To start you off, here are some random tips from the experts:
• Keep dark coloured furnishings out of direct sunlight to minimise discolouration
• Protect your upholstered furniture with throws and blankets that can easily go in the washing machine, especially if you have pets with a favourite spot on the sofa
• To protect your floors from your heavier furniture scratching, such as sofas and tables, use felt discs and place them under each leg
• Keep your wooden furniture nourished by regularly polishing with wood polish and a soft cloth in circular buffing motions
• Don’t put mugs and crockery with shiny metal accents in the dishwasher and defo NOT the microwave…
Care & Repair: Guide To Homeware
Now you’ve got the hang of washing your stuff, here’s your ultimate guide to taking care of your homeware. We all make mistakes… from a clumsy spillage to texting your ex, but some things you can fix.
Just moved to uni and don’t want to admit you’re the messy one? Or maybe your flat share needs some TLC? Here’s your sign to not be the problematic housemate and check out our UO Care & Repair: Guide to Homeware. From removing stains and cleaning your water bottle to protecting your furniture and being the best plant parent, join the thousands obsessed with #cleantok and unlock your clean girl aesthetic.
Keep Calm & Drink Fresh
We’re sorry but you need a break from your emotional support water bottle. Here’s your sign to give it a clean:
We’re hardcore, but not that hardcore. Even our strongest Owala products can’t handle harsh chemicals such as bleach or chlorine, as they can degrade the sealing.
To prevent damage which can cause leaks and prevent food or drinks from staying hot, here’s a simple cleaning routine to keep your Hydrojug sparkling:
You’ll need:
¼ cup uncooked rice
3oz distilled white vinegar
Instructions:
1. Pour ¼ cup of uncooked rice into the flask
2. Fill the flask with 3oz of distilled white vinegar
3. Seal flask.
4. Shake well for 1 minute
5. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
6. Shake well again for 1-2 minutes
7. Empty flask - bonus points for composting the rice
8. Rinse thoroughly with warm water
9. Leave open until dry
Psst… Owala, Bink and Stanley suggest using distilled white vinegar to clean hard to reach places!
We’re hardcore, but not that hardcore. Even our strongest Owala products can’t handle harsh chemicals such as bleach or chlorine, as they can degrade the sealing.
To prevent damage which can cause leaks and prevent food or drinks from staying hot, here’s a simple cleaning routine to keep your Hydrojug sparkling:
You’ll need:
¼ cup uncooked rice
3oz distilled white vinegar
Instructions:
1. Pour ¼ cup of uncooked rice into the flask
2. Fill the flask with 3oz of distilled white vinegar
3. Seal flask.
4. Shake well for 1 minute
5. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
6. Shake well again for 1-2 minutes
7. Empty flask - bonus points for composting the rice
8. Rinse thoroughly with warm water
9. Leave open until dry
Psst… Owala, Bink and Stanley suggest using distilled white vinegar to clean hard to reach places!
Pov: You’re The Messy Friend
Need to remove a stain? Firstly check out our UO Care & Repair: Guide to washing & download the guide to wash symbols.
Bonus tip: Always wash your bath mats in a laundry bag!
Bonus tip: Always wash your bath mats in a laundry bag!
OOPS I SPILLED IT AGAIN…
Dinner party got out of hand? 5 ways of removing a red wine stain from a rug:
To remove a red wine stain, stick to cold water, not hot. The tannins in red wine (a natural substance found in grapes) dissolve more easily with cold water, making it easier to remove them from carpet fibres. Lightly dab the stain with a damp cloth to absorb the wine. If you’ve got some carbonated water on hand, even better! Due to its acidity, this will help with dissolving the stain.
There are many types of vinegar, from apple cider and malt to balsamic. But if you’re tackling a red wine stain on carpet, white vinegar is the only one that will work. Any other type will leave marks on the fabric that will be almost impossible to remove.
Dab out as much of the red wine as possible before adding a splash of white vinegar to the stain and leaving it for around 30 minutes. After that, wash the whole area with cold water, gently scrubbing it with a soft cloth.
Baking soda is an effective stain remover that is safe to use on both carpets and clothing. Because it’s slightly alkaline, you can mix it with cold water (three parts baking soda to one part water) to make a gentle paste. Apply it to the red wine stain and leave it to dry before vacuuming the paste off the carpet.
Salt is an easy and affordable way to treat red wine spills on carpet. Blot any extra liquid and cover the stain with a layer of salt. Leave it for a few minutes and vacuum the salt. It will absorb the red wine and pull the colour away from the carpet. Give the area a gentle scrub after to get rid of any leftover marks.
If DIY hacks aren’t your thing and you would rather stick to shop-bought mixtures, there’s plenty out there. Spray, foams or liquid, take your pick! Just be sure to check the product description to see if it’s suitable for red wine on carpets, as well as the reviews to see if it’s worked for other people!
Nothing worse than dropping your morning cuppa. Here’s how to remove a tea or coffee stain:
1. Soak up all of the stain using a white sponge (not coloured to avoid further harm to the rug due to colour transfer) to prevent it from sinking any further into the carpet than it already has.
2. Continue dabbing with the sponge and blotting it (see here for the dabbing method). TIP: Be cautious not to transfer the stain from the beverage to other locations.
3. Soak the moist sponge in half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water. Continue to wipe the stain. DO NOT RUB THE STAIN, since this may cause harm to the rug’s fibres.
4. Continue washing the sponge to avoid transferring any soaked-up stain back onto the rug.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR DIGI LAST BEYOND FRESHERS’
Your beloved digi cam deserves better than being left at the bottom of your tote. Here are our top tips on how to take care of it so you can keep your photo dumps looking 10/10 all year round.
1. Seems obvious, but storing your camera in a padded case or pouch will help to keep the dust out and prevent loose items like keys from scratching the screen
2. Never leave it in direct sunlight or in a hot car for a prolonged period
3. Keep a wrist strap attached for extra safety
4. Caught in the rain? Use a dry towel to wipe off any water from the exterior, remove the battery and leave the battery compartment open. Keep your camera somewhere warm and dry for 24-48 hours to allow it to dry out completely before using again
5. And most importantly, don’t forget to keep it charged up so it’s ready to go for spontaneous shoots
PSA: DON’T KILL YOUR PLANTS
Looking for tips on how to be the best plant parent? Don’t worry we have a guide for that too. Check it out here: UO Guide To Plants