Category Archives: Health

Mar 11 2019

5 easy hacks for cleaning copper utensils in just a few minutes

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In our home, we have lots of copper cooking utensils. We got onboard the copper utensil movement as it’s been revealed that copper pans are able to distribute heat evenly, allowing you to achieve consistent cooking results every time. Due to their excellent heat conductivity, it’s far easier to control the temperature of the pan on a cook top, making them ideal for preparing any sensitive foods, or delicate mixtures and sauces. Copper pans and pots also tend to outlast many other materials when looked after, offsetting the expense.

Copper also has amazing anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. This is even further compounded if we consider that our ancestors used to drink water in copper cups because they believed in its health benefits. It is also mentioned in Ayurveda (an alternative and pseudo‑medicine with roots in the Indian subcontinent) that storing drinking water in copper containers overnight, then drinking throughout the day is advantageous for the body.

Nowadays, the trend for copper has really taken off, and water stored in copper drinking bottles is rumoured to improve your digestive system, slow down the ageing process and break down fat. More outlandish, but equally compelling, it is also said to be helpful in preventing cancer and other severe illness. Yet although many believe in the healing powers of copper, it can be tricky to maintain and clean our copper wares. So, here are my top 5 hacks for cleaning all manner of copper utensils at home.

Lemon and salt

Among the most readily available ingredients in kitchens throughout the country, are lemon and salt, and together these are the best agents for cleansing copper. Simply cut the lemon into two equal halves and then pour a little salt on the top of the lemon. Now slowly rub the lemon and salt into the surface of your copper utensils paying particular attention to the bottom and the edges of the utensils where residue is most likely to build up. Leave the rubbed utensil for at least half an hour so as to let the citric acid of lemon start working on the copper. Citric acid and sodium chloride react together to remove the dirt and leave your copper fresh owing to naturally occurring antiseptic properties. A quick rinse, and you’re set to use your freshly cleaned copper.

Vinegar and salt

If you have run out of lemon, then vinegar makes a good a substitute. Simply add an equal amount of salt and vinegar together to make a thick paste, and apply onto the affected area (or on the entire copper utensil). Leave for half an hour and then rinse it off with water and dry using a clean cotton cloth. This might smell a little “off” but vinegar is fabulous for lifting stains and descaling all manner of things throughout the home.

Baking soda

Granny’s favourite, baking soda, is also ideal for bringing your copper to a high shine. Use on its own, or with lemon juice, and rub on a wet copper surface to cleanse away any impurities. Leave it for 30 minutes then rinse the utensils through with clean fresh water before lightly buffing with a cotton tea towel.

Tomato ketchup. Yes, ketchup

It might seems a little weird, but I did promise hacks, and ketchup is equally great for giving your copper utensils a new lease of life. Yep, the acidic nature of tomato helps to gently cleanse away stains and (believe it or not) leaves a fresh and pleasant scent Simply squirt a little ketchup in your palm and then rub onto the copper. Leave for some 20 minutes then rinse thoroughly, playing close attention to any crevices.

Mix up a homemade copper polish

If you fancy something a little braver, this homemade polish is excellent for cleaning copper and you can store it in a glass jar for future use. Just mix salt and vinegar together and add a little flour to make a paste. Apply to any dirty areas of your copper utensils, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water for a long-lasting sheen.

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Hopefully you’ll have all the ingredients for above-mentioned hacks available in your kitchen, negating the need to buy costly cleaners from the supermarket. These hacks are absolutely effective, safe to use regularly and leave your copper streak-free with no irritating water marks. So if you’re wanting to embrace the trend for copper, you can now appreciate all the copper water bottle benefits mentioned above, without finding the cleaning regime a struggle.

Nov 21 2018

Hand Hygiene 101: The murky world of germ trails #GloveIsAllYouNeed

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Running a clean and spotless home has never been cooler thanks to Mrs Hinch and several other notable Intagrammers and YouTubers. For months now they’ve put us all to shame with their sparkling toilets and luxurious interiors, gushing about how easy they find it to keep their homes gleaming. And it seems many of us have taken the bait and embraced the Stepford Wife movement, I know I’m averaging a good half hour longer per day cleaning my home than I was in the height of summer.

Yet even the most conscientious among us cannot guarantee the cleanliness of the public events we attend. Germ trails might not be something we like to think about, but failure to follow a strict and consistent hand hygiene regime can have a significant impact on our health, and the health of those around us.

In fact, healthcare and janitorial suppliers Brosch Direct, have popped together an e-book unpacking various home truths about hand hygiene, and our Nation’s attitude towards it. It certainly makes for compelling (if not scary) reading.

Source: Brosch Direct

The fact is, the food and drink we consume can be filled with bacteria, parasites and viruses, and if you’re not careful, there’s a risk your next meal will make you sick. There are over 250 organisms known to lead to foodbourne illnesses; Aside from the more common offerings (E-Coli and Salmonella), there’s also lesser known ominous-sounding bacteria such as Campylobacter and Shigella - both of which can result in deeply unpleasant side effects if ingested.

Couple this with the fact there are some 26,000 live bacteria on the average bank note, and typically more germs on a £1 coin than on a toilet seat, and you realise just how rapidly germs can transfer from person to person - especially if we’re congregating at public events.

Just look at the recent Novovirus epidemic and you’ll see what I mean. Even Hepatitis A can do the rounds if unsuspecting carriers prepare food and drink without wearing gloves. All of this is seriously bad news for those with compromised immune systems, and can lead to hospitalisation - all because some of us are a little lax in the hand hygiene stakes.

It’s worth noting that each year in the UK over a million people are affected by food poisoning, according to an estimate by the Food Standards Agency. Even more worryingly, a report produced by Professor Steve Tombs of the Open University suggests that food poisoning results in 20,000 people being hospitalised per year across the country, while 500 lose their lives as a result of these illnesses.

What can we do to help?

Brosch Direct say #GloveIsAllYouNeed, and they make a very good point. Brosch disposable latex gloves help promote effective hand hygiene in a range of environments. Especially vital for those preparing food in commercial settings, they’ll help prevent cross-contamination, and prevent direct hand contact with food - stymieing the germ trail.

Just as important, is to wash your hands thoroughly, and regularly. According to the NHS, hand-washing should take a minimum of 20 seconds, using enough soap to cover your hands, and attention should be given to the entirety of your hands (including your fingertips). Disposable towels are the most hygienic method of drying your hands, and where possible you should use these to turn on the tap, rather than placing freshly cleaned hands on facets. This is sufficient to remove many viruses, bacteria and other microbes and it can cut the risk of diarrhoea by nearly 50%.

There you have it, the murky truth about germ trails, and why it’s so important to embrace hand hygiene both at home, and out and about. If you’d like to find out more, check out the e-book for yourself, or search the hashtag #GloveIsAllYouNeed on social media.

 

Nov 19 2018

Considerations when moving in a disabled relative

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We spent months and months choosing this house. There were plenty of prettier ones, plenty of bigger ones, plenty of ever-so-slighty smaller ones in more desirable locations; but this house search wasn’t motivated by the need to find the “dream” house, and was more about finding the “right” one. After all, we were moving my disabled mum in with us.

When mum had her stroke in 2001, she was hospitalised for some 4 months. During that time, she had unparalleled access to occupational health services, who tried (albeit unsuccessfully) to help her regain her mobility. When she was eventually discharged, this all stopped. Her life was permanently altered, and despite plenty of effort from her, her muscles have deteriorated even further. Nowadays my mother can walk perhaps 30 steps using a walking stick, and like many stroke victims, is heavily reliant on mobility scooters. She needs lots and lots of help, and lots of space so we can squeeze in alongside her and help her with the things many of us take for granted.

Given her day to day mobility is so severely compromised, we therefore had a huge checklist when it came to picking a house - and there were so many things we couldn’t overlook, even if the house was otherwise perfect. Whether you are considering a similar multi-generational home, are disabled yourself, or are just safeguarding for future mobility problems - here’s some things to consider:

Downstairs space trumps upstairs space

It sounds obvious, but as you get older, or your mobility deteriorates, downstairs space is a must. Mum cannot safely navigate stairs anymore, so needed a downstairs bedroom, and access to downstairs washing facilities. Clearly, bungalows are the ultimate in modern convenience for a disabled person, but they are priced at a premium, demand outstrips supply, and may not work so well for other people within the family home. If you’ve identified downstairs space as especially important, look for houses with large garages or outbuildings, lots of outside space, or wraparound plots, that can be converted/extended as and when you need more living space.

When converting, ask for help!

Simply installing a wet room is not enough. Non slip flooring, strategically positioned grab rails, hoists and more, are all essential when creating the ideal space for a disabled person to live as independently as possible. If your loved one is in a wheelchair, you may even have to look at lowering kitchen work surfaces, and levelling out trip hazards such as door frames. Fortunately for us, the previous occupants of this house had already done much of the work, but we still invited an Occupational Health Adviser round to tailor the space for mum’s needs. Getting the council in at the start of a project is also vital if you’re planning on applying for any grants or additional funding.

A garage, or side access to the rear

Sadly mobility scooters are too much of a temptation for some thieves. Yet they are a lifeline for so many, and need to be stored somewhere safe to satisfy insurance providers. Given it’s a real possibility you might end up sacrificing your garage to maximise your downstairs living space, it’s important to consider where you might store your scooter so it is safe from the elements & out of sight from thieves. A simple shed in your back garden is suffice, but don’t forget to lock this up every night as a further deterrent.

Open plan spaces, or generous hallways

When mum’s muscles and joints are weakened by cold weather, we’ll often use a traditional wheelchair inside the house to move her from room to room. The more “roomy” your downstairs accommodation is, the easier you’ll find it to manoeuvre your chair (or other walking aid).

Parking facilities

Mum has plenty of carers popping in throughout the day, who need quick and easy access to her at all times. You might therefore consider extending your driveway and forsaking a front garden so everyone can get out and about without any fuss. Failing this, make sure you check out any local restrictions and apply for any necessary parking permits before you move.

Nearby facilities

Mum’s scooter can cover around 8 miles if fully charged. She’s not very confident on public transport and is often disorientated when undertaking complicated or lengthy journeys. At the very least, it was therefore important to us to have shops, and a good GP surgery, dentist and community centre nearby. She took a good few months to familiarise herself to the area, but is now fully entrenched in her new community, and all the local pubs to boot!

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Living with mum has not always been easy, and there’s days we’ve all cried, but all in all it’s been so rewarding to have her here. The children are building a relationship with her that many children simply don’t have with their grandparents, and she’s really good company when I’m feeling overwhelmed with the stresses of running the house. If this is something you might have considered doing with your own parents, feel free to reach out to me for any more tips and advice.

 

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