Mount Cook, Wellington

Fair play

Fair play

Whether it’s a playhouse, she shed or teenager’s sleepout, a stencil-painted floor in Resene Clockwork Orange will elevate it from meh to wow.

697 days ago

How to Get an Extra-Clean House for Allergy Sufferers

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Wellington (The Wash House)

If you live with someone allergic to dust mites, mould, pollen, pet hair or any one of the hundreds of allergens in household products, clean is not enough. A house needs to be extra-clean and allergen-proof to help make allergy sufferers as comfortable as possible. The alternative is sneezing, … View moreIf you live with someone allergic to dust mites, mould, pollen, pet hair or any one of the hundreds of allergens in household products, clean is not enough. A house needs to be extra-clean and allergen-proof to help make allergy sufferers as comfortable as possible. The alternative is sneezing, wheezing, coughing and watery eyes, all brought on by the presence of irritants that you can keep at bay with some extra attention.

Here’s how to get on top of some common irritants at your place:

1. Use allergy-friendly products
• Avoid using aerosol sprays as they are a common trigger for asthma sufferers. Even if you’re not standing near anyone, the high-pressure mist that the aerosol omits means the contents can spread a long way.
• Try to use environmentally-friendly products – what’s good for the environment is often better for us too.
• Avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, formaldehyde and sodium lauryl sulphate. Hunt out products that are free from these irritants or make your own natural cleaning products.

2. Keep a dust-free bedroom: It’s the dust mite droppings that many people react to (and news that there is dust mite poo in our bedding causes a reaction in the rest of us!). To keep bedding really clean, you will need to wash all bed linen regularly, preferably weekly. A man-made fibre like polyester is less likely to trap dust than natural fibres like cotton or linen.

Use a hypoallergenic mattress topper, duvet inner-cover and pillow protector and wash these at least monthly and replace them annually.

Keep stuffed animals to a minimum and wash those that remain regularly. Pull the bed out and vacuum underneath at least once a week, preferably daily. Don’t forget to dust side tables and vacuum underneath those as well.

3. Vacuum daily: Wooden or tiled floors are much easier to keep dust-free, but if you have carpet, a daily vacuum, especially in bedrooms, is a must. Use a vacuum cleaner made especially for allergy-sufferers – most will be fitted with HEPA filtration and powerhead.

Make sure you vacuum around the skirting boards and in crevices and vacuum around all beds at least twice. Empty canisters or vacuum bags regularly, sealing the bag well before disposal.

4. Use an air purifier: Even if you are taking the precautions outlined above, there will still be plenty of dust in your house – in fact some studies show that air pollution such as allergens and pollutants can be present in higher levels inside the home than outside! Air purifiers work to filter the allergens and pollutants from the air and improve the air quality.

5. Empty bins daily: The rubbish bin can omit toxins without you even realising, and they are a breeding ground for mould and germs. Empty bins every evening and disinfect with a hospital grade solution before lining with a plastic bag.

6. Beat doormats every day: Pollen and dust are tracked into our home constantly. Make sure you have a doormat on the outside and inside at every entry point to your home and shake these out regularly. Vacuum each indoor mat when you do your daily vacuum run. It’s a good idea to place a mat in the doorway of an allergy-sufferers bedroom for extra protection. Better yet, leave shoes outside.

7. Inspect for mould weekly: Mould is a common allergy trigger and its present absolutely everywhere. Don’t give it a chance to breed – wipe away small mould patches as soon as you find them with a paper towel and throw the paper towel in an outside bin. You can use a solution of three cups of water to five drops of Oil of Cloves (find it at your pharmacy) in a spray bottle to kill mould spores and prevent mould from growing.

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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697 days ago

Jam jars

Denise from Te Aro

About 20 jam jars, including some attractive and interesting shapes.

Free

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697 days ago

Jam jars

Denise from Te Aro

About 20 jam jars of all sizes, including some attractive and unusual shapes.

Free

698 days ago

Moving on from paper tickets

Metlink

Paper tickets are leaving the station. 🚊

From 31 December 2022, 10-trips and off-board single trip tickets won’t be sold at ticket offices or retailers. However, you can still pay on-board with cash.
Find out more

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698 days ago

Unveiling of artwork in Martinborough - this Wednesday

Denise Landow from Destination Wairarapa

Everyone is welcome to attend a special unveiling ceremony of a new artwork in Martinborough on Wednesday morning (7 Dec).

Join others at 8am to witness the event which formally gifts a hīnaki and tuna sculpture created by talented Wairarapa artists Sam Ludden and Violet Edwards-Hina, to the … View more
Everyone is welcome to attend a special unveiling ceremony of a new artwork in Martinborough on Wednesday morning (7 Dec).

Join others at 8am to witness the event which formally gifts a hīnaki and tuna sculpture created by talented Wairarapa artists Sam Ludden and Violet Edwards-Hina, to the Waihinga Centre.
The artists will be there to explains the korero behind the sculpture/weaving.

Destination Wairarapa is excited about the event and encourages everyone to attend for a memorable and moving experience.

Nau mai, haere mai.

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704 days ago

Poll: Are you able to get help with your health when needed?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.

The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled … View more
A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.

The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled ‘‘On The Brink’’ outlines the urgent need to address pay parity for GP nurses and doctors, beef up workforce numbers and improve funding allocations for practices with the hopes that this makes heatlhcare more accessible in the community.

Are you noticing delays in getting GP appointments or long waits at after-hours care?

Any comments below may be shared in your local paper's We Say You Say column.

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Are you able to get help with your health when needed?
  • 46.2% Wait times are too long - It's unacceptable.
    46.2% Complete
  • 30.8% I can get the help I need, it just takes longer.
    30.8% Complete
  • 7.7% I haven't noticed an issue.
    7.7% Complete
  • 15.3% I'm happy; I have no complaints.
    15.3% Complete
3445 votes
700 days ago

Household items.

Noel from Mount Cook

Moving house need to get rid of heaps of gear from oak chairs a set of 4 and 6, antique furniture, household items and as much as I can sell. To much to list. Ask me what you like. Loads of good quality clothes. Ornaments that are all good. Get back to me.

Negotiable

701 days ago

How to make your own Christmas terrarium

Resene

How to make your own Christmas terrarium painted in Resene.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Find out more

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701 days ago

Repaint a doll's bed

The Team from Resene ColorShop Basin Reserve

Breathe new life into an old children’s toy with a fun new look using only Resene testpots! Find out how to create your own.

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702 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Wellington

A progressive disease
I wasn’t an overweight child, but from as young as 5 years I can recall comparing myself unfavorably with two painfully thin twins in my dance class and thinking that was what I was supposed to look like. I’m not sure how I got the idea that I should be very thin.

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702 days ago

Ladies shoes

Peter from Oriental Bay

Gorgeous ladies shoes, size 38, barely worn, high quality. $60 a pair, see photo. Various brands: LK Bennet, Bruno Magli, Selby, Valeria Grossi, Ramirez

Call Ruth 0272862928
Wellington

Price: $60

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702 days ago

Ladies shoes

Peter from Oriental Bay

Gorgeous ladies shoes, size 38, barely worn, high quality. $30 a pair, see photo. Various brands: LK Bennet, Bruno Magli, Selby, Valeria Grossi, Ramirez

Call Ruth 0272862928
Wellington

Price: $30

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702 days ago

Rocking Chair

Peter from Oriental Bay

Delightful rimu rocking chair, very solid.

Dimensions:
Height: 99cm
Width: 65cm
Seat depth: 47cm

Call Peter for details: 0275484519
Wellington

Price: $80

703 days ago

Be in to win with Southern Cross Pet

Southern Cross Pet Insurance

Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View more
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.

Ends 21 December 2022
Enter Now

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704 days ago

Home and property inspiration delivered to your inbox

Homed

What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

Homed newsletter keeps you on top of the real estate market, takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, give you a taste of how … View more
What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?

Homed newsletter keeps you on top of the real estate market, takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, give you a taste of how celebrities live, keep you up to date with interior trends, provide project ideas, and more. Be inspired to dream big about your own space - and get on the path to making those dreams come true. Sign up for free here.
Find out more

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