How to Remove Sunscreen Stains

If you’re going to be out in the sun, you have to protect your skin – it’s as simple as that. The only downside is that the oils, colours and active ingredients in some sunscreens can stain your clothes. Now you can say goodbye to even the most stubborn of these stains with these easy stain removal tips.

 

Treating Fresh Marks and Spills

Remove excess cream from the garment with a kitchen knife or spoon, and then blot any remaining liquid with a clean dry cloth. Sprinkle the stain with Bicarbonate of Soda and give it 15 minutes to absorb any excess oil.

Shake off any excess Bicarb, then rub the stain with Liquid Soap Flakes, while working the soap into the stain well. 

Rinse and repeat this process before leaving the garment to soak in a mixture of Liquid Soap Flakes and the hottest water the garment can tolerate for up to 30 minutes. Then rinse well and wash the item as usual. The faster you deal with this type of stain, the better the result.

Treating Stubborn Stains

Combine Soda Crystals Laundry Boost with some water to make a paste. 

Use the steps listed above and alternate between using Liquid Soap Flakes and Soda Crystals Laundry Boost with the same rubbing and soaking method until the stain is removed. 

This process also works for difficult make-up stains like foundation streaks on clothing. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions and carry out a test on an inconspicuous area to check the colourfastness of the fabric. Here’s an extra tip:

 

How to Get Powder Foundation Out of Your Clothes:

First of all, don't rub it in! Excess powder can simply be dusted off, but a ground-in stain is harder to deal with. Instead, mix up a solution of White Vinegar and water to remove the smudge — test it on an inconspicuous spot first for colourfastness. 

This mixture also works well to get rid of dried-up stains on the bathroom countertop.

 

Simple, Sustainable Cleaning

Creating your own sustainable cleaner is as easy as raiding the kitchen pantry. Here are three everyday ingredients that get the job done. 

 

White Vinegar

White Vinegar is a natural cleaner that has been used safely for centuries. The active ingredient in White Vinegar is acetic acid which is derived from plants. It has cleaning, descaling and deodorising properties. 

Long regarded as a powerhouse cleaner which can kill bacteria, germs and mould. White Vinegar also breaks down soap scum and water stains. It leaves your windows and mirrors clean and streak-free. 

To eliminate soap scum and mildew in your shower, simply spray the affected area with White Vinegar, leave to treat for a few minutes and then wipe away. 

Bicarbonate of Soda

Bicarbonate of Soda is a traditional cleaning product that is favoured for its deodorising and mild abrasive properties - not to be confused with Baking Soda - which also contains sticky raising agents for baking.

Bicarbonate of Soda absorbs odours very well. Its gritty texture makes it the best soft scrub you can use. Deodorise your upholstery by sprinkling some Bicarbonate of Soda over your sofa, mattresses and rugs. Allow to sit for at least an hour or overnight and then vacuum off. 

Liquid Soap Flakes

Liquid Soap Flakes contain only pure soap with no additives or fragrances, making them a great choice particularly if you have sensitive skin. No residue is left on fabrics or in the detergent drawer making for simple cleaning power. 

Liquid Soap Flakes do not contain any animal products and have not been tested on animals, making them suitable for vegans. In addition, they do not contain palm oil – the soap comes from rapeseed and sunflower oil.

Make An All-Purpose Scrub Cleaner

Make an amazing scrub cleaner by mixing some all natural Liquid Soap Flakes with Bicarbonate of Soda to form a paste. Use this to scrub on the bottom of pans, sinks, tubs and areas that need a little extra help.

This soft scrub, made simply by combining some Liquid Soap Flakes and Bicarbonate of Soda is great for cleaning tasks.

 

The Many Uses of White Vinegar

Dri-Pak’s White Vinegar is one of the most versatile and economical products you can have on hand. Come and discover some key ways to put that bottle to good use!

There are different types of vinegar, but generally, White Vinegar is recommended for laundry and cleaning because it reduces the risk of staining fabrics and surfaces, plus it’s relatively cheap.

So how does it work?

This highly acidic liquid is a smart way to clean without relying on harsh chemicals. To see this in action, pour alkaline Bicarbonate of Soda down the plughole, followed by White Vinegar. The fizzing action is a result of the two substances reacting with one another. (By the way, this is a great way to clear plugholes!)

When it comes to cleaning clothes, White Vinegar is great for tackling deodorant-stained shirts. While deodorant stains can be difficult to remove, acidic products like White Vinegar and Citric Acid can dissolve the aluminium salts in the stain. More laundry and cleaning tips.

Regularly spray the underarm areas with White Vinegar before washing as normal. This will help to prevent staining.

In addition, spraying White vinegar onto deodorant-stained shirts before the wash can ease the discoloration - it’s also great for tackling mustard, tomato sauce, or ketchup stains.

White Vinegar works magic on upholstery too. If your child has an ‘accident’ on a mattress, clean it with a solution of White Vinegar and water. Afterwards, pour some baking soda onto the mattress, and brush or vacuum the residue once it’s dry.

Adding a cupful of White Vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine can freshen up bright colours and give you cleaner laundry. Acetic acid won’t harm fabrics, but it helps dissolves the soap residue that can dull dark clothing. It also acts as a fabric softener, a static reducer and a mildew-inhibitor. More information on white vinegar for laundry use.

To help remove mineral deposits and prevent corrosion on your steam iron, give it an occasional cleaning by filling the reservoir with undiluted White Vinegar. Place the iron in an upright position, switch on the steam setting, and let the White Vinegar steam through it for 5-10 minutes. Then refill the chamber with clean water and repeat. Finally, give the water chamber a good rinsing with cold, clean water.

White Vinegar can clean and deodorise, just about everything. From keeping your laundry fresh and clean, to preventing deodorant stains, there’s not much that it can’t do. As an alternative to expensive and harsh cleaning chemicals, White vinegar is something you can feel good about keeping in your cupboards, it’s just a great, green buy!

Traditional Laundry Methods are Alive and Well at The Vintage Wash House

Linda Peake set up The Vintage Wash House at Skipton’s Handpicked Hall in May of 2013. As of March 2014, the shop is now located at 3 Court Lane, Skipton. The 1940s-inspired stall sells nostalgic homeware gifts and a range of traditional cleaning and laundry products, from the former Sunwin House department store. 

From her stall, complete with authentic washboard and mangle, and blitz-style paper-tape crosses on the windows, Linda demonstrates the household duties of a typical 1940s housewife, using traditional products like Soap Flakes and Soda Crystals.

Linda explains, “I wanted to set up a totally unique stall showcasing vintage laundry methods and demonstrating how traditional products can work just as well, if not better, than their modern equivalents. Soap Flakes, for instance, clean effectively and efficiently but contain no perfumes or allergens, making them perfect for delicate laundry and cleaning without aggravating skin conditions.”

After demonstrating her nostalgic laundry methods, customers are able to buy from the range of traditional and natural cleaning and laundry products, including Linda’s own hand-knitted 100% cotton dishcloths, as well as vegetable Soap Flakes, Soda Crystals, White Vinegar, Bicarbonate of Soda, Borax Substitute and Laundry Starch.

The traditional products, made by family-run Derbyshire manufacturer, Dri-Pak, are experiencing something of a revival of late, thanks to their simple and effective cleaning power. The allergen-free alternatives to modern cleaners are made from sustainable sources and are extremely versatile, as Linda explains: 

“Soda Crystals alone have hundred of uses around the home, from unblocking a slow-draining sink, to clearing a driveway of moss and removing laundry stains like grease, ink and blood, they really are a true multi-purpose product”.

The nostalgic atmosphere of the Vintage Wash House stall often encourages people to share their own experiences of washdays gone by, as well as sparking questions from the younger generations, as Linda explains:

“I really enjoy people sharing their memories of using the old washboards and mangles, and it’s great teaching the younger generations how we used to do things. Many of the people I speak with agree that a lot of the simpler, old-fashioned products deserve place in the 21^st century home!”

The Vintage Wash House at 3 Court Lane, Skipton (BD23 1DD) is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. 

Find out more about the History of Soda Crystals and Soap Flakes on the Dri-Pak website.

Get Ready For Your Next Grunge Match!

We move mountains of laundry each week and expect that our clothes are clean and fresh. However, a recent study by public health experts featured in the Daily Mail, found that laundry washed at 40 degrees Celsius has only 14 per cent fewer germs.

The study also found that one in four items of clothing washed at 40 degrees contain faecal bacteria, with children’s cuddly toys and baby-grows carrying the highest amounts, while toddlers’ underwear contain the most bacteria overall. To reduce the bacteria, the experts recommend washing your clothes at 60 degrees or higher, or using a laundry disinfectant.

If you’re making a beeline to go and sanitise your washing machine, then hang on - bear in mind that extra detergent doesn't get things extra clean. Instead, the excess suds can carry odours and bacteria beyond where the water inside the drum can reach and leave an unpleasant residue that can transfer on to clothing.

There is however, a money-saving option with Dri-Pak Soda Crystals. Although Soda Crystals are well known for their ability to cut through tough stains and dirt on clothes, they’re equally good at giving your washing machine a thorough clean.

Every month, run an empty machine on a hot wash with up to half a pack of Soda Crystals. This will deodorise the drum’s interior and keep the machine and the outlet pipes clean and free from a build-up of bacteria, dirt, grease and hard water salts. Regularly cleaning the machine’s door seals and detergent drawer will also help. Plus, leave the door ajar after each load of laundry to allow the interior to dry - doing this can reduce the growth of bacteria inside.

If you live in a hard water area and see a frequent build up of limescale in your washing machine, then run it on a maintenance wash every four to eight weeks, using a cup of Citric Acid or White Vinegar.  This will descale the machine and prevent the build up of limescale. The harder your water, the more regularly you will need to do it. 
 
Alternatively, switch your regular fabric softener for White Vinegar! Not only will it soften your laundry, it will help keep limescale deposits at bay. And don't worry, you're clothes will smell fresh and clean - White Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and the vinegar smell will dissipate before your wash cycle is done.

This should save you money in the long run because if limescale is left untreated, your energy bills will rise as the electricity goes towards heating the limescale first.

All this should keep your machine functioning efficiently to deliver outstanding results.  

Clean your Makeup Brushes using White Vinegar

Investing in a good set of makeup brushes can make a real difference when it comes to looking fabulous! Unfortunately, makeup brushes accumulate dirt, dead skin cells and dust, enabling the growth of bacteria which can clog pores and aggravate underlying skin conditions. Residue from gels, powders and creams left on the bristles can also affect absorbency and how effective the brushes are, so keeping them clean and well-maintained is important.

Professional makeup brush cleansers are pricey, but a simple solution of natural White Vinegar and water can clean and sterilise brushes for a fraction of the cost!

To clean your makeup brushes, mix a 50/50 solution of White Vinegar and warm water in a tumbler. Leave the brushes to soak in the solution for 1 minute before working it deep into the bristles with gentle circular motions. Rinse the brushes thoroughly with warm water until the water runs clear. Reshape the brushes into their natural form and lay them flat to ensure the bristles are not bent and that water doesn’t leak into the handles. Avoid using a hairdryer or the radiator to dry the brushes, as heat can cause damage to the bristles. Once the brushes are dry simply store it upright or place in a make up bag or roll away from other cosmetics.