Cut out the hassle when it comes to ironing!

If you find your iron sometimes leaves marks on your freshly washed clothes you’ll know what a pain it can be! The marks are most likely mineral deposits and limescale being left in the reservoir of the iron. 

If limescale is a particular issue in your area then you’ll no doubt have encountered problems it can cause in other appliances around the home! There’s nothing worse than having to put your clean clothes back into the washing machine, but how do you clean the inside of an iron?

Simple White Vinegar is the best way to clean the inside of the appliance - it’s also a natural product as well an economical one! 

To clean your iron, empty the reservoir from old water as best you can and fill the reservoir a third full with White Vinegar. Switch the iron onto the steam setting and iron an old cloth until all the white vinegar has been used. Switch off the iron and leave to cool. Repeat the process with clean water to flush out any remaining vinegar in the reservoir. Make sure you empty the reservoir of water every time you finish with the iron to reduce future deposits forming inside the appliance. 

Valentine's Day Kids Activity

If you're looking for a fun Valentine's Day kid's activity that's a bit different, why not try our Natural Bicarbonate of Soda modelling clay? As you can see, we had lots of fun making our own romantic trinkets! 

The clay can be stored in an airtight container to be used for next playtime, or leave to harden for a couple of days and it can be painted! 

Check out the recipe here!

Hints and tips using reusable nappies

Reusable nappies have been gaining popularity amongst parents over the past few years as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to disposables. A 2008 Environment Agency report comparing the environmental impact of both disposable and reusable nappies, confirmed that if reusable nappies are laundered responsibly they can be up to 40 percent kinder to the environment. Despite the initial investment in purchasing a nappy system, reusable nappies have also shown to be more cost effective than disposables over the first two years of a child’s life. 

The benefits of reusable nappies are plain to see - less waste in landfills, soft, natural fibres against baby’s skin and they are economical. However some parents are put off by the thought of storing soiled nappies, as well as putting dirty nappies through the wash. Here are some helpful tips and ideas for hesitant parents, using traditional, reasonably-priced products from Dri-Pak.

The first thing parents considering using reusable nappies will need is a bucket with a tight fitting lid for soiled nappies to be placed in. A mesh liner for the bucket is also recommended so that no touching of soiled nappies is required once the bucket is full. A great tip is to periodically sprinkle naturally deodorising Bicarbonate of Soda into the bucket to help prevent smells. Once the bucket is full, simply lift the mesh bag out of the bucket, and either put the nappies straight into the washing machine initially on a cold rinse, or leave them to soak in a regular hot Soda Crystal solution to help remove stains prior to washing. 

When washing the nappies use a non-biological washing powder or liquid as biological detergents are more likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Adding Soda Crystals to the detergent draw helps to soften the water, and aid the cleaning action of the detergent, meaning only the minimum amount is required to clean the nappies. 

For very sensitive skin use Liquid Soap Flakes and a scoop of Soda Crystals in place of detergent. Containing only pure soap, Liquid Soap Flakes gently clean without fragrances or detergent that can irritate skin. To prevent the nappies losing absorbency, an occasional hot wash with a White Vinegar rinse will eliminate any soap build-up on the nappies. 

Do not use fabric softener, as it leaves a residue on the surface of the fabric which affects absorbency and can stop the nappies working properly. White Vinegar is a good natural alternative to fabric softener that will ensure no residue is left on the fabric. 

For parents worried about bacteria building up within the washing machine, a regular hot wash using half a bag of Soda Crystals will eliminate any smells and wash bacteria out of the machine.

Maintaining a healthy glow throughout the winter months

We’re fed up of the cold weather! We want sunshine, we want to be warm again and we really really want to ditch these frumpy jumpers! Unfortunately we have more than a few weeks to wait, but at least we can get a sun-kissed glow… without the sun!

Spray tanning salons or self application tan lotions offer an instant sun-kissed colour without the risk of excess UV exposure or premature aging. Looking good with zero risk, what’s not to like? Except the awful brown stains it leaves on clothing that is.

Luckily we’ve discovered that Liquid Soda Crystals are fantastic at getting rid of fake tan stains with hardly any effort! Just spray the stained area, leave it for half an hour and throw the garment into the wash as normal. Et voila! Beautifully tanned skin, as well as beautifully clean clothes!

Liquid Soda Crystals are available in a trigger spray or pouring bottle, from Wilkinsons hardware, Home bargains and other leading retailers.

Pongy washing machine?

Do you ever open the door to your washing machine expecting the smell of freshly washed clothes but are instead met by a fusty, damp odour? Many of us have found that washing on low temperatures, and using gentler washing detergents has allowed bacteria to build up and create a fusty smell. So is the answer to switch back to higher temperature washes? Not with out handy tips!

To eliminate smells, scum, detergent and grime from your machine simply add half a bag of Soda Crystals, split between the detergent drawer and the drum and run the machine empty on a 60 degree cycle, or higher if there is a significant smell. This will raise the PH of the water and help to wash away the smell-causing bacteria.

If you are in a hard water area, it is recommended to repeat this process using either 500ml of White Vinegar or a packet of Citric Acid to which will remove limescale build up and complete the cleaning process.

Not only will Soda Crystals, White Vinegar and Citric Acid eradicate bad smells in your washing machine, they will lower the power consumption of the machine by descaling the element.

Citric Acid is available from John Lewis, Soda Crystals and White Vinegar are available from supermarkets nationwide.  

Top tips for Skiers and Snowboarders!

Whether you are a seasoned skier or a snowboarding beginner, you will rely heavily on your boots and ski clothes to keep you warm and protected.  Keep them fresh and protected using out top tips and your ski clothes and boots will look, and smell, like new for your next winter wonderland getaway!

First let’s tackle the boots!  At the end of any trip and before you store your boots away, remove the inner boots and allow them to dry completely.  Once they’re dry, replace them and fasten the clips on a loose setting. Deodorise them by pouring a few tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda into two clean socks, tying them at the top and placing one in each boot.  You can also add a couple of drops of an essential oil, such as lemongrass, to give your boots a pleasant citrus fragrance.  Any smells will be absorbed by the Bicarbonate of Soda and will disappear without the need for artificial perfumes or expensive sprays.  

Most winter sports clothing is made from specialist materials that work to repel moisture and protect you from the wind, whilst also being “breathable”, releasing unwanted sweat and moisture. By washing these clothes in a washing machine you risk damaging their special fabrics. Normal washing powders and fabric conditioners can also cause a build up of detergent which damages the coating of a garment, reducing its long term performance and usefulness.

There are a number of expensive “specialist” products on the market that can help protect your ski and snowboarding clothes.  However, when it comes to washing them simple and economical Liquid Soap Flakes will clean the delicate micro-fibre fabrics without removing any protective sealants on the fabrics. 

Your skiing gear is now ready to be stored away, smell-free, until your next holiday.  Just remember to remove the Bicarbonate of Soda from your boots before next you wear them!