If you could share one household tip/life hack, what would it be?

[Dandelion78]

Mine would definitely be that drying clothes in sunlight gets rid of tomato/sauce stains. Am weaning my second child and it's a bloody lifesaver. No more soaking things for hours that still come out with orange marks on them.

What other gems are there that I need to know?

If you don't buy takeaways you can buy multipack takeaway type containers in the supermarket.

As a previous poster said they stack really well which is great for maximising fridge space. Alternatively, we collect the Carte D'or ice cream containers for bigger quantities and these will stack well too.

Really useful especially if you're into batch cooking.

@steppemum

MakeMathsFun

Fair enough, I know that you are right in principle.

In fact I have very few products in my cupboards. I buy cheap Asda version of flash. This cleans everything from ovens to toilets, floors, serves as an anti-bac etc etc.
That and washing up liquid, which I also use as stain remover on clothes etc.

But the mould spray - most bleach can't/doesn't work in a spray bottle, and I need to be able to spray into places I can't reach with bleach. I also find that the mould doesn't return with mould spray, and it doesn't remove colour from paint walls.

and some of this stuff is so fiddly to use. Making up Bicarb paste and trying to use it v. spraying from a bottle, I understand why people spray.

A nice balanced retort.

Yes spray reaches difficult areas.
I have white walls, so I didn't think of coloured walls.

First (wearing gloves) I scrub the mould with a white scourer and bleach in very hot water. (a green scourer stains the wall green). Then I wipe it all off. Finally I apply concentrated bleach and leave to dry. I know this is a chore, but from my experience the mould doesn't come back again for 2 years, whereas mould remover keeps having to be applied. Its probably because I am physically removing the spores first, then using concentrated chemicals, rather than a 'safer' diluted spray.
Also, some anti-mould sprays and bleaches can produce a 'fishy' smell when applied to mould. I found that using Tesco bleach that comes in a turquoise bottle, there are no unpleasant aromas

Thank you to the genius that discovered pink stuff gets off the yellow stains on the loo seat! I’ve tried everything over the years and it came off in a minute. Cheers

I used to use Napisan to restore whites a lot. It does give a slightly blue white look though.

"A bluey kind of whiteness I like!"

Sorry, couldn't resist the 80s advert quote

I also love @twoleftsockswithholes post. I saw some wheelie bins with numbers on them today and snorted.

My tip re fitted sheets is never EVER tumble dry them. Not even once. They shrink like bastards. If you don't tumble dry them they don't ping off the bed.

@BalloonSlayer true story!

If you're painting a room and don't finish in one go, wrap the brushes bristles in cling film instead of washing them, saves a load of time and they are still soft and usable the next day.

If anyone can tell me how I get rid of black mould in white poly...stuff that edges shower I would be grateful! Bleach- no! Black mould remover. No.

@ClarasZoo I have tried everything. Apparently it grows into the stuff. Best thing is give up scrape it out and reseal!

@MMAMPWGHAP for the limescale on the shower doors, it doesn't matter what product you use, it is what you wipe with that is key. Spray it with whatever, then use a dry flannel or slightly damp towel to clean the doors.

It may take a few weeks, but eventually they will be clear, and you will see the improvement from the word go.

This is my only cleaning hack (I have worked as a cleaner).

@Staffy1

If you're painting a room and don't finish in one go, wrap the brushes bristles in cling film instead of washing them, saves a load of time and they are still soft and usable the next day.

now this really is genius.

I was shown this a few years ago and it is brilliant.
No need to wash brushes between first and second coats and no dry/hard brushes. Works with rollers too (but easier to use a plastic bag)

If you work full time, put the washing machine on every night and put it in the dryer the next morning after breakfast, then fold it that evening. This saves the weekend clothes mountain.

Ah yes- it does look grown in- looks like I will have to pull it out and redo! Thank you! Perhaps I will just buy a black one!

With regard to frozen sandwiches, yes I agree. Sloppy sludge. However, if I need to take a sandwich on a long trip in a hot climate, I have been known to freeze (cheese & pickle) sandwiches THE NIGHT BEFORE ONLY. Then hours later they are still cool and fresh. (You can't take ice packs through airport security). Otherwise they can become warm, sloppy sandwiches where bacteria would love to breed.

You can't take sandwiches through security, can you?

Don't buy 80 gifts for someone's 80th 😀

@MakeMathsFun I get what you mean but often there isn't enough empty bag at the top to do that. I used to use clothes pegs but they come off too easily.

@Plumedenom

If you work full time, put the washing machine on every night and put it in the dryer the next morning after breakfast, then fold it that evening. This saves the weekend clothes mountain.

Don't do this - never leave the house with the dryer on - big fire risk

Don't buy a wood burning / multifuel stove. My brother advised me that they don't create dust. They do - big time - and I'm not a fan of cleaning. When I complained about it to my sister in law, she reminded me that my brother doesn't do the dusting...🙄

@Bungalowlady YES, the textured wet room floor is my nemesis, never again.

That you can make your own spider repellent spray for autumn.. forget conkers...
Fill a spray bottle with warm water, 30 drops peppermint oil 30 drops lavender oil, couple of drops of wash-up liquid to bind.
Spray weekly on door and window frames in mating season and you’ll avoid the annual 8 legged-freak invasion.

@BalloonSlayer

My tip re fitted sheets is never EVER tumble dry them. Not even once. They shrink like bastards. If you don't tumble dry them they don't ping off the bed.

You can if you get linen ones. More expensive but last about 10 times longer than cotton and don't shrink.

@jumpleadsfortwo washing machines caused more fires than tumble dryers last year but I don't think people hesitate to go out with their washing machine on. They even have a night cycle which is surely more dangerous than while you're out?

@ClarasZoo

If anyone can tell me how I get rid of black mould in white poly...stuff that edges shower I would be grateful! Bleach- no! Black mould remover. No.

That would be silicon and the only real way to deal with it is rip it out and start again. (Not a difficult job.) Make sure you replace with Sanitary Silicon which has built in mould/fungus inhibitor not just regular silicon.

[quote Plumedenom]@jumpleadsfortwo washing machines caused more fires than tumble dryers last year but I don't think people hesitate to go out with their washing machine on. They even have a night cycle which is surely more dangerous than while you're out?[/quote]
This is the general fire service advice: