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Whether it’s wood, cane, fabric or leather, give your second-hand finds a sparkling new lease of life with these cleaning tips and tricks.
Vintage furniture can sometimes need a little TLC before it’s displayed in your home, and pieces you’ve had for a while may also be ready for a spring … View moreWhether it’s wood, cane, fabric or leather, give your second-hand finds a sparkling new lease of life with these cleaning tips and tricks.
Vintage furniture can sometimes need a little TLC before it’s displayed in your home, and pieces you’ve had for a while may also be ready for a spring clean. A quick wipe-down or wash will suffice for some things, but how do you tackle those harder-to-clean items?
Cane:
Cane chairs, tables, shelves and bedheads, with their small crevices, can be dust magnets. Fortunately, you can remove dust with a feather duster, or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, and use an old toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas. To get rid of dirt, most items can be wiped down with a damp cloth, and stains tackled with a soft-bristled brush dipped in a mix of gentle dishwashing liquid and warm water. Make sure not to leave your cane furniture wet after cleaning as mould can grow. Dry it with a fan or leave outside in the sun.
Wood:
Dust wooden furniture gently with a soft cloth, or damp cloth if needed. According to the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute, wooden furniture should be cleaned only when there is a build-up of wax or dirt, and only unfinished wood, painted wood, or wood with a sturdy finish should be cleaned. Oily dirt or waxy residue can be removed with diluted mineral turpentine or a mix of mild detergent and water but take care this doesn’t affect the wood or finish (do a spot test somewhere unobtrusive first).
The Smithsonian recommends avoiding polishes, oils and beeswax, and to instead buff with a stable, hard furniture polish, no more than twice a year for areas of heavy wear, and once every three or four years for other areas. Most other products will do more harm than good as they cause a build-up over time which can be hard to remove.
Fabric and leather:
You can dust fabric or suede surfaces using the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner (on low suction), and wipe leather with a soft, damp cloth. Don’t forget to clean in between the folds and creases of couches and chairs.
From dishwashing liquid to vinegar and baking soda, there are a number of household products you can use to attempt to get out a stain, but it is best to research the correct method for each specific item and type of stain and do a test first to ensure the product you’re using won’t damage the fabric.
Always dab rather than rub at the fabric to ensure you don’t weaken it. You may need to repeat the process a number of times to fully remove a stain, and stubborn stains may need to be seen to by a professional.
Heart attack is a leading cause of death in New Zealand.
Learn to recognise the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack, so you know what to do if you see or experience them. Don’t try to walk it off, wash it off or push through it. Make the right call, it may save your life.
A Hamilton bakery has won the bacon and egg category of the Bakels Supreme Pie Awards.
If you're looking to do your own judging, you'll need to head to Avalon Bakehouse Cafe.
The determination that others must follow in her footsteps has led a successful young doctor to team up with a senior colleague to create a new philanthropic investment fund dedicated to getting more Maaori into the health sector.
Te Rau Oranga Fund has been established by Waikato Hospital … View moreThe determination that others must follow in her footsteps has led a successful young doctor to team up with a senior colleague to create a new philanthropic investment fund dedicated to getting more Maaori into the health sector.
Te Rau Oranga Fund has been established by Waikato Hospital doctors Ruth Tan (Ngaati Hangarau and Ngaati Mutunga) and Stephen Ng, along with their colleagues and families, and placed in the care of Momentum Waikato, where it is now open to public donations.
Ruth and Stephen’s ultimate goal is to improve health outcomes for Maaori in the Waikato, and they believe one of the ways this can be done is by increasing the number of Maaori working in the health system.
Their new Fund will achieve this by providing scholarships, career promotion and mentoring to students, initially at Te Kura Tuarua o Taniwharau-Fraser High School in Hamilton, which Ruth attended, and eventually at other local secondary schools in the Waikato.
If you have a shower with a black frame, and you're wondering how a Showerdome will look... check out this week's installation.
We have completed this with black support rails across the back 2 x tiled walls to complement the existing black frame on this new shower. As you can see, it… View moreIf you have a shower with a black frame, and you're wondering how a Showerdome will look... check out this week's installation.
We have completed this with black support rails across the back 2 x tiled walls to complement the existing black frame on this new shower. As you can see, it looks great - finding the best possible solutions.
Call or email info@showerdomewaikato.co.nz to book in your professional Showerdome installation today, and enjoy a steam free bathroom soon!
#showerdome #showerdomewaikato #steamfreebathroom #installationoftheweek
EarthDiverse is pleased to announce its Introductory and Intermediate Urdu language courses, available both in-person in Hamilton New Zealand, and live streamed over Zoom to anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. Courses begin Friday 11 August 2023, 4:00-5:30pm.
Urdu is spoken … View moreEarthDiverse is pleased to announce its Introductory and Intermediate Urdu language courses, available both in-person in Hamilton New Zealand, and live streamed over Zoom to anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. Courses begin Friday 11 August 2023, 4:00-5:30pm.
Urdu is spoken throughout North India and Pakistan.
For more information on our Urdu programme, or to view any of our other current language course offerings (in Arabic, Dutch, Farsi, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish) visit our website by clicking on the Read More link below.
The Waikato Women's Fund, a giving circle powered by Momentum Waikato, is pleased to support the work of The Spirit of Coromandel Trust and their ‘Waahine on Wheels’ programme. We were delighted to be able to donate a small grant from the proceeds from the Waahine Toa event held in October… View moreThe Waikato Women's Fund, a giving circle powered by Momentum Waikato, is pleased to support the work of The Spirit of Coromandel Trust and their ‘Waahine on Wheels’ programme. We were delighted to be able to donate a small grant from the proceeds from the Waahine Toa event held in October 2022.
The ‘Waahine on Wheels’ programme and the Spirit of Coromandel Trust was selected following a nomination process, aiming to support an organisation or an individual in the Hauraki or Thames-Coromandel districts affected by the recent weather events.
The Spirit of Coromandel Trust’s purpose is to encourage and engage rangitahi, tamariki and waahine into outdoor activities by connecting them to nature, by bike. The grant will go to further developing opportunities for local waahine and building future capability within the region for more women and girls.
Wherever you are, whatever your problem with food, AEA can help
Addictive Eaters Anonymous members have found recovery from binge eating, anorexia, bulimia, other forms of addictive eating and compulsive exercise. Through working the Twelve Steps of AEA, members find peace of mind and the … View moreWherever you are, whatever your problem with food, AEA can help
Addictive Eaters Anonymous members have found recovery from binge eating, anorexia, bulimia, other forms of addictive eating and compulsive exercise. Through working the Twelve Steps of AEA, members find peace of mind and the ability to live a meaningful and productive life.
Check out the onsite café, bookable community rooms, Council services, changing places bathroom facility, Auaha Makerspace and outdoor skate space.
Library hours:
- Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 9.30am – 5.30pm
- Thursday: 9.30am – 8pm
- Sat, Sun: 9.30am – 5pm
Get creative with colour with these art projects using Resene paints.
Find out how to get creative with these easy ideas.
Hello Waikato, Coombes Johnston BMW & MINI Garage has been the local BMW dealership in the Waikato for the past 27 years!
We provide premium Sales, Service, and Aftersales parts. Covering south of the Bombays to Taupo and west to King Country; Coombes Johnston has new, demonstrator, and … View moreHello Waikato, Coombes Johnston BMW & MINI Garage has been the local BMW dealership in the Waikato for the past 27 years!
We provide premium Sales, Service, and Aftersales parts. Covering south of the Bombays to Taupo and west to King Country; Coombes Johnston has new, demonstrator, and used BMW and MINI models.
We have a highly attentive team who will do their utmost to be sure you and your vehicle are looked after. So come have a coffee on us and take the latest model for a test drive.
The Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these … View moreThe Blood Service says it needs 40,000 new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these donations?
While probiotics receive a lot of media attention and have a greater awareness, prebiotics do a lot of the heavy lifting. If we didn’t have prebiotics, probiotics would have a poor chance of survival, as some of them depending upon the strain, only last hours in our digestive systems. Prebiotics… View moreWhile probiotics receive a lot of media attention and have a greater awareness, prebiotics do a lot of the heavy lifting. If we didn’t have prebiotics, probiotics would have a poor chance of survival, as some of them depending upon the strain, only last hours in our digestive systems. Prebiotics help promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
An easy way to think of prebiotics is that they are like a really good meal for probiotics, helping them to grow robust and strong. With the rise of diets such as the ketogenic diet, many people are bypassing their prebiotic rich foods, and their gut health is suffering.
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EarthDiverse is pleased to announce it's newest Literature course, entitled "Villains in Spy Thriller Fiction" available both in-person (in Hamilton, New Zealand) or live-streamed via Zoom to anywhere in the world with a decent internet connection.
How have spy thrillers as we … View moreEarthDiverse is pleased to announce it's newest Literature course, entitled "Villains in Spy Thriller Fiction" available both in-person (in Hamilton, New Zealand) or live-streamed via Zoom to anywhere in the world with a decent internet connection.
How have spy thrillers as we know them developed? This survey of spy thriller fiction published between 1880 and 2000 sets the books in their historical context and shows how they reflect the politics of the time in which the books were published. Spy thrillers also document our own social history and reveal many important issues for us to think about. We will look at the role women characters play in spy fiction and think about why the villains in spy fiction are usually Russian.
This 8-week literature course begins on Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30pm (NZ time). For other time zone equivalents around the world, and for course info and registration, please visit the course page by clicking on the Read More button below.
For more information on this and all of our other Humanities and Language courses, please visit our home page at <earthdiverse.org.nz...
Mike Walen is a self-taught professional photographer whose business success has been entirely driven by word-of-mouth endorsement.
Now KeyImagery, Mike’s Hamilton-based firm, has become a Momentum Waikato Partner business.
With a knack for the social side of snapping people, Mike really … View moreMike Walen is a self-taught professional photographer whose business success has been entirely driven by word-of-mouth endorsement.
Now KeyImagery, Mike’s Hamilton-based firm, has become a Momentum Waikato Partner business.
With a knack for the social side of snapping people, Mike really enjoys event photography.
“Three quarters of what I do is about being able to socialise with people, I’m not scared of approaching them to ask if I can take their photo,” says Mike.
“Nothing I love more than going along and mingling.”
Events are the “bread and butter” for KeyImagery, which takes Mike to civic, school and sports gatherings across the central North Island. He’s also been the photographer-of-record at international marathons overseas.
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