Whakarewarewa, Rotorua

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457 days ago

Cleaning Tips to Give Your Second-Hand Furniture New Life

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Rotorua

Whether it’s wood, cane, fabric or leather, give your second-hand finds a sparkling new lease of life with these cleaning tips and tricks.

Vintage furniture can sometimes need a little TLC before it’s displayed in your home, and pieces you’ve had for a while may also be ready for a spring … View more
Whether it’s wood, cane, fabric or leather, give your second-hand finds a sparkling new lease of life with these cleaning tips and tricks.

Vintage furniture can sometimes need a little TLC before it’s displayed in your home, and pieces you’ve had for a while may also be ready for a spring clean. A quick wipe-down or wash will suffice for some things, but how do you tackle those harder-to-clean items?

Cane:
Cane chairs, tables, shelves and bedheads, with their small crevices, can be dust magnets. Fortunately, you can remove dust with a feather duster, or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, and use an old toothbrush for hard-to-reach areas. To get rid of dirt, most items can be wiped down with a damp cloth, and stains tackled with a soft-bristled brush dipped in a mix of gentle dishwashing liquid and warm water. Make sure not to leave your cane furniture wet after cleaning as mould can grow. Dry it with a fan or leave outside in the sun.

Wood:
Dust wooden furniture gently with a soft cloth, or damp cloth if needed. According to the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute, wooden furniture should be cleaned only when there is a build-up of wax or dirt, and only unfinished wood, painted wood, or wood with a sturdy finish should be cleaned. Oily dirt or waxy residue can be removed with diluted mineral turpentine or a mix of mild detergent and water but take care this doesn’t affect the wood or finish (do a spot test somewhere unobtrusive first).

The Smithsonian recommends avoiding polishes, oils and beeswax, and to instead buff with a stable, hard furniture polish, no more than twice a year for areas of heavy wear, and once every three or four years for other areas. Most other products will do more harm than good as they cause a build-up over time which can be hard to remove.

Fabric and leather:
You can dust fabric or suede surfaces using the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner (on low suction), and wipe leather with a soft, damp cloth. Don’t forget to clean in between the folds and creases of couches and chairs.

From dishwashing liquid to vinegar and baking soda, there are a number of household products you can use to attempt to get out a stain, but it is best to research the correct method for each specific item and type of stain and do a test first to ensure the product you’re using won’t damage the fabric.

Always dab rather than rub at the fabric to ensure you don’t weaken it. You may need to repeat the process a number of times to fully remove a stain, and stubborn stains may need to be seen to by a professional.

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458 days ago

Could you spot the signs of a heart attack?

Heart Foundation NZ

Heart attack is a leading cause of death in New Zealand.
Learn to recognise the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack, so you know what to do if you see or experience them. Don’t try to walk it off, wash it off or push through it. Make the right call, it may save your life.

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462 days ago

mowing

Connie from Springfield - Tihiotonga

I would like to recommend this couple who mow lawns but also do extra around the house and do not charge for the extra that they do I am very happy with the work they did around my house besides my lawns they are a husband and wife and I would thoroughly recommend them

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462 days ago

Colour your summer

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rotorua

Get creative with colour with these art projects using Resene paints.

Find out how to get creative with these easy ideas.

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463 days ago

Trust Horizon, Light Up Whakatāne light festival

Whakatane City Council

Using the darkness of winter, Whakatāne's annual festival will be held over ten nights from 28th July to 6th August 2023. The light festival will delight, with light activations and digital displays by both local and regional artists.

Art works will be installed in various locations … View more
Using the darkness of winter, Whakatāne's annual festival will be held over ten nights from 28th July to 6th August 2023. The light festival will delight, with light activations and digital displays by both local and regional artists.

Art works will be installed in various locations encouraging visitors to walk amongst our parks through the town centre and along the riverside to enjoy and delight at the lighting and digital displays.
Find out more

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467 days ago

Poll: Should we pay people for giving blood?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Blood Service says it needs 40,000​ new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these … View moreThe Blood Service says it needs 40,000​ new donors in the next 12 months to ensure it can meet demand of those needing plasma and blood. Suggestions have been made to pay people for donating, however there are concerns about the dangers of that. Do you think we should pay people for these donations?

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Should we pay people for giving blood?
  • 31.8% Yes, it makes sense
    31.8% Complete
  • 50.7% No, that's too risky
    50.7% Complete
  • 17.6% I'd need more information
    17.6% Complete
2141 votes
465 days ago

Haven Falls Funeral Home Ki Rotorua

Haven Falls

Haven Falls are very blessed to be opening their new branch in Rotorua.

Located at 271 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua these facilities offer a large chapel, dining hall and extended off road parking.

We invite you at anytime to pop in and speak with one of our team members and have a look around … View more
Haven Falls are very blessed to be opening their new branch in Rotorua.

Located at 271 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua these facilities offer a large chapel, dining hall and extended off road parking.

We invite you at anytime to pop in and speak with one of our team members and have a look around the facilities offered.

We operate 24 hours 7 days a week.
0800 428366
Find out more

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467 days ago

Daffodil Day Volunteers wanted!

Pip Stephenson from Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society - Rotorua

The Cancer Society needs you!

Help the Cancer Society raise vital funds this Daffodil Day on Friday 25th August.

Volunteering just two hours of your time can make a big difference for Kiwis living with cancer.

Sign up below!

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468 days ago

Spark a little hope this Christmas

Christmas Box

Meeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.
View more
Meeting an ever increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food, it brings a reminder that people care. By alleviating some of the pressure families feel, especially in the time of inflation and cost-of-living, a Christmas Box sparks hope that goes beyond Christmas.

Don’t wait for December, it’s time to start thinking about how you can help today!

For just $40 a box, you can give the gift of hope and 100% of your donation will go to families who are doing it tough this year. Your generosity makes a difference.
Find out more

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468 days ago

Learn These Power Terms and SAVE MONEY!

The Team from NZ Compare

Have you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!

If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it … View more
Have you ever tried to look for a new power plan to end up stuck, super confused by all the specific lingo that’s used? Things like kWh, standard vs. low users, or free hours of power? Don’t get us started on controlled and anytime meters!

If you’re unsure of some of these terms, it really won’t help you feel confident in comparing different plans. We don’t want to see our Neighbours get tripped up and stuck with a big bill this chilly season!

So to help you, we’ve put together a list of all the power terminology that you need to know!
Learn the terms

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474 days ago

Poll: Is 30kph the new 50kph?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The government's Road to Zero project seeks to set speed limits at 30kph in suburban streets across New Zealand. Do you think this is a good idea?

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Is 30kph the new 50kph?
  • 20.8% Yes
    20.8% Complete
  • 76.6% No
    76.6% Complete
  • 2.6% I don't know
    2.6% Complete
5192 votes
472 days ago

The Coromandel Good for your soul

Destination Hauraki Coromandel

Reconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown … View moreReconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown creativity and hospitality.

Soak in our thermal springs, be inspired by our artists and artisans, breathe in the scent of our great outdoors or savour our homegrown flavours. However you do it, come and winter our way.
Find out more

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472 days ago

Paint it red with Resene for Red Nose Day!

Resene

Hello neighbours! Want to help put a big smile on little faces? Buy any red testpot (60 mL) from your local Resene owned ColorShop between 13-31 July 2023 and Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids.

The more red testpots you buy, the more will be donated!
Paint it red now!

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472 days ago

Product recall - Nationwide

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Countdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).

What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date … View more
Countdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).

What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date of 23/11/2024, 24/11/2024 and 25/11/2024
- If you have purchased this product, do not consume. You can return the product to this store for a full refund.

You can see past product recalls here.

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472 days ago

What's your favourite spring salad? Share your recipe

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

There's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every … View moreThere's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the September issue of NZ Gardener.

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