els with C lean gla ss door paanr for a diluted white vineg ish gleaming fin
Household
HINTS Freshen up your home with our handy tips and tricks
Photo @fromcity2suburb on Instagram
HOW TO... transform your front door After creating your dream interior scheme, the front door might look a little flat next to your fresh décor inside. But a new door can be costly, so follow our top tips to give your existing one a makeover…
thorough dust with a dry microfibre cloth. Spray hinges and locks with WD40, then wash the door with warm soapy water and dry with a clean cloth.
• For a quick style update, switch out any old, rusty hardware with co-ordinating handles. Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas, either – add a splash of colour with faux or real flowers for a cheery welcome.
• If you have glass in or above your door, why not transform it with window film? It’s self-adhesive, is often made or cut to size and, if you have a steady hand, easy to stick on yourself. Choose from bespoke designs that feature your house number, delicate repetitive patterns or even replica stainedglass window effects to add character.
• You can paint your door if you’re still not keen on it – but, depending on the material, it may involve lengthy prepping and drying times. Remove any hardware and ensure the door has had a thorough clean. Use decorating tape to mask off anything you can’t remove (block out glass panels by taping down paper that’s been cut to size). Sand the door with medium grade sandpaper, then go over with fine grade sandpaper. Remove any dust with a sugar soap solution before painting. We love Julie’s (@fromcity2suburb on Instagram) bright entrance (top right) – she’s also painted her kitchen cabinets the same shade to create continuity in her home.
Buy it once If you’re a keen cook or upcycler, you may be left with stubborn food or paint odours on your hands. Stainless steel is known to neutralise odours, but instead of turning to your cutlery drawer, keep this stainless steel soap, priced at £5.95 from Clean Living, by your sink. To use it, simply rub it on your hands under cool running water to banish scents.
HACK Remove particularly difficult hard water stains on stainless steel taps and bathroom accessories by soaking a piece of kitchen towel in white vinegar. Wrap the towel around the tap and leave for 30 minutes. Remove and wipe away any remaining residue. The acid in the vinegar will break down the limescale found in hard water marks, leaving you with a sparkling bathroom.
July 2022
11
Feature Sophie Ellis Photo Getty Images
• Firstly, clear away dirt by giving the door a
