Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Diamond Jubilee Badge Making Fun!


We've been having lots of fun making our very own Diamond Jubilee badges using our Bicarbonate of Soda Modelling Clay recipe! 

Once we made our crowns, flags and sceptres, we embedded a safety pin in the back and left to harden for three days. It's now time for a touch of glitter paint and our badges are ready for the celebrations!

What Jubilee activities will you be up to this weekend?

Friday, 25 May 2012

Banish Kitchen Odours!



Cooking meals from scratch is more popular than ever thanks to cookery television shows and growing trends for healthy eating and economical living. But cooking foods with strong aromas like curry and fish can leave smells that linger long after the meal has been enjoyed. Don’t be put off trying new recipes – we’ve got some natural and effective ways to neutralise kitchen odours and get rid of that pong for good!

 

Deodorise the air 

Once the meal is over, simply place a pan of 200ml White Vinegar and 200ml water on the stove and leave to gently simmer for 15 minutes. White Vinegar is a natural deodoriser that will neutralise odours, making the room smell fresh and clean in no time.

 

Stinky smoke

If your culinary masterpieces don’t go to plan and a burnt, smoky smell lingers, simply spray a 50/50 White Vinegar and water solution around the room, and on any soft furnishings that have absorbed the smell*. Adding a few drops of essential oil to the solution will also fragrance the air.  

 

Bin the stink

Nasty niffs can also linger around kitchen bins. To help combat the stink, regularly wash the bin and any recycling containers with a Soda Crystals solution. Once dry, add a two table spoons of Bicarbonate of Soda to the bottom of the bin to absorb bad odours naturally. You can also keep fridge food odours at bay by placing an open box of Bicarbonate of Soda in the fridge for up to four months.

There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal made with fresh ingredients, so don’t let strong smelling foods put you off your cooking your favourite foods!

*test on an inconspicuous area first to avoid discolouration

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Monday, 21 May 2012

Whisking Up Coloured Sensory Soap!

Check out this brilliant kids activity blog from The Imagination Tree using Dri-Pak Soap Flakes! 



 For more activities using traditional and natural products, check out our Kid's Fun page


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Friday, 11 May 2012

We're going all green-fingered!

We can’t wait for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show! The show gardens are simply spectacular and you can always pick up some green-fingered advice from the experts. Check out these brilliant advice videos on the RHS website

 

Of course we have a few gardening tips of our own to share…

 

A good work man never blames his tools

Use half a cup of Soda Crystals mixed with one litre of very hot water to clean caked grass, dirt and grime off spades, forks, trowels and even lawn mower blades.  Rinse, dry and lightly oil the metal parts to prevent rust.*

 

Clear a pathway to success

To help you navigate more easily around your garden clear the moss and rotting leaves from pathways, patios and steps.  Sprinkle Soda Crystals directly on to the affected areas, use a watering can to wet, or put them down when rain is expected, and leave for a day or two.  Once the moss has turned brown, brush it off preventing any excess Soda Crystal solution going on to the grass, and rinse with plenty of clean water to reveal spotless, safer pathways.

 

Clearing out the gutter

Those hard to reach places, such as drains and gutters, need a bit of care and attention at this time of year too.  They can become dirty and clogged over the winter months so the first thing to do is clear the drains and gutters of visible debris and leaves.  Pour 500g of Soda Crystals directly down the drains and leave for ten minutes before rinsing with very hot water to clear them of any built up grime and grease.  Gutters can also be washed with a Soda Crystal mixture to remove rotting leaves and any other blockages.

 

Any old iron

If you have any iron ornaments or iron gates that have gathered dirt and rust over winter and need a repaint, simply cover them with Bicarbonate of Soda and pour White Vinegar over the top.  This will make the surface bubble.  When it stops, simply scrub off with a stiff brush and you will be left with a smooth surface ready to be painted.

 

Potting perfection

To give your plants the best start in life, wash out your terracotta, stone or plastic pots with a mixture of half a cup of Soda Crystals and one litre of water to help remove old compost and caked on grime.  You can also make your stone ornaments or birdbaths look like new by spraying Liquid Soda Crystals directly on to the surfaces, leaving for around an hour and brushing with a stiff brush before rinsing with clean water. 

 

Put your feet up!

After all that hard work, make sure you can sit back, relax and admire all of your hard work by cleaning any moss and algae off plastic patio furniture with a mixture of Soda Crystals and hot water.  This method also works well to prepare wooden garden furniture, prior to applying a new coat of linseed oil.

 

What expert gardening tips do you have? We’d love to hear how you get your garden ship shape!

*Always disconnect electric mowers from the power supply and keep water away from electrical contacts etc.  Dry thoroughly before use


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