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Different floors require different cleaning methods and treatments, and you could do more harm than good if you get it wrong. Whatever type of floor you have, follow these top floor cleaning tips and tricks to help you get the flooring in your house spotless and sparkling, and keep it that way.

Choose the Right Cleaner

You should not use a carpet cleaner on a wood floor, or vice versa, as you are likely to do more damage than good.

For the best clean, and to ensure you do not cause any damage, always choose a cleaning detergent that is designed for your flooring type.

Mop Weekly

When it comes to vinyl or tile flooring, nothing beats traditional damp mopping. Mopping floors may seem pretty straightforward, but there are several things you should consider.

You should choose a mop based on your floor type. Traditional string mops and strip mops are great for textured floors such as ceramic tile flooring. However, for smooth flooring, opt for a sponge mop.

Many people often make the mistake of not having a second bucket of water for rinsing the mop. Using a rinse bucket helps to stop the cleaning solution from becoming dirty, ensuring a better clean.

Fill the Buckets Correctly

If you are mopping, be sure to fill the buckets correctly. Fill one with clean water for rinsing, and the other with water and detergent for cleaning. Unless otherwise specified, fill both buckets with hot water, as this will clean better and faster than warm or cold water. Add the detergent after the water. It may be tempting to use more detergent than advised in an attempt to try and speed up the cleaning process or get better results. However, this can have adverse effects. An over-concentrated solution will be harder to rinse, so it is best to just follow the instructions on the product.

Use A Damp Mop

If floors get too wet, they may become damaged and will take much longer to dry, so you should not use a sopping wet mop.
Make sure that after you dip your mop into the water, you wring it out with a wringer or by hand to ensure the mop is damp and not too wet.

Mop Methodically

Start at the end of the room that is furthest away from the door and then work backward towards the door so you do not walk over any area that you have mopped. Standing and walking on areas that have not been mopped will prevent tracking and minimise the risk of slipping.
If you are using a sponge mop, you should mop in straight lines, but if you use a rag mop, mop in a figure of eight motion, to get the most out of your mop.

Once you have finished cleaning an area, rinse your mop thoroughly in clean, hot water. Be sure to wring it out to remove as much dirty water as possible before rinsing the mopped area.

Regularly Sweep / Vacuum

While mopping and carpet cleaning is essential to getting floors clean, the key to keeping them clean is to sweep or vacuum every one to three days. Regularly sweeping and vacuuming your flooring will also help to prolong its life and maintain its finish. Sweeping or vacuuming just before mopping will make it quicker and easier to mop, and will help you to identify any stubborn spots.

Combat Stubborn Spots

When you do encounter particularly dirty or sticky areas, use a sponge to rub back and forth over the spot to remove the grime, before continuing with sweeping or mopping.

Let Everything Dry

Make sure you thoroughly rinse out your mop and mop buckets, then allow them to dry completely before you put them away.
You should also let your floor dry completely before you or anyone else walks on it.

Hire A Cleaner

If you are short on time, or would simply prefer to leave it to the professionals, you may want to consider hiring a cleaner to take care of your cleaning for you.

Time For You specialises in providing properly screened and vetted domestic cleaners to private households to provide you, our client, with more time for you.

Click here and simply enter your postcode to find a cleaner near you and let us take care of the cleaning, so you do not have to

We are always trying to find ways to cut down on how much time we spend on household tasks. Whilst some jobs cannot be avoided, there are some things that we tend to clean regularly that do not need to be cleaned as regularly. Here is a list of things you might be cleaning too often.

Clothes

Of course, if there are any stains on your clothes then these should be washed straight away. However, many people are washing their clothes too often. Unless they are dirty or you have been sweating, most clothes can be worn more than once. Underwear, socks, and workout clothes are obviously the exception, but most other items can be worn again. Many of us automatically place clothes in the clothes basket when they are perfectly good to wear on another occasion. Not only is this saving you time washing, drying, and ironing clothes, but it can also save you money on electricity, water, and laundry products.

Rinsing Dishes

Do you rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher? Well, stop. You don’t need to. Dishwasher products are designed to dissolve food particles. If you pre-rinse the dishes, this can stop the dishwasher detergent from clinging to the dishes. Rinsing dishes in advance not only takes extra time but also uses a lot of water.

Light Fixtures

Light fittings definitely need a good clean now and then as otherwise cobwebs and dust can build up and brighten the lights. However, you don’t have to clean them weekly. Once a month is more than often enough.

Curtains

Washing curtains can be a pain. The good news is they only need to be washed once a year (unless there are obvious stains). Whilst the majority of curtains are fine to only be cleaned annually, you may want to wash curtains in kitchens and bathrooms after every season instead.

Bedding

Whilst duvet covers and sheets should be washed regularly, you don’t need to worry as much with additional bedspreads and duvets. Instead, wash these at the end of each season instead to keep them fresh. Most of them can be washed in the machine as usual. However, always check the label before placing them in the wash. Some may need to be taken to a laundrette if they are too bulky and heavy for the machine.

Pillows

Similar to duvets, you do not need to wash your pillows regularly. Of course, wash the pillowcases often as they come into direct contact with your skin, however, the pillows themselves do not need to be washed as much. In fact, cleaning too often can cause them to start wearing down. Washing them every 3-6 months should suffice.

Carpets

Try not to overclean your carpets. It takes time and effort and if you do it too regularly it can end up causing damage. Steam or shampoo your floors as a deep clean once a year to keep them in tip-top condition. Just ensure you are vacuuming weekly to remove dirt. Consider getting a professional company into clean your floors each year. Whilst DIY options are available and cheaper, you can end up causing more damage. For example, if you over-shampoo your carpets and too much liquid is used, it can lead to carpet mould.

Kitchen Pantry and Cupboards

Your fridge should be cleaned on a weekly basis as it stored a lot of perishable items. The same is not the case for a kitchen pantry or cupboard food. Instead, do a big tidy a couple of times a year. Empty the pantry and cupboards completely, wipe all the shelves down, organise them neatly and check the expiry dates on all the food.

Oven

A deep oven clean is not needed often, as long as you ensure spills and stains are wiped down as soon as they happen. If you keep on top of this, an oven will only need to be cleaned deeply a couple of times a year. To ensure you get a thorough clean, you may also want to consider hiring a professional.

Wooden Furniture

Avoid using furniture spray too often. Whilst wood spray polishes leave the furniture with a lovely shine, they can actually trap dust, so use sparingly.

Mirrors

Mirrors are usually on people’s weekly cleaning lists, however, it doesn’t have to be. Spraying too regularly with glass cleaner can start to destroy the back of the mirror. Instead, remove smudges as and when they appear on the mirror.

We all want a tidy and hygienic home but we have to ask ourselves whether each cleaning job needs to be done as often as you are doing it. You may be surprised that you have been giving yourself extra work to do. So remove these from your cleaning list this week and enjoy the extra time to relax.

Most households depend on their washing machine. We rely on them to do our laundry and ensure that we always have clean clothes. However, most of us are not making the most out of them Yes, its primary function is to clean clothes. However, in reality, they can do so much more than that. Here, we share18 surprising things you can clean in the washing machine.

Outdoor furniture cushions

If you have patio furniture you can clean the cushions in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. It is not necessary to wash them regularly as they often don’t get used for the majority of the year, however, this is a great way to give them a freshen up. Do a pre-treat test on one of the cushions if you are nervous about how they will wash. Once you have washed them, simply leave them to air dry before you store them away.

Car Mats

As long as your car mat is not too big or too heavy for your machine, you should be able to place them in the washing machine to get clean. We use our cars on a daily basis and it is surprising how much grime and muck can build up. Being able to place the smaller mats in the washing machine can make a huge difference.

Headbands and hair ties

Many of us don’t even think about washing our hair ties and headbands. However, we should. Our hair accessories can over time get a build-up of oils from our hair and the products we use. Therefore, you should remember to wash them every now and then. As they are small, it is important you place them in a small mesh laundry bag and then add them to your normal wash.

Baseball caps

Similar to headbands, although they are in contact with our heads regularly, we do not always remember to wash them. Perhaps because we assume the washing machine will cause damage. However, as long as you place on a cold, delicate cycle this shouldn’t be a problem.

Curtains

It is surprising how dust and dirt can build up on your curtains. Whilst you don’t have to wash them regularly, the results can be amazing. If your curtains are standard fabric and not too heavy, simply place them on a delicate cold water cycle. Hang them back up whilst they are still slightly damp as this can help remove the creases. If you have thicker curtains that are heavy then avoid placing them in the washing machine. Your washing machine drum can only take a certain load and this may simply be too much for it to handle.

Mats

Rubber-backed mats should be occasionally washed and they can easily be placed in the washing machine (just ensure you have not overloaded). They will come out of the machine looking so much better. However, you should avoid washing rubber-backed mats too often as over time it means they lose their grip.

Other mats such as bathmats should also be washed but on a more regular basis. Place these on hot wash in order to sanitise them. You can put them in a tumble dryer after to help keep their fluffiness. Ensure you leave the bathmats to dry completely before you place them back in your bathroom.

Yoga Mats

Again, something we potentially don’t think about washing, however placing your yoga mat in your washing machine is completely fine. Just ensure you place on a delicate cold cycle. Once they are washed air dry them flat to avoid them getting out of shape. In between washes, sanitise them after workouts.

Sports Equipment

Similar to yoga mats, there are several pieces of sports equipment that can become sweaty and disgusting quickly but can also be cleaned easily too. Shin pads, knee pads, gloves, etc can all be placed in the washing machine safely. Add them to a laundry mesh bag first and then add to the machine. Depending on how regularly you do the sport, the equipment should be washed around once a month.

Rucksacks

If you’ve ever looked at the bottom of a rucksack you know how quickly they can build up dirt, especially if they belong to a child. The good news is that you can simply place them in the washing machine and have come out looking as good as new. If your bag has lots of straps, place them in a mesh laundry bag before placing them into the washing machine. If you don’t have one, ensure you flip the bag inside out so that the straps are on the inside and out of the way. Unzip all the pockets to ensure the most thorough clean and then leave the bag to air dry afterward.

Children’s toys

Our childrens' toys are potentially some of the grimiest items in our home and therefore you should ensure they are cleaned regularly, especially the kid’s favourite toys that they touch the most. Stuffed animals will be fine in the washing machine, however always check the label just in case. You can also wash plastic toys in the washing machine including Lego. If the toys are small, place them in a mesh laundry bag first.

Trainers

Trainers or canvas shoes can be placed in the washing machine and the results can be transforming. Place them in a mesh laundry bag (or pillowcase if you don’t have one) and place them into your washing machine. Place some towels or bedding in with them to help fill up the gaps. This not only stops the shoes from making a racket in the washing machine, but it will also protect the drum and avoid any damage.

Reusable shopping bags

It’s a great step in the right direction that we are making a conscious effort to cut down on our plastic bags and opt for reusable bags instead. However, many of us forget to wash them, and ideally, they should be cleaned every few weeks to keep them hygienic. Add them to a load of washing every now and then to keep on top of it.

Material Lunch Boxes

Similar to reusable shopping bags, lunch boxes can quickly become messy, especially once they have been taken to and from school several times. Simply place them in the washing machine regularly to avoid them smelling and keeping them at their freshest.

Pet Beds

All pet owners know how dirty pet beds can get. They can start to smell and can quickly get covered in hairs. Luckily most pet beds wash well in the washing machine if they have removable covers. Start by vacuuming the excess hair off before placing it in the washing machine. Leave to air dry before placing them back on. Some items can be added to the washing load which helps dissolve and remove stubborn pet hair.

Pet Accessories

From pet toys to their collars and leads, all of these should be washed every now and then as well. For smaller items and to avoid the leads getting caught on anything, place them in a laundry mesh bag first.

Oven Mitts

Oven Mitts are used a lot in the kitchen and they can quickly get dirty. Whether yours are fabric or silicone, you shouldn’t have any problems simply adding them to your next washload.

Pillows

We clean our pillowcases regularly but what about our actual pillows? It is recommended that they should be washed around twice a year. Handwash feather or down pillows. However, most synthetic pillows or foam-filled pillows should be fine in the washing machine as long as it's on a gentle cycle.

Cleaning tools

From rubber gloves to mop heads and sponges, we use these items almost every day to keep our house clean, but do we clean these tools enough? Potentially not. They are all able to be placed in the washing machine, so there is no excuse. Fill the load with some towels to avoid any damage to the machine or excessive noise. Also, place on high heat to sanitise the items and kill bacteria.

Not only can our washing machines provide us with clean clothes when we need them, but they can also clean so many more, potentially unexpected things that the majority of people are unaware of. If you make the most out of your washing machine it can help save you a lot of time and energy.

With spring comes new beginnings. Now that you have given your home a spring clean, it is the perfect time to start those home improvement projects you have been putting off and give your home a complete refresh.

You do not need to carry out major home renovations or massive DIY projects to make your home feel renewed. Here are just a few ideas for some spring projects that can help to spruce up your home ready for summer.

Add Pops of Colour

Bring some colour to your bedroom and living room by adding some colourful new throw pillows, blankets, and vases to the mix.

Paint Brick and Woodwork

Add a lick of light-coloured paint to your fireplace or wooden furniture to freshen and brighten up your living space.

Add a Rug

Laying a rug down can completely transform a room. Rugs add colour, texture, dimension, and warmth to a room. Pick out colours from a multi-coloured rug and add décor in coordinating shades to really tie the room together. This is one of the quickest spring projects but makes a huge impact.

Light Up a Room

Switch out your existing light shades for bright, bold light fixtures which can lighten up a space, and add some statement lamps.

Spruce Up Cabinets

Simply painting your cabinets can transform your cupboards and bring a whole new lease of life to your kitchen.

Put Up Mirrors

Hanging mirrors up in a room can give the illusion of a larger, more open space, and are great for filling up blank walls.

Reupholster Chairs

If you have got upholstered chairs, you could try your hand at reupholstering to renew them and brighten them up. It is not as difficult as you may think and can be much cheaper than buying new chairs!

Decorate the Table

Put a tablecloth or runner on your dining table to transform your dining table and add a splash of colour to the room. Make a statement with some candlesticks or a centrepiece.

Add Some Greenery

Get some plants to dot around the house. They can help to make a house feel like a home and bring some literal life to your home. If you have lost some plants to the harsh winter season, now is the best time to replace them.

Make sure you get plants that suit the conditions of the room they are going in to prevent them from not making it through to summer.

Donate or Recycle

Whilst doing your spring cleaning, you will undoubtedly have found a lot of things that you no longer need. Donate or recycle your unwanted electrical items, homewares, clothing, and shoes. Clearing out your unneeded items will help to make your home feel much fresher.

Makeover the Front Door

Putting all this effort into the interior of your home seems a little wasted if the outside does not reflect the inside. Give your front door a makeover with some exterior paint and some new door furniture. You could even get a fancy new door knocker.

Paint the Fences

Simply painting the fences and gates around your house can really freshen up the exterior of your home.

Power Wash

Go around the outside of your home and power wash your windows, drive, and patio, to get rid of any mould or moss and make it look clean and renewed.

Keep the Home Clean

After you have finished your spring cleaning, it is important to then keep up with the cleaning. Once you have done all the hard work, it should be easy to stay on top of it. Little and often cleaning, even just 10 to 15 minutes per day of tidying and cleaning, will help to keep your home clean.

Your free time is valuable, and you may not want to spend it cleaning your home. If you feel like you could do with some professional help in cleaning your home, hire a domestic cleaner.

Time For You specialises in providing properly screened and vetted domestic cleaners to private households to provide you, our client, with more time for you.

Click here and simply enter your postcode to find a cleaner near you so that we can take care of the cleaning, so you do not have to.

Keeping your fridge and freezer organised and at a cool temperature can help to prevent bacteria from contaminating your food and making you ill, as well as minimising your food wastage and grocery shopping bill. Follow these top fridge and freezer organisation tips below.

Shelf Order

1. Store foods that do not need to be cooked on the upper shelves. E.g such as snacks, leftovers, pre-cooked and ready-to-eat items.
2. Store any wrapped raw meat and fish on the bottom shelf. This is the coldest part of the fridge and will help to ensure freshness.
3. Keep raw foods and cooked foods separate from each other. Having raw foods on the bottom shelf and cooked foods above will reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This is to avoid the raw foods falling or dripping on the cooked foods.
4. Place a tray underneath the meat on the bottom shelf to help contain any potential leaks. It makes it easy to clean if there is spillage.
5. Store eggs and dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, and butter, on the middle shelves.

Fruit & Vegetables

6. 
   Store vegetables, salads, fruit, and herbs in their original packaging in the fridge drawers to ensure they stay fresher for longer.
7. Keep vegetables and fruits in the separate designated drawers, if you have them – vegetable drawers are set for high humidity produce, whereas fruit drawers are set for low humidity produce, and fruits contain ethylene which can cause vegetables to spoil prematurely.
8. Keep salads and herbs away from the back of the fridge where it is colder to prevent them from going off or getting frozen to the back of the fridge.
9. Do not store avocados, nectarines, bananas, peaches, plums, pears, or tomatoes in the fridge as they are gas releasers which can make some vegetables go off prematurely.

Fridge Door

10. 
    Store foods containing natural preservatives, such as condiments, jams, and fruit juice, in the fridge door shelves – the inside of the door is the warmest area of the fridge, this is most susceptible to fluctuations in temperature.
11. Put an empty egg carton in the bottom of your fridge door to neatly store condiments in, lid side down.

Other Fridge Tips

12. Put containers in your fridge to house smaller items, foods that need to be kept separate from others, or potentially messy food items.
13. Keep food that needs to be used sooner than others towards the front of the fridge or in a separate container designated for food that expires soon.
14. Label butter, large yoghurts, condiments, fruit juices, and milk, with the date that you open them and the date that they need to be consumed by, as these items should be consumed within a certain amount of time after opening.
15. Regularly organise the outside of your fridge too to make sure it looks as neat on the outside as it does on the inside, and make the room look less cluttered.

Freezer Tips

15. 
    Put labels on your leftovers that go in the freezer, stating the date and what is inside the container. When you come back to it in a few months’ time, it may be difficult to identify what it is.
16. Keep a freezer inventory so that you always know what you have in there. This avoids you buying anything that you already have and do not need.
17. Re-package and freeze foods in pre-portioned amounts in freezer bags and write on them what is in them, how much is in them, and the date.
18. Take out the shelves in your freezer if it is small, as it may help you to fit more in.
19. Take contents out of the boxes they come in and put them in freezer bags if they are not individually packaged. If there are cooking instructions that you need, cut them out and stick them on the container.

We hope these tips have given you some food for thought on how to keep your fridge and freezer well-organised and inspire you to get organised throughout your home.

Your free time is valuable, and you may not want to spend it cleaning your home. If you could do with some professional help in cleaning your home, hire a domestic cleaner.

Time For You specialises in providing properly screened and vetted domestic cleaners to private households to provide you, our client, with more time for you. Click here and simply enter your postcode to find a cleaner near you so that we can take care of the cleaning, so you do not have to.

Not only do house plants look lovely, but they also bring many health and wellbeing benefits. If you are new to house plants or don’t know where to start then read on. In this beginner's guide to house plants, we share some of the easiest to grow at home, the benefits of owning house plants, some top care tips, and which plants are best for pet owners.

Benefits of house plants

There have been numerous scientific studies done to highlight the benefits that houseplants can bring to improve our physical and mental health as well as our overall wellbeing. Some benefits include:

• Reduced stress levels
• Increased worker productivity (if plants are near your workspace)
• Mood improvement
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced headaches and general fatigue
• Hospital patients in rooms with plants reported less post-operative pain

These benefits are just some of the things we can gain from having more plants in our home. Not only do they brighten up a room, but they can also dramatically impact our mood.

Easy to Grow house plants

The great news is that the benefits discussed above are not restricted to specific plants. Regardless of the plant or size of your indoor space, adding a plant can be a great addition. If you are a beginner or struggle to find plants that you can keep alive, try with one of the following easy to grow house plants that are a great place to start:

• Dragon Tree
• Rubber plant
• English Ivy
• Boston Fern
• Mother in law’s tongue
• Fern Anum
• Lady Palm
• Snake Plants

Top Care Tips 

Once you have chosen your new plants, you will of course want to keep them looking healthy. This can feel like a challenge when you are not green-fingered, so hopefully, these top tips will help.

• Start easy, as the list above shows, there are plenty of options for low maintenance plants. Some of these options are extremely hardy like Snake Plants and, even if you do not water them as much as you should, they are extremely difficult to kill. Just try not to over-water them. Do you always forget to water plants? Then opt for cacti or similarly, a succulent. They don’t need water often and also look fantastic.
• Don’t be scared of watering schedules - people tend to avoid household plants if they don’t think they can keep up with the watering schedules. However, the main thing is to ensure the surface of the soil is slightly dry before you water again. This avoids over-saturating it. So feel the soil before you water to avoid overwatering.
• Use a water dispenser- If you are still worried about forgetting to water your plants you can buy specific water dispensers. You fill them up and place them in your pot. They will slowly release water on their own - saving you the stress
• Think about the position of the plant- Ensure you place your plants in the correct conditions for them to thrive. You can easily find out which plants are suited to low light levels and which can cope in direct sunlight. By doing a bit of research, you will be able to find the perfect plants for your space.
• Control pests - Indoor plants can still be infested by pests. If you notice any insects on your plants, remove them straight away. If there are a lot, mix warm water with a small amount of liquid soap and spray the plant. Then wipe with a damp cloth
• Choose the right pot - Always choose pots with sufficient drainage. Where possible, leave the plant in the pot that it came in and place this in a decorative pot. There is no need to replant directly into the nicer pot. Choose a decorative pot that is slightly bigger than the original plant pot. This will ensure it fits nicely and has enough room to remove for watering.
• If you are low on space there are still options for you to include some house plants. Dry placing them on shelves, on top of bookcases, or even hanging from the ceiling.

Pet safe plants

A lot of people are put off indoor plants if they are pet owners as many plants are toxic to animals and this can obviously be a concern. However, there are still plenty of plants out there that are not harmful to your pets. Here are a few indoor plants safe for cats and dogs

• Rattlesnake plant
• Spider Plant
• Parlour Palm
• African Violet
• Venus Flytrap
• Boston Fern
• Orchid
• Areca Palm
• Herbs
• Prayer Plant
• Friendship Plant

House plants are becoming increasingly popular and it is clear to see why. Not only do they look great, but they also bring colour to your room, hey purifying the air and are proven to provide a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. Even if you have a bad track record of looking after plants, there are options out there for you. Hopefully, this guide to household plants has inspired you to get started and grow your house plant collection. 

Spring is upon us which means it's time to start thinking about spring cleaning. Now more than ever, it is important that you keep your home clean, and what better way to ensure that your home is thoroughly clean than with a deep spring clean.

Spring cleaning can feel like a daunting task, so we have put together some tips and tricks to help get you started. Follow our spring cleaning tips and tricks below for a healthy and clean home for you and your family.

Make A Schedule

Before getting started, you should scope out your home and prioritise which room needs to be done first and create a schedule. Planning out what you are going to do before you do it and following it can help keep you focused on the task at hand and make sure you do not miss anywhere.

De-Clutter

Did you know that having a disorganised or untidy home can add to your stress levels? Before cleaning, make sure you tidy up and move any obstructions out of the way to make sure you can clean thoroughly and efficiently.

Clean Room by Room

Working your way around the house cleaning room by room is the most effective way of ensuring that you give it a deep clean. Focusing on one room at a time will allow you to see the results and give you the encouragement to carry on to the next one.

Share the Load

Get other people in your household involved to help get the cleaning done quicker. Even young children can lend a helping hand and you could offer an incentive to get chores done.

Listen to Music

Listening to music, or a podcast or audiobook, while getting the cleaning done can make it seem a little less dull and it will feel like it goes a lot quicker.

Minimise Cleaning Products

Try to use cleaning products that you already have, which may help clear up space in your cupboards, rather than adding to the clutter by buying more.

If you do need to buy new cleaning products, only buy what you need. We recommend opting for a good all-purpose cleaner and some microfibre cloths as these can be used for a variety of surfaces in your home.

Clean Regularly

After you have finished your spring cleaning, it is important to then keep it up. Once you have done all the hard work, it should be easy to stay on top of it. Little and often cleaning, even just 10 to 15 minutes per day of tidying and cleaning, will help to keep your home clean.

Hire A Cleaner

Your free time is valuable, and you may not want to spend it cleaning your home. If you feel like you could do with some professional help in cleaning your home, you could hire a domestic cleaner.

Time For You specialises in providing properly screened and vetted domestic cleaners to private households to provide you, our client, with more time for you.

As the client, you determine what tasks are carried out, but typical cleaning duties include vacuuming, dusting, washing down paintwork, cleaning toilets and bathrooms, and ironing. Click here and simply enter your postcode to find a cleaner near you so that we can take care of the cleaning so you don’t have to.

When it comes to Yoga, it can be slightly intimidating and challenging to know exactly where to start. With many different types of yoga from Ashtanga to Zen, it can feel slightly overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be. The benefits of yoga are plentiful and great for overall wellbeing. Here is our beginner’s guide to yoga to help you get started.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient form of Ayurvedic exercise, steeped in history, involving a series of movements that are specifically designed to build strength and increase flexibility. The aim is to integrate the mind, body, and spirit to feel a sense of oneness. The practice of Yoga originated over 5000 years ago in India, and over time has evolved into many schools and practices, and is now performed in schools, medical facilities, gyms, leisure centres, and more.

What types of yoga are there?

While there are countless types of Yoga, it is a deeply personal practice and has been adapted in many ways depending on the goal. Each style is a little bit different and will vary depending on the teacher. Whether you fancy something to stretch the body or expand the mind or are looking for a more relaxing class, there is a type of yoga out there for you.

You may want to try a few different types before you find one that suits you and your ability best.

Here are some of the most common and popular types of yoga

Vinyasa Yoga- Vinyasa means “to place in a special way” and is considered one of the most athletic types of yoga. The movement is coordinated with your breath and movement to flow from one pose to another.

Hatha Yoga- Hatha is an umbrella term for all physical postures of yoga. Hatha yoga classes can be a great option for beginners as they are usually slower-paced, making them a great entry point.

Ashtanga Yoga - in Sanskrit, Ashtanga translates to “Eight limb path” It involves quite physically demanding sequences of posture, making it something more suited for those of advanced ability.

Bikram Yoga- Includes a set of poses in a sauna-like room which typically has a temperature of 40% humidity. Hot yoga is becoming more popular and is beneficial for many reasons, however, this may not be the best choice for beginners due to how strenuous it can be.

So, which is best for beginners? If you are currently quite inflexible and a bit out of shape, you should start with gentle practices until you have built up some strength. Once you have done this, you should be able to start Hatha yoga classes. After you have become familiar with the basic postures, you may want to move onto Vinyasa classes. Ashtanga and Bikram should be avoided at the beginning until you have built up sufficient strength and knowledge of yoga poses.

Is yoga right for me?

One of the best things about yoga is the fact that virtually anyone can do yoga in some form, regardless of their weight, fitness level, or age. The inclusivity of yoga is just one of the benefits of this exercise. Whilst you may still be able to do certain yoga postures if you have a medical condition or injury, yoga can be challenging or even dangerous; so ensure you receive professional medical advice before starting. There are usually ways to adapt and modify the exercise to ensure you are doing it safely which a professional will be able to talk you through.

It is important to remember that although some of the exercises and strength can be intense, you should never feel pain whilst doing a yoga pose. If you feel a strong pain this is your body telling you to stop and take it easy.

What do you need?

To start practicing yoga you don’t need a huge amount of equipment. Grab a yoga mat that has sufficient grip and ensure you are wearing comfy, preferably loose-fitting clothes as this can help allow yourself to move freely from one pose to another. Whilst some classes may require additional props such as blocks, straps, and blankets, you won't need these straight away, or can easily find a household substitute. Plus, if you go to a class, many instructors provide you with this equipment.

What are the benefits of yoga?

There are almost limitless benefits to yoga. Here are just a few:

• Reduces stress
• Promotes relaxation
• Boosts your immune system
• Help you lose weight and change your body shape
• Help heal aches
• Improve the quality of sleep
• Improve flexibility
• Prevent conditions such as diabetes and heart disease
• Improve balance and stability

Top Tips for yoga

• Find a quality teacher- Whether this be an online class, video tutorial, or class at your local gym, it is important to discover a teacher that is experienced and that you like learning from.

• Wear comfortable clothing

• Don’t compare yourself to others- A journey of one thousand miles starts with a single step. Yoga is about your journey so there is no point comparing yourself to other people. People learn at their own pace and you may initially struggle with different poses.

• Modify poses if necessary- If you are struggling with certain poses, don’t give up. Try and modify the pose to suit you. Over time you will improve at the poses but there is no point putting yourself at risk of hurting yourself.

• Get a non-slip yoga mat- It is worth spending money on a quality mat that has grip. It will make the exercise so much easier.

• Stay hydrated- Always have a bottle of water at hand and continue to drink plenty throughout the day.

• Learn some breathing exercises- Breathing correctly is an essential part of yoga. It can help circulation and reduce stress.

• Practice regularly- As with anything, the more you do something, the better you will become. Frequent short yoga sessions can have a major impact on your well-being.

As you can see there is a lot to yoga and this beginner’s guide to yoga merely scrapes the service. This is an exercise that almost anyone can enjoy and reap the benefits of. The first thing you must do is start with some gentle stretches and once you have built up strength and confidence, you can continue building on your knowledge and improve over time.

Over time it can be easy to get bored of the way your home looks. Yet the prospect of having to completely redecorate or refurnish is both time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, it is not always a possibility. However, that doesn’t mean there is nothing that can be done. Here, we discuss how to refresh your home on a budget.

Change your cushions and duvet covers

Start with something simple like changing your sofa cushions or changing your bedding. This may seem like a small change but it can make a huge difference. Swapping your sofa cushions for a different style can help add different textures and colours into the room. The bedding has the same effect. If you feel like your current bedding is drab and dull, why not go bold and go for something bright or with an amazing pattern on it? The best things about changing your soft furnishings are that they are inexpensive and are an instant change. If you don’t like how the end result looks, you can quickly change it.

Buy a new rug

Following the theme of really quick changes, why not consider buying a new rug or swapping your old one? Rugs can transform the look of a room and help make it feel a lot cosier. With a range of materials, colours, shapes, designs and sizes, there are rugs to suit any room.

Create a statement wall

If you want to add colour to your walls but don’t fancy having to paint an entire room, simply opt for a statement wall. Whether you want it to be a block of colour or a pretty wallpaper, the options are almost endless and the results can be stunning. If you want to change the colour of the wall, it will be easier to paint just one wall and means you can keep it looking fresh.

Create a gallery wall

If you don’t fancy changing the colour of the walls, you can still transform them by creating a gallery wall. Choose your favourite photos and get them printed and framed. You can opt for all the same size for a grid effect. Alternatively, you can choose a range of sized prints and photos for a gallery wall that will make an amazing impact.

Add shelves

Again, if you don’t want to change the colour of your walls, you can add some floating shelves or picture shelves to add a focal point and make the walls look more interesting. Use them to store books, frames, ornaments, house plants and more - whatever you have that you want on display. Once you feel like you need a refresh, quickly change them around for a completely new look.

Change curtains

Similar to your duvet cover and cushions, your curtains are another easy way to transform a room. Go for a different colour or material and you will quickly notice a difference. If you want to go one step further why not get rid of the curtains completely and choose blinds instead? They can make the room look completely different and are relatively low cost.

Go green

Try adding houseplants to your room to make it feel fresh and add a pop of green. Worried you will just kill them immediately? You can now buy a range of faux plants that look so realistic no-one will ever be able to tell.

All of these changes can make a huge impact and transform the feel of the room without you having to spend obscene amounts of money. Doing some, if not all of the tips on this list can make your home feel completely different. The best news is that these changes do not have to be daunting or need a lot of specialist skills to complete. Plus, many of these can even be used for people who are renting and therefore feel like they cannot make any changes to their home.

Olive oil has been known to be a great addition to the kitchen, but cooking is not the only use. Here we discuss the secret uses for olive oil for cleaning and beauty that will convince you that olive oil should be a staple item in your home.

Home
Protect wooden cutting boards
Place a thin layer of olive oil onto your wooden kitchen utensils and chopping boards. Leave it to soak into the wood for 5 minutes and then buff using a soft cloth. This treatment can help prevent cracking and discolouration so you can get the most use out of your utensils.

Slow down tarnishing
Whilst olive oil cannot stop tarnishing happening entirely, it can help slow down the process. Place a small amount on a cloth and then rub onto silver. It slows down the oxidation process and can help keep your silver shiny.

Remove sticky labels
It can be frustrating when you buy something from the shop and you struggle to get the label off, meaning you are left with a sticky patch. Add some olive oil and leave for 15 minutes. This will help make it easier to remove the rest of the label.

Fix squeaky hinges
Add a few drops of olive oil to a squeaky hinge. It should help remove the annoying sound.

Shine shoes
Add a small amount of olive oil onto your shoes with a soft cloth to help keep them shiny. Just ensure you are careful you do not apply to sued or other sensitive materials.

Razor blades
Help make razor blades last longer by adding olive oil. It can help prevent rust occurring. Just ensure you dry the blades off thoroughly before you use them.

Beauty
Hair Treatment
Hair masks are growing in popularity, but did you know you could swap out these fancy hair products for something much simpler like olive oil? Warm the olive oil slightly by using the microwave and apply generously into the ends of the hair as well as the scalp. Leave it to soak into your hair for 10 to 15 minutes before you shampoo and wash it out.

Eye Makeup Remover
It may seem counter-intuitive to add oil to your face, however olive oil sticks onto other oil-based products so it can help remove stubborn makeup, especially eye makeup. Use this as a step in your beauty routine to make sure your makeup is completely removed.

Help combat ear wax
If you are prone to getting build ups of ear wax try using olive oil. Place a few drops of oil into your ear each night for a few consecutive nights. This helps to loosen any excess wax and is a great alternative to shop-bought remedies.

Heal skin
If you suffer from eczema or cracked heels, try using olive oil. Its sensitive on your skin and helps provide moisture. Once you have treated your feet with a pumice stone, apply olive oil and place socks on for an effective overnight treatment.

Lip Scrub
Add olive oil to some sugar to create your own sugar lip scrub. Add a splash of lemon juice for added flavour if you wish. The scrub is exfoliating and moisturising that can help combat chapped lips.

Clean makeup brushes
Create your own DIY makeup brush cleaner by adding olive oil to double the amount of antibacterial soap. Try and do this at least once a month to keep your brushes clean and last longer.

These are just some of the ways you can use olive oil across your home for cleaning and beauty. Although this list is not extensive, it shows you how versatile this ingredient is and should be at the top of your shopping list.