How to iron a shirt:

• Choose a well-lit, clean area to set up the ironing board and position it somewhere close to a plug socket.
• If you are right handed place the ironing board with the widest part to your right, if you are left handed then reverse this.
• Set the ironing board to be at waist height.
• If the shirt (or other clothing item) is very wrinkled then spray it lightly with water. The slight dampness will make it easier to get rid of stubborn wrinkles.
• Fill the water tank of the iron to the full point, this should be marked or the clear casing of the water tank.
• Check the label of your shirt for recommended iron temperature.
• Plug in the iron and set it to the desired temperature.
• When setting the iron down place it with the pointed end facing upwards and only leave it on the square end of the ironing board.
• Once the iron is hot, turn on the steam feature and stand in front of the ironing board with the widest part to your right (reversed if left handed).
• Place the collar of the shirt on the ironing board, right side of the shirt facing you. With the underside of the collar facing you place the iron on the shirt at one pointed edge and move the iron towards the centre of the collar. Repeat this for the other side. Turn the shirt the other way around and repeat this step on the side of the collar that faces up. If you like the collar of the shirt to lie flat against your neck fold the collar down and press a crease, if not then leave the collar as is.
• Now position the shirt on the ironing board so that the collar is facing the tapered end and the back piece of the shirt is lying on the board. Press the back of the shirt ensuring that the iron isn’t left on any piece of material for too long as this will burn the shirt. When one section of material is pressed move the shirt on the board so that the entire back of the shirt can be ironed. Once this side of material is ironed flip the shirt over and repeat the process on the opposite side of the material.
• Place the side of the shirt with the buttons flat on the ironing board and press the material, moving the iron carefully so as not to sit on the buttons. The pointed tip of the iron can be used to iron around the buttons.
• Repeat step 12 on the inside of the shirt and for the other front side of the shirt (you do not need to worry about buttons on this side)
• Now it’s time for the sleeves, this can be a bit tricky. Smooth one sleeve out onto the ironing board with the cuff button facing down onto the board. Press the cuff first being careful not to leave the iron on the material for too long as cuffs can loose their crispness and develop white marks.
• Press the sleeve from shoulder to cuff, smoothing the material with your hand as you go.
• Turn the shirt over and work on the other side of the sleeve taking care around the cuff button.
• Repeat steps 15 and 16 for the other sleeve.
• You should now have a beautifully ironed shirt. If the shoulders are looking slightly less pressed than the rest of the shirt you can manoeuvre the shoulder material on the tapered side of the ironing board and press it.
• Finally place the shirt on a hanger, making sure that it is hanging straight and the sleeves are placed flat.
• Get ready to make a great impression!

Do you have a tip that you would like to share? If so, just leave a comment below.

A dirty microwave is not only disgusting, but also incredibly unhygienic. Think of all the festering germs, growing each time you cook more food. Sure, heat kills a certain amount of germs, but that no reason to leave two week old dried crust in the microwave. It’s very simple to clean out and no doubt it’ll be appreciated by everyone!

Steps:

• Bring a cup of hot water to the boil in the microwave, the steam will loosen dried on food particles making them easy to wipe away.
• Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda to one quart of warm water. This can be used to wash the inside of the microwave.

Simple, that’s it! Go forth and eat cleanly.

Do you have a microwave cleaning tip that you would like to share? If so, just leave a comment below.

Steps:

• Start with the wide end (“W”) of your necktie on the right, extending about 12 inches below the narrow end (“N”) on the left
• Then cross the wide end over the narrow end.
• Turn the wide end back underneath the narrow end.
• Continue by bringing the wide end back over in front of the narrow end again.
• Then, pull the wide end up and through the loop around your neck.
• Hold the front of the knot loosely with your index finger and bring the wide end down through the front loop.
• At last, remove your finger and tighten the knot carefully to the collar by holding the narrow end and sliding the knot up.

That’s it! That is all there is tying a tie. There’s different types of knots you can learn (and as one of our great readers pointed out there are different knots that suit some ties better) but this is the most used one.  You will learn how to tie this know quicker and quicker with practise, so keep going!

How to Wash the Dishes:

• Firstly roll up your sleeves and put on a pair of rubber gloves
• Scrape off as much food as possible into a bin, saves fishing out cheese bits from the drain later.
• Rinse off any majorly dirty items (particularly if sauces are involved) as the dirt will soil your water and leave a residue on every item you wash.
• Place all the soiled cutlery and crockery near the sink, in arms length.
• Place the stopper in the plughole. Squirt a small amount of washing up liquid into the sink (or basin if you choose to use one). Turn on the hot water (as hot as you can withstand without burning yourself) and let hydraulic action do the work for you, turning the liquid into a veritable bubble bath in your sink.
• Dip the sponge or washing implement into the hot water to cover it in suds.
• Begin with glasses and cups as they require clean, hot water.
• Next wash silverware, bowls, plates etc.
• Wash all saucepans, frying pans and cooking implements last as they will tend to dirty the water more so than any other item. If food has been burnt onto a pan squirt some washing-up liquid in the pan, fill with hot water and leave to soak for a while. This will loosen the food from the pan.
• When washing place the item into the sink of hot water and using the washing implement clean away from you (this will avoid any awkward water stain patterns). Scrub the item vigorously when necessary.
• Remove the item from the water and inspect. If the item requires further cleaning repeat step 11. If still further cleaning is needed use a brillo pad to scrub where necessary.
• Drain the sink (or tip all water out of the basin).
• Scrub the sink with the washing implement. Wash the washing implement.
• Leave items to dry or dry with a tea towel.

Do you have a washing up tip that you would like to share? If so, just leave a comment below.