While it may be the easiest thing to have your clothes washed, dried and pressed at the laundrette or send your car to the car wash, it may not always be the cheapest option.Here are some tips for recessionistas to undertake simple tasks without burning a hole in their pocket.
PAMPER ME
WE all love spending an afternoon at the spa. But it doesn't have to cost a bomb if you know how to do it in the comfort of your own home and when everything you need can be found in your kitchen!
Start by boiling a kettle of water. Then break an egg and separate the white. Cut two slices of cucumber.
While waiting for the water to boil, wash your face with a cleanser. A foaming cleanser would be better as it would remove oil and dirt more effectively.
Start by boiling a kettle of water. Then break an egg and separate the white. Cut two slices of cucumber.
While waiting for the water to boil, wash your face with a cleanser. A foaming cleanser would be better as it would remove oil and dirt more effectively.
Once the water starts boiling, pour it into a basin large enough to cover your face. Gently lean over the basin and allow the steam from the hot water to open the pores of your skin.
It is more effective if you put a towel over your head and not let the steam escape. Take care not to burn your face; keep your face a few inches away from the basin and let your face steam for about five minutes.
Next, take the egg white and rub it all over your face, except the eye area. You will feel your skin tightening. Don't worry because this is normal. Lie down and place the cucumber slices on your eyes which are excellent for dark circles and eyebags. Leave the egg white and cucumber slices on for about 10 minutes.
When done, throw cucumber slices away and rinse your face off with warm water and then wash again with your cleanser. Your skin should feel tightened, refreshed, and revitalised.
You can also substitute the egg white mask with a mask made of yoghurt, turmeric, honey and oatmeal if you have dry skin. This mask would also help exfoliate skin and draw out impurities.
Tip: Take an ice cube and rub it all over the face first thing in the morning. It is an excellent pick-me-up.
LOVE YOUR LAUNDRY
DOING the laundry is something most people dread. With laundry services available in almost all neighbourhoods, it's easy to just drop off your dirty laundry and pick them up, all clean and crisp a few days later.
Although bigger and heavier materials such as curtains, bedspreads and blankets can be sent to the laundrette or to the dhoby, shirts, T-shirts, shorts, long pants, blouses, skirts and even dresses can be easily washed at home. Imagine your washing machine as your personal laundromat.
The first rule of doing laundry is to separate the whites from the coloureds. You don't want to see your white shirt turn pink from the colour that ran from your red blouse. Similarly, soft fabric such as silk, wool and lace should be washed separately.
Also, sort materials that produce lint (those clinging bits of fibre or fluff) such as towels, flannel and chenille. These tend to stick on other clothes if washed together.
Remember that some undergarments, especially underwired bras, are best hand-washed so that the wires do not get twisted or mangled.
Don't forget to empty pockets of coins, handkerchiefs or facial tissues. Coins can sometimes dislodge in the washing machine while facial tissues shred into a million bits and stick to other clothes.
If stains are obvious on clothes, spray stain remover or rub some liquid detergent on the stains before putting them into the wash. Always turn clothes inside out to prevent colour fading.
Add the right amount of detergent according to the washing machine instructions or measurement specified on detergent packaging.
Wash soft fabrics in the soft wash cycle. Wash in either hot or cold water according to care instructions on clothes' labels. If you don't have a dryer, just hang them out in the sun, once again turned inside out, until they're dry. Don't leave them out too long as colours fade faster.
HOUSE CLEANING FOR DUMMIES
THE most basic thing when it comes to house cleaning is taking care of the floor.
With a bit of 'coaching' anyone can mop and clean pretty decently.
Give the rooms a good sweep before mopping. This will remove the grainy and sandy particles, not to mention the hair and dust clumps that will stubbornly refuse to disintegrate no matter how rigorously you mop. This will also save you precious time later when you have to clean the mop.
You need a bucket of water, a good mop and some floor cleaner (preferably something bio-degradable) to get the job done. Mopping with just water will not remove any grime nor disinfect the floor, so I would advise against it. Also, make sure to follow the correct ratio of water to floor cleaner, otherwise, you'll end up with a very soapy floor that may need to be wiped down with water. It's certainly a hassle you can do without.
Wring the mop off excess water, grip the handle like you would a hockey stick, and mop away. After a dozen or so swipes, rinse the mop in the bucket of soapy water and continue mopping.
When the water looks murky, change it. It's also a good idea to keep the fan on while you mop. That way, you'll get to enjoy some cool air as you work, the floor will dry faster and there's less chance of finding dirty footprints on the pristine floor later.
FIX THAT FAUCET
THERE is nothing quite as annoying as having a leaky tap in the dead of the night. But why burn a hole in your pocket hiring a plumber when you can do it yourself at a fraction of the cost?
All you need is a new tap washer and a wrench or spanner.
Start by turning off the water supply, either at the mains or at the tap head nearest to the leaky tap. Then turn the affected tap fully on.
Unscrew the tap head and remove the top of the tap. You will find the washer (a small ring-like rubber piece) fitted loosely inside the tap. Replace the old washer with a new one. Screw the tap head back on.
Turn on the water supply at the mains and when the water flows through the affected outlet, turn the tap off. Check for drips and leaks. If the washer was the problem, there shouldn't be any more drips or leaks.
The advice from professional plumbers is not to over-tighten the tap when turning it off as this can damage the washers.
And if you have a clogged kitchen sink, a simple sink plunger will solve your problem.
Block the overflow holes and other openings by stuffing wet rags into them. If there is no water in the clogged basin, run about 8cm of water over the drain hole, place the plunger over the hole and force it down several times. If the water still does not flow properly, repeat the process until the water in the sink flows down the drain smoothly.
As some food debris will inevitably get washed down the kitchen sink, it's advisable to pour a kettle of boiling water down the drainhole once a week to clear the pipes.
WORK OUT WHILE YOU WASH
CONTRARY to what many might think, washing your own car can be quite fun. What's more, you save about RM12 and get a good work-out to boot!
All you need is car shampoo, a car wash sponge, two pieces of soft cloth - not terry cloth towels because the fibres cannot pick up dirt - a pail and water.
Choose a shady spot to wash your car. If you cannot find one, the best time to do it is early in the morning or late evening. It would be less hot then.
Start by hosing down your car with water to remove grime and loose debris.
Mix the shampoo with water in a pail - follow the instructions on the bottle - and with a cloth or soft sponge start covering the entire body of the car with the shampoo solution.
It's easier to start with the roof. Stand on a stool to get to the hard-to-reach places. Work your way down the car, washing the windows, doors, the bonnet, bumper and lights. Then rinse the foam from the top down, using a gentle stream of water. Lastly, don't forget to wash the wheels, hubcaps and sides of the tires and then rinse thoroughly.
When you are done with the washing and rinsing, it is important to dry your car to prevent water spots. Water spots are caused by mineral deposits that etch the outline of a drop of water onto your vehicle's paint.
You also need to wipe the water from inside the trunk, hood and doors and other hidden areas; otherwise water will drip in and leave spots.
If you feel like it, you can vacuum the interior of your car.
Now that is done, you have a clean and sparkling car. It may be hard work but the end result is satisfying.
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