Karori, Wellington

The Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2021 event map is now live! 🌻✅

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

To find a public event near you, visit: neighboursday.org.nz/find-an-event

If you have already registered your event and want to make it public, email kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz and they will add it to the map. If you haven't registered yet, tick 'Yes - please list it on the Neighbours … View moreTo find a public event near you, visit: neighboursday.org.nz/find-an-event

If you have already registered your event and want to make it public, email kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz and they will add it to the map. If you haven't registered yet, tick 'Yes - please list it on the Neighbours Day website' to have your event included when you sign-up.

How to Clean a Suede Couch

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

Suede couches add a timeless elegance to homes. They are nice to look at, comfortable, and fuzzy. They are also quite a large investment, which is why it can be so upsetting to either watch a stain being formed or find a dried food stain.

A lot of people assume that suede, and faux-suede, are … View moreSuede couches add a timeless elegance to homes. They are nice to look at, comfortable, and fuzzy. They are also quite a large investment, which is why it can be so upsetting to either watch a stain being formed or find a dried food stain.

A lot of people assume that suede, and faux-suede, are difficult to clean due to their fuzziness, but this could not be further from the truth. In this article, we will show you how to protect your couch and how to remove some common stains but, before that, it is good to understand what suede is.

What is Suede?
Suede is a soft, supple type of leather made from the underside of an animal and is mostly used for creating bags, shoes, clothing, and furniture. The warm and fuzzy texture of suede comes from all of the small, raised fibres (or nap), which cover the outside of the leather.

What is Suedette?
Suedette is a man-made alternative to natural suede. It is usually made from cotton or rayon, which has been given a suede finish. This is a great option for those that want the look of suede without using animal products or for those on a budget.

How to clean a suede couch
Cleaning a delicate fabric like suede may seem like a nightmare but, with a little bit of care and attention, you can keep your couch-stain free and protect it from most of the wear and tear caused by daily life. Follow the instructions below to find out what you’ll need, as well as how to clean suede.

Before you start
• Use an upholstery cleaner specifically for suede;
• Always refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions before cleaning;
• Make sure that the room your suede couch is in is well ventilated; open windows and turn on any fans;
• Use a painter’s face mask if it is difficult to air the room, or if you’re worried about the aerosol cleaner;
• If you have a new couch or are trying out a new cleaning spray, always test the product in an unseen area to make sure that your chosen cleaner does not affect the suede.

Things you will need
• Furniture cleaner for suede;
• A suede napping brush (these can be found at most shoe shops);
• A suede rubbing cloth;
• A vacuum cleaner;
• Brown gum eraser or a suede eraser;
• A dry sponge;

• Optional – a waterproofing spray or stain repellent; although these are optional they can help protect your couch for longer.

Weekly cleaning tasks: Cleaning a suede couch can be a daunting task, especially if has not been cleaned in a while, but maintaining that beautiful couch can be made a lot easier if you include it in your weekly cleaning schedule...
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

Friday Feathered Friend

Reporter Community News

We again feature a pic from Louise Thomas. This week it is a grey warbler/riroriro.

"Nice to see a grey warbler/riroriro (Gerygone igata) in the weekend. I'm not hearing them as much now the cicadas have cranked themselves up to full volume. It's probably the end of the breeding … View moreWe again feature a pic from Louise Thomas. This week it is a grey warbler/riroriro.

"Nice to see a grey warbler/riroriro (Gerygone igata) in the weekend. I'm not hearing them as much now the cicadas have cranked themselves up to full volume. It's probably the end of the breeding season as well. I was interested to read that only the males do the summer warbling, apparently the females only have a short chirp call. Don't ask me why this turkey is hanging upside down - there's always one."

Two 1Kg hand weights free to a good home

Steve from Thorndon

What can I add? The picture is worth all the words needed. Clean, good condition. Pick-up is in Thorndon.

Free

Small garden maintenance

Wendy from Kelburn

Does anyone know of someone who could mow a small lawn, spray a few insect pests and remove tree leaf litter from a Kelburn garden on a monthly basis please?

Window Cleaning & House Washing

Adam from Wellington Wash

Wellington Wash is your locally owned Exterior Cleaning Company.
Window Cleaning starts from $149
House Washing starts from $299

Get in touch for a FREE quote!
02041410521
www.wellingtonwash.com...

Way Back Wednesday

Reporter Community News

Any thoughts on the picture and where it was taken?

A warm welcome to Chorus

Neighbourly.co.nz

We're incredibly excited to be welcoming Chorus into our family of Neighbourly community partners.

Keep an eye out for their posts! The Chorus team will be sharing helpful advice and updates about Chorus' fibre broadband services in your community.

First and foremost, use this handy… View moreWe're incredibly excited to be welcoming Chorus into our family of Neighbourly community partners.

Keep an eye out for their posts! The Chorus team will be sharing helpful advice and updates about Chorus' fibre broadband services in your community.

First and foremost, use this handy tool to check your address to see if you can upgrade to New Zealand’s fastest, most reliable fibre broadband at your place.

Please join us in sending a very warm welcome to our friends at Chorus.

Stretcher Coleman Big Sky

Patricia from Wilton

Single stretcher - as new - foldable, lightweight but sturdy, with matching mattress - of top brand Colman.
Hardly used.
New $150-$190.

Pick up Wilton.

www.rebelsport.co.nz...

www.marine-deals.co.nz...

Price: $90

TV on offer (free) HAS BEEN TAKEN

Steve from Thorndon

Panasonic 37” Plasma (P37PV70AZ)
Worked well, no issues, but it is dated. Manufactured 2007.
Pick-up is in Thorndon (Kennard’s Storage on Hutt Road)

Free

Do you find your lawn tired?

Joshua from Kelburn Price Smart Landscaping and Gardeners

Ready lay lawn is the perfect solution for overnight fresh lush grass.
Cost-effective and extremely easy to maintain, ready lay lawn will guarantee you the best results.
Stop envying your neighbour’s lawn, with Price Smart you can have your own done instantly. We work with the best suppliers.
… View moreReady lay lawn is the perfect solution for overnight fresh lush grass.
Cost-effective and extremely easy to maintain, ready lay lawn will guarantee you the best results.
Stop envying your neighbour’s lawn, with Price Smart you can have your own done instantly. We work with the best suppliers.
Give us a call at 027 252 1771 or visit www.pricesmart.co.nz... for a reasonable estimate.

9 Home Cleaning Hacks Tested

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

The internet is awash with natural cleaning hacks. We put them to the test.


1. REMOVING A WATERMARK BY RUBBING WITH A WALNUT

The advice: Get rid of watermarks on wood by rubbing it with pieces of walnut (the nut not the shell).

How it worked: Vigorous rubbing was needed and we went … View moreThe internet is awash with natural cleaning hacks. We put them to the test.


1. REMOVING A WATERMARK BY RUBBING WITH A WALNUT

The advice: Get rid of watermarks on wood by rubbing it with pieces of walnut (the nut not the shell).

How it worked: Vigorous rubbing was needed and we went through a few walnuts, but gradually the watermark disappeared. A quick polish with a clean cloth to finish it off.

Worth repeating? Yes, we were surprised at how well it worked, we even tried it on larger surfaces and it did the trick there too. | Rating: 5/5


2. USE OIL TO GET RID OF GREASE STAINS ON STAINLESS STEEL


The advice: Use a smear of olive oil (or similar) on a rag to clean fingerprints and grease smears off stainless steel appliances.


How it worked: Like a dream! It was easier and neater than using the spray-on stainless steel cleaner I have been buying from the supermarket. Trick is not to use too much, you just need the slightest smear...

Keep reading (with pictures: www.curtainclean.co.nz...)

Kia Kaha, Stay Strong, New Zealand - NVE

Stacy White from New Vision Enterprises Ltd.

We, at #NVE, are thinking of all the people impacted by the earthquakes along the Kermadec Trench north of New Zealand, and also those waiting on high grounds for tsunami threats to pass.

These recent events, along with the ongoing pandemic, can be quite triggering for some, and we encourage you … View moreWe, at #NVE, are thinking of all the people impacted by the earthquakes along the Kermadec Trench north of New Zealand, and also those waiting on high grounds for tsunami threats to pass.

These recent events, along with the ongoing pandemic, can be quite triggering for some, and we encourage you to reach out and ask for help if you need it (call or text a trained counsellor for free at 1737. You're not alone.

From our family to yours, we hope that the weekend meets you all with strength and safety. #KiaKaha #StaySafe

#NZLicensedTradies #NZCentralHeating #KeepingYouWarm #NZHeating #DrainlayersNZ #NZPlumbers #PlumbingNZ #NZDrainlayers #NZPlumbing #NVE #NVEPlumbing #NZGasfitters #GasfittersNZ #SupportlLocal #NVEDrainage #NVEHeating #NVEGasfitting #NVERoofing #NVESkylights #NZFamilyOwned #CustomerSatisfaction #HomeRenos #RenosForYou #NewBuilds #CommercialServices #ResidentialServices #ProudToBeAPlumber

Keep it up Aotearoa! 💕

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

It's been heartwarming to hear stories from across the North Island of people taking others into their home and sharing a cup of tea together or fixing them a meal.

For the latest official updates:

Buying by tender: Did you write a letter?

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Hi folks,
My colleague Jo is writing a story about buying by tender, specifically, the new trend of writing letters to the vendor to explain why they should pick your offer over all the rest.
As the market gets harder and harder to break into, we've been hearing more and more about people … View moreHi folks,
My colleague Jo is writing a story about buying by tender, specifically, the new trend of writing letters to the vendor to explain why they should pick your offer over all the rest.
As the market gets harder and harder to break into, we've been hearing more and more about people trying to make a personal connection with vendors to give their tender offers the edge. We've heard folks will include personal details about their family, why the love the house and what their plans for the property are.
Jo would love to talk to anyone who's written a letter like this to accompany a tender - perhaps it's you, perhaps a relative or friend - or from vendors who've received letters like this, accompanying a tender.
Perhaps you asked for such letters?
We'd love to hear more about that experience for you and how it shaped the way the sale went.
You can reach out to jo here (she'll be joining the Neighbourly neighbourhood soon!) or via our email: homed@stuff.co.nz.
Looking forward to hearing your stories.