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.

How to Clean Shaving Brushes

A high-quality shaving brush can really make the difference when it comes to your morning shave. A good brush should make a smooth, creamy lather that easily transfers onto the face, and should be soft enough to gently massage, exfoliate and cleanse the skin. A quality Silver tip Badger hair brush is considered to be the best (and priciest!), but even cheaper, synthetic brushes need a regular maintenance routine to avoid bacteria growth and product build up, as well as bent and loose bristles.

After every shave, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm water before shaking off the excess water and hanging upside down on a brush stand with room for the air to circulate. Leaving a brush wet can lead to mildew forming, which could affect the skin the next time it gets used, so even if you have to put it back in a toiletry bag, for example after a gym session, make sure you take it out to air dry as soon as possible.

Your brush should also be deep cleaned every 2-3 months, as oils from your face and product build up can affect the absorbency of the bristles and consequently, how effective the brush is. Caring for a shaving brush will also extend its lifespan, saving you money in the long run.

To deep clean your shaving brush, mix one tablespoon of Borax Substitute with a few drops of warm water to make a thick paste. Rub the brush into the paste, working it into each hair, right down to the base. Leave the paste on the brush overnight before rinsing thoroughly with warm water in the morning. Check out our video below to see how it's done!

What's the worst cleaning chore?!

Whether it's scrubbing a smelly toilet, scouring a greasy oven or just the monotony of keeping your floors spotless, we want to know what's the cleaning chore you hate doing the most? Share it with us and you could WIN a range of traditional and natural cleaning products from Dri-Pak!

Like the Dri-Pak Facebook page and enter here!

Terms and conditions apply, see promotion for details.

Wimbledon Whites!

We can’t get enough of centre court action at the moment! If you’ve caught tennis fever and can’t wait to get out onto the courts to practice your backhand but your tennis whites are looking a little worse for wear, don’t worry our handy tips will have you back volleying like Murray in no time.

Tennis Whites

Keeping you whites whiter than white can be an ongoing battle, but luckily the fast action cleaning power of Soda Crystals Laundry Boost can help. Just adding a scoop to your normal detergent will help remove stains, brighten whites and boost the power of your detergent – allowing you to wash at lower temperatures.

Odours

If you’ve been working hard to perfect your game, you’ll have worked up quite a sweat! Neutralise unpleasant smells by spraying your clothes with White Vinegar 10 – 15 minutes before washing as normal paying particular attention to the most affected areas (such as underarms). White Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and your clothes will smell fresh and clean for serves to come!

Deodorant Stains

The aluminium salts in antiperspirants react with perspiration causing nasty yellow stains that are notoriously difficult to remove. As the residue binds to the fabric fibres, a stain that is resistant to normal washing routines gradually builds. The acidic properties of White Vinegar and Citric Acid work best at removing the residue because these salts become soluble at a lower pH.

If a stain has already developed on the underarm area, soak in a Citric Acid solution of one tablespoon to 250ml warm water and leave overnight before washing according to the garment instructions. For coloured items, test on an inconspicuous area first.

To prevent stains from building up right from the beginning, squirt the underarm areas with White Vinegar prior to washing. The acetic acid will break down the salts and allow them to be washed away by detergent, as well as deodorising any nasty niffs. Adding a cup of White Vinegar in place of your regular fabric softener will also help reduce any build up as well as leaving your clothes soft!

Is your BBQ dirtier than your toilet?!

A recent study has found that the average British barbecue contains twice as many germs as a toilet seat! Filled with a staggering 1.7 million microbes per sq cm, which works out to 124% more than a toilet seat, the study also found that just 36% of people clean their outdoor grills more than twice a year!!! Read all about it on the Daily Mail site here!

When it comes to the most effective deep-cleaners, the oldies are definitely the goodies. A hot, strong dose of Soda Crystals solution will get your outdoor grill at its working best and food tasting as good as it looks. Just remember to clean it every time you use it. Here's how:

Once the barbecue has cooled enough to be handled safely, disconnect from the gas (if relevant) and remove the grills, fat tray and other components to be washed. Place the parts in a large container before sprinkling liberally with Soda Crystals and pouring on hot water. Spray the rest of the barbecue with a strong Soda Crystals solution and put your feet up! After 2 hours simply scrub the grill and barbecue with a scourer and rinse with clean water.

DON’T FORGET! We’re giving away a summer’s worth of Waitrose BBQ food to one lucky family. Enter here for your chance to WIN! 

Vintage Dri-Pak Salt Shaker!

We were thrilled to see a photo of this retro Dri-Pak salt shaker from the 1960s sent in by Twitter follower @garbie1974. 

As an independent family run business, quite a few of our team remembered using them! If you have any retro Dri-Pak packaging lying around, we'd LOVE to see!

5 Vintage Spring Cleaning tips

We know, that you know, that traditional cleaning methods & products are just as good (if not better) than modern ones! So to help kick off your Spring Clean, we’ve put together 5 of our top Vintage Spring Cleaning tips tackling the jobs that often get forgotten in the regular cleaning routine.

Windows 

Spray White Vinegar onto windows and mirrors, & buff with scrunched up newspaper for a streak-free finish.

Polish Silverware 

Line a tub with tin foil and add a strong Soda Crystals solution before immersing silverware or jewellery for 15 minutes. Watch as the dirt dissolves away, before buffing with a soft cloth.*

Blankets and Woollens 

Soak fabrics in a mild Soda Crystals solution before carefully hand washing with Liquid Soap Flakes.

Furniture Polish 

Mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon White Vinegar and apply to wood with a soft cloth using a circular motion. Leave to air dry before buffing.

Carpets 

Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on carpets and rugs and leave overnight before vacuuming, for a fresh smell. 

*Not recommended for jewellery with plated silver or soft opals