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Expert reveals why you shouldn’t use hotel hair dryers

<p dir="ltr">An expert has shared why you should avoid using hair dryers that are provided in hotels. </p> <p dir="ltr">Many travellers rely on these handy devices that are often found in bathroom drawers in hotels, instead of packing your own hair dryer that can often take up valuable luggage space. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, trichologist Jacqui McIntosh, who focuses on diseases related to the scalp and hair, said travellers should avoid these appliances at all costs. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the expert, there's a high chance there are bacteria and germs lurking inside the hair dryer that have been passed between hotel guests.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Using a hairdryer riddled with bacteria and germs does pose health risks and can be detrimental to your hair health," she told <em>The Mirror</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">McIntosh says when the microorganisms inside a hairdryer make their way onto your hair and scalp, "they can spark infections and irritations, disrupting your hair follicles and slowing down healthy growth."</p> <p dir="ltr">Even without the worry of bacteria and germs, there's a chance of dust and mould lurking inside the appliance, which she says are "troublemakers for your scalp".</p> <p dir="ltr">"Neglected hair dryers are time bombs waiting to go off. Debris buildup inside the device spells overheating, increasing the risk of singeing your hair or scalp," she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">McIntosh also clarified that, as pointed out in a 2009 study, hairdryers are one of the handful of items that are missed by hotel cleaning staff, so next time you’re staying in a hotel, probably best to bring your own hair dryer. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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Clever ways to reuse dryer lint around the house

<h2>Start a fire</h2> <p>Dryer lint is flammable, which is why we’re urged to clean out the trap after each load of laundry. Collect it in a sealed jar to use as tinder the next time you start a fire in your backyard fire pit. For a self-contained fire starter, stuff cardboard toilet paper rolls with lint.</p> <h2>Use as mulch</h2> <p>You can add dryer lint as a mulch around potted plants as long as you’re not using dryer sheets, which may leave an unwanted chemical residue.</p> <h2>Prevent erosion</h2> <p>When spread out and dampened with water, dryer lint can form a barrier to protect soil from erosion. If you don’t like the look of soggy lint, use the lint as an under-layer and cover with decorative stones.</p> <h2>Discourage weeds</h2> <p>Just like a thick layer of lint can prevent erosion, a base of dryer lint can prevent weeds as well. Use it as a substitute for landscape fabric and top with a decorative mulch.</p> <h2>Add to compost</h2> <p>Lint from natural fibres like cotton and wool is biodegradable, so you can add it to the compost pile as a source of carbon.</p> <h2>Oil down tools</h2> <p>Use a clump of dryer lint to apply linseed oil to wooden-handle tools to keep them from cracking, and to metal parts (after cleaning) to keep them from rusting. Then toss the lint in the garbage.</p> <h2>Line garden containers</h2> <p>Line the bottom of a plant pot with dryer lint to keep soil from spilling out the drainage hole. The lint layer will also act as a blotter, soaking up extra moisture and making it available for the roots later. This container gardening tip is not recommended for cacti, succulents and other plants that like soil on the dry side.</p> <h2>Soak up spills</h2> <p>Keep a jar of dryer lint in the garage to use when you need to soak up oil spills.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/diy-tips/clever-ways-to-reuse-dryer-lint-around-the-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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14 ways you’re shortening the life of your washer and dryer

<p><strong>You run the washer/dryer more than you need to</strong></p> <p>“The life of a laundry machine is completely dependent on how often it’s run,” say the tax experts at H&amp;R Block. Try to stick to eight loads a week or less, which they say will “yield an average of a (low) double-digit life,” regardless of the type of machine (front-loading or top-loading, for example). Running only full loads will help to keep your energy bill down.</p> <p><strong>You didn't have your washer/dryer professional installed</strong></p> <p>Proper installation is critical for all laundry machines. For one, they must be installed “level.” Depending on the peculiarities of your floor, that can be more or less complicated. As for dryers, proper venting is critical, and proper venting means selecting the appropriate size and material for your venting tube as well as proper placement of the tube to permit optimal air flow. If you installed your own machines, consider having a professional eyeball your work.</p> <p><strong>You're stuffing your machine</strong></p> <p>Neither washers nor dryers work optimally when overstuffed, and worse, they have to work harder than they should when they’re too full. That increases wear and tear on the machine’s mechanisms such as the washing machine’s central agitator. Plus, if you pack too many clothes into the machine, some detergent residue could be left behind – which will attract more dirt next time you wear the clothes.</p> <p><strong>Using too much detergent</strong></p> <p>Using more detergent than the manufacturer recommends is bad for your washing machine, according to Angie’s List. Using too much soap leads to more suds, which could cause your washer to overflow. Have a high-efficiency washer? They require even less soap to wash clothing properly, so be sure to skimp on the detergent and only use soaps marked safe for HE washers.</p> <p><strong>Washing stuff you shouldn't be washing</strong></p> <p>Hand washing certain items is not just for the sake of said item, but also better for your washing machine, too. Hooks and underwires from lingerie can damage your washing machine’s drum, while zippers can scratch the door of your front-loading machine.</p> <p><strong>Not cleaning out your washing machine's dispensers</strong></p> <p>“When you’re done washing a load of laundry, wipe down the detergent and fabric softener dispensers,” Angie’s List advises. “If you don’t, the build-up could cause a clog.” You should also be washing your washing machine monthly if your owner’s manual recommends it.</p> <p><strong>Not cleaning out the lint from your dryer</strong></p> <p>You should be cleaning the lint out of your lint-catcher every time you run the dryer. Leaving lint in the dryer filter lowers the efficiency of the machine by slowing down the drying process. It can also cause the dryer to overheat and possibly catch fire.</p> <p><strong>Not regularly maintaining your dryer vent</strong></p> <p>Maintaining your dryer vent (the tube that directs moisture and lint out of the dryer drum and out of the house) is crucial to keeping your dryer in good working order. A good rule-of-thumb is to have your dryer vent inspected and cleaned out once per year, according to Ivey Engineering.</p> <p><strong>Overusing dryer sheets</strong></p> <p>“Dryer sheets might make your clothing soft, static-free, and smell fresh, but they have a waxy layer that melts in the dryer,” advises Angie’s List. Using too many can gum up the appliance. But no matter how many dryer sheets you use, you need to be cleaning your lint trap on a regular basis – not just cleaning out the lint but actually removing the lint trap and soaking it in sudsy water every couple of months (or more often if you’re also using fabric softener in the washing machine, which also leaves a residue in the dryer).</p> <p><strong>Leaving stuff in your pockets</strong></p> <p>Gum, tissues, even coins, and paper money can clog your washer drain, and if they don’t fall out of your pockets during the wash cycle, you’ll probably hear and/or see them spinning around the dryer, which isn’t good for your dryer’s inner workings. So empty your pockets before throwing your clothes in the wash for the sake of your laundry machines running smoothly, efficiently and over many years.</p> <p><strong>Not taking clothes out of the washer right away</strong></p> <p>A big problem with washing machines is mould. Mould can lead to a foul-smelling machine, which is definitely going to shorten its life. To avoid mould, take your clean clothes out right away. Bonus points if you also leave the washer door open to allow the machine to air-dry between loads.</p> <p><strong>Drying stuff you shouldn't be drying</strong></p> <p>If you’re planning on drying anything besides clothing, bedding, and towels, check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you’re actually going to be harming your dryer in doing so. For example, some dryers are not meant to dry rubber, so if you’ve washed your bathroom rug (with a rubber back), don’t dry it in the dryer unless the instructions say it’s OK.</p> <p><strong>Not reading and following the manufacturer's maintenance instructions</strong></p> <p>When Consumer Reports asked laundry machine manufacturers what consumers can do to extend the life of their laundry machines, the same answer kept coming up: follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining the machine. With washing machines, that almost inevitably involves cleaning the washer itself. Many modern washing machines have self-cleaning cycles.</p> <p><strong>Drying the wrong things together</strong></p> <p>Sorting laundry isn’t just for the sake of keeping your whites white. An appliance salesperson Reader’s Digest spoke to told us never to dry “towels with t-shirts.” When we asked him to elaborate, he explained that your dryer works best when it’s drying items of similar weight and that mixing items of significantly different weight can throw off the balance of the machine.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/14-ways-youre-shortening-the-life-of-your-washer-and-dryer?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

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22 uses for dryer sheets (that aren’t laundry)

<p>Along with making clothes soft and sniffably fresh, dryer sheets can be used in dozens of ways around the house. Their clean scent covers up plenty of odours, and they’re abrasive enough to clean, but won’t damage most surfaces. Here are the most unexpected uses for dryer sheets.</p> <p><strong>Clean skirting boards</strong></p> <p>Vacuum the carpet or sweep the floor, then wipe a dryer sheet along the skirting boards to remove stubborn dust and pet hair. Bonus: It repels dust later, too!</p> <p><strong>Dust your TV screen</strong></p> <p>The sheets have anti-static properties that will help prevent dust from settling on the screen.</p> <p><strong>Clean window blinds</strong></p> <p>Just like with the TV, dryer sheets will repel dust and make blinds easier to clean over time.</p> <p><strong>Tame flyaway hair</strong></p> <p>Did dry air make your hair static-y? Rub a dryer sheet between your brush’s bristles to smooth things over.</p> <p><strong>Clean up pet hair</strong></p> <p>Dryer sheets are great grabbers. Rub one along the floor or couch to pick up pet hair – or clippings from at-home haircuts.</p> <p><strong>Freshen up your shoes</strong></p> <p>Stick a dryer sheet in your flats or sneakers overnight to get rid of stinky odours.</p> <p><strong>Scrub away soap scum</strong></p> <p>Rub a sheet on glass shower doors to clean caked-on grime.</p> <p><strong>Easily scour pans</strong></p> <p>If food gets burned on a pan, let it soak overnight with water and a fresh dryer sheet.</p> <p><strong>Give chrome a polish</strong></p> <p>From bathrooms to vehicles, dryer sheets can help restore chrome’s trademark shine.</p> <p><strong>Clean up pantry spills</strong></p> <p>From bathrooms to vehicles, dryer sheets can help restore chrome’s trademark shine.</p> <p><strong>Freshen the air fast</strong></p> <p>Place sheets in vents or behind fans to fill your home with a fresh, clean scent.</p> <p><strong>Cover up nappy smells</strong></p> <p>Tuck a fresh sheet into your nappy bag or bathroom garbage bin can help take the edge off odours.</p> <p><strong>De-musk old books </strong></p> <p>You scored some great reads at a garage sale – but they’re a little musty. Put old books in a bag with some dryer sheets – after a few days, they’ll smell as good as new.</p> <p><strong>Remove crayon marks</strong></p> <p>Lightly rub walls with a sheet and watch the crayon disappear. Magic!</p> <p><strong>Get paint off brushes</strong></p> <p>Put a dryer sheet in warm water along with the brush – within a few minutes of soaking, the paint should wash right off.</p> <p><strong>Sharpen scissors</strong></p> <p>Run a used dryer sheet along the blades to restore their snipping power.</p> <p><strong>Repel insects</strong></p> <p>Mosquitoes don’t like the smell of dryer sheets, so slip one into your belt loop to ward off the pesky insects.</p> <p><strong>Keep camping gear fresh</strong></p> <p>Toss dryer sheets into your tent and sleeping bags to stave off a mildewy smell.</p> <p><strong>Banish post-beach sand</strong></p> <p>This is one of the most surprising uses for dryer sheets! Wipe yourself and your kids with a dryer sheet to rid skin of dry sand before getting in the car.</p> <p><strong>Keep cars smelling fresh</strong></p> <p>Put a few sheets underneath the seat to freshen up your car without hanging something from your rear-view mirror.</p> <p><strong>Clean the toilet</strong></p> <p>Dryer sheets are great to use for cleaning the toilet – especially that crevice at the back that traps all kinds of hair and dust.</p> <p><strong>Remove deodorant stains</strong></p> <p>Keep your clothes streak-free (and smelling fresh) with a quick dryer sheet wipe on deodorant stains.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/22-uses-for-dryer-sheets-that-arent-laundry?pages=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Expert laundry tips you’ll wish you knew sooner

<p>Keep your clothes cleaner, your home greener and your electricity bill low with these expert laundry tips.</p> <p>By Anna-Kaisa Walker, <em>Reader’s Digest Canada</em></p> <p><strong>Go scent free</strong></p> <p>A 2011 study found that fragranced products cause dryer vents to emit seven compounds that contain hazardous air pollutants and two that are carcinogenic.</p> <p><strong>Choose products wisely</strong></p> <p>Even “unscented” brands may not be what they purport to be. “Unscented detergents can still contain fragrances to mask chemical smells,” says Lindsay Coulter, the David Suzuki Foundation’s green-living expert.</p> <p><strong>Try your hand at DIY</strong></p> <p>If you want to avoid mystery ingredients, make your own detergent. The David Suzuki Foundation recommends using ½ cup per load of a mixture of two teaspoons of salt, two tablespoons of baking soda, two tablespoons of liquid Castile soap and one litre of hot water.</p> <p><strong>Nix the essential oils</strong></p> <p>Don’t scent homemade detergent with essential oils. Some dryers heat up to about 57˚C, which is above the flashpoint for some essential oils.</p> <p><strong>A little vinegar goes a long way</strong></p> <p>If your towels are musty, add a cup of white vinegar or a cup of baking soda to your wash load (but not both at once).</p> <p><strong>Watch out for microfibres</strong></p> <p>Your fleece jacket made from recycled bottles likely contains microfibres – pollutants that account for 35 per cent of microplastics in the world’s oceans. “With every wash, your garments are shedding microfibres that end up in waterways and eventually in the food chain,” says Coulter. Special fibre-trapping bags can help keep them out of the drain.</p> <p><strong>You don’t always need chlorine</strong></p> <p>Instead of using chlorine bleach, disinfect your clothes by line drying. Sunlight’s ultraviolet rays are effective at killing bacteria in fabrics. Bonus: they’re free.</p> <p><strong>Don’t overuse detergent</strong></p> <p>Using more detergent won’t make clothes cleaner. Over time, excess detergent can build up and cause smelly residue inside your machine. Use the least amount of detergent possible – start with half the recommended amount, and if your clothes still come out clean, you can try reducing even further.</p> <p><strong>Clean your lint tray</strong></p> <p>Lint buildup in the filter and vents is a primary cause of the dozens of fires started by dryers every year in Toronto, says Papeo. “Empty your lint tray before every load and vacuum the filter and inside the trap from time to time.”</p> <p><strong>Your socks really are going missing</strong></p> <p>The real “sock monster” responsible for your missing hosiery? Your washing machine. Small items can slip past the rubber gasket on a front-loading washer, and get trapped underneath the drum. If you’re suspicious, get a pro to investigate, and wash all your socks in a mesh bag to prevent disappearances.</p> <p><em>Photos: Reader’s Digest</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="mailto:https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/expert-laundry-tips-youll-wish-you-knew-sooner">Reader’s Digest</a></em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

Home & Garden

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“Terrifying”: Warning for homeowners after deadly fire hazard

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Homeowners are being warned to avoid making detrimental mistakes and to be aware of little-known hazards in their homes after a family had a terrifying experience with their clothes dryer when it burst into flames. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The family were sitting in their loungeroom on a Sunday evening in Murrumbateman, NSW when their clothes dryer caught on fire while it was running unattended. </span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F227917010629442%2Fphotos%2Fa.555178817903258%2F2362747297146392%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="502" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Simon McGrath from the Murrumbateman Rural Service told the </span><a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Canberra Times</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that although the family was lucky not to have been injured, that leaving a laundry appliance unattended was a “a common occurrence in Australia in winter”.</span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F227917010629442%2Fphotos%2Fa.555178817903258%2F2362747350479720%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="502" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A terrifying event for a local family,” the fire brigade wrote on its Facebook page.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Please check lint filters. And never leave your dryer on overnight.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The family were quickly and swiftly able to move the clothes dryer outside and extinguish the fire with a garden hose. </span></p>

Caring

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The brilliant dryer hack that will put an end to ironing clothes forever

<p>Ironing is high up on the list of most dreaded chores, but if you’re feeling lazy and need crease-free clothes in a snap, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a trick that does exactly that.</p> <p>And the best part? It’s free.</p> <p>After putting your clothes in the dryer, place two or three ice cubes along with them and then raise the setting to the highest heat for a few minutes. Apparently, the hack should make your clothes look like they’ve been freshly steamed.</p> <p>And it works, as multiple people have tested out the trick and shared their results online.</p> <p>You may be trying to figure out the correlation between ice cubes and smooth clothes, and it’s simply because once the ice is melted, the heat from the dryer transforms the water into steam.</p> <p>So, not only are you getting dry, clean clothes, but now they’ve been pressed for you once they come out.</p> <p>However, there are some things to consider. It is advised by those who have tested the hack to not overfill the dryer if adding ice cubes, so a few shirts and trousers should be enough for one load.</p> <p>Once the trick gained traction online, many others came out with their own secrets to avoid ironing, such as hanging your clothes as soon as they’re out of the dryer.</p> <p>And also using a hairdryer as a steamer. Others say running a damp towel over dry clothes can help with crinkling.</p> <p>Or you might take to your kitchen cabinets, as experts believe that vinegar is the secret to soft linen, towels and bedding.</p> <p>“Use vinegar instead of fabric softener. Works better, and no, it doesn’t smell,” said one social media user after a woman asked for advice on how to keep her towels feeling brand new.</p> <p>Do you have any hacks to avoid ironing that you swear by? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

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Why you'll never use a hand dryer again after seeing this

<p>A self-conducted experiment is deterring people from using public bathroom hand dryers after shocking results were found.</p> <p>Nichole Ward shared a sickening picture of a Petri dish on Facebook, which she claims to have held under a Dyson Airblade for three minutes and left to “incubate” for two days, reported <em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/5527357/hand-dryer-petri-dish-experiment-public-loos/" target="_blank">The Sun.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p>She wrote, “OK guys ... ready to have your mind blown?!”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnichole.ward.75%2Fposts%2F10215141893689736&amp;width=500" width="500" height="746" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p>“This here, is what grew in a Petri dish after just a few days,” she said, sharing an image of the Petri dish with all sorts of fungi and bacteria.</p> <p>“I stuck the open plate in an enclosed hand dryer of a public bathroom for a total of three minutes. Yes 3 only. DO NOT EVER dry your hands in those things again.</p> <p>“This is the several strains of possible pathogenic fungi and bacteria that you’re swirling around your hands, and you think you’re walking out with clean hands. You’re welcome. ”</p> <p>It is unknown what sort of scientific background Nichole, from California, has to make this assessment.</p> <p>Dyson responded to the images saying it was “surprised” by the results of her experiment, noting that it was “unclear on the methodology employed”.</p> <p>A company spokesman said, “We’re very surprised to see these results, and unclear on the methodology employed.</p> <p>“All Dyson AirbladeTM hand dryers have HEPA filters that capture particles as small as bacteria from the washroom air before it leaves the machine.</p> <p>“Dyson AirbladeTM hand dryers are proven hygienic by university research and are trusted by hospitals, food manufacturers and businesses worldwide.”</p> <p>Nichole’s post has been shared over 550,000 times, since being published last week.</p> <p>Many users have explained in the comments that they have been turned off hand dryers and will start using paper towels.</p> <p>One Facebook user wrote: “So freaking nasty! Never using one of those blowers again.”</p> <p>Nichole shared in the comments, “From now on I just wash and scrub, and dry on my clothes or shake and air dry OUTSIDE of the [bathroom].”</p> <p>Do you use hand dryers or paper towels when you dry your hands in a public bathroom? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Body

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Mum’s warning after scary experience with cheap hair dryer from Amazon

<p><span>If you are in need of a new hair dryer anytime soon, it may be worth investing in one that is good quality, as a mum recently discovered after a terrifying ordeal with her malfunctioning hair dryer.</span></p> <p><span>A mum from South Carolina, Erika Augthun Shoolbred, shared a scary video to Facebook which showed the moment her brand new hair dryer started shooting out flames and smoke the first time she used it.</span></p> <p><span>“Talk about a bad hair day!” Erika wrote on Facebook.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FErikaShoolbred%2Fposts%2F10215581946765662&amp;width=500" width="500" height="683" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>“My new hair dryer (more like hair frier) from OraCorp on Amazon.com became a blow torch on its first use this morning. A small burn on my hand and an enormous smell to my master bath.</span></p> <p><span>"Amazon credited my account and gave me the contact info for the company but I have yet to hear from them."</span></p> <p><span>Since the incident occurred, Amazon has removed all OraCorp hair dryers from its site.</span></p> <p><span>However, Erika is just thankful there were no serious injuries from the dangerous hair dryer, especially as she has a young daughter who could’ve been in the bathroom with her.</span></p> <p><span>“I am still a little shaken,” Erika told Metro.co.uk.</span></p> <p><span>“I’m so fortunate the dryer was pointing away from me, and my five-year-old daughter was not getting ready with me that morning. It could have been horrific.”</span></p> <p><span>Have you ever purchased a faulty hair dryer? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments below. </span></p>

Beauty & Style

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7 common items you should never put in a dryer

<p>Dryers can be real lifesavers on overcast days where there just isn’t enough sun for the old Hills Hoist to be effective, but they’re by no means suitable for all garments.</p> <p><a href="http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Good Housekeeping</strong></span></a> has put together a list containing seven common household items that should never be put in a dryer. Some clothes just can’t handle the heat!</p> <p><strong>1. Swimmers</strong></p> <p>While they can generally face up to the heat of the sun, the harsh temperatures inside the dryer will eventually leave the spandex in your swimmers brittle and broken.</p> <p><strong>2. Pantyhose and tights</strong></p> <p>The delicate mesh material found in pantyhose and tights has a tendency to shrink in high heats. The intense, tumbling motion of the drier can also leave them in a tangle.</p> <p><strong>3. Rubber-backed bath mats</strong></p> <p>These items might keep you from slipping and sliding in the bathroom, but the rubber on the back of bath mats can’t stand the heat of the dryer and will eventually crumble.</p> <p><strong>4. Bras</strong></p> <p>Hey, they’re called delicates for a reason! The heat and agitation of movement in a dryer is no good for your bras, and can potentially damage their elasticity and shape.</p> <p><strong>5. Garments with embellishments</strong></p> <p>The tumble dry cycle is notorious for damaging embellishments like sequins or stones, so if you want to keep your fanciest tops and dresses intact is best to hang dry them.</p> <p><strong>6. Anything with a tag warning</strong></p> <p>This one might seem obvious, but so many of us dump all our clothes into the dryer even when we’re not aware of the fabric we’re working with. If you’re not 100 per cent sure what the clothes are made out of look for tag warning before drying.</p> <p><strong>7. Joggers</strong></p> <p>The old tennis shoes in the dryer trick is one that’s been around for years, but it doesn’t walk as well with joggers used for running, exercise and walking. The reason is the drying cycle and shrink the rubber, ruin the cushioning and weaken the adhesives for the latter, which will eventually leave your once sturdy shoes weak and useless.</p> <p>Do you agree with our list? Are there some other items we should never put in a dryer?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/07/common-household-product-destroyed-a-family-home/"><strong>This common household product destroyed a family home</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/8-things-you-can-clean-with-a-toothbrush/"><strong>8 things you can (and should) clean with a toothbrush</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/ways-you-are-doing-your-ironing-wrong/"><strong>10 ways you’re doing your ironing wrong</strong></a></em></span></p>

News

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8 tricks that will change the way you do laundry forever

<p>Staying on top of the laundry can be a reality with these handy tips.</p> <p>1. If you’re always ending up with odd socks, try keeping a small mesh laundry bag on the side of your washing basket. Place your dirty socks inside and then throw the whole bag in the wash so that none of them go walkabout.</p> <p>2. If you find it difficult to carry your heavy washing basket, use a hot glue gun to secure toy cars to the bottom. This will make it a breeze to push along.</p> <p>3. Keep your laundry detergent out of reach of little hands by placing in a wall-mounted dispenser.</p> <p>4. If your ironing board is forever falling over in the laundry cupboard, secure two clothing hooks to the wall. These will hold your ironing board in place and give it a permanent home.</p> <p>5. Avoid throwing your sweaty gym clothes into the washing basket as they will quickly go mouldy. Hang them up in the laundry on a clothes airer or wash immediately if you have time.</p> <p>6. If you are in a hurry and want to dry clothes faster, add a dry fluffy towel to your dryer for the first 15 minutes, then remove.</p> <p>7. If you run out of dryer sheets, throw in a ball of aluminium foil instead. This will help to remove static cling.</p> <p>8. If your delicates end up with marks from the clothes line, try drying them over a pool noodle that you have cut to size and placed over the clothes line.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/20-fast-fixes-for-clothing-disasters/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>20 fast fixes for clothing disasters</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/quick-fixes-for-common-stains/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Quick fixes for common stains</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/04/how-to-unshrink-clothing/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Trick to unshrink clothing</strong></em></span></a></p>

Home & Garden

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Jet-air hand dryer spreads 1,300 times more germs than paper towels

<p>Jet-air hand dryers spread 60 times more germs than standard hand dryers, and 1,300 times more germs than standard paper towels, according to a new study published in the <em>Journal of Applied Microbiology.</em></p> <p>In the experiment, University of Westminster researchers washed their hands with water containing a harmless virus and then dried their hands with either a Dyson Airblade, a standard hand dryer, or a paper towel.</p> <p>Their findings revealed a Dyson dryer’s 430mph blasts of air spread germs up to three metres across a bathroom, whereas the standard hand dryer spread viruses up to 75 centimetres, and hand towels just 25 centimetres.</p> <p>Professor Mark Wilcox, lead researchers, said: “Next time you dry your hands in a public toilet using an electric hand dryer, you may be spreading bacteria without knowing it. You may also be splattered with bugs from other people’s hands.</p> <p>“These findings are important for understanding the ways in which bacteria spread, with the potential to transmit illness and disease.”</p> <p>Dyson have hit back at claims paper towels are more hygienic than its hand driers in a video titled “Paper’s Dirty Secret”, released in February.</p> <p>The video says: "Independent research shows that before they even reach the washroom, paper towels can contain large communities of culturable bacteria.</p> <p>"Once in the washroom, bacteria in the air and contamination from previous users can be picked up by paper towels.”</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2016/02/is-coconut-water-good-for-you/"><em>Is coconut water really good for you?</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2016/03/low-carb-diet-for-irritable-bowel/"><em>The low carb diet for irritable bowel</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/healthy-foods-that-make-you-hungrier/"><em>5 healthy foods that can make you hungrier</em></a></strong></span></p>

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