Placeholder Content Image

Strangers lock toddler in plane bathroom to stop her tantrums

<p>The video of a controversial incident on a plane has caused outrage, as two women reprimanded a screaming toddler by locking her in the bathroom on the aircraft. </p> <p>On a Juneyao Airlines flight from Guiyang to Shanghai, China, in late August, a one-year-old child, who was travelling with her grandparents, reportedly sobbed non-stop during the nearly three-hour flight according to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/08/30/lifestyle/strangers-lock-crying-tot-in-airplane-bathroom-to-educate-her/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>NY Post</em></a>. </p> <p>After being fed up with the toddler's tantrum, two women who were strangers to the family reportedly transported her to the bathroom to “educate her.”</p> <p>Shockingly, the child’s grandmother consented to the treatment.</p> <p>The punitive pair then shared the video of this alleged “potty training” on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok.</p> <p>In the clip, the women can be seen seated in the locked lavatory with the screaming infant, as one of the women is heard saying, “If you stop crying, aunty will take you back to grandma” and “We won’t let you out unless you stop crying.”</p> <p>As the girl stopped crying, the woman filming the video picked her up and told her: “If you make any noise again, we’ll come back (to the bathroom).”</p> <p>One of the women was initially proud of her cruel and unusual-seeming form of discipline, as she wrote that the tantrum was so disruptive that “many passengers were using tissues to block their ears” while others “had moved to the back of the plane to escape the noise.”</p> <p>According to a statement from the airline, the little girl's mother, who was not travelling with them, reportedly sympathised with the self-appointed aeroplane posse’s behaviour.</p> <p>Since the video went viral, and was subsequently deleted, Juneyao Airlines’ reps have since condemned the pairs’ actions and apologised for the incident and “oversight of the crew”.</p> <p>Despite the video being wiped from the social media site, many were quick to slam the behaviour of the women, saying their discipline was completely unacceptable. </p> <p>“Adults in their 30s can have emotional breakdowns, but people don’t allow toddlers to have theirs,” one person commented, </p> <p>Another wrote, “The grandmother and the two aunts should be sued, and social services should intervene. If there are parents like this, children will suffer in the future.”</p> <p>“When will these people understand that babies have the right to cry and the right to travel, they are part of society, and so are babies!!!!!!!” declared a third.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Weibo</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

5 ways to fake a clean bathroom

<p>Got a friend popping around for a catch up, and, your bathroom is less than sparkling? Don’t stress. Follow our foolproof tips to fake it so no one knows you didn’t have time to do a proper clean.</p> <p><strong>1. Scrub the loo</strong></p> <p>The toilet is often a telltale sign that your bathroom is in need of a clean. If you haven’t already invested in a leave-in cleaner for your bowl, simply get in there with some toilet cleaner and give a good squirt under the rim. Leave it to do its job while you get on with the rest of the bathroom.</p> <p>Then when it’s had a few minutes to soak, give it a once over with the toilet brush. Grab some toilet paper (or an antibacterial wipe) and give the rim and the top of the toilet a once over to remove any dust.</p> <p><strong>2. Eliminate any obvious mould and grime</strong></p> <p>Find yourself some good-quality mould spray that you can apply and then leave to work its magic while you move on to other areas of the bathroom. After 10 minutes (check your packet for the optimal time) you should be able to spray it with warm water from the shower and then wipe it clean.</p> <p><strong>3. Do a quick dust bust</strong></p> <p>Grab yourself a clean cloth or antibacterial wipe and go over the shelves and basin to get rid of any dust or dirt you can see.</p> <p><strong>4.Change your bathmat and hand towel</strong></p> <p>There’s nothing like a fresh and clean bathmat to trick your guests into thinking that you’ve just finished scrubbing the bathroom. Add a clean hand towel to complete the look.</p> <p><strong>5.Add a sweet scent</strong></p> <p>Give your bathroom a look of freshness by popping a small vase of flowers in there. You can also try a scented candle on top of the toilet to give off a nice scent and hide any odours.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Pilot pitches in to free passenger stuck in plane bathroom

<p>A pilot has been forced to abandon his post at the cockpit to rescue a passenger trapped in the bathroom of a plane. </p> <p>While onboard a Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City to New Orleans, a father of two named Brent became stuck in the bathroom for 35 minutes during the short domestic flight. </p> <p>When it was discovered that Brent was not breaking out of the bathroom by himself, the cabin crew, including the pilot, stepped in to free the 34-year-old dad. </p> <p>After being refused a refund by the airline's customer service, Brent's dissatisfied partner shared a video of the moment the staff all rallied to heave the door open. </p> <p>Recounting the tale on Reddit, the woman suggested that her husband had fled to the bathroom to have a break from his two young kids. </p> <p>She wrote, "After 5 minutes, I wondered what was going on. Was he using this time as a much-needed break from my children’s whiney demands and frequent tantrums? I didn’t blame him."</p> <p>Brent's partner went on to explain that it wasn't until she heard another passenger say the word "stuck" did she realise her husband's predicament. </p> <p>She turned around to see two members of the crew yanking at the door to the rear cubicle as she watched on while she kept one eye on her young kids. </p> <p>The flight attendants enlisted the help of a male passenger who also failed to provide the magic touch, before the pilot emerged, 20 minutes into the ordeal, to have a go.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZWOyr4J2OBo?si=FSdSkXFv4WlClKXB" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <aside> <p>"It wasn't until Brent kicked the hell out of the door while the pilot was pulling as hard as possible that Brent finally made his escape," she wrote. </p> <p>Finishing off the post, the woman concluded that Delta asked her not to share the footage, filmed by another passenger who was closer to the end of the plane, but after not receiving a refund for their "terrible" journey, the mother decided to post them online. </p> <p>The post racked up hundreds of comments, with many people actually siding with the airline for not issuing a refund, suggesting that the author's response was not proportionate to what actually happened. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Reddit</em></p> </aside>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

“Do not panic”: Passenger trapped in plane bathroom for entire flight

<p dir="ltr">A passenger has received the ultimate downgrade on a plane after becoming trapped in the bathroom for an entire flight. </p> <p dir="ltr">The unnamed flyer was travelling from Mumbai to Bengaluru in India on budget airline SpiceJet, when his one-hour-and-45-minute night flight turned into a nightmare. </p> <p dir="ltr">Shortly after takeoff, the man went to use the lavatory and discovered he had become stuck in the bathroom when he attempted to leave.</p> <p dir="ltr">The crew and other passengers desperately attempted to free the flyer from the unfortunate position, but to no avail. </p> <p dir="ltr">As a result, he was relegated to the toilet in the sky for nearly the entire flight.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an attempt to calm the passenger during his in-flight solitary confinement, crew members slid a note under the door to reassure the man.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sir we tried our best to open the door, however, we could not,” the letter read. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Do not panic. We are landing in a few minutes, so please close the commode lid and sit on it and secure yourself. As soon as the main door is open, an engineer will come. Do not panic.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After landing, two engineers boarded the aircraft and broke open the door, rescuing the captive who later received “immediate medical support.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The airline has since issued the flyer a full reimbursement and shared an apology for the unique flying experience. </p> <p dir="ltr">“SpiceJet regrets and apologises for the inconvenience caused to the passenger,” they said. “The passenger is being provided a full refund.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / X (Twitter)</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

This bathroom item is dirtier than your toilet seat, according to a microbiologist

<p><strong>Bathrooms and germs </strong></p> <p>Bathrooms are filthy – there’s just no way around it. They’re home to toilets, sinks and showers and tend to be one of the dirtiest places in the home, no matter how often they’re on your cleaning schedule. And because the toilet seat plays host to your derrière, it’s easy to label this as the germiest spot in the bathroom. But research is disproving that notion.</p> <p>Overall, the hard surfaces – such as the toilet seat and floor – are scrubbed down often because they’re the first lines on your bathroom cleaning checklist. And many people focus on cleaning the toilet because nothing screams dirty like a line of biofilm in the toilet bowl. But what about other bathroom-specific items? Dr Charles Gerba, a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona, says that it’s the fabrics in our bathroom that deserve the most attention. Yes, your bathmat is actually dirtier than your toilet seat, followed by towels, including those facecloths (which is why you need to wash your towels often). Here’s what you need to know.</p> <p><strong>Are bathmats really that dirty?</strong></p> <p>“We’ve done a lot of research on the microbiology of homes and, more recently, the bathroom,” says Gerba. The bathmat is problematic for two reasons, he says. First, it gets wet when you’re getting out of the shower, and it stays wet and moist, often in a dark and damp room.</p> <p>The second issue is that many people wear shoes in the bathroom, a huge contributing factor to the dirt, grime and bacteria found on bathmats. “Almost 90% of all shoes have faecal bacteria on them,” Gerba says. “You’re walking in dog poop all the time, and you don’t know it.”</p> <p>Beyond tracking shoes throughout the house and across bathmats, Gerba also pointed out the potential of spray from the toilet to land on bathmats. The Ecological Fluid Dynamics Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder experimented to see how far water droplets were ejected into the air when flushing public restroom toilets. The airborne particles shoot out quickly, reaching as much as 1.5 metres above the toilet within 8 seconds. The droplets were unpredictable and landed on the walls around the toilet, including behind it, and also on the ceiling. Which means that depending on the proximity, spray from a toilet can easily touch down on a plush bathmat.</p> <p>But while some research might suggest closing the toilet seat cover at home before flushing, not everyone agrees with that solution. “When you close the lid, the spray then goes over the top of the toilet seat and hits the walls on the side because you’ve narrowed the opening, which makes the water shoot out at a higher speed,” Gerba says, adding that closing the lid also leads to the toilet seat and underside of the lid getting more contaminated.</p> <p><strong>How to prevent dirty bathmats</strong></p> <p>Whether or not you close the toilet seat, one thing is certain: Keeping your bathmat as dry as possible is important. One of the factors that make bathmats the dirtiest spot in the bathroom is that they sometimes stay damp for hours, depending on how humid your environment is, how many people are showering and how much water splashes on them. Drying off in the shower will keep your bathmat from getting soggy. You can also hang it to dry instead of leaving it on the floor, where it will stay wet longer.</p> <p>Another tip: If you don’t remove your shoes when entering your house, at least take them off before going into the bathroom (and clean your floors often). That way, you’re not tracking outside germs onto a bathmat where they can quickly and easily multiply. “When you get out of the shower, it’s moist,” Gerba says. “Any time we have a fabric, it absorbs water, and things like faecal bacteria will survive longer there than on hard surfaces.”</p> <p><strong>How to wash your bathmat</strong></p> <p>The hard surfaces in bathrooms are satisfying to spray and wipe down, which Gerba recommends doing every few days. But what about bathmats? You should wash your bathmat at least once a week, and not just to keep it fresh and fluffy, but importantly, to remove bacteria.</p> <p>The first step to washing bathmats is to check the care label and follow the instructions on the tag, including which temperature is best for the fabric. Most bathmats can be machine-washed, but be careful with rubber-backed bathmats, which shouldn’t be dried on high heat. In general, quick-drying fabrics, such as microfibre and chenille, can be good options because they dry fast and are easy to launder. Something you can easily wash twice per week is the healthiest option.</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/this-bathroom-item-is-dirtier-than-your-toilet-seat-according-to-a-microbiologist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

Young female staffer found dead in school bathroom

<p>A woman's body has been found in the bathroom of St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney, just before midnight on Wednesday. </p> <p>The grim discovery was made after emergency services were called to the scene following reports of concern for the woman's welfare. </p> <p>The woman is yet to be identified but she is believed to be in her 20s and a staff member at the school.</p> <p>"The woman's death is being treated as suspicious; however, a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death," police said in a statement.</p> <p>Police are reportedly also looking for her male colleague who went missing near The Gap at Vaucluse, according to <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>.</p> <p>A crime scene has been established at the school and is currently being forensically examined, with the school closed up until Friday. </p> <p>A second crime scene has been established in the Vaucluse area as police make inquiries to determine whether it is linked. </p> <p>“St Andrew’s Cathedral School remains closed today to all students except those sitting Year 12 exams, as the school continues to work with Police following an onsite death overnight,” a spokesperson for the school said. </p> <p>“No students were involved and there is no ongoing threat.”</p> <p>“An area of the school, not accessible to students, is a crime zone, and we await the approval of Police before bringing everyone back on site.”</p> <p>“The only students onsite are those sitting exams, and we ask that the media does not seek to interrupt their concentration or state of mind as they sit exams that are significant for their graduation.”</p> <p>“The school has brought our school counsellors onsite for professional support for parents and students as required – and again we ask that the media respects the emotional situation of those seeking support.”</p> <p>The prestigious school ranks 157th in NSW in the 2022 HSC, and charges tuition fees up to $36,770 a year. </p> <p>According to <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>, parents of the students were told of the incident via text. </p> <p>“Year 12 exams will be held in BBC as normal. Year 5 camp will continue as normal," the text read.</p> <p>Another text read: “No students were involved in the incident.</p> <p>“Police are currently investigating and we will keep you updated." </p> <p><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

How to clean these bathroom items that get overlooked

<p>Cleaning the bathroom will not only make your house feel nicer for but it is important for your hygiene as so many bathroom items are used on a daily basis. Even if your bathtub, shower, tiles and sink is clean, these bathroom items deserve your frequent attention.</p> <p><strong>1. Toothbrush and toothbrush holder</strong></p> <p>For obvious reasons keeping your toothbrush and toothbrush holder clean is vital to your mouth health. To keep your toothbrush clean, make sure you rinse it well after each use to avoid a build-up of toothpaste.  Frequently you should do a deep clean of your toothbrush and this can be done by leaving it in a cup of vinegar for 30 minutes. The vinegar will remove the build of bacteria on your toothbrush. Remember to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months and then you can use your old one for cleaning. A toothbrush holder can be cleaned thoroughly by putting it in the dishwasher or you can rinse it out in hot water and dish soap to remove the build-up of gunk.</p> <p><strong>2. Loofah</strong></p> <p>Loofahs do a great of cleaning bodies but it is important to remember to clean them as well. Your loofah can be cleaned by submerging in a 50/50 mixture of hot water and vinegar for an hour. Then leave it to dry. This method can also be used on sponges or wash cloths.</p> <p><strong>3. Razors</strong></p> <p>It is important to clean your razor as a wet razor can become rusty and a moist blade can cause ingrown hairs and irritation when shaving. To keep your razor in top condition, put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and swipe across your razor. Dry your razor with a towel once you are done and store your razor in a dry place in your bathroom.</p> <p><strong>4. Toilet brush</strong></p> <p>To give your toilet brush a thorough clean, rest the brush between the toilet bowl and seat after cleaning the toilet. Spray the brush with a disinfectant and then let it sit as it drips for ten minutes or so. Then rinse the brush in very hot water and allow it to drip dry again. The<strong> </strong>brush holder<strong> </strong>should also be cleaned with disinfectant and then leaving it for ten minutes and rinsing with hot water.</p> <p><strong>5. Plunger</strong></p> <p>After each use of the plunger, spray it with a disinfectant and leave for ten minutes and then let it air dry. It is helpful to store your plunger with a plastic bag so that way, after you use it you can put in the bag and then take it somewhere to clean to avoid any dripping. Don’t re-use the plastic bag.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

A list of the germiest items in your home (and how to fix them)

<p>Even when you think your house is clean, bacteria can be lurking in everyday items around the house. Check out our guide for finding the trouble spots and getting rid of them.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The culprit: Kitchen sponge </span></strong></p> <p>It’s scary to think that the item that we use to clean our dishes and benches can be harbouring some serious nasties. Think E. coli and Staphylococcus, mould, and even the influenza virus.</p> <p><strong>The cure:</strong></p> <p>Each time you use your sponge, rinse it out in hot water, wring and allow to air dry. Once a day, sterilise it by wetting it and placing in the microwave for 60 seconds. Change your sponge every 2 weeks to keep the germs at bay.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The culprit: Kitchen sink</span></strong></p> <p>Did you know that your sink is most likely dirtier than your toilet seat? Any fruits, vegetables, cutlery and chopping boards that may have come into contact with raw meat are potentially contaminating your sink.</p> <p><strong>The cure:</strong></p> <p>Three times per week, dampen the sink and spray with surface spray. Scrub the sink to remove any bacteria, especially around the drain where nasties can lurk. Use an antibacterial product to then spray the taps, sink, draining board and your scrubbing brush. Leave for ten minutes before rinsing.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The culprit: Toothbrushes</span></strong></p> <p>Each day germs move from your mouth to your toothbrush, and are then left next to any other family member’s toothbrushes to mingle and spread. Your toothbrushes are also often kept near the toilet and are possibly being contaminated with airborne bacteria from every flush.</p> <p><strong>The cure:</strong></p> <p>Keep your toothbrushes in an upright container (not resting on the sink) so that they can have air circulating around them. Try to reduce the germs moving from the toilet to your brush by always closing the toilet lid before flushing. If you are ill, replace your toothbrush, and treat yourself to a new brush every three months.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The culprit: Electronics</span></strong></p> <p>We touch the remote, our computers and our phones all day long – but how often do we clean them? Rarely, if ever, is the common answer. And the scary part is they can be as filthy as your kitchen sponge.</p> <p><strong>The cure:</strong></p> <p>Use a disinfecting wipe to go over your (switched off) electronics. Think laptops, mobile phones, and remote controls.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The culprit: Bath towels</span></strong></p> <p>We often “dry” our towels on the back of the door in a damp bathroom where they never get completely dried properly. This can cause mould, mildew and bacteria to thrive, making it possible to get a nasty rash or infection.</p> <p><strong>The cure:</strong></p> <p>Allow your towels to spread out and air dry. Instead of a hook it’s best to use a rack where they can be completely spread out. Change your towels every 3-4 days as this will help keep the levels of bacteria down. If your towels still smell after washing, it’s time to toss them out.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2015/01/dirty-home-items/">5 surprisingly dirty things in your house</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2014/12/home-cleaning-tips/">10 amazing cleaning tips everyone should know</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="../lifestyle/at-home/2014/10/how-to-homemade-laundry-powder-and-softener/">How to make homemade laundry powder</a></strong></em></span></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

9 easy ways to transform your bathroom without renovating

<p class="first-para">Mouldy grout and dated tiles are just some of the not-so-redeeming features of a tired bathroom, but regular renovations are an expensive and unsustainable option, so how do we fancy-up the bathroom without ripping out the tiles? We spoke to some experts to find out.</p> <p><strong>1. Spring clean</strong></p> <p>“The first step would always be to declutter your bathroom and give it a thorough clean – the tiles, any dust and water marks,” says Leah Peretz of renovation experts Just in Place.</p> <p>Interior designer Suzanne Gorman suggests attempting a DIY re-grout or re-seal on the tiles for a fresher look, but warns: “It is a lengthy process and the dust from removing the existing grout can be major.”</p> <p><strong>2. Between the lines</strong></p> <p>If your bathroom has the traditional sand-based white grout, Gorman recommends changing things up a bit.</p> <p>“There are a vast range of grout colours available on the market,” she says. “The grout colour and finish really does make or break the overall feel of your bathroom. For a subtle, contemporary look we choose grout that blends with the tile colour. If you feel game you can try a contrasting or even coloured grout.”</p> <p><strong>3. Spray it</strong></p> <p>Just because you can’t afford to rip the tiles out doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the brown and tan floral forever.</p> <p>Mary McManus of Lavender Hills Interiors suggests spray-painting outdated tiles. “Old, stained or old-fashioned patterned tiles can be spray-painted fresh bright white to look almost new.”</p> <p><strong>4. Tapping into trends</strong></p> <p>The aesthetic impact of a new toilet is greater than you’d imagine. Architect Ben Johnson of Benedict Design says replacing tapware and sanitary fixtures makes a huge impact on the look and functionality of the bathroom.</p> <p>“The options have exploded in recent years and you can get anything from matte black to gold,” says Johnson. “If you’re replacing your toilet, go for a back-to-wall model as this will keep lines clean and make mopping easy.”</p> <p><strong>5. Exhausted fans</strong></p> <p>If you feel your exhaust fan isn’t at its best, give your electrician a call and have it replaced with a higher powered unit. They don’t cost too much and will prevent unwanted mould build-up and condensation.</p> <p>“An old exhaust fan not doing its job properly can have a huge negative impact on all your finishes in the bathroom,” says Gorman. “Paint, mirrors, tiles and shower screens age dramatically without proper ventilation.” </p> <p><strong>6. The sky’s the limit</strong></p> <p>Go one step further with real ventilation via a skylight – a worthwhile investment, according to Johnson. “Getting natural light into a bathroom will have many benefits, from lifting your spirits in the morning to keeping mould at bay.”</p> <p>Aesthetically, it can also highlight a particular area such as the basin or shower. “If you can, build it with an open shaft that will improve the sense of space by giving additional height and breaking up the ceiling.”</p> <p><strong>7. You’re so vain</strong></p> <p>Peretz suggests upcycling an old piece of furniture with a lick of paint then sitting a basin on top for a unique vanity. You can replace a run-of-the-mill shaving mirror with a glamorous vintage one or opt for a contemporary black statement mirror.</p> <p>Tip: If you just want to replace your shaving mirror with a smarter version, Gorman says a larger mirror will hide any evidence of previous wall fixings. Alternatively, ask your local glazier to make up a replacement.</p> <p><strong>8. In the details</strong></p> <p>From framing your children’s art to displaying your towels on a ladder, all our experts agree that small touches can make a big difference.</p> <p>“Bring in some texture and colour with thick ribbed bath mats and fluffy towels,” says McManus.</p> <p>And fluffy towels are even better when they’ve come straight from a heated towel rail. “Most towel rails come as a plug-in,” says Johnson, “which helps if you’re not planning on cutting into your walls or replacing tiles. A warm towel on a winter morning is a wonderful thing.”</p> <p><strong>9. Go green</strong></p> <p>“A living plant will bring colour and texture into your bathroom,” says Peretz. “A ficus or a palm in the corner can be a beautiful statement if you have enough space. Orchids and bamboos like the humidity.”</p> <p>McManus suggests placing some blue-and-white ginger jars and an orchid on the vanity for that final touch.</p> <p><em>Written by Joanne Gambale. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain.com.au.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

Creative ways to store more in your tiny bathroom

<p dir="ltr">Having a small bathroom doesn’t necessarily have to mean you don’t have enough space, you just have to think outside the box! Getting creative with storage can make the smallest of bathrooms look stylish. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>1. Towel racks</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Using vertical space will help to clear out storage spaces built into your bathroom. Invest in a wall-mounted rack for towels, using bright-coloured towels can add a pop of colour to the room as well. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>2. Basket Shelves</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Mount a set of baskets on your bathroom wall, you can keep cosmetics here or some candles and an indoor plant for decoration.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>3. Adhesive hooks</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Make use of the space behind your bathroom door. Attach adhesive hooks to the inside of the door to store hair dryers, brushes and accessories.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>4. Roll-away cart</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If you’ve got a really cluttered bathroom, use a wheeled cart to store your soaps, lotions, shampoo and conditioner. It saves a cluttered sink and you can roll it in and out for convenience.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>5. Dual purpose mirror</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">A two-in-one mirror can be a lifesaver for small spaces. Store your cosmetics, health care products and toothbrushes behind a stylish mirror. </p> <p dir="ltr">Don't think you can't have it all in a tiny space! With a creative mindset, you can fit all of your goodies into your bathroom. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

Cruise ship employee caught filming women in bathroom

<p>Some people are determined to ruin everything for everyone, but these adamant cruise ship passengers were not about to let that be the case for their holiday. </p> <p>While onboard what should have been a relaxing cruise with MSC, female passengers made the horrific discovery that a member of staff was hiding in a women’s bathroom stall and recording those who were in there. To make matters worse, the bathroom was located next to the ship’s Kid’s Club. </p> <p>One of the passengers, a woman named Saja, shared footage of the moment she and some others - along with a member of the ship’s housekeeping team - confronted the Peeping Tom.</p> <p>In the clip, the housekeeping employee can be seen knocking on the stall’s door, but after backing away, another passenger took it upon herself to continue the work of trying to lure the man out. </p> <p>It worked, and the man - dressed in an MSC employee uniform - eventually cracked open the door, admitting “I was wrong.” </p> <p>“You need to call security,” one passenger said, “because he’s an employee.” </p> <p>“He was filming you?” another passenger, who had come upon the scene, asked. Saja confirmed that he had been. </p> <p>“I just saw a camera pointing at me,” she went on to explain, before the footage wraps up after it was suggested she “get the guy’s name”. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the text across the video, this was the third incident of unauthorised filming to occur that evening.</p> <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620.262px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7204687670193163563&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40sajac4%2Fvideo%2F7204687670193163563&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F465b5429788641eaa988928e37f0ba1d_1677472083%3Fx-expires%3D1679050800%26x-signature%3DVsmd8k6pQzjCJ97oY%252FPC5fkh9H8%253D&amp;key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr">Saja later shared an update to her TikTok account, writing that the man had been removed from the ship, and that her goal had not been to bring shame down upon the cruise line, but instead to raise awareness, in the hope of protecting anyone else who might consider such a situation on their next trip.</p> <p>“I have been contacted by authorities and have been informed that the gentleman in the video has been deported. My goal is NOT to disgrace a cruise line for the acts of one of their employees,” she stated, before going on to stress that she and her companions had had a great time otherwise, and that the rest of the ship’s crew had been wonderful, as “some of the best staff I had the privilege of meeting.”</p> <p>“I have not been compensated in any way shape or form, or had contact with the cruise line,” she wrote for the update, “nor am I interested. Just wanted to spread awareness.”</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

6 clever ways to save energy in the bathroom

<p>Unless you’ve adopted a more-cavalier approach to personal hygiene, odds are you will spend a lot of time in the bathroom over the course of a year. But this doesn’t have to translate into a significant surge in your power bill. With modern energy-saving techniques it’s possible to primp and preen without having to take a hit to the back pocket. Here are six of the most effective.</p> <p><strong> 1. Changing your hot water system</strong></p> <p>It might sounds like a major project, but this can be as simple as getting a technician to make a minor alteration to the settings of your hot water heater. And if you’re willing to go all out consider making the transition to energy efficient solar or heat pump technology. You won’t notice a difference in the shower, but you will when you open your next electricity bill.</p> <p><strong>2. Minimise your time in the shower</strong></p> <p>A fast shower’s a good shower. Here’s another way to save energy in your bathroom which will eventually translate into a nice improvement for your bank balance over the course of the year. Keep showers short and sweet, ideally four minutes or under, and if you’re really keen consider switching shower heads to a more energy-efficient model. Every second counts!</p> <p><strong>3. Turn the lights out</strong></p> <p>This one may pretty self-explanatory, but you would be surprised to know how much energy is wasted every year by people leaving the lights on around the house. If you’re considering major renovations, make sure you take a moment to look ways to increase the amount of natural light in your bathroom light installing high windows or even a skylight. It all adds up!</p> <p><strong>4. Smarter ways to warm up</strong></p> <p>Everyone dreads that freezing cold moment they jump out of a hot shower, but that doesn’t justify having a 1,000 watt bar heater on standby. Only using heaters when it’s absolutely essential will dramatically decrease your power bill. If you’re renovating, make sure your bathroom is well-sealed an insulated, particularly around energy draining areas like the walls of your shower.</p> <p><strong>5. Invest in new fittings</strong></p> <p>Even if you’re not undergoing a major bathroom renovation that doesn’t mean you can’t stand to benefit from some new, energy-efficient fittings. Look out for the star rating when you’re purchasing and pretty soon you will be noticing some serious savings when it comes to your power bill. Before too long these newly-installed fittings will be paying for themselves.</p> <p><strong>6. The little things</strong></p> <p>When it comes to saving power the little things can make a big difference. Things like making sure a device is switched off instead of sitting on standby, making sure a device is not connected when it is fully charged and using a towel instead of a hairdryer are all things that require little or no effort on your part, but will make a serious difference on your next power bill.</p> <p>So there you have it, a range of simple ways you decrease the amount of energy you’re using in the bathroom and save money to spend on things that are more important. Every little bit counts. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

Flight attendant reveals simple mistake that makes travellers sick

<p dir="ltr">A flight attendant has revealed a common mistake plane travellers make that could be making them sick. </p> <p dir="ltr">While using a bathroom on a plane is never a particularly pleasant experience, there is a simple oversight that can make the ordeal a whole lot worse. </p> <p dir="ltr">One thing a lot of people do, particularly on long haul flights, is use the plane lavatory to clean their teeth and refresh. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, this could make you sick as the water there is not meant to be drunk.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to UK bathroom specialists Sanctuary Bathrooms, the cabin crew member, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Do not clean your teeth in a plane loo.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The water on a plane all comes from the same water tank and it is not filtered.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They added that if you wish to clean your teeth on the plane, it's best to opt for bottled water. </p> <p dir="ltr">“My main piece of advice would be, do not take your toothbrush or wash bag anywhere near a plane loo,” the flight attendant said, given “the bathroom toilet is one of the dirtiest places on the plane”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The crew member then went on to reveal ways to avoid getting sick when using the bathroom onboard the plane. </p> <p dir="ltr">They suggest wearing a mask when you’re in the bathroom, as the air ventilation is poor in the small room, making it a perfect breeding ground for germs. </p> <p dir="ltr">They also said by avoiding touching surfaces, travellers can reduce their contact with germs and bacteria. </p> <p dir="ltr">The flight attendant also recommended carrying hand sanitiser and showering as soon as you can once getting off your plane to get rid of any unwanted germs from your skin and clothes.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

5 signs you need new towels

<p dir="ltr">Sadly, even if you have taken good care of your towels, there comes a time in every towel's life when they are no longer useful and need to be replaced.  </p> <h3 dir="ltr">5 signs you need new towels</h3> <p dir="ltr">Here are five clear signs it's time to say goodbye to your old faithful bathroom towels.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">1. No longer soft and fluffy</h3> <p dir="ltr">As your towels age, they will lose what you loved about them the most: their fluffy exterior. Once they lose that softness, towels start to feel stiff and scratchy. If this happens to your towels, it might be time for some new ones. </p> <p dir="ltr">Keep your towels softer for longer by following these <a href="https://www.bhg.com.au/how-to-wash-new-towels-the-secret-to-fresh-fluffy-soft-towels">towel washing tips</a>.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">2. Not absorbent</h3> <p dir="ltr">The purpose of a towel is to remove water after your shower. If you find that you have to dry yourself several times before you're actually dry, then it's time to say goodbye. </p> <h3 dir="ltr">3. Rips and holes</h3> <p dir="ltr">A more obvious sign that your towel has seen better days is it's starting to fall apart. Holes, rips and frays mean it is time for new towels.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">4. They smell</h3> <p dir="ltr">A smelly towel is not a good sign. Towels left damp for too long will develop a musty smell. Likewise, if you put them in the wash and forget about them, you will need to rewash them to avoid bacteria growth. If your towel starts to smell after only a few uses, no matter how you wash it, then there's a chance there are bacteria embedded in the fibres, and it's time to toss it out. </p> <h3 dir="ltr">5. They won't stop shedding</h3> <p dir="ltr">New towels will shed to some degree initially. Still, if your towels continue to lose fibres, it could be a sign of poor manufacturing. When searching for a new towel, ensure the cotton is pre-combed.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">How to recycle old towels</h3> <p dir="ltr">Thankfully, there are a few options for your old towels to avoid ending up in landfills. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-44898792-7fff-4d30-e9f8-f8b575f23d3e"></span></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The recycling program, Upparel will take all of your old towels (and other unsellable clothes), and recycle them into furniture and other bits and pieces. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Call your local animal shelter and see if they need any old towels or sheets.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Alternatively, your local mechanic might appreciate some old towels and sheets to work with. </p> </li> </ul> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

4 ways to clean your shower screen naturally

<p dir="ltr">Whether your glass shower screen is covered in those irritating hazy grey spots or, in extreme cases, you can no longer see through it, now is the time to take action.</p> <p dir="ltr">Best natural ways to clean shower glass</p> <p dir="ltr">Start by slipping on your gloves, rinse the glass thoroughly with water, wipe it over with a soft sponge, then try one of these popular methods to bring back the shine.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">1. Lemon shower cleaner</h3> <p dir="ltr">Pour straight lemon juice (freshly squeezed or bottled concentrate) onto a soft sponge. Wipe the dampened sponge over all the glass surfaces. Leave the lemon juice to work its magic for a few minutes. Thoroughly rinse away lemon juice with plenty of clean water or white vinegar then water. Dry glass to a shine with paper towel.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">2. Vinegar shower spray</h3> <p dir="ltr">Bringing the shine back to shower screen is easy with cleaning vinegar. Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle. You may wish to dilute the vinegar up to 50/50 with water and add a squeeze of lemon for a fresh scent. Drench the glass surfaces with the vinegar solution. Leave for a few minutes then work over the stains with a soft sponge or soft-bristled brush. Apply more solution if necessary. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Dry glass to a shine with paper towel.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">3. Baking soda shower scrub</h3> <p dir="ltr">For tougher stains, head to your pantry and pull out baking soda. Make a thick paste by mixing baking soda with a little water. Smear the paste over the glass using a dampened sponge or soft-bristled toothbrush (you should avoid using coarse brushes and scrubbers as they may scratch your glass). Pay more attention to stubborn stains, particularly around door hinges and framework. Rinse with clean water then dry glass to a shine with paper towel.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">4. Toothpaste shower cleaning hack</h3> <p dir="ltr">Swap out the homemade baking soda and water paste for regular white toothpaste. While you can buy the most inexpensive toothpaste for the job, the best type of toothpaste to use is something with a simple ingredient list. Apply the paste to a dampened soft sponge, work it over the glass surfaces, then rinse with plenty of clean water. Repeat this process, if necessary. Dry glass thoroughly with paper towel. Ahh… minty fresh!</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Best and easiest way to clean glass shower doors</h3> <p dir="ltr">If you are looking for something a little tougher, Cerapol Ceramic and Induction Stove Top cleaner to transform her cloudy glass shower screen, which had built-up soap scum.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b3e86dcd-7fff-9715-2ba2-58102412cc3f"></span></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

The 15 minute hack to reduce bathroom mould

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to mould, bathrooms are often the first place the pesky growth will show up. </p> <p dir="ltr">While we can’t do anything about the sheer volume of mould spores in the air, we can control the environment. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mould thrives in cold and damp areas, which make bathrooms the logical place it would show up first. </p> <p dir="ltr">Prevention is better than a cure, so when it comes to mould, taking preventative measures will set you up for success. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to John Liddell, the managing director at The Mould Doctor, reducing extra moisture is a must.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If a property is damp from condensation, building defects or inadequate ventilation, the humidity will be elevated,” says John. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When the humidity in a living space exceeds 55%, the conditions are ideal for mould."</p> <p dir="ltr">According to information on the Mould Doctor website, a significant cause of elevated humidity levels in a home is steam escaping from the bathroom.</p> <p dir="ltr">While running the exhaust while you are showering can help, it isn’t always enough. </p> <p dir="ltr">The key is to leave it on after you’ve finished and left the bathroom. </p> <p dir="ltr">The length of time you need to leave the exhaust on will vary, but around 15-20 minutes should be enough to eliminate that extra moisture.</p> <p dir="ltr">As well as this, using dehumidifiers and air conditioning units can help get rid of extra moisture, banishing the growth of mould in your home. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

This common bathroom practice could send germs flying everywhere

<p>No matter how thorough you are with cleaning your bathroom, there's one common mistake you could be making that regularly fills the space with germs.</p> <p>According to home hacks expert Stephanie Booth, that habit is leaving the toilet lid up when you flush. You’ll probably never do it again once you hear what she has to say about it in a TikTok.</p> <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanieboothrealtor/video/7118543514652331310" data-video-id="7118543514652331310"> <section><a title="@stephanieboothrealtor" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@stephanieboothrealtor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@stephanieboothrealtor</a> Who’s still flushing their toilet with the lid open? Close that lid to stop all the nasty bacteria 💩from coming out of your toilet and landing on all your bathroom surfaces <a title="tiptok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tiptok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#tiptok</a> <a title="germs" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/germs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#germs</a> <a title="hometips" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/hometips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#hometips</a> <a title="bathroomcleaning" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/bathroomcleaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#bathroomcleaning</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Stephanie Booth" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7118543498755885870" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Stephanie Booth</a></section> </blockquote> <p>"Flushing with the lid open launches all that nasty bacteria from what you just put into the toilet, into the air. And all that bacteria lands on all the nearby surfaces, including your toothbrush," she said.</p> <p>If you're wondering just how true this claim is, it's been backed up by Australia's favourite scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, explaining why it’s such a gross habit in a video of his own.</p> <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@drkarl/video/7079283645491547394" data-video-id="7079283645491547394"> <section><a title="@drkarl" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@drkarl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@drkarl</a> Do you need scientific evidence to make your housemates flush with the toilet lid shut? Here you go 😎 <a title="drkarl" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/drkarl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#drkarl</a> <a title="drkarlkruszelnicki" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/drkarlkruszelnicki" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#drkarlkruszelnicki</a> <a title="science" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/science" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#science</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Dr Karl" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7079283621965728513" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Dr Karl</a></section> </blockquote> <p>"If you flush with the toilet lid up a polluted plume of bacteria and water vapour just erupts out of the flushing toilet bowl," he said.</p> <p>"The polluted water particles, they float around for a few hours around your bathroom before they all eventually land, they will land, and some of them could even land on your toothbrush.</p> <p>Putting the lid down before flushing is even more important if your toilet is right next to the bathroom vanity where your toothbrush holder sits.</p> <p>In addition to putting the toilet lid down before flushing, cleaning the toilet on a weekly basis using disinfectant will also help keep the potential for germs spreading down.</p> <p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

A “toilet with a view” is the latest popular bathroom trend

<p dir="ltr">The bathroom, often considered a sacred and private space, is the subject of a divisive new trend that does away with the one thing ensuring this security: doors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, open plan ensuites are the latest trend that can even include a view to the great outdoors.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Open plan bathrooms are on the rise for a few reasons,” Tim Bennett, the founder, architect and engineer at Tim Bennetton Architects, says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Society has been more exposed to ‘resort-style’ living where spaces feel more generous than they used to be.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have all allowed ourselves that touch more luxury - where the bathroom is not purely functional.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to Bennett, one popular layout includes opening up one wall to a view or courtyard to create a space that feels open “while still being private and intimate”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We did this with one of the first houses we designed back in 2008, so it’s certainly a trend that’s been around for a while but is quickly gaining popularity, and it makes sense,” he explains.</p> <p dir="ltr">But when it comes to the key issue - the privacy of using the toilet - Bennett notes that it’s “the only real issue that needs to be discussed”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Some people are quite uncomfortable with an open plan toilet. But others are fine with it,” he says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You could argue that a toilet with a view adds to ‘the experience’, but on the other hand, many people like the extra level of privacy and separation that a separate compartment provides to the toilet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">If you are considering this trend but find that privacy is a top priority, there are a few things you can do to achieve both.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8a8098de-7fff-998b-6302-86fdcf13172a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Flexibility is the key - allow sliding doors so that the ensuite or bathroom can be separated off if desired, or decorate screens or blinds,” Tim says.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Placeholder Content Image

A revolutionary way to feel fresh and clean

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to products we use in the bathroom, a lot of people tend to stick to one boring old body wash, or settle for whatever is on sale. </p> <p dir="ltr">While we grow accustomed to these familiar scents, sometimes it's good to shake up your shower routine and introduce new products into the mix. </p> <p dir="ltr">One revolutionary product that has been sweeping Australian showers comes from Sundae Body in the form of their new Whipped Shower Foam body washes. </p> <p dir="ltr">Just when you thought you couldn’t revolutionise something as simple as body wash, Sundae Body have proved us all wrong with their innovative new take on a bathroom basic.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfD1EVruLNp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfD1EVruLNp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sundae (@sundaebody)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Sundae Body’s Whipped Shower Foam is packaged similar to a canister of whipped cream, with the creamy foam transforming into a rich, velvety lather. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sundae Body’s Whipped Shower Foams come in eight stunning scents, including Pomegranate Fizz, Coconut Cream, Honey, Honey, Very Vanilla, Cherry on Top, Juicy Pear and Orange Crush.</p> <p dir="ltr">They also offer an Exfoliating Shower foam with a delicious green tea scent. </p> <p dir="ltr">All foams are formulated with Kakadu Plum and Finger Lime. The Kakadu Plum is a rich source of vitamin C, which aims to brighten your skin's complexion and fight those pesky signs of ageing. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CccfFBnv6W0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CccfFBnv6W0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sundae (@sundaebody)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The Finger Lime is a natural source of AHA (a liquid exfoliant) and gently exfoliates your skin to give you a smoother and more even complexion.</p> <p dir="ltr">The whipped formula is perfect for those with sensitive skin, with the fresh scents lingering long after you step out of the shower. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sundae Body’s Whipped Shower Foams can be found directly from the brand’s <a href="https://sundaebody.com/">website</a>, <a href="https://www.priceline.com.au/search/?q=sundae">Priceline</a> or <a href="https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/141937/sundae-vanilla-bean-whipped-shower-foam">Woolworths</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Placeholder Content Image

Unlikely product that makes grout sparkle with no scrubbing

<p>A TikToker has revealed an unlikely cleaning product typically used in the kitchen that is super effective at cleaning grout. In fact, you don’t even need to scrub it.</p> <p>Azure MacCannell, who goes by the handle @livecomposed on TikTok, discovered the Healthier Home brand degreaser worked on her tiled floor after an accidental spill.</p> <p>The video that shows how effective it was has gone viral with 3.5 million views.</p> <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@livecomposed/video/7034707513379458351" data-video-id="7034707513379458351"> <section><a title="@livecomposed" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@livecomposed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@livecomposed</a> Effortless grout cleaning! <a title="cleantok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleantok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleantok</a> <a title="cleaningtiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaningtiktok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaningtiktok</a> <a title="cleaning" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaning</a> <a title="cleaninghacks" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaninghacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaninghacks</a> <a title="cleaningproducts" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaningproducts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaningproducts</a> <a title="groutcleaning" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/groutcleaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#groutcleaning</a> <a title="hhambassador" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/hhambassador" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#hhambassador</a> <a title="♬ abcdefu - GAYLE" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/abcdefu-6994724904944568322" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ abcdefu - GAYLE</a></section> </blockquote> <p>To use the degreaser as a cleaner Azure said she "poured it on. Let it sit one minute and just wiped it off."</p> <p>The cleaning guru used a mop to wipe off the product after applying it to the floor. This cleaning tip has been liked 156,000 times and sparked plenty of discussion.</p> <p>Some viewers revealed using degreaser as a grout cleaner is a well-known cleaning secret in the fast-food industry.</p> <p>"Fast food places add degreaser to their mops all the time. It works," one TikToker said.</p> <p>If you can't get your hands on the degreaser from Healthier Home, which doesn't appear to ship to Australia, other followers insist other degreasers will work just as well.</p> <p>Like with any cleaning advice you see on TikTok you might want to test your degreaser on a small spot first, in case it's not suitable for your floors. It’s also best practice to read the information on the bottle, in case its not safe for use on particular materials.</p>

Home Hints & Tips

Our Partners