Spring Clean your Washing Machine!

Do you ever open the door to your washing machine expecting the smell of freshly washed clothes but are instead met by the smell of mould and damp? 

Smelly washing machines are not only unpleasant but they can also transfer bad smells to clothes, meaning they would have to be rewashed wasting valuable time and money. But don't worry! There's an easy, inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to eliminate bad smells from your machine; traditional Soda Crystals, Citric Acid and White Vinegar! 

Washing machines omitting bad odours are often the result of a build up of bacteria, normally resulting from using cooler wash temperatures and gentler washing powders. And hot summer weather will only make it worse, causing bacteria to grow more easily. 

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. 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 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 not damage the environment and lower the power consumption of the machine by descaling the element.

The Dishwasher - Your best friend

In the second of our Christmas preparation posts, we’re tackling a much loved appliance that can keep you sane through all the washing up that comes your way over the festive period!

If you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, you’ll know it’s one of the most used (and most valuable) appliances in the kitchen, especially over Christmas. However it does need a little tender loving care to keep it in tip top condition, after all a breakdown on Boxing day can leave you with a mountain of hand washing up to do!  

Remove and clean the dishwasher filter periodically to get rid of any scraps of food that can clog up the dishwasher. To clean the inside of the machine, remove limescale build up, and cut through odours, position two bowls of White Vinegar on the top and bottom racks of the empty dishwasher, return the drawers and run the machine on a long, hot cycle.

Even after Christmas is over, you may want to continue using White Vinegar in the rinse compartment of your dish washer - it removes water marks from glasses with ease!

In our next Christmas preparation post, we'll be tackling the aftermath of Christmas dinner, and making sure our roasting tin is spick and span! 

It's Tea Time!

As all good Brits know, almost everything can be solved with a good cup of tea. From the first brew made in China over 5,000 years ago, people all over the world have relaxed, laughed, cried and put the world to rights over a brew. It’s really no surprise that tea is Britain’s most popular beverage.

But what if your kettle is encrusted with limescale that ends up floating to the top of your well-earned cuppa? There is a simple, quick, effective and natural way to get rid of that gunk and make sure your kettle makes great tea again, check out our video below…

Regularly descaling appliances like kettles helps them to be more energy efficient and means that they are less likely to break down. 

Click the pic to find out how to buy this AMAZING teapot!

So now the kettle is shiny and clean, it's time to address that dodgy looking brown film in the teapot. Tannin stains are notoriously difficult to remove, but by leaving a regular Soda Crystals solution to soak in the pot overnight and wiping the next day will make it much easier to remove.

So what are you waiting for - put the kettle on!

Time to put your feet up!

It’s official! Dishwashers have been proven to be better for the environment than putting on your rubber gloves and washing the dishes by hand! Research from the University of Bonn in Germany shows that not only do they use less water and detergent, dishwashers use half the amount of energy and are more hygienic. What a great excuse to put your feet up and relax whilst your dishwasher does the hard work for you!

However, dishwashers do need a bit of maintenance every now and again to stop any odours and ensure that they are working as best they can. Whilst expensive, specialist dishwasher cleaners may seem like a good product to shift grease and grime from inside the machine, may people have discovered that natural, simple, inexpensive White Vinegar does just a good job, as well as keeping the machine free from limescale!

Many people already use White Vinegar to clean and descale their dishwashers, making them more energy efficient and eliminating odours in the process. After testing the effectiveness of White Vinegar we have found that the most complete way to use White Vinegar is to fill two containers on the top and bottom rack and to set the dishwasher on the longest, hottest wash. This way the White Vinegar is released gradually and the heat will ensure that the maximum amount of limescale is removed from the internal parts of the machine!

Dishwasher users may also want to carry on using the White Vinegar in the rinse compartment of the dishwasher for regular use - it gets rid of any water marks left on glasses with ease, as well as keeping limescale at bay!