Inspired Christmas Hacks For A Chilled Festive Season
At the busiest time of the year, you can be prepared for almost any mishap with these tips from the experts…
Off The Wall
“With a flurry of guests and the children off school over the Christmas period, you may well find a few extra scuffs and marks on walls in high traffic areas such as the kitchen or hallway.
“Most will be easily wiped away but before you do anything it is important to identify the finish on the wall. As a rule of thumb, the higher the gloss or sheen, the easier to clean; the lower the sheen, the more gentle you need to be.
Pic: iStockphoto
“It is then recommended to remove any dust on the walls – the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner is ideal for this. Then, you can move onto cleaning with a clean, damp sponge and plain water. Wash away the easiest stains working from the top to the bottom to avoid streaks from running down. Once done, dry the area with a clean, dry cloth.
“If water isn’t strong enough for surface stains, try a diluted dish detergent or an eco-friendly, all-natural cleaner like
vinegar. For even tougher stains, add two tablespoons of dishwashing soap to a bucket of warm water and use this (it is important to try this in an inconspicuous area first!)”
Helen Shaw, UK Marketing Director at Benjamin Moore
Get Behind The Radiator
“Looking to clean your radiators for maximum efficiency? A vacuum cleaner hose with a crevice tool will do the trick and remove most accessible dust. Or try a long-handled duster – this will enable you to clean most of the hard-to-reach dust in the nooks and crannies.”
Simon Morris, Marketing Manager, The Radiator Company
Extra Bed? No Problem
Pic: Shutterstock
“With Christmas come guests, and sometimes even unexpected guests! But being prepared will take all the stress out of an impromptu sleepover.
“Sofa beds are the perfect solution and are designed to be just as comfortable in sofa-mode as they are in bed-mode. Have your fresh linens set aside in a specific place and ready to take out at a moment’s notice. Simply pull out the bed and dress with comfy covers, ensuring your guests feel right at home.
“For an extra special touch, leave a glass of water, a bud vase with seasonal foliage and bedside lamp to hand for a welcoming feel.”
Patricia Gibbons, Design Team at Sofa.com
Rapid Response Kit
Pic: Shutterstock
“We can all anticipate the odd messy accident this Christmas, so having your cleaning caddy ready for action will save you from permanent stains and marks.
“Keep the caddy nearby, under a sink or in the utility room. Make sure to keep an absorbent microfibre cloth, an all-round general cleaning spray and a soft brittle brush in the caddy, ready for any for wine spills and chocolate smears.“
Francesca Morris, Senior Buyer, Garden Trading
Wine Spill Action Plan
“With a wine stain, act as fast as possible to not let the stain settle. Using a white cloth, blot – don’t rub – the stain. The more of the liquid you can soak up, the less you’ll have to remove.
After you have blotted, pour a little cold water directly onto the wine stain – this will dilute what remains of the stain. Keep on blotting until no more of the stain comes out, ensuring not to rub.
“Then make a baking soda paste by mixing a 3:1 ratio of water to baking soda and apply it to the stain. Once the paste is dry, vacuum the stain.
“If that doesn’t work, blot as much of the stain as possible using paper towels or a clean cloth. Pour 2 cups of warm water into a small bowl, mixing 1tbsp white vinegar and 1tbsp dishwashing liquid together. Dip a clean sponge
into the bowl and apply the solution directly to the wine stain, continuing to blot until the stain has lifted. ”
Jemma Damon, Buyer, Carpets, Carpetright
There’s still time to plan Your Best Ever Christmas. Pick up our mag that’s packed with festive ideas for a magical day… it comes with a Crafting mini-mag too!
