Ask Auntie Flo : Repelling flies naturally

Brian asks: I’d prefer not to use flyspray all the time as it upsets our animals Auntie Flo. Is there a more natural way to repel flies?

Auntie Flo: Have you tried those mozzie repellant candles Brian? They may help but you can try also this old trick.

Plant or put out bunches of the following herbs in your house - lavender, elder, mint and artemisia. Read the rest of this entry “

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Ask Auntie Flo: Keeping animals away from rubbish bins

Pam asks: Cats and stray dogs are often coming around our rubbish bin Auntie Flo. Is there a way to deter them?

Auntie Flo: Give this old remedy a try Pam (yes, it’s my old favourite, vinegar again!) - put some straight vinegar in a spray bottle and liberally spray the outside of the rubbish bins with this. Remember to renew the spray after rain though! Read the rest of this entry “

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Ask Auntie Flo : Removing old coffee stains from carpets

Samuel asks: Can old coffee stains be removed from our carpet or is it too late?

Auntie Flo: No, it shouldn’t be too late Samuel. You will need to get some glycerine (try the supermarket or chemist) and white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, cotton balls, a clean sponge and have the vacuum cleaner ready.

Apply the glycerine to the stain marks with a cotton ball, leave for five minutes and then sponge the stain with the sponge dampened in the vinegar. Read the rest of this entry “

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Ask Auntie Flo : Cleaning burnt pots and pans

Margaret asks: I have a favourite pot with a burnt patch that resists cleaning, how can I clean it?

Auntie Flo: Try sprinkling bicarbonate of soda on the burnt patch and then sprinkle vinegar over this.

Vigorously brush the burnt area with a nylon brush while the patch is still fizzing from the reaction of the vinegar and bicarb.

Read the rest of this entry “

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Ask Auntie Flo : Removing stickytape from wallpaper

Phil asks: Is there an easy way to remove sticky tape from wallpaper Auntie Flo?

Auntie Flo: I’ve tried this method and it’s worked for me Phil - put a drop or two of washing up liquid into really hot water (from a recently boiled kettle) and using gloves, wet some clean fabric in it and carefully wring it out.

Place the fabric over the sticky tape and then put gladwrap over the top. Read the rest of this entry “

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Ask Auntie Flo : Playdough recipe

June asks: I want to make Playdough for my grandkids but I’ve lost the recipe I had. Can you help Auntie Flo?

Auntie Flo: Kids love playdough but it can be expensive to buy. This is my playdough recipe - simple and quick to make:

1 cup plain flour
½ cup salt
1 tablespoon oil
1-2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water with a few drops of food colouring. Read the rest of this entry “

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Ask Auntie Flo : Easier school mornings

Sally asks: School mornings are a real pain with fights and arguments over where stuff is. Any ideas Auntie Flo?

Auntie Flo: School mornings can be hectic and stressful mornings. I used to do this (too many years ago now to count!).

Keep a laundry basket by the front door and have your children fill it the night before with everything they will need for school the next day, backpack, keys, gym clothes, money, hats, homework etc. Read the rest of this entry “

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Ask Auntie Flo : Keeping the fizz in softdrink

Ruth asks: Do you have a suggestion for stopping opened softdrink bottles losing their fizz Auntie Flo?

Auntie Flo: Gas rises, and escapes ever so minutely from the sealed cap. So, put your soft drink or soda water bottle in the fridge upside down!

No gas can possibly escape, and even a month later the bottle makes that satisfying shhh when you open it.

I store unopened bottles in my pantry upside down too and that way I know they won’t lose their fizz if I don’t use them for a few months. Read the rest of this entry “

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