Category: Cleaning Tips

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10 Tips For Healthy School Lunches

1. Shop and prep

It can be exhausting for any parent to spend endless amounts of time cutting sandwiches and stacking lunchboxes every week. A simple way to save time is to make preparations on Sunday night – purchase food in bulk and pre-make meals and snacks for the week ahead. If you are not sure where to start, begin by planning with your family and ask them what they would like to see in a healthy lunchbox. If they are able to pitch in and help you for the week ahead, that’s even better. 

2. Plan

A simple way to plan the week is to write a list on the back of the fridge. Categorise your food into snacks, sandwiches, and fruit and make a checklist so that you have the refrigerator well stocked. Tie this in with your weekly shop or online food delivery.

3. Store

Currently up to 1/3 of food is wasted in Australian kitchens, and much of this can be attributed to food not being properly organized and stored in the fridge. Make sure you keep fresh produce in air-tight containers and label them clearly. This will help food stay fresher and last longer, and will shorten your food preparation time during the week.

4. Freeze

Many foods can be well preserved with freezing – all types of bread rolls and grain substitutes stay fresh when frozen, as do fresh fruits such as berries and sliced mango. When you plan your meals on a Sunday night, set aside some ingredients for the freezer that can be defrosted for later in the week.

5. Label

Dry erase markers are a great way to monitor fresh produce and also keep tabs on individual lunchboxes. You can also use masking tape and pencil, or even invest in a professional label maker. It’s a good idea to label fresh produce with a date that it was purchased. This will make it easy to know when to throw it out.

6. Stock up

If you are making a fresh lunch every morning, it’s worth having the right equipment on hand. Stainless steel lunchboxes usually last longer and store food better than plastic options. You can also buy funky-looking cotton sandwich bags that can be washed and re-used for multiple lunch runs. Try to avoid plastic wherever possible and make sure lunch equipment is well labelled with your child’s name and contact details. 

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5 Ways To Catch Up On Bedroom Spring Cleaning

Here are 5 thrifty ways to spring clean your room

Air out your bedding

Warmer weather provides an excellent opportunity to freshen up your bedding and flush out any winter mites that might have accumulated during winter. Try hanging out your doonas, blankets and pillows on warm sunny days. Dry heat works to kill off dust mite and their eggs, and it leaves the linen feeling crisp and dry.

Polish up your furniture

Now is the perfect time to give your leather furniture a fresh clean and wipe off any scuff marks that may have developed during the colder months. Start with a moist cloth to remove any dirt, then follow with a brisk polish using Oakwood Leather Care Hydrating Cream.

Spritz up your carpets

Carpets can accumulate layers of dirt and grime during the winter months. A steam-cleaning treatment is a great way to improve the hygiene and appearance of your floors. If you have the budget, it’s worthwhile to have your carpets done every few months – particularly if you have pets or little ones running about the home. Make sure you open up all the windows and ventilate the home well before and after the clean.

Bring in the light!

There is nothing more bothersome than looking out onto the beautiful spring weather only to find your gaze clouded by murky glass and patches of grease and grime. Windows provide a central source of light in every home and their cleanliness will impact their clarity and view. If you are cleaning them from the inside, make sure you use a vinegar and water solution which is non-toxic and an excellent cleaning solution.

Let Spring In!

There is a wonderful quotation by Margaret Olley that states ‘if your house is messy, simply bring in a bunch of fresh flowers’. Flowers are a beautiful way to add freshness and colour in any home and spring is the best time to be out in the garden. Try picking wildflowers or an assortment of floral herbs and spring blooms. If all else fails, head to your local florist!

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Keep Your House Clean And Cosy This Winter

1 – Create a shoe-rack

It’s great to be able to wander around your home wearing thick woolly socks, but dirt on the floor is never a good idea. Make sure you have a well-organised boot rack at the front door, and encourage guests to remove their shoes when they enter the house. This will cut down your time vacuuming and keeping the house free of floor-dust.

2 – Weatherproof your outdoor wear

It’s really important to keep warm and dry when you head outside. Make sure your boots and handbags have been properly cleaned and waterproofed with Oakwood Leather Conditioner and always store them in a clean dry place. Jackets and coats should also be kept out of damp environments, and make sure they are protected from mothballs and dust mites.

3 – Block out house drafts

Heating bills can be expensive during the winter months, but you can cut down on energy expenditure by draft-proofing your house. Check your windows and doors for exterior drafts, and plug them up with gap solutions and invest in some door snakes for the exterior doors.

4-  Switch on the slow cooker

One of the joys of cooler weather is the heat and aromas that can emanate from a slow-cooking oven. Try some slow-cooking recipes such as 12-hour roast lamb, or slow-cooked winter fruits.

5- Make your home a nesting hideaway

Winter is a great time to hunker down and spend time indoors. You can create a homely environment by choosing, warm soft fabrics for your furniture and bedding. Also light up some candles each night; this will create a gentle lighting environment and warm the atmosphere.

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How to Keep Your House Dustmite Free

Clean and ventilate your home regularly

  • Try to keep your house clean, with minimal clutter, and maximised air circulation.
  • Avoid using feather dusters and invest in microfiber cloths instead.
  • Vacuum regularly and consider regular steam cleaning
  • Opt for non-toxic cleaning products (link here)
  • Open your windows and allow fresh air to circulate throughout your house.
  • Consider investing in an air cleaner with a good quality (high efficiency) particulate filter.
  • Piles of clothing, books and stuffed toys can accumulate dust, so try to keep them clear and minimise clutter wherever possible.

Reconsider your home furniture layout

Dust mites accumulate on soft furnishings and areas that accumulate dust and lack air circulation. If you have a house that is heavily carpeted and plenty of fabric covered furnishings, you are more likely to accumulate dust mites.Consider switching to a minimalist furniture layout; opt for rugs, tiles, floorboards or linoleum, instead of wall-wall carpet, and remove clutter where possible. Also consider switching from fabric-covered to leather-covered sofas and furniture.

For soft furnishings and bedding

  • Change your sheets and blankets on a regular basis. Make sure to wash them at a minimum of 55 degrees celcius to kill dustmite, OR hang them in the sun or place in a clothes dryer on a high heat during the drying process.
  • Try to vacuum all soft furniture regularly. If you have direct skin contact with your soft furnishings (sofa cushions), consider covering them with a cotton sheet cover that you can remove and wash regularly.
  • To protect your mattress, consider adding an allergen barrier. Make sure you choose one that is dust-mite proof, so that skin flakes and dust mite cannot migrate through the barrier.
  • Direct sunlight also kills dustmites, so on warmer days, make sure you take any heavy bedding or blankets out in the sun to ventilate.
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5 Steps Guide To Decluttering Your House

Research has shown that a healthy living space; free from clutter and rich with a good flow of energy, can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

According to the principles of Feng Shui, piles of unused items that clutter your home and accumulate over time will emit low-level vibrations that can cause people to feel flustered and overwhelmed. So it’s really important to clear the clutter from your home living environment. You’ll find that this generates feelings of calmness and helps to to foster more creative thoughts.

Here are 5 simple steps to clear the clutter from your home:

1- Sort out what you need, from what you have-

The first step of de-cluttering is to work out what you really need as opposed to what is filling your house. A good way to determine this is to eliminate anything that you haven’t used during the past 6 months; this applies to everything in your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or work environment. If you are not using it regularly, you most likely don’t need it.

Oprah Winfrey found an easy way to do this in the bedroom when she popularised the ‘closet hanger experiment.’ Basically, you organize your closet so that all the items face the same direction. Every time you wear something, you turn the hanger in the opposite direction. If, after 6 months, there are items that you haven’t worn, they need to be discarded.

2- Create storage solutions –

Good storage is key to minimal clutter throughout the home. Look for storage solutions that are practical, and easy to use. It’s also important to prioritise items so that they are easy to access when you need them. Make sure you are storing items that you will need and use again, and make sure that you label everything clearly.

3- Make it a regular activity-

The problem of ‘clearing clutter’ is that most people tend to do it every 6-12 months, and in the meantime, a buildup of unwanted rubble develops throughout the house. Try to make ‘clutter clearing’ a weekly task; 10-15 minutes every weekend will save you several hours every few months.

4- Keep a bag ready at the door-

Regular clearing of clutter is important, an easy way to do this is to keep a large bag at your front door and fill it regularly with items for the opportunity shop. Easy access to the bag will mean that it fills more quickly!

5- Free space = free thought-

It’s really important that once the clutter is cleared, there is some space leftover; this could be an empty shelf or drawer, or even a blank space on a cabinet or dresser. This is your ‘thinking space’; a free area of space for ideas to grow and blossom around your house.

You can keep this space clear or use it for something decorative but not necessarily practical; it could be a large vase of flowers, a stack of coffee-table books or even a few candlesticks. Change the items regularly so that it always remains fresh. This area of ‘free space’ will create a sense of freedom in your home. It will also foster more creative thoughts and keep your mind fresh for new challenging tasks.

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10 Fun & Thrifty Interior Decorating Tips

1 – Brighten up unloved walls.

Brighten up your unused blank walls with fun and thrifty DIY ideas. Try putting together a collection of hang plates sourced from your local opportunity shop, or weed out some odds and ends from the back of your cupboard. 

To hang, simply attach wire plate hangers to the back of each plate and suspend on a picture nail. Opt for unexpected colours, textures and designs, and place the most dramatic-looking designs within the centre of the arrangement.

Another option is to create a unique photo wall. Pick a theme such as a wedding, birthday party or holiday pics, then find an outlet (such as ikea) that sells a large collection of frames in bulk. Organise them in a straight row along your wall (it’s worth measuring them out with a ruler and grey lead pencil), or measure out an uneven design to create more contrast. Photos are often stored for long periods of time in albums and photo books – this is a great way to use and enjoy them in your daily life.

2- Lighten up your house

This might sound basic, but when was the last time you gave your light-fittings a good clean? With time, dirt can build up in glass light fittings, which creates a cloudy, grey colour throughout your room. A quick spritz and rubdown with some soapy water will do wonders for your light fitting – and subsequently brighten up your home.

3- Freshen up your couch and lounge chairs.

You may not have the funds for a new lounge suite, but you can brighten up your old one by giving your cushions a good clean and investing in a new throw for your couch. Good quality fabric is often sold in sample size on websites such as eBay or etsy. It doesn’t need to cover your entire couch or chair; it simply creates a feature and a distraction for the eye.

4. Add colour and spark with fresh flowers

Fresh flowers create a sense of brightness and positivity throughout the home. Stock yourself up with some quirky vases; they could be old pouring jugs, glass jars or any type of recycled objects. Next, find an interesting local florist, or even consider buying yourself a tough-growing rose-bush so that you have a constant supply.

5. Set the mood

Candles – look best when massed, particularly on a spacious surface

Look for soy-based or beeswax varieties as they work to clean the air as they burn. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for an added aroma throughout your home.

Candles create a sense of calmness and serenity throughout the home. They are best used in large quantities; a stacked array on a spacious surface, which creates a warm sense of light and space throughout the room.

Look for soy-based or beeswax candles as they contain minimal chemicals and also work to clean the air as they burn. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for an added aroma.

6. Give your surface areas a new look

A fresh new tablecloth can brighten up the surface area of your table or work space. Look for interesting textures and designs that compliment the feeling throughout your home. Good quality fabrics in small sizes can often be found as sample seconds on eBay and etsy.com. Also have a look in your local thrift shop and see what they have available.

7. Create a feature wall

The feeling throughout a room can be lifted with a splash of colour or brightness. Try painting a feature wall a warm, deep colour such as dark red or deep blue. You can also use wallpaper to create an interesting feature.

8. Create a sense of space

A sense of space broadens our creative thinking and creates a calming ambience throughout a room. To make the most of the space that you have available, start by clearing clutter throughout your home. It might seem tiring at first, but the clearing and organization of objects throughout your home will create a calming effect throughout the house.

Finally, you can also make your room seem larger by adding a mirror against a wall. Choose a size that is roughly ¾ the size of the wall and place it opposite a window so that it will reflect the light from the exterior.

9. Try a thrifty kitchen re-vamp

You might not have the time or resources to do a complete kitchen makeover. But you can create an entire new look throughout your kitchen by simply re-painting your cupboards.

Any hardware store or paint outlet will sell with the correct paint and finish. Simply choose a colour and ask them for their recommendations. You will need to remove each cupboard door from it’s frame, label it with masking tape and give it a thorough clean with soap and water before you start. Paint on several coats and allow them to air-dry before returning them back to their frames.

10. Create a rosy, romantic glow in different rooms

Are you keen to create a warm and rosy glow throughout your bedroom or living room, but not exactly sure how? One of the most famous tricks done by Woody Allen in his hit movie, Annie Hall was placing a pink light bulb on his bedroom lamp to create a warm, pink ambience throughout the room. A pink lampshade or light-fitting can also create the same effect.

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Guide To Freezing Fruit & Vegetables

Freezing food is a great way to save time and energy in the kitchen – keeping you super organised. It also reduces food costs as food that is in seasonal abundance is generally cheaper.

What you will need:

Storage containers: Zip locked bags or vacuum sealed bags are ideal as they can minimize the fruit and vegetables’ contact with air. They are also very space efficient in most freezers.

Fresh produce: Select fruits and vegetables at the peak of their season when they are the ripest.  Avoid produce that has been damaged or bruised.  

Blanching equipment: Most vegetables need to be blanched briefly prior to freezing. This helps them to retain more of their nutrition and flavour during the freezing period. To blanch vegetables, you only need a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, and a large bowl that you can fill with iced-water.

How to freeze fruit:

Fruit doesn’t require pre-cooking, so it is relatively easy to prepare for freezer storage.

Simply remove any stems or pips, slice into bite-size pieces and place on a flat tray in the freezer.
Freeze until firm, and then transfer fruit to a zip-locked or vacuum-seeled bag. If possible, remove as much air from the bag as possible. Contact with air will cause the fruit to go off more quickly in the freezer.

Ideal freezing time is 1-2 months.

A few tips for freezing fruits:

Avocadoes, kiwi fruits and other soft fruits don’t freeze well.
Tomatoes are best pre-cooked and mixed in a blender to form a smooth paste (also known as ‘passata’) prior to freezing.
Grapes and berries can be frozen whole (hence don’t require any pre-chopping or preparation).

How to freeze vegetables:

Prepare vegetables by removing any dirt and slicing them into bite-size pieces.
Blanch the vegetables by cooking in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then transferring to a bowl of iced water.
Place vegetables in a zip-locked or vacuum-sealable bag and squeeze out as much air as possible.

Store for up to 3 months in the freezer.

A few tips for freezing vegetables:

Garlic, black pepper or other ‘seed spices’ don’t freeze well. Their flavours become bitter-tasting after freezing.
Onions benefit from long, slow cooking prior to freezing. This is a great addition soups, stews and omelettes when you are in a hurry.
Cabbage leaves can be blanched and frozen flat (useful for making cabbage rolls in winter).
Peppers (including capsican) don’t require blanching. Prepare them as you would fruits.

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Spring Cleaning in The Kitchen

How to spring clean your kitchen: 

Remove clutter:

Studies have shown that clutter can distract people from everyday tasks and create feelings of chaos in household environments. To effectively clear clutter you need to do it regularly. Set yourself a time limit and give yourself a reward once the task is complete.

Add some fresh flowers:

Re-use glass storage jars and fill them with lustrous bouquets of flowers from your garden or florist. Fresh flowers have been found to lift the mood and create a warm ambience in kitchen environments. They also provide a beautiful springtime scent.

Create a fresh feel with old or new kitchen linen:

Kitchen linen can be so much more than chicken-prints on tea towels. Invest in some good quality linen tablecloths, napkins and tea towels that add a rich source of colour and flair to your kitchen.  Look for good quality fabrics that will wear well over time. A soft cotton, or thickly-woven linen should last for several years. If you don’t wish to buy them new, look for handmade or vintage sales at op-shops or visit etsy.com. Kitchen linen can also be made from old pieces of vintage fabrics. Simply cut to size and hem using iron-on hemming tape.

Kitchen cleaning tip: How to clean a wooden benchtop

Start with Oakwood orange oil wood polish (this product is perfect for creating a non-toxic cleaning environment in the kitchen) and spray directly onto wooden surfaces. Leave for 1 minute. With a soft, clean cloth, rub over surface to remove any wax build-up, dirt or grime. Then buff off excess and polish with a soft cloth to leave a lasting shine.

Next, condition with an Oakwood Wood Preserver and Polisher to nourish and protect for future spills. Apply a reasonable amount onto a soft cloth or pad and wipe onto surface of wood. Allow product to penetrate for 20 minutes. Polish excess off with clean, soft cloth. Repeat application as required.

Keep your benchtop clean with Oakwood everyday wood wipes. This works to preserve your wood over time and is great for last-minute spills. 

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6 Steps To A Cleaner Leather Sofa

I started with the sofa. By giving this a thorough spritz and polish I knew that the entire living room would brighten dramatically. Here’s how I did it:

Dust.

This is the most important first step. It ensures that any dirt residue will not be absorbed into the leather during the cleaning process. I did this with a vacuum, but you can easily do it with a soft dusting cloth. Observe and mark out grimy spots.

It’s worth doing this under a good source of natural light. I cleaned my sofa in the morning and kept the windows open so that plenty of sunshine streamed in through the windows and I was able to mark out any streaks or stains.

Clean

Apply a deep clean leather soap directly to these areas using a soft cloth. Continue to the remaining areas of the sofa. Rub well before wiping off excess cleaner and dirt with a dry cloth.

Condition

Follow with a leather care hydrating cream. The beeswax, lanolin and emu oil can rejuvenate leather to a soft and luxurious finish.

Cushion it up!

Kick off this spring with some spunky new cushions and a fresh new throw for your couch. Small things like colourful cushions and throws can give your clean sofa a fresh new feel.

Keep it clean.

I was so inspired by this fresh new look that I’ve invested in some regular leather wipes. Baby spew on the couch? No problem at all! 

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Creating All Purpose Homemade Green Cleaner Guide

Here’s how to use them safely and effectively in your home:

Vinegar:

Vinegar is a rich source of acetic acid – this is a mild, natural acid that can kill bacteria and mould as well as breaking through soap scum and dirt. Most types of vinegar are excellent cleaning agents – look for white, distilled or apple cider vinegar, but avoid balsamic (unless you want black, streaky stains on your benchtop!).

Vinegar can be used for a variety of purposes – air-freshener, multi-purpose spray or bathroom disinfectant. Some people choose to use it on its own, but you can also add essential oils and natural perfumes to take away the mild vinegar smell.

Vinegar surface cleaner: Mix 500ml distilled vinegar with 10 drops of essential oil (lavender or rosemary). Shake well. Pour into spray bottle.

Bicarbonate of soda:

Bicarb soda, or sodium bicarbonate is made from soda ash – a compound that can be mined or processed from sodium chloride. It’s an excellent cleaning agent because it has alkaline properties, which cause dirt and grease to dissolve easily. It also works well to neutralize odours, and doesn’t have the strong, distinctive smell that vinegar carries.

Bicarb soda can be used almost anywhere throughout the house. It can be scattered on carpet prior to vacuuming to neutralize carpet odours, or interspersed through the bathroom, and then wipe clean with a hot wet cloth. It’s also an excellent replacement for a cleaning cream cleanser on your stove top or oven.

Oven cleaner cream cleanser: Simply mix bicarb soda with hot water to make a thick paste. This can be spread over the stovetop, oven or benchtop to remove grease and grime. Leave to rest (for tough stains, let it rest overnight), then wipe clean with a fresh cloth.

Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice is one of the most refreshing scents to enjoy in the home, it also works as an excellent cleaning agent and is environmentally friendly as well (especially if you grow your own lemons!).

Lemons are naturally high in citric acid, which gives them a low (acidic) pH. They also contain natural antibacterial properties, which work to kill germs on most surfaces.

You can use lemon juice as an air-freshener, surface cleaner, dish detergent, rinsing aid (in your washing mashine or dishwasher), or even to clean and shine metals such as brass or copper. Mixed with baking soda and vinegar it makes a superb all-purpose cleaner.

All-purpose cleaner with vinegar, lemon and bicarb soda: Mix together ¼ cup vinegar with 2 ½ tablespoons baking soda and 4 cups of hot water. Squeeze in the juice of 1 small lemon and allow to cool. Pour into spray bottles and label clearly.