Top Tips for Pet Owners!

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Britain is indisputably a nation of animal lovers but, as much as we love our pets, there are inevitably aspects of owning a pet that are, shall we say, less than desirable! Bad odours and stains caused by your beloved pet are not always easy to get rid of, but help is at hand using the cleaning and deodorising power of naturally safe Bicarbonate of Soda and White Vinegar.

Accidents

When cleaning up accidents, it is important to remove the odour as well as the stain, as the smell will encourage your pets to return to the same place. White Vinegar is a tried and proven ingredient that aids in removing both urine stains and the odour for good. To remove stains and odours, soak a clean cloth in a White Vinegar solution (50/50 White Vinegar and water)*, and dab affected area. When the area is dry, wipe with a clean cloth and warm water, before covering with naturally deodorising Bicarbonate of Soda. Leave overnight before vacuuming.

Pet Bedding

Bicarbonate of Soda can also help to eliminate odours from pet bedding. Simply sprinkle the area liberally with Bicarbonate of Soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odours), before vacuuming.

Discouraging climbing

Keeping your cat off certain surfaces in your home can also be a problem, as cats tend to favour high areas such as tabletops, kitchen counters, bookshelves, window sills, and even fireplace mantles. Discourage your cat from perching in such places by spraying surfaces with White Vinegar.

*Always test White Vinegar on a small, inconspicuous patch of fabric before use on large areas.

Keep your car interior clean and fresh

Many of us take pride in keeping the exterior of our car clean and looking its best, but making sure the interior is clean and smells fresh is equally important. Tackling the inside of your car doesn't have to mean buying pricey specialist cleaning products - natural household cleaning products like White Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda are inexpensive and just as effective at clearing away the everyday dirt and mess.

Steering Wheels & Gear Sticks

Often forgotten about in a regular interior car clean, steering wheels and gear sticks can harbour nasty germs that are easily transferred to the home. To remove the dirt and grime without damaging the leather, add a capful of Liquid Soap Flakes to 200ml of warm water and using a microfibre cloth rub over the whole wheel and gear stick. Rinse the cloth and repeat the process until no more dirt comes off, then wipe with a clean damp cloth.

 

Windscreens

Keeping the inside of your windscreen clear and streak-free is essential for safe driving. To keep it clean, spray White Vinegar directly on to the glass and buff to a shine using a microfibre cloth. White Vinegar can also be used to remove any unwanted stickers on the windows. Simply soak a kitchen cloth with White Vinegar and place onto the sticker for 10 minutes. Remove the cloth and wipe the sticker away with ease. 

Spills

Food and drink accidents can happen on journeys back from the supermarket, but liquid spills like milk leave a sour odour that is particularly difficult to remove. Naturally deodorising White Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda can eliminate odours effectively. Begin by soaking up the milk using a dry cloth, and then spray the area with White Vinegar. Dab the area with a clean cloth until it is dry then sprinkle with Bicarbonate of Soda. Leave for 24 hours before vacuuming it away.

Find out where to buy Dri-Pak products here!

7 (often forgotten) dirtiest areas of the home!

What’s the dirtiest area of your home? The floor? The toilet? 

In actual fact the dirtiest places of the home tend to be the commonly used places that are often overlooked during the day-to-day cleaning routine. These areas that get used on a daily basis could actually be the dirtiest and harbour the most bacteria!

Here are a few reminders of places in the home you may have missed in your general clean…

1. Light Switches, door knobs & handles  

Used everyday by everyone in the house! Keep these areas clean to prevent nasty colds and tummy bugs from spreading, particularly around this time of year.

  

2. Kitchen sponge

The kitchen sponge gets used everyday to wipe down surfaces, clean up spills and wash dishes, but you don’t have to start with a new one each week – most can be put in the dishwasher or thrown in the washing machine with the tea towels.

3. Remote Control

The lounge is spotless, the cushions are plumped and the TV is gleaming, but what about the remote control? You might want to give those germy buttons a wipe before the next movie night. Popcorn anyone?

4. Computer keyboard & mouse

We all like to snack at the computer, but make sure you clean the keys and mouse thoroughly in your regular clean or germs will build up and can easily be transferred to your mouth!

5. Kitchen sink & drain 

Left over food stuck in the drain can spread germs back up the plughole to where you’re washing your dishes, especially if it gets blocked or drains slowly. Make sure it’s kept clear, by pouring down a cup of Soda Crystals followed by a kettle of boiling water.

6. Telephone

Phones pick up grease, make up, hair, dead skin and all kinds of nasties, so make sure you wipe the buttons as well as the ear and mouth piece thoroughly.

7. Bin

You empty the bin on a regular basis, but spills and splits in bin liners can lead to a very stinky, bacteria ridden area of the kitchen. Make sure you wipe any part of the bin you touch and rinse out the inside of the bin with a regular Soda Crystals solution whenever you can. Sprinkling a cup of Bicarbonate of Soda in the bottom of the bin will also help to absorb smells.

How to make Spooky Halloween Slime!

Looking for some fun Halloween activities to do with the kids that don’t involved lots of sugary sweets? How about making some spooky slime using Soap Flakes! This simple recipe is great for kids of all ages and can be used as hand soap after playtime has finished.

You will need:

25g Soap Flakes

1 Litre Boiling Water

Food Colouring

A Bucket

Add the Soap Flakes and boiling water to the bucket and stir until the flakes are dissolved. Add the food colouring and mix thoroughly, then leave to set for up to five hours. Here’s our video of the recipe (make sure your speakers are on!!):

Why not make different coloured slime or add plastic spiders and eyeballs for an extra spooky effect!  

Soap Flakes are available from Booths, Boots, Tesco, independent stores, and educational resource suppliers such as TTS.

Please note that the recipe does take up to five hours to set, so you may want to make it the day before you plan to use it.

Soda Crystals, White Vinegar & Bicarbonate of Soda on offer at Wilkinson stores!

Bargain hunters will be very pleased to hear that Wilkinson stores currently have some great deals on Dri-Pak products!

Soda Crystals are now just 70 tiny 
little pennies for a full 1 kg bag!

White Vinegar now has 50% extra FREE!

Bicarbonate of Soda is also on 
offer at larger Wilkinson stores!

Click here to find your nearest Wilkinson store!

Top 5 Student Cleaning Tips!

Let’s be honest, student accommodation doesn’t have a great reputation for being kept clean and tidy, but by using some old-fashioned cleaning tips your Grandma would be proud of, and some cheap and cheerful products, you can have your new student digs looking like a palace in no time! Here’s how to tackle the most common student cleaning tasks quickly and cheaply!

1. Blocked, smelly sinks are awful to deal with, but before you call the maintenance team, try pouring a large mug of Soda Crystals into the plughole, and then sluice it down with a kettle full of hot water. It’s also a good idea to invest in a sink strainer so you can catch food and other nasties before they block the sink!

2. Whereas Mum obviously appreciates you bringing back your dirty laundry back for her every term, washing out stains can be done quickly and easily by spraying with Liquid Soda Crystals. Just spray the stain and throw in the washing machine – easy peasy!

3. It’s no secret that that communal fridges are rarely cleared out and can really start to hum if old food is kept past its use by date. Once it’s been thrown away, spray any sticky spills with naturally deodorising White Vinegar and wipe away. You can also leave an open box of Bicarbonate of Soda on a shelf to absorb smells once it’s clean! 

4. Does that greasy, blackened oven make you want to order take-away for the sixth time this week? Tackle it head on - invest in a pair of rubber gloves, a heavy-duty scourer and a bag of Soda Crystals. Soak the racks and tray in a strong, hot Soda Crystals solution (1 cup to 500ml water), then spray the interior of the oven with the same solution, or try Liquid Soda Crystals in a handy trigger spray bottle. Wait for half an hour for the Soda Crystals to start to dissolve the grease and gunk and scour away the burnt on mess!

5. Finally, cleaning rotas do seem dull but they really work! Organising it so that each person takes responsibility for a single area (e.g. the bathroom), then switching areas each week means that everyone pulls their weight without one person being left to clean everything!

Look after your Golfing equipment for a hole-in-one!

If you're a keen golf enthusiast, walking a course or practicing at the driving range in all weather conditions will undoubtedly help to improve your game, but what effect is it having on your equipment?  Rain and mud during the winter months, as well as dust and dirt during drier periods, can all take their toll and cause irreversible damage if equipment is not maintained regularly. Here's a few tips to help keep your gear in tip top shape.

Golf Clubs

To bring the sparkle back to your clubs, wash off any dirt with a clean cloth and warm soapy water – a toothbrush is perfect for cleaning the grooves on the club heads.  Once clean take care to dry thoroughly.  Then add some White Vinegar to a microfibre cloth and polish to make them look as good as new.

Towels

Soda Crystals can also be used to clean your golf towel.  Add the towel to a warm, mild Soda Crystals solution and soak for ten minutes before rinsing thoroughly.  Once rinsed, wash the towel as usual but add half a cup of White Vinegar to the fabric conditioner section of the draw.  Finally, rinse, spin and dry thoroughly.

Shoes

Your golfing shoes are probably the second most important piece of kit you own - after your clubs.  They need to be comfortable and most importantly, waterproof, especially for those extra long 18 hole courses.  Liquid Soap Flakes are ideal for cleaning the delicate leather uppers and as they do not contain enzymes or optical brighteners they will not remove any protective sealants on the shoe.  For those winter months when play is limited, you can deodorise your shoes by placing a few tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda into two clean socks, tied at the top, and placing one in each shoe.  Any smells will be absorbed by the Bicarbonate of Soda and will disappear without the need for artificial perfumes or expensive sprays. 

Waterproof Clothing

Liquid Soap Flakes are also ideal for cleaning delicate waterproof clothing.  Many golfers own waterproof coats, wind beaters or water proof trousers all of which work to repel moisture and protect you from the wind.  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 and reduces its long term performance.  Using Liquid Soap Flakes in hand wash will clean your waterproof clothing without removing any of their protective layers.

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