Kapenga, Rotorua

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1265 days ago
1266 days ago

Cleaning 'Hacks' that Actually Make Things Worse

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

When it comes to cleaning there are tried and tested hacks you can rely on to make sure your house is spotless.

However, according to Good Housekeeping Institute there are some widely known household hints that are actually causing more harm than good.

While some hacks can make cleaning … View more
When it comes to cleaning there are tried and tested hacks you can rely on to make sure your house is spotless.

However, according to Good Housekeeping Institute there are some widely known household hints that are actually causing more harm than good.

While some hacks can make cleaning easier, the experts say you can’t believe everything you have heard will work – like using salt to lift red wine, immediately pouring water on carpet stains, or using vinegar as a makeshift cleaning product.

Here we have revealed which of the well-known hacks could make your clean-up job harder, not easier…

Don’t pour water on carpet stains: It may seem like logic to use water to mop up a spill, but there’s a danger that adding more liquid can over saturate a stain.

The excess water could cause long-lasting damage – soaking through the carpet fibres and into floorboards.

Good Housekeeping says that patience is key and advises gently blotting out as much of the stain as possible, then follow with a “light spritz of sparkling or soda water to rinse followed by more blotting”.

A clean dry cloth or paper towel is all that’s needed, and to make sure the stain doesn’t remain use a special removal cleaner.

Forget reaching for the salt for a red wine stain: There’s nothing worse than red wine splashing on your plush carpets – but don’t go reaching for the salt to try and soak it up.

Salt can lift the colour out of the carpet, but the consumer experts say that it can actually ‘set the stain’ because of the abrasive nature of the substance.

There’s also a risk that salt grains can stick in the carpet and become a dirt magnet for everything else.

Using vinegar as an all-purpose solution: While vinegar is regularly counted as an all-natural cleaner and can tackle grease and mould, the kitchen cupboard staple does contain acid and is abrasive.

The acid can affect wood and natural stone, so Good Housekeeping suggests keeping it away from marble counter tops or tiles.

Keep window cleaner away from your computer: The ingredients in a regular window cleaner can permanently damage a computer screen if used to shift marks.

According to the consumer site the ammonia and alcohol mixture used to remove stubborn stains on a window can actually strip anti-reflective coatings off screens, as well as cause clouding.

It advises using a microfibre cloth with a specialist LCD or plasma screen cleaner with no alcohol.

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1266 days ago

It's over to you

The Team from Homed

How's retirement treating you? Maybe you're in the midst of planning your retirement but haven't quite settled on your forever home yet.

If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you! The Homed team is giving you the opportunity to show us the home you've retired to and … View more
How's retirement treating you? Maybe you're in the midst of planning your retirement but haven't quite settled on your forever home yet.

If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you! The Homed team is giving you the opportunity to show us the home you've retired to and tell us why you love it. If you haven't quite left your career behind and you're planning your retirement we want to hear about it on Stuff Nation.

Remember - this doesn't have to be a one off. You can ask your neighbours for business recommendations for DIY products, advice on home improvement or even to invite your neighbours over for a house warming when your forever home is completed.

To share your thoughts and photos with Stuff head to the Stuff Nation page, we prefer submissions between 350-800 words; otherwise email homed@stuff.co.nz.

Remember to send through lots of photos.

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1266 days ago

Learn te reo Māori!

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Te Pōkaitahi Reo

Meet Parminder Singh (Punjabi) who shares his journey with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi: “Studying in the Pōkaitahi Reo programme has allowed me to develop a totally beautiful and unique relationship with Māori communities. The learning has helped my work to bridge … View more
Te Pōkaitahi Reo

Meet Parminder Singh (Punjabi) who shares his journey with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi: “Studying in the Pōkaitahi Reo programme has allowed me to develop a totally beautiful and unique relationship with Māori communities. The learning has helped my work to bridge gaps between Māori and others in our multicultural communities. When I look back, I feel really proud. It’s a great feeling when I speak te reo Māori. It’s a privilege.”

Share in Parminder’s experience and enquire now for 2021.

These programmes are tuition fee free!
Find out more

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1267 days ago

Luggage trailer

Rory from Ngongotaha

Age Concern have recently purchased, through some generous Lake Council funding, a covered trailer to go on the back of our new minibus and enable us to take walkers and wheelchairs. Our problem is that the trailer is in Wiri, near Manukau Auckland, ready for pick up. We were wondering if anyone is… View moreAge Concern have recently purchased, through some generous Lake Council funding, a covered trailer to go on the back of our new minibus and enable us to take walkers and wheelchairs. Our problem is that the trailer is in Wiri, near Manukau Auckland, ready for pick up. We were wondering if anyone is going to Auckland during June and would be able to pick the trailer up for us. We are a charity and would be eternally grateful if some kind person could do that for us and we will give a small koha. If you are able to help please ring 07 347 1539 or message us. Thanks in anticipation.

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1267 days ago

Coming soon: CHICAGO. It’s showtime!

Clarence St Theatre

CHICAGO, the second longest-running musical in Broadway history, is coming to Hamilton. It is a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery.

Bringing the show to life will be one of New Zealand’s most experienced and talented directors, David Sidwell. … View more
CHICAGO, the second longest-running musical in Broadway history, is coming to Hamilton. It is a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery.

Bringing the show to life will be one of New Zealand’s most experienced and talented directors, David Sidwell. He’s assembled a cast of seasoned local performers and musicians who are all itching to get back on stage. He’ll be backed up by Music Director, Nick Braae and Choreographers Sonja McGirr-Garrett and Alexis Holmes.

CHICAGO opens at Clarence St Theatre on June 25th and runs for two weeks. Tickets are on sale at Ticketek.
Book now

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1268 days ago

Nominations for the Women of Influence 2021 Awards are now open

The Team from Women of Influence

The Women of Influence programme is back! Nominations are now open for the 2021 Awards.

The Women of Influence programme celebrates the incredible wāhine of Aotearoa, so shine a light on the passionate Kiwi women who are creating a real impact in your community and nominate them now.

We’re … View more
The Women of Influence programme is back! Nominations are now open for the 2021 Awards.

The Women of Influence programme celebrates the incredible wāhine of Aotearoa, so shine a light on the passionate Kiwi women who are creating a real impact in your community and nominate them now.

We’re pleased to bring you two new awards categories this year: Environment and Primary Industries. You can also nominate the inspirational women in your life in the Arts & Culture; Board & Management; Business Enterprise; Community Hero; Diversity; Innovation, Science & Health; Public Policy and Young Leader categories.

Nominate here: www.womenofinfluence.co.nz...

Thank you to this year’s illustrator Tess Costil for her inspiring artwork.
#womenofinfluence

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1268 days ago

Get Involved – June 1st to 30th 🤝

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

This month we’re rolling up our sleeves, putting up our hands, and saying ‘YES’ to giving our time and skills to projects that make Aotearoa a better place to live.

As a mostly volunteer-led organisation, our members know first hand the value and impact that a single volunteer can make in … View more
This month we’re rolling up our sleeves, putting up our hands, and saying ‘YES’ to giving our time and skills to projects that make Aotearoa a better place to live.

As a mostly volunteer-led organisation, our members know first hand the value and impact that a single volunteer can make in our communities. Imagine then how much can be achieved when several volunteers or even an entire street or neighbourhood decide to work together to achieve the same goal!

Whether you plan to coordinate your own volunteer driven activity, take part in one that’s already been setup, participate in National Volunteer Week (20-26 June), or simply show your own volunteers some extra love this month, know that every bit of effort to give back is a priceless investment in all of our futures.

Want to share your thoughts? Let us know how you’re getting involved this month by tagging us in your social media posts or emailing us your photos, videos, or experiences to:

info@neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz

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1268 days ago

Good In The Hood

The Team from Graeme Dingle Foundation Rotorua

This year Z is giving away a share of $700k to 10 charities who make a positive impact for Kiwi's across Aotearoa. By topping up at your local participating Z Station, you will receive one token which gives you the opportunity to vote for us to help make Aotearoa the best place in the world to… View moreThis year Z is giving away a share of $700k to 10 charities who make a positive impact for Kiwi's across Aotearoa. By topping up at your local participating Z Station, you will receive one token which gives you the opportunity to vote for us to help make Aotearoa the best place in the world to be young 🧡

R
1269 days ago

Beauty Services

Ritika from Rotorua Central

Beauty combo deals!
Call or message to book an appointment- 0274105357 (Reet)

Negotiable

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1269 days ago

Here they are! New roses of 2021: which one(s) are you getting?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Pink, red, yellow, climbing, rambling, oh so beautiful they are. New Zealand's rose breeders and specialist nurseries have such a treat for you. Pictured here is 'My Sweetheart' from Matthews Nurseries, and there's lots more. Sit back and enjoy.

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1269 days ago

Is Laundry Stripping as Good as it Looks?

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Laundry day makes your home feel fresh and clean. But maybe not quite as clean as you think.


Laundry stripping is a deep-cleaning trend that has been sweeping the internet for the past several months. The method claims to clean the built-up residues from the fibres of textiles.


The TikTok… View more
Laundry day makes your home feel fresh and clean. But maybe not quite as clean as you think.


Laundry stripping is a deep-cleaning trend that has been sweeping the internet for the past several months. The method claims to clean the built-up residues from the fibres of textiles.


The TikTok user who started the trend soaked her freshly-laundered towels in warm water with a regular laundry detergent, washing soda, and borax – and the water turned dark brown.


The video prompted many of us to wonder whether we’ve been unwittingly nestling into dirty linens our entire lives. Home cleaning enthusiasts have since tried the technique on everything from clothes to rugs and second-hand couch covers.


What laundry stripping does is soak out any leftover detergent, fabric softener, minerals and natural body oils that have collected on the fabric over time. But some cleaning experts say it's unnecessary and brings out more dye than dirt.


So, I decided to test it out on a white duvet cover. I clean my sheets weekly and duvet cover once every couple of months. As a general rule, someone who sleeps in make-up and eats in bed as frequently as I do, shouldn't have white linens. But as a basic white woman in her mid-20s, fashion dictates I must.


The duvet appeared pretty white before going into the laundry strip. The strip wash recipe called for a 1:1:2 ratio mixture of borax, washing soda (sodium carbonate) and laundry detergent.


Borax is available at hardware stores and pharmacists, and the other ingredients you can find in the supermarket.

What I used:
- Greenwoods Washing Soda Crystals: ($4.99 from Countdown)
- Fab laundry liquid Frangipani 1L ($6.00 from Countdown)
- Borax ($10.99 from Bunnings)



To strip laundry, combine borax, washing soda and a regular laundry detergent in a 1:1:2 ratio in hot water.


Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

1269 days ago

Coming soon: Chicago. It’s showtime!

Clarence St Theatre

Chicago, the second longest-running musical in Broadway history, is coming to Hamilton. It is a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery.

Bringing the show to life will be one of New Zealand’s most experienced and talented directors, David Sidwell. … View more
Chicago, the second longest-running musical in Broadway history, is coming to Hamilton. It is a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery.

Bringing the show to life will be one of New Zealand’s most experienced and talented directors, David Sidwell. He’s assembled a cast of seasoned local performers and musicians who are all itching to get back on stage. He’ll be backed up by Music Director, Nick Braae and Choreographers Sonja McGirr-Garrett and Alexis Holmes.

Chicago opens at Clarence St Theatre on June 25th and runs for two weeks. Tickets are on sale at Ticketek.
Book now

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1269 days ago

Have you tasted these sweet, New Zealand-grown pineapples?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

It's taken seven years, but it was worth the wait. Have you tried them?

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1271 days ago

We bought the hill!

Buy the Hill - Te Ahu Pātiki Maunga

Thank you, Aotearoa.

You helped The Press and the Rod Donald Trust buy Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki the highest peak in Christchurch.

But you can still help.

The generosity of Kiwis has now secured the land's future as a public conservation park.

Further donations will help the … View more
Thank you, Aotearoa.

You helped The Press and the Rod Donald Trust buy Mt Herbert/Te Ahu Pātiki the highest peak in Christchurch.

But you can still help.

The generosity of Kiwis has now secured the land's future as a public conservation park.

Further donations will help the trust restore the land to its former forested glory.
Donate now

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