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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

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5 memorable locations from ‘80s films to check out

<p>Everyone loves a good movie, and everyone loves a holiday, so what do you get when you combine the two? The time of your life! </p> <p>It’s widely known that the ‘80s spawned a whole host of films that went on to become cult classics - from the likes of <em>Heathers </em>to <em>Footloose</em>, <em>Dirty Dancing</em>, and <em>The Terminator</em> - and forged the way for cultural changes that ring true decades later. </p> <p>But did you also know that for many of these iconic films, real-life locations served as the inspiration for many memorable scenes? </p> <p>And while some may have changed slightly in the years since cast and crew flocked to them, some are like stepping into a time capsule - or a stage for you to re-enact the films as you see fit. </p> <p><strong>Lake Lure, North Carolina - Dirty Dancing (1987)</strong></p> <p>Anyone who’s seen<em> Dirty Dancing</em> can tell you that ‘the lift scene’ is one of the film’s most iconic moments. And it - along with a few others from the film - were filmed in North Carolina’s very own Lake Lure. And with the spot boasting its very own Lake Lure Inn & Spa - where, coincidentally, the movie’s stars stayed while working on the project - it could be the perfect getaway location for your next holiday. </p> <p><strong>Guesthouse International Hotel, California - <em>National Lampoon Vacation</em> (1983) </strong></p> <p>For those embarking on their very own<em> National Lampoon Vacation</em>, you’re in luck - the hexagonal pool is near exactly the same as it was when Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold enjoyed a nighttime swim with Christie Brinkley’s The Girl in the Ferrari. </p> <p><strong>New York Public Library, New York - <em>Ghostbusters </em>(1984)</strong></p> <p>The 1984 film sparked an entire host of sequels, games, parodies, and conventions for avid fans across the globe - as well as one incredibly catchy song. However, for those that would like to go above and beyond just calling their friendly neighbourhood ghostbusters, the  New York Public Library’s flagship Stephen A Schwarzman building is the spot where the team had their very first encounter with the film’s ghosts. </p> <p><strong>Griffith Observatory, California - <em>The Terminator</em> (1984)</strong></p> <p>Fans of<em> The Terminator </em>should immediately recognise this site as the one where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator arrived in the nude, and basked in the glory of LA at night. It’s a popular location, and while a must-see for fans of the film, it also makes for a good afternoon out - the observatory itself boasts free entry, stunning views, and a range of fascinating exhibits inside to entertain the keen mind. </p> <p><strong>The Grand Hotel, Michigan - <em>Somewhere in Time </em>(1980)</strong></p> <p>The Grand Hotel was the primary location for romantic drama <em>Somewhere in Time</em>, and they’re proud of it. In fact, a poster for the film is reportedly even still on display there, and hosts weekends of celebration for the 1980 hit, too. </p> <p>The island the hotel is set on doesn’t allow cars, so anyone hoping to throw themselves back in time and fully immerse themselves in a ‘different world’, this National Historic Landmark may be just the place to do it. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty, Booking.net</em></p>

Movies

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Rod Stewart’s son blows through inheritance

<p>Rod Stewart’s son, Sean Stewart, has allegedly spent all of his inheritance in an attempt to rebrand his clothing line.</p> <p>A source told <em>Page Six Style</em> exclusively that Sean had “cashed out” the funds he would have received upon his father’s death in order to salvage the failing Dirty Weekend brand.</p> <p>“It’s insane because this is the third time I think he’s relaunching Dirty Weekend,” the source revealed. “Maybe third time’s the charm.”</p> <p>Reps for Sean and Dirty Weekend did not return <em>Page Six Style’s</em> requests for comment.</p> <p>In March, the son of the British rockstar posted about his company’s rebrand and credited artist Hector De Marquez for helping him with the relaunch.</p> <p>“Really proud of the work me and @hectordemarquez have put into rebranding dirty weekend,” the 42-year-old captioned the Instagram post.</p> <p>“Someone who finally sees my vision. What makes a successful business and entrepreneur is the team you have behind you.”</p> <p>The brand was originally launched in 2022.</p> <p>He also recently married his partner Jody Weintraub in Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day.</p> <p>He had known his now-wife, also 42, since high school. She is the daughter of late producer Jerry Weintraub.</p> <p>The pair eloped and made their way back to Los Angeles to celebrate the special day with the infamous musician and his ex-wife Alana Stewart, who is Sean’s mother.</p> <p>The British icon married Alana in 1979 but they divorced after five years.</p> <p>Stewart, 78, has been married to his current wife, Penny Lancaster, for 14 years.</p> <p>During Stewart’s 2023 Australian tour, the lovebirds <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/relationships/rod-stewart-s-secret-ceremony" target="_blank" rel="noopener">renewed their vows</a> in a secret ceremony.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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How many of these dirty habits are you guilty of?

<p>An infographic has revealed people’s strangest and most disgusting behaviour – and it’s certainly an eye-opener!</p> <p>A survey of 1,500 Americans and Europeans asked them to admit their most bizarre (like making strange noises when you’re alone) and unhygienic behaviour (like skipping showers for days) to the truly disgusting (like enjoying the odour of your own wind).</p> <p>While these strange and dirty habits are probably best kept to oneself, the truly surprising takeaway is just how common some of these habits actually are! </p> <p><img width="634" height="1063" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/27/20/44C90CAB00000578-4926508-image-a-34_1506539085178.jpg" alt="How odd: People confessed to eating boogers, smelling worn underwear, playing with their pubic hair, and skipping showers to build up a good stink" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" id="i-6ccf2883e6e3758d"/></p> <p><img width="634" height="1721" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/27/20/44C90C9C00000578-4926508-image-a-33_1506539055033.jpg" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" id="i-b5f0ad83b9b4849f"/></p> <p><img width="634" height="923" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/27/20/44C90CBA00000578-4926508-image-a-35_1506539101918.jpg" alt="Free-boobing: Nearly all American women (and most European women) surveyed said they take their bra off soon after arriving home" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" id="i-4bc2fc5896e52837"/></p> <p><img width="634" height="797" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/27/20/44C90C9100000578-4926508-image-a-37_1506539107393.jpg" alt="Clean up: Most women also said they wash their bras at least once a week" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" id="i-2640efee79d3a970"/></p> <p><img width="634" height="1119" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/09/27/20/44C90C7B00000578-4926508-image-a-38_1506539110089.jpg" alt="No surprise here: About half of the men polled admitted to playing with their balls" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" id="i-1d9f4435a75a88b0"/></p> <p><em>Infographic credit: <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/index.html" target="_blank">Superdrug Online Doctor</a></span> </strong></em></p>

Body

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How many of these dirty spots in the home are you guilty of NOT cleaning?

<p>Just when you think you’ve got the house spick and span, along comes a list like this to keep you on your toes.</p> <p><strong>Ceiling fans</strong></p> <p>The tops of these can get dusty and grimy quickly, especially if they are anywhere near the kitchen. Get up there with a hot soapy cloth and give them a good wipe down.</p> <p><strong>TV remote</strong></p> <p>Dirty fingers can leave sticky marks on your remote, which should be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth. If you ever eat in front of the TV you can just imagine how dirty the remote must be.</p> <p><strong>Dustpan and brush</strong></p> <p>The products that clean up the mess need a wash now and then too. A soak in a bucket of hot water and bleach is a great way to clean these. Then allow to dry in the sun.</p> <p><strong>Yoga mat</strong></p> <p>All that Zen-sweat can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Give your yoga mat a clean regularly by taking it in the shower with you and rubbing it with soap or shower gel, then dry on the line. While you’re in the mood, pop your gym bag in the wash too.</p> <p><strong>Cloth bags</strong></p> <p>If you’re toting around your groceries in a cloth bag, little bits of food can start to accumulate in the bottom. Throw them in the washing machine regularly to keep them in good condition.</p> <p><strong>Tops of doors and picture rails</strong></p> <p>What you don’t see can easily be forgotten but the tops of doors and rails can quickly accumulate dust and grime. Get up there with a hot soapy cloth, followed by a buff with a dry clean cloth.</p> <p><strong>Bathroom door handle</strong></p> <p>We don’t need to go into too much detail as to why you need to clean this, but it is important that you do it.</p> <p><strong>Fridge seals and handle</strong></p> <p>The grime that gets in your seals can be easily removed with a hot soapy cloth. Remember to clean the handle regularly too – just think how many times you open the fridge when preparing food (with potentially sticky fingers).</p> <p><strong>Hairbrush</strong></p> <p>All that hair and dead skin accumulates quickly in a brush. Remove any hair and then use hot soapy water to soak your brushes. Allow them to dry in the sun.  </p> <p><strong>Sponges</strong></p> <p>It’s scary to think that the item you use to clean your whole kitchen could be harbouring some serious bacteria. You need to regularly clean your sponges and cloths by soaking them in the sink with a big glug of bleach in hot water.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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10 things aeroplanes aren’t cleaning as they should

<h2>Illness breeding ground</h2> <p>Sitting amongst strangers in a confined space for any amount of time just feels like a breeding ground for illness. But how well are these aircrafts being cleaned? The answer may make you pack your own sanitising wipes ahead of your next flight.</p> <h2>Seatbelt buckles</h2> <p>Unless you ask the person sitting next to you to buckle your seatbelt (which we don’t recommend), you’re going to touch that piece of metal at least twice during a flight, once before takeoff, and once when you land. Unfortunately, these oft-used items aren’t getting the spick and span treatment you’d like. According to Travelmath, the average aeroplane seatbelt buckle tested for 230 colony-forming units (CFU) per square inch. </p> <h2>Seatback pockets</h2> <p>That slim seatback pocket looks innocent enough at first glance. After all, it holds your passenger safety information and inflight magazine. But the cloth that covers it isn’t getting much attention from cabin cleaners. According to a study conducted at Auburn University, the pocket is pretty darn disgusting. Seeing as passengers often stuff trash in that pocket (think used tissues and dirty diapers), it sees its fair share of bacteria. In fact, their study showed that the germs found in this location survived the longest out of any surface on an aeroplane at around seven days. </p> <h2>Tray tables</h2> <p>Cabin cleaners only do a speedy wipe down of aeroplanes in between flights because they simply aren’t given enough time to do more during these quick turnovers. Believe it or not, tray tables aren’t typically among the surfaces that get cleaned between domestic flights, according to the Wall Street Journal. They typically are only addressed during overnight cleanings. </p> <h2>Headrest</h2> <p>A different study of airline hygiene conducted by Marketplace and analysed in a laboratory at the University of Guelph cited a different surface as being the most bacteria-laden – the headrest. According to their study, the “highest total aerobic count, hemolytic bacteria, and E.coli” were found here. The headrest is nearly impossible to avoid unless you bring something to slip over it, which makes sense that it would come into contact with the most germs.</p> <h2>Blankets</h2> <p>Complimentary blankets are pretty much a thing of the past among airlines these days, particularly in economy class, and that might just be a good thing. Back in 2008, the Wall Street Journal revealed that these once common aeroplane items were only washed every five to 30 days. When flying, BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket). </p> <h2>The floor</h2> <p>A quick vacuum job in between flights does not a clean carpet make, especially when you have hundreds of pairs of shoes traipsing up and down the aisles of an aeroplane day-in and day-out. According to an article in USA Today, cleanliness isn’t regulated by the FAA. It’s standard that a plane goes through a deep clean about once a month and perhaps then that carpeting will get extra attention. Even so, it’s best to steer clear of placing your belongings on the floor if you can help it. Once you’ve reached your destination, here’s how to have a healthy and clean hotel stay.</p> <h2>Bathroom surfaces</h2> <p>Yes, cabin cleaners do a wipe down of lavatories after an aircraft’s passengers have deplaned, but think about how many people use the facilities during the flight and how many hours go by before that cleaning happens. In an interview with TIME, University of Arizona microbiologist Dr Charles Gerba said, “It’s hard to beat the restroom because the water shuts off so people can’t complete hand washing. The sinks are so small that people with large hands can’t even fit them fully underneath the faucets.”</p> <h2>Menus/safety information pamphlets</h2> <p>We’ve already addressed the icky stuff that often contaminates seatback pockets, but consider the material that’s actually supposed to be in this area. With barely ten to 15 minutes to tidy a cabin, according to the New York Times, cleaners don’t have time to wipe down every menu and safety pamphlet in those pockets. When you consider how often they are touched by human hands (and the garbage that gets tossed into the pockets), this literature is a breeding ground for gross.</p> <h2>Overhead air vent</h2> <p>Adjusting that overhead air vent is something most passengers do to personalise their limited space for comfort, but who is cleaning that surface? Likely no one. It’s one of the dirtiest spots on an aeroplane according to Travelmath.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/travel/flights/10-things-aeroplanes-arent-cleaning-they-should" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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12 gross things hotels do to save money

<p><strong>Looks can be deceiving</strong></p> <p>Since there’s such a quick turnaround between guests, perhaps it shouldn’t come as all that much of a surprise that hotels aren’t as clean as they should be. In fact – and only read on if you have a strong stomach – one study found that 81 per cent of hotel surfaces contained at least some faecal bacteria. </p> <p>Here’s the issue: hotels are in the business of making money, and one way they keep more of that money is by cutting corners where they think they can get away with it. And we hate to break the news to you, but surfaces aren’t the only things you need to worry about in your guest room, though, of course, some spots are dirtier that others.</p> <p><strong>They reuse the sheets</strong></p> <p>If there aren’t stains, some hotels won’t clean the sheets regularly between guests, says Philip Biton, the co-founder of NDOband who also helps hotels find ways to generate money from their rented rooms. In fact, three out of nine hotels tested secretly didn’t change sheets (insert vomit emoji), according to an Inside Edition investigation. But, Biton says, “sheets should always be replaced.” </p> <p>After all, bodily fluids, hair, and other seriously gross stuff from previous guests could be lurking there. In your own home, this is how bad it is to not wash your sheets every week. Now imagine that at a hotel, with multiple people you don’t know rolling around on them.</p> <p><strong>They choose colourful carpets on purpose</strong></p> <p>The purpose: to hide stains. Let your mind envision any stains you want, and chances are, they’re embedded in your lush, colourful carpet, according to Bustle. </p> <p>Yes, tiles are easy to clean, but those colourful carpets can also be viewed as works of art, according to Hotel Management, so they’re technically doing double duty. The most recent popular colours include greys, brown tones, and non-directional designs with heavy layers of texture.</p> <p><strong>They skimp on washing the glasses</strong></p> <p>It’s easy to make a glass look clean: You simply have to rinse it under some water or quickly wipe it with a towel, especially if the previous guest only drank water out of it. And if the housekeepers have limited time to clean each room, there’s a good chance they’re going to save some of those precious minutes by not washing the glasses properly, according to an undercover investigation by ABC News in 2009. As a result, 75 per cent of the glasses failed ABC’s clean-glasses test. Most were just wiped down and rinsed out instead of being properly sanitised.</p> <p>While this study was the most in-depth on the topic, a more recent look at the state of hotel glasses didn’t find any better news, according to the Daily Mail: instead, they reported that cleaning staff washed the glasses with dirty cloths and with spray that was not suitable for drinking. Pro-tip: BYO reusable water bottles when you stay in a hotel.</p> <p><strong>They don't wash the coffeepots</strong></p> <p>Let’s be honest here: when was the last time you washed your own coffeepot? Exactly. So, you really shouldn’t expect a hotel to do a better job. One ABC News exposé found that hotels aren’t using soap or any other cleaners to clean their coffeepots. </p> <p>And researchers from the University of Valencia examined nine hotel Nespresso machines that had only been used for a year and found bacteria in all of them. That’s why we bring our own mini French Press with us when we travel. We know the last time it was cleaned properly.</p> <p><strong>They don't change their mattresses often</strong></p> <p>Mattresses are expensive. As a result, high-end hotels tend to change their mattresses every three to five years, while less expensive hotels will change mattresses every ten years, according to Traveller.com. </p> <p>Even if the mattress is torn or stained, many hotels will simply hide or clean the issue, as it’s too expensive to swap out a mattress every time there’s a problem.</p> <p><strong>They neglect the pillowcases</strong></p> <p>Often, hotel beds are piled high with pillows, and chances are, you aren’t actually sleeping on all of them. And even if you do sleep on a pillow, do you really leave a mark? The Today Show investigated top hotel chains in the United States and found that many of the housekeepers put the pillows on the chair next to the bed while they changed the sheets. </p> <p>Then, they fluffed the dirty pillows and put them back on the bed. No visible stains equals a reuse. Plus, the pillowcases last longer that way, saving the hotels even more money in the long run.</p> <p><strong>The light switch is never cleaned</strong></p> <p>We all touch them multiple times per day, but the light switches in hotels aren’t cleaned properly…or maybe ever, say researchers from the University of Houston. And this is a huge problem because the light switches – especially those on bedside lamps – are covered in bacteria. Light switches and TV remotes were the worst offenders in the room, according to this study. </p> <p>Since housekeepers are only allotted 30 minutes to clean each room, they don’t have time to wipe down everything, and they also inadvertently carry bacteria to multiple rooms by reusing the same sponge and mop. As a result, bacteria in the hotel rooms were found to be between two and ten times higher than the levels accepted in hospitals. For this reason, you should probably skip the hotel hair dryer as well, or use antibacterial wipes first.</p> <p><strong>They don't change the bedspread</strong></p> <p>The first thing you should do when you get into your hotel room? Don a pair of gloves and remove the bedspread from your bed. Seriously, don’t touch it. Most hotels clean bedspreads just four times per year, according to TravelTruth.com. </p> <p>If that bedspread is colourful, it’s more likely that it’s one of those special ones that’s not changed regularly. It was created to look good and hide stains, saving the hotel money in the process since it doesn’t have to be washed for each new guest.</p> <p><strong>They don't bother with the throw pillows</strong></p> <p>You know, the decorative ones that you toss off your bed and onto that gross carpet as soon as you enter your room? The housekeeping staff simply pops those germ-laden throw pillows back onto your bed – touching your (hopefully) clean pillowcases, according to Thrillist. </p> <p>Super-duper gross. Are their throw pillows ever washed? Are yours?</p> <p><strong>Some have poor water pressure</strong></p> <p>Hotels can save money by controlling the flow of water, according to the Hotel Association. Conserving the flow of water not only saves on water costs, but it also saves money on energy and more – so the hotels may have actually installed low-flow devices. </p> <p>What does this mean for you? Aside from poor shower quality, you’ll also get linens that aren’t so clean and an overall filthy vibe.</p> <p><strong>They don't always change their towels</strong></p> <p>“They utilise the apathy of guests by stating that only towels left in the bath and shower will be changed,” says Jeremy Scott Foster, CEO of TravelFreak. “This can save hotels so much money on labour, detergent and electricity.” Previously, Foster says, all towels not on the original rails were washed. Still, some good does come out of this cost-cutting policy: It benefits the environment. </p> <p>Laundry makes up 16 per cent of a hotel’s water usage, and by not washing those towels, the hotel can save on water, sewer, labour and energy costs, according to National Geographic. This is one reuse we don’t actually mind, especially since we’re the only ones using and reusing those towels.</p> <p><strong>They skip cleaning days completely</strong></p> <p>Some hotels are up-front about skipping cleaning days. They will offer their guests credit if they choose not to have their room cleaned, or alternatively (at different hotels), they’ll tack on additional costs for daily cleaning. These hotels have realised that it’s not cost-effective or necessary to do a thorough cleaning every day, so they’re offering these alternatives to save money.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/travel/12-gross-things-hotels-do-to-save-money?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Travel Tips

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10 cleaning mistakes that are making your home dirtier

<p>You probably feel good after you complete a household cleaning task; it’s not much fun, but needs to be done and is definitely beneficial. Or is it? Frustratingly, there is a right and a wrong way to clean. Find out if you’re making any of these mistakes that could actually be sabotaging your home’s cleanliness.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: using the same rag around the house</strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: Despite spritzing it with a cleaning solution, when you use the same rag in multiple spots around the house, the rag hangs on to the grime from the previous surface and spreads it to whichever surface it touches next. That means bathroom germs get wiped onto kitchen counters, the living room coffee table, and anywhere else that cloth is used, definitely making this one of the ways you’re cleaning your kitchen all wrong.</p> <p>How to fix it: Use a new wad of paper towel for each surface cleaned, or have a microfibre cleaning cloth designated for each area of your home. Microfibre cleaning cloths can be tossed in the laundry or thoroughly washed after each use to remove gunk or grime.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: using a feather duster</strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: No matter how much the advertisements for these dusters say the feathers “trap and lock dust,” they don’t. Feather dusters are notorious for spreading dust around a surface or pushing it off to fall to the ground, rather than removing it.</p> <p>How to fix it: Use a microfibre cleaning cloth or a disposable paper towel with an appropriate cleaning solution, depending on the surface being dusted.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: not cleaning the vacuum</strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: When a vacuum filter hasn’t been changed or cleaned in a while, not only is the vacuum unable to pick up as much dirt and dust as it should, due to decreased suction, but dirt also is blown back into the air and carpet by the dusty vent.</p> <p>How to fix it: Change or empty vacuum bags or canisters immediately after they become full. Wipe vacuum attachments, the hose, and the vent with either a damp microfibre cleaning cloth or a moist paper towel, double-checking that the vacuum is unplugged first.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: placing a toilet brush back into its holder immediately </strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: If a toilet brush is put right back into its holder right after use, the moisture and germs from the toilet get trapped in the container and the brush, where they breed and multiply. These germs are then rubbed back into your toilet the next time the brush is used.</p> <p>How to fix it: After scrubbing, allow the toilet brush to dry completely before returning it to its holder.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: skipping the sink</strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: Sinks rapidly grow germs and bacteria due to being a moist environment where food particles tend to get stuck. This issue is compounded when food or standing water is left in the sink, the drain or the garbage disposal.</p> <p>How to fix it: Wipe down the sink after each use.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: cleaning from the ground up</strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: When sweeping, mopping or vacuuming the floor before cleaning the furniture, dust, and crumbs fall from tables, counters, and shelves, requiring you to re-clean the floor.</p> <p>How to fix it: Clean a room from the top down. Start with windows, working down to tables and counters, chairs and couches, side and coffee tables, ending with the floor.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: spraying cleaner directly on a surface </strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: Spraying a cleaner directly onto furniture, countertops or glass can cause a buildup of the solution, leading to greasy furniture and surfaces, and streaky windows. This also could cause dirt and dust to stick to them more firmly.</p> <p>How to fix it: Spray cleaning solution on a microfibre cleaning cloth or disposable paper towel, then wipe down surfaces.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: not cleaning the washing machine</strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: The skin cells, dust mites and stains from clothes can linger in a washing machine drum as well as on the lid or door and detergent dispenser. This leads to washing clothes in dirty water, and eventually, they’ll turn stinky.</p> <p>How to fix it: For a top-loading washer, start it on its longest and hottest wash setting. When the drum is nearly full of water, pour in 1 litre of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda, leaving the lid open and allowing the mixture to sit in the paused cycle for at least an hour. While the cycle is paused, clean the lid and any other visible nooks and crannies. Close the lid, allowing the wash cycle to run. Repeat vinegar and baking soda wash, if needed, then wipe down the inside of the washer and leave the lid open to allow the washer to dry completely.</p> <p>For a front-loading washer, pour a solution of 1/4 cup each baking soda and water into the detergent compartment and pour 2 cups of vinegar into the drum. Set your machine to the hottest temperature and let it do its thing. When the cycle is over, wipe the drum clean, along with the door, detergent compartment and exterior. Pay extra attention to the gasket. Remember to leave the door ajar between loads for the best air circulation.</p> <p><strong>Mistake: washing a cutting board with dish soap</strong></p> <p>Why it’s dirty: While dish soap and hot water remove visible food residue from a cutting board, the cuts in wood and plastic cutting boards trap microscopic food particles. These breed bacteria that transfer to any foods you prepare on that cutting board.</p> <p>How to fix it: Don’t put it in the dishwasher! A wooden cutting board can warp and crack, while a plastic cutting board can melt in the hot water and steamy environment of a dishwasher. Instead, soak your cutting boards in hydrogen peroxide or a bleach solution (2 tablespoons of bleach and 4 litres of water), rinse with water and dry completely.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/10-cleaning-mistakes-that-are-making-your-home-dirtier" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Flight attendant reveals the surprising dirtiest place on a plane

<p dir="ltr">It’s no secret that planes are often rife with germs, but it turns out some unexpected parts of the aircraft are much dirtier than others. </p> <p dir="ltr">One flight attendant has shared the part of the plane that often gets overlooked when cleaning, and it's not where you would think. </p> <p dir="ltr">The cabin crew member from the US, who regularly posts travel tips on her FlightBae TikTok account, shared that it's actually the seat pockets you should steer clear of.</p> <p dir="ltr">"They're dirtier than the lavatories, they're dirtier than the seat cushion, and they're dirtier than the tray tables," she said in a clip that's had over 3,000 likes.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Let me tell you why."</p> <p dir="ltr">She goes on to say the seat pockets are "never cleaned".</p> <p dir="ltr">"Unless somebody vomits or there is something ooey or gooey in there, it doesn't get cleaned. All cleaners do is go in and take out the trash," she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">"So all of those germs have accumulated and there is no regular cleaning of those surfaces, whereas the lavatories are regularly wiped down and sanitised."</p> <p dir="ltr">Her followers were understandably disgusted, with one person even sharing: "This is very true! I once saw a parent place a used diaper in the seat back pocket."</p> <p dir="ltr">"Never touching it again," another said, while a third wrote: "I don't use them. I'll always see people their feet in them."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Landlord slammed for “dirty trick”

<p dir="ltr">A landlord has come under fire for using an unusual advertising technique to lease out a studio apartment in Leeds, UK. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7dwvy/luxury-shopping-bags-rental-flats-photos">Vice</a> writer Joel Golby noticed the one bedroom studio flat available to rent for £535 ($943AUD) a month excluding bills on real estate website <a href="https://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/details/61269048/?search_identifier=e41b2d510aba81ae7a72f962cd2c3501">Zoopla</a>, when he noticed some very out of place accessories. </p> <p dir="ltr">Almost all of the photos attached in the advertisement featured shopping bags from luxury brands such as Harrods, Chanel and Harvey Nichols. </p> <p dir="ltr">The landlord had increased the price of staying at the property by £9 since the ad was first created, despite its bleak appearance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Chanel bag is there to dazzle us: we, foolish non-property owning fools like we are, will easily be distracted by the bag, and ignore the fact that the living room and kitchen are only demarcated by slightly different carpet textures because we know the person renting it to us owns either a really nice card holder or a too-expensive belt,” Joel wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite being listed as partially furnished, the property seems to have all the basic amenities and little space for the renter to bring much of their own belongings.</p> <p dir="ltr">The photos of the flat include images of the small kitchen, living room, bedroom and half of the bathroom, with most surfaces adored with the luxury boxes. </p> <p dir="ltr">Joel slammed the landlord’s “dirty trick”, and challenged readers to share their own stories of upselling rental advertisements, as well as any potential tenants for the “miserable” studio apartment. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Zoopla</em></p>

Real Estate

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Explorer finds abandoned cottage with dirty dishes still in the sink

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">UK-based YouTuber and urban explorer Daniel Sims, who goes by BeardedReality on YouTube, discovered an abandoned house in Anglesey, Wales, that included such finds as dirty dishes waiting to be washed in the sink, a gramophone, cabinets with shelves of china, and a taxidermied pheasant. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sims, who is from West Yorkshire, regularly explores abandoned and forgotten buildings and structures, a hobby known as ‘urban exploration’, or Urbex for short. He found this particular home following a recommendation from a fellow explorer, and decided to investigate the site with his friend Charlotte. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They found a home on a vast stretch of land, complete with two caravans in the yard. Searching the caravans first, the pair found dishes, both clean and unwashed, scattered across the kitchen counter and sink. Sims described the caravan as having been left to overgrow. </span></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oE6dMPY5mhg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the main house, the finds were a lot more varied. The front door and some windows had been left open, and an eclectic collection of art, homewares and technology was soon discovered. This included a framed Kellogg’s cornflakes advertisement, old photographs, and artworks that Sims said have obviously been damaged over time due to their exposure to the elements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other discoveries included a gramophone, speakers, old records, a computer scanner and an old keyboard, as well as cabinets with shelves full of china. A variety of different wallpapers can be seen peeling off the walls throughout the house. In one of the final rooms he looked through, Sims found a single taxidermied pheasant in a glass case. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While Sims said the place looked ‘foreboding and kind of creepy’, he nonetheless found it a fascinating place to explore, explaining, “It’s crazy to see what is left behind in a property like this, as it is kind of like the people that used to own the place are still there or just left, but you can clearly see that a vast amount of time has gone by with these items left out.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“​​It felt like we were seeing a part of history that not many people get to experience, such as old artefacts and old brands that have long gone and disappeared from the shelves.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: YouTube</span></em></p>

Home & Garden

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Brave Australian woman who helped lock Rolf Harris behind bars goes public: "Bad day with a dirty old man"

<p>An Australian woman has bravely unveiled her mask of anonymity to tell the harrowing story of her own molestation by disgraced entertainer, Rolf Harris. </p> <p>Suzi Dent was an anonymous character witness who testified in Harris’ trial in the UK. </p> <p>She aided in putting him behind bars after he was charged with 12 counts of indecent assault of girls and a young woman between 1968 and 1986. </p> <p>Ms Dent told ABC’s<span> </span><em>7.30 </em>she was just 24 when she met Rolf as a make-up artist after being offered the opportunity to work at a Channel 7 studio. </p> <p>While she said she was “very excited” to meet the TV star back in 1986, she now looks back at that “bad day with a dirty old man,” with no fondness. </p> <p>“I had an all-day groping experience with a man who couldn't keep his hands off me,” she said. </p> <p>“As soon as he sat in my make-up chair - I was wearing baggy pants at the time, baggy shorts - he'd run both hands up my legs all the way up my shorts right up to my thighs.</p> <p>“He would grab the leather belt and pull me towards him so he could crotch-grind, which never quite happened, but he certainly tried.”</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQdBzXFTFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQdBzXFTFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by TV SHOWS THAT SHOULDNT HAPPEN (@tv_trauma)</a> on Nov 16, 2018 at 1:56pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The situation caused her to freeze up. </p> <p>“I didn't jump or move or anything like that, because it's my job as a make-up artist to not upset the talent,” she explained. </p> <p>“So if I had said something to him or, you know, slapped his hand away - which I might add is not what we did in 1986 - it was not acceptable behaviour for women to stand up for themselves like that, they had to cop it on the chin and grin and bear it and be polite.”</p> <p>Ms Dent further explained the actor had made “disgusting” comments about her legs and body, making her feel like a “piece of meat.”</p> <p>“I had a rip in my shorts, and he was trying to stick his fingers in there. I'd slap his hand away like he was a naughty boy,” she said.</p> <p>“No one did anything to stop him, and I couldn't fight back because the number one rule back then – and now - was you never upset the talent.</p> <p>“I had to be a good little girl, and it was the mentality that boys will be boys.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.8877551020408px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7832625/abc-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/53232819fd0144ccb5851be6c11e00a5" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Ms Dent as a young woman</em></p> <p>Despite confiding in a colleague for comfort and support, the former makeup artist was shocked by their response. </p> <p>“She said to me, much to my surprise, ''Oh, I thought you knew that - his nickname's The Octopus'',” Ms Dent recalled.</p> <p>“He does that sort of thing all the time to make-up artists and he doesn't keep his hands to himself. He's like an octopus but because he puts his hands everywhere.”</p> <p>Ms Dent says that when the day of horror was over for her, it was her job to remove all makeup from Harris’ face. </p> <p>“There was absolutely no way I was going back into the makeup room by myself. I felt unsafe. I knew I was putting myself at physical risk if I went into the room alone with him,” she said. </p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd-QvsnHh9I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd-QvsnHh9I/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by sinti mosi 🎛 (@sintimosi)</a> on Jan 15, 2018 at 6:05am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“If he was going to behave like that in a room full of people, who knows what he would have done in a room with me alone. I was not stupid.</p> <p>“I decided to hide in a broom cupboard. I could see up the hallway, and I saw him standing there waiting for me. </p> <p>“Eventually the bosses came down and assumed I'd already left, so he was escorted out the door.'</p> <p>When Harris was charged for his crimes, it came as little to surprise to Ms. Dent, and immediately contacted British authorities to see how she could help to prosecute during the trial in the following year. </p> <p>“I didn't need to come forward for me, because it wasn't about me. I came forward to support the women who were little girls,” Ms Dent said.</p> <p>“'I came forward for the women who were little girls when they were molested by Rolf Harris.</p> <p>“All I had to do was tell the truth about a man who couldn't keep his hands off me, and what it was like and how he behaved.”</p> <p>“They were little girls and there were other things that he did that he shouldn't have done, physical things, invasive things, that is just line crossing.”</p> <p>Thanks to Ms Dent and other women’s accounts with similar experiences, Harris was found guilty on 12 counts of indecent assault, and was sentenced to five years and nine months in jail in 2014. </p> <p> “There are women from, I think, four or five different countries around the world who say that it did [happen] and we all had very similar stories,” she said. </p> <p> “I was thrilled. I was thrilled for the process. I was happy for his victims, that maybe they would get a little bit of closure now. And be happy that they came forward to tell their story.”</p> <p>Harris, now 89, was released on parole in May 2017 after three years behind bars.</p> <p>He now lives life as a recluse in Berkshire looking after his wife of 61 years, who has Alzheimer’s disease. </p>

News

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“They can be very noisy and even dirty”: Parisians are sick of mass tourism

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Parisians are used to tourism, but mass tourism takes their pet peeves to a whole new level. As tourists come to the country to visit iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Saint Michel and the Arc de Triomphe, they “clog up traffic”. A local explains to </span><em><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/114402962/mass-tourism-troubles-the-residents-of-paris-france"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stuff NZ</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Saint Michel is a typical location for tourists and on some evenings, it gets really hard," said Arnaldo Gomes, a 70-year-old building superintendent who's been living in the area since 1974. "There are so many groups and they can be very noisy and even dirty."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As France remains the world’s top tourist destination and is aiming to hit the target of 100 million visitors in 2020, the city has drawn in $147 million in revenue.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The revenue is coming at a cost. With 25 million tourists a year heading to Paris, this is ten times more people than the population that lives there.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are 500,000 jobs that are directly or indirectly linked to tourism in Paris, which is about 9.3 per cent of the city’s salaried workforce.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With Parisians being less vocal about how tourists are impacting their lives, officials are beginning to realise that change needs to happen.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"There is no 'over-tourism' in Paris per se, but there's an issue with so-called group tourism, the sort that irritates the Parisians," Jean-Francois Martins, another deputy mayor, said in an interview.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"That's when tourists travel in packs and end up in the same iconic places, over-crowding them at the same time, such as the Eiffel Tower, certain museums and churches."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Veronique Potelet, a spokeswoman for the Paris Tourism board, says that it’s a good thing that Paris’ landmarks are dispersed around the capital, as it makes the crowds easier to handle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The Parisian territory is compact, yet attractions and interesting sites are spread across many districts that are not highly populated, so it's less of a nuisance," Potelet said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some changes have been made, which include the banning of double-decker tourists’ buses. They annoy Parisians as they try to deal with the bottlenecks amid roadworks to open bike lanes as well as widen sidewalks on boulevards. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We don't want tourist buses plying in a totally anarchic way in Paris," Emmanuel Gregoire, deputy mayor of Paris, said in the Parisien interview. "Buses are no longer welcome downtown."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This change does little to stop the hyper-inflation that’s driven by apartment-sharing companies such as Airbnb. However, it’s a step in the right direction.</span></p>

Travel Trouble

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Don’t even think about sitting on your bed wearing outside clothes

<p>Let’s face it, just because you took a shower in the morning and you don’t smell doesn’t mean the outfit you wore on the train, in the bank, at work, to the gym or on a dinner date is clean. Some would say your fancy duds are downright dirty. Before you think about getting cozy under the sheets without changing into pyjamas (or at least a T-shirt and shorts), here are some potential gross consequences that may have you heading to the laundry room instead of the bedroom.</p> <p><strong>Humans are nasty</strong></p> <p>Of course, practicing good hygiene is very important for your overall health, not to mention your social life, but understanding what naturally occurs over the course of a day to a person’s body will clarify how gross it is to not change your outerwear or undergarments. A video from Brit Lab, shown on Lifehacker.com reveals that you, in fact, produce dirt – and a lot of it. The expert says, “We’re constantly shedding skin cells, oozing skin oils, and secreting sweat onto everything we’re wearing. In fact, a human shed about 500 million skin cells and a litre of sweat, every day.”</p> <p><strong>Germs stick to you like glue</strong></p> <p>“Bacteria and organisms can survive weeks or even months on clothes,” Philip Tierno, MD, director of Microbiology and Immunology at New York University revealed in a 2010 investigation after discovering that brand-new clothes (still with the tags on them) can be contaminated with bacteria, norovirus or staph germs. Since he suggests washing new clothes before wearing them, then it’s probably a good idea to sterilise the T-shirt you just walked around in on that hot day for 12 hours. Not judging, just saying.</p> <p><strong>Rashes, acne, infection, oh my!</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.dermascope.com/acne/acne-on-the-body">Dermascope.com</a> explains how restricted fabrics could trigger flare-ups or skin irritations. “One of the main causes of back and chest acne is caused by prolonged pressure and friction by anything repeatedly rubbing on skin, such as tight shirts and backpacks.” And the grimier something is, the worse the breakout could be. “Dirty sheets and dirty clothes can transfer dirt and bacteria into the hair follicle, causing it to clog and become infected.”</p> <p><em>Written by Hope Daniels. This article first appeared in </em><a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/home-tips/dont-even-think-about-sitting-your-bed-outside-clothes"><em>Reader’s Digest</em>.</a><em> For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </em><a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN87V"><em>here’s out subscription offer.</em></a></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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No scrubbing necessary! Genius way to remove stains from stainless steel pots

<p>Unfortunately, dirty pans and pots with impossible to remove stains are sentiments we know all too well in the kitchen.</p> <p>After a few uses or even after one bad mix up in the kitchen, our stainless steel appliances can become scorched and stained, and require a muscle workout to get them looking sparkling clean and brand new again.</p> <p>However, there is a solution that has become extremely popular on social media that has proven to work wonders – and the best part is the cleaning trick requires no elbow grease and zero scrubbing!</p> <p>To get a pot or pan back to its glorious original condition, all you need is a dishwashing tablet, a little time and boiling hot water.</p> <p>By placing a dishwashing tablet in your dirty pot with boiling hot water, the dirt, grime and hard-to-remove stains will lift and instead be replaced with a sparkling, unscratched surface.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7826196/dirty.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/666454068f4e41649065b66095be0cab" /></p> <p>Dishwashing tablets have proven to be a magic trick in the kitchen – and not just for the dishes.</p> <p>Not only are they reported to do wonders on your stainless steel kitchen appliances, cleaning whizzes say they're also able to transform a dirty oven door and also your clothes as a replacement for laundry detergent.</p> <p>Will you be using this simple trick in your kitchen anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

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Dirty John’s Terra Newell shares new details about the night she killed him

<p>Debra Newell thought she met the man of her dreams through an online dating website. However, she had no idea that when she let John Meehan into her lives of her family and her own, it would be one of the worst decisions of her life.</p> <p>After Debra was manipulated by Meehan, who ended up being a drug addict, compulsive liar and a master manipulator, he spiralled and stalked the family. He also lit Debra’s car on fire.</p> <p>Terra Newell, one of Debra’s daughters, ended Meehan’s life after he tried to attack her.</p> <p>Terra has released more details as to what went on that day to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hit.com.au/story/dirty-johns-real-life-terra-newell-goes-into-detail-about-the-night-she-killed-mother-s-husband-125398" target="_blank">The Hit Network’s Grant, Ed and Ash</a>.</p> <p>“It was my life or his. In that moment, it was so serious,” Terra told the radio show.</p> <p>“I tried to get away from him and I was trying to run away at first but I couldn’t disconnect from him so I had to fight back.</p> <p>“I think I stabbed him 13 times.”</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824755/dirty-john.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/026d73162c5b40deb2444f091ba5ac98" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Eric Bana (who plays John Meehan in the Netflix series), Connie Britton (who plays Debra Newell in the Netflix series), Debra Newell, Juno Temple (who plays Terra Newell in the Netflix series), Terra Newell</em></p> <p>Terra also explained how her love of the TV show <em>The Walking Dead </em>played a part in her survival.</p> <p>"In that moment, I wasn't really like thinking about how many times I was stabbing him. But the last two to the head, I actually gave those two some thought.</p> <p>"I was just thinking if I don't kill him, then he's going to get up. I watch a lot of<span> </span><em>Walking Dead</em>... so I was killing him like a zombie."</p> <p>Terra also tried to stop the ambulance officers, who arrived on scene, from reviving Meehan.</p> <p>"I thought I killed him but then the paramedics came and they started to revive him," she explained to the show</p> <p>"I told them, 'Don't do that! He'll try to kill you too'."</p> <p>The ordeal has been made into a Netflix series that stars Eric Bana as Meehan and Connie Britton as Debra Newell, and has proven to be popular drama.</p> <p>Have you watched<span> </span><em>Dirty John</em><span> </span>on Netflix? Let us know in the comments.</p>

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Eric Bana’s new true crime TV series that fans can't get enough of

<p>True crime thriller<span> </span><em>Dirty John</em> has been receiving accolades from critics all around the globe. Starring Eric Bana and Connie Britton, the Netflix series is based on a true story, revolving around John Meehan – a con artist and sociopath.</p> <p>Britton plays Debra Newell, 59, an interior designer who hasn’t had much success when it comes to love. After a series of embarrassing dates, she crosses paths with 55-year-old John (Bana), a charming doctor.</p> <p>Set in California’s Newport Harbor, the story then slowly reveals Debra’s infatuation with John, but her entitled daughter Veronica (Juno Temple) gets a feeling that something isn’t quite right.</p> <p>While the first half of the series is predictable, with many choosing to opt out before reaching the end, the show's strength lies with the story-tellers' providing an insight into human nature.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuR25yWhp-C/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuR25yWhp-C/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Show Me The Podcast (@showmethepodcast)</a> on Feb 24, 2019 at 1:07pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The way people deal with trauma, past relationships, their beliefs and their desires – and how all of this factor into their strange behaviour and decisions.</p> <p>On one end we have Debra rationalising John’s mistakes due to her unlucky history with love and men, and on the other we have her nephew Toby (Kevin Zegers) providing excuses for the murder of his own mother.</p> <p>The final result is a show that is intense and gripping, and one that will keep you hooked all the way through.</p> <p>If you enjoy true crime, then this TV show is one that cannot be missed, as Bana and Britton provide a valuable insight into the minds of their characters.</p> <p>All eight episodes of <em>Dirty John</em> can be streamed on Netflix.</p> <p>Have you been watching <em>Dirty John</em>? Let us know what you think of the show in the comments below. </p>

TV

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Ewww ― your phone screen is much filthier than you thought

<p>Can you remember the last time you were out in public without your phone in your hand or somewhere on your person?</p> <p>While you’re grabbing lunch you might have it resting on the counter while you search for your credit card in your wallet.</p> <p>Then when you go to the bathroom you might leave it on top of the toilet paper dispenser. And, at the end of the day when you take the train or bus home you switch it from hand to hand as you navigate public transportation while still staying on top of all your notifications.</p> <p>Let’s face it: Your phone is a breeding ground for germs. And what is especially unsanitary about it is how close you put it to your face and mouth on a regular basis.</p> <p>Mashable reported that every square inch of your phone has around <em>25,000 germs</em>. That’s more disgusting than a toilet seat, which contains around 1,200 germs per square inch (if sanitized regularly).</p> <p>Think about that the next time you press your phone up against your face to make a phone call. </p> <p>“Your phone is exposed to everything you touch. What’s on your hands is on your phone. Health-care experts stress that washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best defense against the spread of germs that cause sicknesses and viruses to spread,” shares Adriana Catinari, Product Manager at Whoosh!.</p> <p>Everyone always remembers to wash his or her hands and body at the end of the day, but many times neglect their phone screen.</p> <p>The reason your phone holds so many germs is because it remains warm throughout the day because of how often we use it.</p> <p>The warm environment allows bacteria to grow very easily and puts you at a greater risk of getting infected.</p> <p>The germs on our phones can also lead to the development of acne and blackheads on your face. When your phone is pressed against your face while you’re on a call the surface of our skin warms up, opening up our pores. The bacterium then gets into your pores causing skin irritation.</p> <p>It’s obviously unrealistic to tell people to give up their phones to stay healthier since most people don’t even know how to function without them.</p> <p>But always keep in mind how many things you touch during the day, and how gross your phone can get as a result of that.</p> <p>Continue to wash your hands frequently throughout the day but also remember to wash your phone screen just as often.</p> <p class="p1"><em>Written by Morgan Cutolo. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/thought-provoking/ewww-your-phone-screen-much-filthier-you-thought">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN87V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

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