, as its strong sulfur compounds overwhelm rodents’ sense of smell. Placing garlic cloves or other strong‑scented alternatives like garlic oil, cayenne pepper or apple cider vinegar near entry points can help repel pests. Additional prevention measures include reducing clutter, sealing gaps and properly managing food waste to limit nesting opportunities.

Moisture trapped in washing‑machine detergent drawers creates ideal conditions for black mould, but keeping the drawer and door open after each wash improves airflow and prevents regrowth. Users recommend regularly removing and soaking the drawer and using products such as Astonish Mildew and Mould, white vinegar or soda crystals for thorough cleaning.

Paint specialists warn that certain pink shades, particularly muddy or muted tones and bold bubblegum hues, can make rooms feel smaller, dated and unappealing, potentially lowering a property's value as buyers anticipate redecoration costs. Estate agents report that disliked wall colours often lead to reduced offers. Warmer terracotta tones, peachy shades and soft creams are recommended as longer‑lasting, light‑enhancing alternatives that appeal to more buyers.

A non-scratch kitchen sponge with washing-up liquid proved more effective than glass cleaners for removing grime and streaks from shower glass, producing a faster and clearer result. The method involves applying washing-up liquid to the soft side of the sponge, cleaning in circular motions, and repeating with a fresh pad to eliminate remaining streaks. The inexpensive sponges are widely available and provided a noticeably better finish than traditional products.

Two budget cleaners, Zoflora and Pink Stuff, were tested on a bathroom sink to compare effectiveness, scent and ease of use. Both removed grime easily and produced a shiny finish, but Zoflora stood out for its strong, long-lasting fragrance and disinfectant properties. Pink Stuff performed well and smelled pleasant but its scent faded quickly, making Zoflora the preferred choice.

Mould on silicone shower sealant can be effectively removed using white vinegar, which penetrates the porous material and kills mould spores without damaging the surface. The method involves applying vinegar generously, leaving it for at least an hour, then scrubbing the loosened mould away and rinsing. Regular use prevents buildup, while combining vinegar with baking soda and tea tree oil enhances long-term cleaning effectiveness.

A taste test comparing pork, chicken and vegetarian sausages cooked in an air fryer found chicken chipolatas from Heck to be the standout option, offering a firm texture and fresh flavour with lower fat content. Tesco’s pork sausages, though well‑browned and initially appealing, proved overly greasy and heavy, while Richmond’s meat-free sausages disappointed with a dry, artificial taste. The chicken sausages were deemed the most flavourful and versatile of the three.

Soda crystals mixed into a thick paste effectively cleaned oven glass, toilet limescale and shower screens, lifting grime with minimal effort and producing a like-new shine. The inexpensive £1.69 product from Savers proved more effective than typical household cleaners, offering a versatile, chemical-free solution for multiple surfaces.

A cleaning specialist recommends wiping skirting boards, blinds and other dust‑prone surfaces with tumble dryer sheets to neutralize static electricity and leave behind a protective coating that repels dust for up to a month. The method works best after vacuuming and drying surfaces thoroughly and can help keep neglected areas cleaner with minimal effort.

Airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways and Jet2 are enforcing stricter hand luggage rules, prompting warnings for travellers to avoid packing bulky non-essential items. Travel expert Matthew Corrigan advises passengers to skip hairdryers, towels and full-size toiletries, as these waste space and may cause security issues. He recommends relying on accommodation amenities, using travel-sized products or buying on arrival, and wearing bulky clothing on the plane to maximise limited cabin bag capacity.

A cleaning influencer recommends a simple mix of baking soda, lemon juice and water to remove grease from kitchen cabinets without scrubbing. Applied with a cloth and left for five minutes, the solution is said to cut through grime and leave surfaces shiny, while leftover lemon water can also freshen sinks. Commenters praised the effectiveness and scent of the method.

Warmer weather increases rat activity around homes, but garlic’s strong sulphur compounds can repel them by overwhelming their sense of smell. DIY expert Glen Peskett recommends placing garlic cloves near likely entry points such as basements and garages. Other deterrents including garlic oil, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar can help, but controlling clutter, securing food waste and sealing small openings remain essential to prevent infestations.