My Bangkok Nature Challenge by Alex Bannard – Thailand correspondent

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Challenged by a friend on Facebook to photograph something natural and post it everyday for a week turned into a beautiful journey.

Recently I was tagged on Facebook to complete a nature challenge and I was filled with dread. We all know the feeling – one’s to do list already seems over-burdened or the challenge seems simply not possible. It’s almost like the 21st century chain-letter – if you don’t forward to 20 people within an hour your life will implode, you will grow an extra nose and you certainly won’t ever attain riches beyond your wildest dreams.

OK so I over-exaggerate a little but this photo challenge involved posting daily for a week a photograph of nature and nominating one of your friends daily to accept the same gauntlet. I balked. And procrastinated and thought ‘But I live in a city’ and dreaded burdening other friends and and and…

Well, of course I did the ostrich thing for three days and eventually ventured out with the dog for her morning walk around our Moobaan, armed with my phone. I don’t usually take my phone as I believe the walk is more mindful without it. I focus on the bird sounds (the for-real bird, the one who squawks ‘for-real-for-real’) and try to allow my thoughts to drift across my mind like clouds in the blue sky. And all of that dippy hippy stuff.

It was a revelation: I discovered beautiful flowers hanging from trees, bushes or in potted plants. I absolutely love the frangipani flower which we all regularly see on the ground in Thailand and decorating our plates but this time I noticed some that hadn’t quite opened in the morning sun’s warmth. But the frangipani wasn’t the only one, because I realised that there are many other spectacularly beautiful flowers if only one looks.

My friend’s housekeeper later told me that one bloom is collected by the locals to cook in oyster sauce, and that’s obviously what the stout old lady was doing one morning as her maid obediently following behind carrying handfuls of these flowers.

I looked more closely at the bark of the trees the dog sniffs around every day. I noticed the different textures in the different grasses at our feet. I looked upwards and discovered papayas, pomegranates and bananas hanging off neighbour’s trees.

I am sure the security and gardeners wondered what that mad Farang was doing, one foot on the dog’s lead, kneeling down with her phone trying to get the perfect shot of a dead flower on the ground. To be honest I didn’t care because I was in that all important flow state where time flies by and nothing else matters other than what you are doing. Kids are naturally in this state and it is somehow conditioned out of us as we grow up but it is so therapeutic and extremely good for you.

But best of all I was totally mindful of my surroundings, seeing things I hadn’t noticed before and appreciating once again how very lucky we are to live in this vibrant, bustling, busy city of Bangkok. You just have to open your eyes and slow down to appreciate its nature and beauty and I realised then I can never have enough of frangipani.

So thank you for the challenge, and I hope those I nominated also found it to be a time of similar revelation and calm.

And another lesson…if I had allowed my initial reaction to this challenge to dominate I would never have experienced these revelations and therein lies another revelation: don’t judge, stay curious and open because there is so much more to life if you do.

Alex has lived the nomadic life of an expat for over a decad living in the Middle East, Istanbul, Germany and recently settling with her family in Thailand. She teaches yoga in Bangkok and when not on her yoga mat, waxes lyrical about her oversea adventures. Contactable via: masteryoga@elbolivng.com

How to Plan the Perfect Wedding on a Budget 

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Frostie

Getting engaged is one of the best things that can happen, isn’t it? From the moment you said ‘yes’ to telling your nearest and dearest, you’re swept up in a whirlwind of romance, energy and excitement. But, as all brides to be have experienced, planning the wedding can bring you back down to earth with a thud. How are you going to afford the day you’re dreaming of? Read on to discover how to plan your prefect wedding on a budget…

Know your budget
The first (and most important) part of planning your perfect wedding on a budget is actually defining it. The average UK wedding now costs an eye watering £21,000, though of course you needn’t spend anywhere near this much! However, it will help to have a good idea of where your upper limit is. Whether you’ve got a small fortune or just £1,500 to spend, there are plenty of suppliers like 77 Diamonds who will let you customise the bits that mean the most to you so that you can stay on track with your spending.

Be ruthless with your guest list
The biggest budget blower is a guest list larger than you can afford. So, start by making a list of everyone you and your partner must have in attendance. After that, calculate how much you can spend per head, and add friends and family members accordingly. Just be prepared for the fact you might ruffle a few feathers or cause offence… but there’s nothing stopping you meeting everyone off the guest list for a celebratory drink!

Consider second hand or hired
Think you have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful wedding dress or dashing suite? Think again. Websites such as Still White, Sell My Wedding Dress and Preloved allow brides to snap up once-worn dresses at a fraction of the price, including designer and couture gowns. Alternatively, charities like Oxfam, and sites like eBay.co.uk, sell wedding dresses for brides on a budget. The groom can hire his suit too, spending under £200 for full grey tails rather than breaking the bank by purchasing it for good.

Be flexible
Want to save some serious money? Be flexible about when you marry. Due to their popularity, weddings on sunny summer Saturdays cost the most of all, but brides who don’t mind when they tie the knot could save a fortune by marrying in winter or autumn. Better yet, if you can marry on a Friday rather than a Saturday, you’ll save extra cash, and couples getting hitched Sunday to Thursday will make the biggest savings of all.

Haggle
All that said, your wedding should feature all the things that are truly important to you. Want a professional photographer to capture the day? Go for it! Is that classic car pulling at your heart strings? Book it! Just be prepared to haggle for what you want: it’s not unreasonable to try to knock the price of your essentials down, even if you feel a little uncomfortable doing so. Just give it a go; after all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

By Patrick Vernon.

Getting Married? Tips to Avoid the Mother-in-Law From Hell By Dr. Deanna Brann

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Frostie

Author of Reluctantly Related Revisited: Breaking Free of the Mother-in-Law/Daughter-in-Law Conflict

Tara was at her wits end. She has been nothing but nice to her fiancé’s mother, but no matter what she does or says it never seems to make a difference. Tara is already on the verge of tears when, out of the blue, her fiancé’s mother shows up at her house.

Without saying hello to Tara, her future mother-in-law Bonnie blurts out in a tone that says this is not up for discussion, “I just stopped by to drop off my wedding guest list. I added a few more people to the list. These people mean so much to me, I just couldn’t leave them off.”

Tara was caught off guard and initially didn’t respond, but when she looked at the list and saw 30 more couples added, she couldn’t stop herself, “Bonnie I understand these people are important to you, but I thought we made it perfectly clear that we have a limited number of people who can attend. We don’t have room for more.”

Glaring at Tara Bonnie’s jaw clenched as she spoke very deliberately, “I know what you said, but these people have to be invited! It’s bad enough that the wedding is going to be in that really small chapel, and that I’m not good enough to be included in any of the wedding preparations, but to not invite people who really matter to me is not acceptable. If I can’t invite them, well then…I guess I won’t come either. Obviously you also don’t have room for me!” And with that, Bonnie stormed out of the house, leaving Tara standing gaping and speechless.

Tara is about ready to throw her hands up and surrender. Bonnie is relentless with her demands. And these demands are not just about the wedding. These demands are about anything that involves Tara’s fiancé. Ever since Tara and Don became engaged his mother seems to go out of her way to come between them. Bonnie sees nothing wrong with texting her son at all hours, and then calling him when he doesn’t respond, panicked that something has happened to him. She is oblivious to how her words or actions may impact Tara and is often terse with her when she asks Bonnie a question or tries to engage her in conversation. Bonnie will also cry and claim she is just trying to be a part of their lives when Don and Tara attempt to set boundaries with her, claiming that he’s become so distant since he and Tara have been together. And the list goes on and on.

It’s funny when you are around everyone else you feel confident, strong, and capable, and yet, as soon as your future mother-in-law gets within earshot of you all your confidence and strength seem to go out the window. When you have a mother-in-law like Bonnie it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

This type of mother-in-law is one I call Off-the-Wall Wanda. Everything is about her—what she wants, how she feels or how someone has hurt, ignored or upset her in some way. She says things without thinking (or caring) how her words might affect you. She will pull out all the stops to get what she wants, whether that is through manipulation, guilt trips, or passive aggressive behavior. For her, it is all about her.

But what if your future mother-in-law is not as overwhelming as Bonnie, but you still find yourself feeling that she is a bit “overly involved?” Here is Monica’s situation with her fiancé’s mother:

Exasperated Monica starts to cry, “I can’t take much more of your mother!”

Her fiancé Greg wasn’t sure what the problem was with his mom, but he couldn’t stand it when Monica was this upset. “What’s the problem? What did she do?”

Trying to calm down, but escalating with each word, Monica spews out, “She just seems to take over. I’m trying to finish the last minute details for the wedding, get the apartment ready to move into, and every time I turn around — there she is. ‘Let me help you clean’ or ‘Here, let me get this for you or that for you’ or she’ll decide we don’t need to cook and she brings over carryout. It’s just too much!”

Greg could hear Monica’s frustration, but he really didn’t understand why she was so bothered by his mom’s behavior. “I don’t think she means anything by it. She’s just trying to help us out. You know how she is—once a mother always a mother.”

“I don’t need another mother. I already have one. And besides, I want the two of us to do these things. This is ourwedding and our apartment and the beginning of our lives together. Why can’t she ask us before she just jumps into ‘helping’ us.”

Without saying anything Greg puts his arm around Monica and holds her. Monica starts to cry, “It would be nice to be asked that’s all.”

Monica’s mother-in-law’s need to be needed and her desire to help her son and future daughter-in-law can feel overpowering. And although her intent may not be the same as Tara’s future mother-in-law Bonnie, her actions can still create a difficult situation that eventually grows into a toxic one.

Monica’s future mother-in-law is one I call Mothering Margaret. She struggles to let go of her role as mom. She often says she has let go of her son, yet her behavior shows she still has some letting go to do. Her helpful intentions are often good intentions, but she is unaware that her helpfulness may come across as controlling, intrusive or overbearing to her daughter-in-law.

Both of these situations can be a nightmare for everyone involved. I’m sure at this point you are wondering if it would be better to avoid her all together or move as far away from her as possible. Trust me, as appealing as this may be, it really isn’t the answer. Avoiding her will only make your relationship with her worse. More importantly, though, it can and will hurt your marriage. Here are some tips to help you create a better, more comfortable relationship with your soon-to-be mother-in-law:

Let her feel a part of things – There are so many things to do when it comes to planning and executing a wedding. Let your future mother-in-law be a part of it. Let her feel that she in included, not excluded. As much as this is about you and your wedding, it is also her son’s wedding. She may not have another opportunity to be involved in such an important life event. Depending on the type of mother-in-law she is, you can give her small tasks or more important ones. You can share with her what you are doing and when you are doing things so, again, she feels she is a part of what is going on.
Be sensitive to her transition from a primary figure to a secondary figure – As a mother she is used to having some influence over her child. Letting go of that and yet believing she is still relevant, albeit in a different way, will go a long way in helping all of you adjust to this new family dynamic.
Find some positive things about her and build from there – Work toward developing a relationship with her that is independent of your fiancé. Get to know what she likes, dislikes, hobbies, and so on. Find something you may have in common with her. If, however, you have a mother-in-law who is like an Off-the Wall Wanda finding common ground may be difficult or next to impossible. Instead, focus on one thing you like about her or something she does well. Let this be the basis of your relationship.
Establish some boundaries – Setting boundaries helps your in-law know and understand the “rules” of this new relationship. However depending on which type of mother-in-law you have, the boundary setting will be different.

For example, with an Off-the-Wall Wanda you will need to not only set boundaries, but you will also need to have consequences when she does not abide by those boundaries. Since she is not someone you can reason with or believe that once you’ve explained why you want her to do something she will comply, it is also critical that you do not get into a discussion as to why you are setting these boundaries. Remember she doesn’t really care about that; she is interested in getting what she wants. Once she has you engaged in explaining and rationalizing, she is likely to wear you down.

A Mothering-Margaret also needs to have boundaries set for her so that she knows what is expected of her. However, she does not need to have consequences when you set those boundaries. She really wants to have a relationship with you and will often willingly do whatever you ask. She truly struggles with what her new role is supposed to be and by setting some boundaries you are helping her understand where she fits. Remember she wants to fit in somewhere; she just needs your help to figure out where.

Your new life can easily include your extended family, particularly your mother-in-law. With these few tips you will be starting off on the right foot toward building a warm and comfortable relationship.

Deanna Brann, Ph.D. has over 30 years of experience in the mental health field as a clinical psychotherapist specializing in communication skills, family and interpersonal relationships, and conflict resolution. After running her own private practice for more than 20 years, she spent time later in her career providing business consultation to other private practice professionals in the health care and legal fields. As both a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, her own personal experiences led her to research the subject. Her first book, Reluctantly Related, began the discussion of examining and bettering the MIL/DIL relationship and is followed by her newest book, Reluctantly Related Revisited. Brann holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Psychobiological Anthropology.

Connect with Dr. Brann at www.drdeannabrann.com or http://www.inlawsos.com/

http://facebook.com/drdeannabrann

twitter – @deannabrann

Reluctantly Related Revisited: Breaking Free of the Mother-in-Law/Daughter-in-Law Conflict available on Amazon.

Surrealism, Me And Rene Magritte By Wendy Breckon

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Picture the scene. Beaming toddler leaps down the path clutching a painting. Circles, squiggles, and wavy lines in bright zany colours. Mum or Dad sweep up the impressive piece of artwork, pinning it on to the fridge for all to admire. Could this be the start of a burgeoning art career, the beginnings of a future Monet or Picasso? In the same way, when a little child kicks a ball around with some nifty footwork in the park, the idea of a famous footballer such as Lionel Messi in the family remains a fascinating thought. The answer is you won’t know yet, but there’s always a possibility.

I loved art and wielding a paint brush from an early age. Once, there was a zealous moment at the age of four, when our black farm cat burst out in oversized orange spots. Well… er… with some help from me as I pursued him round the garden.

Our secondary school in Ireland was hot on literature and culture. Yippee! Sandwiched between the intricacies of science and the sheer terror of Maths, was the History of Art with a superb teacher. I soaked it all up. Lowry, Matisse and Constable, with their fascinating lives and influences.

Rene Magritte has always been one of my favourite artists. Born in 1898, he lived most of his life in Belgium. He shunned the intellectual and artistic life of the capital, preferring to live with an unassuming identity. For him, the art of painting was a means of knowing life better and at the same time, liberating things from their familiar roles in everyday life. We are used to the images of birds in cages or apples on trees. Our interest is awakened more readily if the bird is replaced by a fish or a shoe. As a surrealist painter, Magritte had the knack of showing both the absurdity and contradiction in reality.

He has been described as a, ‘painterly Lewis Carroll’, who created a wonderland for children in his book, Alice in Wonderland, with the tales of the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit. Maybe this is why I remain fascinated by Magritte, as this story was my favourite as a child. I spent a lot of time turning the pages and imagining I was Alice.

To look at a Magritte painting is to see through the barrier of time. His vision of the world, was one in which the people and things around him, could quite easily turn into something else. Bowler hatted commuters hung in the clear skies like April showers and express trains rushed out of open fire places.

The ultimate experience for an art lover, was a visit to the Rene Magritte Museum three years ago with my son. This building on the Place Royale, in a neoclassical hotel, houses a collection of original sculptures and drawings, in addition to the two hundred paintings. As I hovered in front of the artist, who I’d admired so much as a teenager, I was able to appreciate for the first time all his wonderful work, in the moody, half lit interior… the perfect setting. I will never own one of Magritte’s paintings, but the close proximity to this master of fantastic art was an experience to remember.

Style Me in Seconds free Pop-Up Styling Event launches in Old Street

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Kesh

For one week only, Old Street Station plays host to the sensational ‘Style Me in Seconds’ one stop shop and styling pop up. Charity shops across the UK are showcasing their best pieces and giving shoppers a chance to be styled up by professional stylists who have dressed the likes of Victoria Beckham, Emilie Sande and Professor Green.

As you browse the hundreds of treasures that our London charity shops have to offer, try something more daring or challenge yourself to create a brand new style for someone else. With free style consultations on offer and a host of other goodies including free manicures, guarantee yourself a place by booking your very own styling session here…

http://stylemeinseconds.com

Style Me in Seconds is open from 4th -10th April from 7:30am every day

Unit 2, Old Street Station – Old Street, London EC1Y 1BE, United Kingdom

Olivia Wilde “too old” To Play Leonardo DiCaprio’s Girlfriend

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Olivia Wilde has revealed she was “too old” for Margot Robbie’s role in “Wolf of Wall Street”
During an interview with Howard Stern the actress revealed she was “too old” for the role. Stern had asked if she had ever not gotten a role because she was too good-looking. Wilde said:

“The funniest thing I heard recently was I had heard for a part that I was too sophisticated. And I was like, Oh, that sounds nice. I like that feedback. I didn’t get the part, but I’m a very sophisticated person. And then I found out later that they actually said ‘old.’ I want to make a translation sheet for Hollywood that’s all the feedback your agents give you and what it really means.” Wilde was 28 at the time.

Martin Scorsese did end up casting Wilde in “Vinyl,” his new HBO series. “I did not [have to audition for ‘Vinyl’] because I had auditioned unsuccessfully for ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ — that’s the one I was too old for” she clarified.

If you are an actor then check out How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur. It is available in print and in all eBook formats on both Smashwords and Amazon.

Introducing Jivesse Marine Collagen Cream

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Kesh

Jivesse premium skincare which has up until now graced the shelves of Harrods has earned its place as a reputable dermatological brand. The impressive science and innovative ingredients have placed it high above competitors in the skincare market and now launching at first class wellbeing emporium, John Bell & Croyden, and soon to be launching in Selfridges, this is set to be a range which will hopefully be a staple for anyone looking for serious results and quality natural ingredients.

Being an advocate natural skin solutions, the science behind the Jivesse range is quite simple but altogether quite revolutionary. Having been developed by skincare experts with clinical knowledge of dermatology as the name suggests, Jivesse Marine Collagen Cream contains potent active ingredients which help to accelerate the natural production of collagen within our own skin. The result, tighter, brighter, and youthful skin without any Botox. Result! What makes Jivesse so unique is that is the first Triple Complex Marine Collagen Cream…

…here comes the science;

The Triple Complex Formula contains

Peptan® The purest form of type I collagen
Argireline®The cosmetic alternative to Botox
Liftonin® Xpress: Which instantly tightens and lifts

As well as this the product contains a host of anti-oxidants and skin luminosity which reduces the damage of vital molecules within the skin and helps to introduce Vitamin C to the skin, something which our body’s cannot produce naturally.

Our result;

The brand is at once luxurious, smart and the team behind it are genuinely some of the most articulate and passionate in the business. Having just announced Anna Williamson, TV Presenter and Life Coach, as their Brand Ambassador, Jivesse are spring boarding their brand as one that is hopefully set to create waves within the cosmetic market. The science really speaks for itself here and the results speak volumes. Luckily, I haven’t got to the point where i’ve had to deal with the dreaded wrinkle situation but after a skin analysis with the experts at John Bell and Croyden, my skin was suffering from severe dehydration. After just two weeks of using this product my skin is luminous, radiant and successfully no longer dehydrated. Any moisturiser that can deal with the elements we’re privy too in The UK is a winner in my book. The clincher for me is the fact that this moisturiser is presented in a beautiful Airless Jar protecting the cream from light exposure and contamination. We love using this product and it has certainly brightened up and made my skincare regime a much more enjoyable experience.

Jivesse is available to buy at

Jivesse.com

Harrods

Now Launching at John Bell & Croyden

The Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners Share Their Tips

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Frostie

The Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners are back for a new series and they are sharing their top tips for keeping your home spick and span.

From rubbing fabric conditioner on radiators to using a cheese knife to get rid of limescale and emptying the water out of the toilet bowl before dousing it in vinegar, the cleaners leave no rug or duvet unturned.

The cleaners are led by Hayley, a 30-year-old mum of three, who was diagnosed with OCD in 2007. She can spend up to 19 hours a day in her battle against bacteria.

Hayley’s top tips:

Rub neat fabric conditioner on radiators and when they warm up the whole house smells amazing.
Use Milton baby sanitizer. It gets rid of germs but is much safer, especially if you’ve got kids. Follow instructions on the bottle.
Vacuum the ceiling to get rid of dust and cobwebs.

Rob is a 32-year-old College Lecturer who lives in Burnley. He lives in a quaint cottage which he keeps to “showhome standard” through a strict cleaning regime.

Rob’s top tips:

Use thick bleach and a toothbrush to keep bathroom grout clean and bright. It’s fab for getting the hard to reach places. Bicarb and lemon juice is a good alternative for people who aren’t a fan of bleach. (Make sure you wear rubber gloves to do this)
Grind up some lavender in a pestle and mortar and mix with bicarb. Sprinkle over carpets and rugs bought from UK tool hire, leave for 20 minutes and then vacuum off. It keeps them smelling fresh. (Clean the pestle and mortar thoroughly after use).
Use a steam cleaner on a mattress to kill any bugs.
A small bowl of coffee beans helps to reduce any odours in food cupboards.
The best way to tackle a limescale problem in the toilet is to remove all the water in the bowl and soak cotton wool in cheap white vinegar. You then pad out the toilet as if it was papier mache. This should be left overnight. The vinegar completely disintegrates any limescale without the need for scrubbing and also gets rid of any smells. Environmentally this is the best way forward and can be topped up with a cleaner in between. I know it sounds like a big job but the results are well worthwhile

Kris is a 34-year-old medical scientist who lives in Wakefield. He cleans for 22 hours a week and uses his scientific knowledge to make his own cleaning products.

Kris’s top tips:

Always unscrew shower heads and bleach them once in the while by leaving in a bucket of diluted bleach. Rinse thoroughly before reattaching. Make sure the room is well ventilated while you do this and that you wear rubber gloves). The biofilm of microorganisms develops in this area and not many people know that.
Always leave your dishes to air dry as tea towels are perfect ground for microorganisms to multiply and by reusing them we are actually spreading some potentially harmful bugs
To clean the toilet use plenty of bleach. It’s also a good idea to soak the toilet brush in bleach for a while after cleaning the toilet. (Wear rubber gloves when using bleach)

Julie is a 53-year-old plumber who lives in Great Yarmouth. She is not a fan of chemical products and prefers to use natural alternatives.

Julie’s top tips:

Use baby oil to get a shine on stainless steel
Use vinegar for clean and streak free windows, on taps and in the toilet (to remove limescale.)
Use hot and soapy water to wash down skirting boards
To clean the toilet use lemon and vinegar. The acidity of the lemon burns away any grime and helps it smell fresh. The vinegar combats limescale better than any bleach will.
Fill a sandwich bag with vinegar and tie it underneath your tap using an elastic band so that the tap is sitting in the vinegar. This will remove the limescale.

Louise is a 36-year-old military wife who cleans for up to 30 hours a week and has developed an armoury of specialised equipment to tackle any enemy dirt.

Louise’s top tips:

Use a piping nozzle cleaning brush. Usually a cleaning tool for cake decorators, Louise uses it everywhere to give a really good scrub in any nooks and crannies. It’s great for drains and hinges.
Use a cheese knife to get rid of limescale by chiselling away at it
Everyday scissors work wonders in the garden as they are much more precise than gardening shears.

Tom, 33, is a car enthusiast. His cleaning obsession extends to his cars as well as his home and is known as the obsessive compulsive car cleaner when he goes to car shows.

Tom’s top tips:

Use old (but clean) tea towels to buff up the bathroom after cleaning. They give everything a good shine.
Car polish on the outside windows keeps them cleaner for longer as the water just rolls off.
Put perfume on a cotton wool ball in the vacuum to spread a nice smell.
It’s best to take the water out of the toilet – it’s the only way you can get a proper clean around the whole toilet.

Sandra, 52, is a café owner who lives in Port Talbot. Sandra has a strict inside clothes/outside clothes regime to help prevent dirt and germs getting in from outside.

Sandra’s top tips:

Bathbombs make excellent air fresheners. Stick them in cupboards/wardrobes/airing cupboards and everything will smell great.
Bicarb is the answer for stains. Rub it in dry to a new stain, leave for a moment and then scrub it out.

Carly, 32, is a data manager from Hertfordshire. Carly was diagnosed with OCD when she was 11 years old and spends up to seven hours a day keeping her flat immaculate.

Carly’s top tips:

Mix washing up liquid with all purpose spray to kill germs and make everything smell nice.
Splash a bit of lemon on fridge shelves when you polish them and then it will smell great every time you open the fridge.
It’s important to bleach the floors to kill the bacteria that comes in on people’s feet. (Wear rubber gloves when using bleach).

Please note: With any of the suggested tips, when handling any household products, it is always advisable to keep out of reach of children and animals and always check the label for correct handling of the product. Damage can be caused by using unconventional products and tools not usually associated with cleaning – therefore it is advisable to test on a small area first.

Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners returned Tuesday March 15th at 8pm on Channel 4.

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