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Published: 26 September 2022

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15 Old Fashioned Household Cleaning Tips that Work!

Whether it’s a good old spring clean or you want to ensure your property is spick and span before you put your home on the market, choosing cleaning products that get the job done is essential!

We have become so used to seeing fancy, branded packaging lining the shelves of the cleaning aisle that many of the traditional cleaning methods that our Grandmothers would swear by have disappeared.

Fear not though, because the team at Warren Powell-Richards are full of great ideas, and can offer you 15 old fashioned cleaning tips that really work:

1. Use White Vinegar to Clean the Windows

Do you have trouble getting a streak-free finish? Sometimes, no matter how much you scrub and rinse, your windows will keep drying with streaky marks down them, making them look worse than before.

If this sounds familiar, then white vinegar is the answer. Just spray a little bit on your windows and wipe clean to achieve a streak-free finish.

You can also mix it with warm water and cornstarch to achieve similar results, but a spray bottle of distilled white wine vinegar by itself should do the trick.

2. Use White Vinegar to Remove Limescale

As you’ve probably guessed, white vinegar is incredibly versatile. And in case you’re wondering, it doesn’t leave a nasty odour like malt vinegar would, so avoid the bottle of brown stuff at your local chip shop!

To remove limescale from the kettle, just fill the kettle with a mix of water and white vinegar, leave for a few hours, and when you come back to it the limescale can be removed easily.

You can also use it to remove limescale from showers and taps but take care as it’s not suitable for all taps, such as gold-plated ones.

3. Use Lemons to Remove Stains on Chopping Boards

If your chopping board is looking tired and stained from things like strawberries and raspberries there’s no need to give up on it and buy a new one, because another fruit is the answer you’re looking for.

Just squeeze a lemon over the board and scrub to remove those stubborn stains. If you’re wondering how this works, it’s the acidity of the lemon that works its magic here. Just don’t use it on stone floors or worktops.

4. Use a Lemon to Remove Grease From Dishes

Just like white vinegar, lemons are incredibly versatile when it comes to cleaning. If your saucepans or frying pans have tough grease on them, just cut a lemon in half and rub over them. This loosens the grease, allowing you to remove it much more easily.

5. Use Baking Soda to Clean Dirty Pans

Similar to lemons, the acidity in baking soda makes it a great product for removing stubborn grease. Simply apply it to a scrubbing brush and get to work on your greasy pans, and you’ll find it works far easier than a scourer or sponge.

6. Use White Vinegar to Remove Sticky Residue

Ok, so we’re back to white vinegar, but we did say how versatile it is. Don’t you hate it when you remove a sticker or label and loads of it remains stuck to the object? Well, apply some white vinegar to the area and it’ll magically lift it off.

7. Soak Clothes in Detergent and Water Before Washing Them

This only applies to clothes with a heavy stain, so don’t worry you don’t have to do this every time you’re about to put a wash on.

Before stain removal products became such big business, people had to find other ways to remove them from clothes, and a good pre-soaking before sticking them in the wash was how they did it. And it still works today.

8. Use Baking Soda and White Vinegar to Unclog Drains

There are loads of plug and drain unblockers out there all telling you how tough they are on clogs and blockages, which then underwhelm you.

For something that actually works, put a tablespoon of baking soda down there, follow up with a cup of white vinegar, leave for a couple of minutes and then pour in a kettle of boiling water.

9. Use Toothpaste to Remove Scratches on Glass

Another strange but true cleaning tip! Just make sure you use a classic toothpaste and not the gel ones. Add some to a soft cloth, wipe in a circular motion, then wipe away with a damp cloth and dry.

10. Remove Stains With Glycerin

Rub some of this into any stained clothes, leave for an hour or so and then wash as normal. And it’s great for sore throats too!

11. Use Lemons to Clean Copper Saucepans

To get your copper shining again, lemons will do the job perfectly. You can take the hollow shell of a squeezed lemon, dip it in cooking salt and then scrub the saucepans. Rinse and dry after, and you’ll have sparkling copper again.

12. Dust With Water

There’s no need to buy expensive polishes and dust cleaning products, just using water on your duster is sufficient. Give your duster a good soaking, then wring it as dry as possible and use it without any cleaning products. Just make sure to dry wooden surfaces immediately after wiping.

13. Use Natural Ingredients to Freshen the Air

Avoid the chemical smells that come with canned air fresheners and consider more natural options instead. Items like vanilla extract or cinnamon sticks will give your home a unique, longer-lasting smell than a shop-bought air freshener.

14. Use Old Clothes as Cleaning Rags

Just because your t-shirt has a hole in it or doesn’t fit anymore, it doesn’t mean you can’t still get good use out of it. You can use it to clean the car or windows and it’ll do the job just as well as a purpose made cloth.

15. Use Coffee Grounds to De-odourise the Fridge

Put a bowl of coffee grounds in the back of your fridge and it will absorb any bad odours and leave it smelling much fresher.

Now there’s no excuse for you not to have a sparkling house!

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Published: 26 September 2022

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How Moving Home can Affect a Child

Moving house can be very exciting. As you look to new horizons, you and your family can put down roots and share new experiences.

Imagine the thrill of exploring new places. Think of the sense of achievement when a room has been decorated to your taste – an accent wall here, a woollen throw there, new vinyl flooring in a lovely big bathroom.

You’re looking forward to making new friends next door and can’t wait to invite your bestie round for an afternoon tea in the garden, with its patio and full borders and trellises.

But, actually, moving house can be quite a stressful time for children. They may not be as excited or as enthusiastic as you are.

It might be that they will miss the only bedroom they have known, or fear they may not see again the little friend they first met at the garden gate or in the playground.

It could be quite an emotional time in their short life, and it is something that cannot, and should not, be ignored.

Even though you will already have so much to think about in terms of the finances and logistics of moving, make sure you spare a thought or two for the children.

It’s Good To Talk

Talking and being open is the best way forward. It’s good to keep things as simple as possible, and in a way, they can begin to understand what moving is all about.

Of course, they’ll be worried, but reassuring words from Mum and Dad will help to reduce some of the fears that they will have.

They’ll have questions about friends, toys, still being able to see Grandma and Grandad, schools, and sports clubs.

None of their concerns should simply be brushed off – it’s important to them so it should be important to you.

Talk to them about how they can still do much of what they’ve been doing, but in such a way as it’ll be a little better and so exciting. Speak about the new things to do, like a park to explore or shops to visit and friends to make.

Children can be quite curious, so share with them what the new place will be like and ask them if they want to know more about any particular feature.

They’ll be worried about their toys, so see if they want to get stuck into the packing of boxes. Make it fun for them by making sure their favourite teddies can see where they’re going or are wrapped up ready for the trip.

It’s probably best to make sure these are packed last and unpacked first as this will ensure they know they have their familiar things with them.

Similarly, their fresh, clean bedding with their favourite characters on them will help with the transition as they will have space for themselves.

So it’s important to get their room as ready as possible because toys locked away or unfamiliar bedding could be unsettling for them.

Get The Children Involved

Perhaps you can get them involved in the process, by asking them about what they want in their new bedroom.

Give them the option to pick colours, or pictures, or the type of bed they want. It’ll give them a sense of responsibility, and some will feel a little more grown-up.

Help to ease their fears by perhaps arranging a play date with their friends, an afternoon tea or even a sleepover.

When you’ve moved, make sure to find out about parks and clubs and who lives nearby that they might become friends with.

One of the best ways to help children when moving house is to keep as much as possible to existing routines.

Familiar bedtimes, tea at the table and playtimes can all help to comfort a child and let them know that not everything in their small world has changed.

It could take a little time for a youngster to feel settled in a new home, so you must recognise the fears and be particularly patient.

It is also worth remembering that children are actually more resilient than we often give them credit for. They will adapt, they will make new friends. With your help and understanding, patience and a little bit of time, a move to a new home could be the best thing you and your family has ever done.

If you and your family are planning on moving to the area soon, why not get in touch with us. The team at Warren Powell-Richards will be delighted to advise you on all our suitable properties in the area. Contact us for more information.

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Published: 26 September 2022

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The Definitive Guide to Staging Your Home

The property market can be very competitive, even cut throat in some areas of the UK. So, when it comes to putting your home up for sale, you’ll want to make an effort as soon as possible. That’s why many sellers are now spending time ‘staging’ their houses, which basically means ensuring they look their best.

Here’s our guide to staging your home, and how doing so could help you land a quick sale.

Selling can be a slow process

There’s no getting away from it, many factors have hit the UK housing market, from the tightening of lending guidelines to political uncertainty. The good news is, currently the average time to sell a property is 55 days. The bad news is that the selling time can vary depending on where you live in the UK. Even if you are in an area where properties get snapped up immediately, don’t be too complacent. You never know what the competition will be like or what factors might suddenly affect the sale of your home, so it’s still imperative to make your home as attractive as possible.

Ways to stage your home

There are many different ways your home can be staged, but whichever way you choose, ‘staging’ just means showing your home in the best possible light. In some cases, it simply means decluttering and moving things around, while some people go as far as changing room colours and renting furniture. For homes at the higher end of the market, you can even hire a professional who’ll really show off the best features of your property.

Here are some of the steps you should go through when staging a home.

Get objective opinions about your home

Your home is your castle, and no doubt you’ve carefully chosen every aspect, from the colour of your paintwork to the carpets. However, taste is subjective, so it’s important to get some outside opinions. As estate agents we are very good at this, as we know what sells a home and what might be setting it back – don’t forget, we hear unfiltered opinions when we show people around your property.

Look at similar homes in your area that have sold quickly and note their interior design, layout and their general vibe. In certain areas, particular styles of home will sell faster, so pay attention to what buyers are looking for.

Set a budget

Prices for home staging can vary wildly, from practically zero if you’re just sprucing up your home yourself, to thousands of pounds if you’re staging a luxury property and employing the services of a professional. If you’re serious about staging and are going to rent furniture and decorate certain rooms, it’s not unrealistic to spend a couple of thousand pounds. While this sounds like a lot, keep in mind that it’s just a small percentage of your asking price, so it might be worth the investment.

Focus on the important rooms

You may not have the budget to stage your entire home, so focus on rooms that really matter. Our experience tells us that the living room is the most important room to stage, followed by the master bedroom, as these are usually the first photos seen within your online property listing.

When it comes to living areas, decluttering and maximising light should be a priority, ensuring they look as large as possible. However, don’t feel as though you have to remove all the personality from the room. A few family photos, cushions and throws keep a cosy, liveable feel without cluttering. Bathrooms should have neatly folded towels, and kitchens should have a bowl of fresh fruit or some fresh flowers on display.

Get the right furniture for the space

The layout of your furniture is one of the key elements of staging. You want to create space, yet still keep the room looking functional. Stripping rooms of furniture can sometimes be a negative for buyers. For example, if they see a bedroom without a bed in it, they may be wondering whether their king-size will fit, or whether they’ll be constantly bashing their knees on it. Certain pieces of furniture are the focal point of a room, and if they’re looking a bit tired or worn-out, then it drags down the room. If your sofa has been well worn by children and dogs, consider putting it in storage and renting a nice modern one whilst you’re having viewings.

Staging your home isn’t as complex as it sounds. It largely involves making your home as appealing as possible to as many buyers as possible, which in turn will help it sell faster. Whether you do it yourself or bring in a professional, it could mean your home spends less time on the market!

For more advice on property matters, contact the team at Warren Powell-Richards or call in and see us.

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Published: 26 September 2022

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Conveyancing Tips: How to Find the Best Solicitor

Once you’ve found your perfect property, you’ll need to find a conveyancing solicitor to handle the transaction, unless you already have one lined up.

Finding a reliable and trustworthy conveyancer needn’t be a stressful task though, as long as you do some research and ask the right questions.

Here are some tips from Warren Powell-Richards on how to find the best solicitor.

1. Ask family and friends for recommendations

This is the number one action you can take to ensure you find the best conveyancing solicitor. If you have family or friends who have moved in the past couple of years’, then ask them who they used and how much it cost.

Even if they don’t recommend their conveyancer, it will help you know who to avoid and you’ll still be able to get a rough idea of the cost involved.

2. Ask your estate agent for a recommendation

Most estate agents have conveyancer contacts and will be able to recommend or refer. It’s important to bear in mind that you shouldn’t feel pressured into going with their recommendation, therefore, make sure you do your own research on the recommended conveyancer to check if they’re someone you’ll want to do business with.

3. Don’t automatically go with the cheapest quote

Buying a property can be an expensive process and it’s tempting to cut costs wherever possible. However, as the old saying goes, ‘If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.’

A quick Google search will throw up plenty of conveyancing services for as little as £150-£200. These kinds of services are usually fraught with danger, where corners are routinely cut, and avoidable delays are part of the process due to the mountain of cases they’re trying to manage at once.

And while you might get lucky and find a great one, you generally get what you pay for, so it’s best to look for two or three quotes from reputable solicitors to get a more accurate idea of cost. Bear in mind too, that there can often be lots of hidden costs in the small print, which end up amounting to the cost of a reputable conveyancer anyway.

Something else to consider is that saving money immediately could end up costing you a lot more in the long-term.

Because the cheapest conveyancers will often cut corners to plough through cases, they’re more likely to miss things that can come back to bite you in the future, such as covenants, or environmental concerns related to your property.

So do your research, and don’t get sucked in by the price.

4. You don’t have to stay local

You can choose a conveyancing solicitor who’s based anywhere in the country, so you’ll have a very wide pool of solicitors to choose from.

Many people wrongly believe that a conveyancer needs to have ‘local knowledge’ of the area, but this isn’t the case at all.

If the property purchase is straightforward then you don’t necessarily need to meet your conveyancer in person.

If it’s a more complex purchase, for example where an existing boundary is to be altered, or a property is being divided then it may be easier to find someone local who may wish to visit the property.

However, in most transactions the conveyancer is unlikely to set foot in the property, so you will have a lot of choice.

5. Ask plenty of questions

When contacting prospective conveyancers, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions to help you feel comfortable. First and foremost, you’ll want to know if they are registered with The Law Society or The CLC.

It’s also important to choose a law firm that specialises in conveyancing, so find out how many transactions they’ve carried out and how experienced they are when it comes to property law. After all, there’s no point looking at a solicitor who specialises in divorce to handle your property transaction!

A good conveyancer will help your transaction to run as smoothly as possible and keep you informed of any hiccups promptly. They’ll also be easy to contact and have a direct phone number and email address to reach them on.

So, when you’re doing your research, find out if you’ll have one contact assigned to you who’s going to be easy to get hold of. It will make for a much smoother transaction in the long run.

Looking for a conveyancer in the area to help with your house move? Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts. Call us or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.