Latest news with #Mumsnet
Daily Record
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Banish smelly shoe odours with 50p kitchen cupboard staple
Expert tips to keep your shoes fresh during the warm summer weather. Temperatures in the UK are soaring this week, and while this is great news for many, the warmer weather often result in smelly, sweaty shoes. If you've been searching for ways to keep bad smells at bay, you're not alone. Hacks for banishing your shoe odours recently amassed 72.4 billion views on TikTok as part of the #cleantok trend. Whether it's from commutes, summer sports, or long school days, moisture builds up fast in shoes, and the sour smell becomes near impossible to avoid. Julian Nelson, footwear expert and founder of A Fine Pair of Shoes, has shared an unusual shares hack to solve your smelly problems. Using just rice and an old sock to absorb excess moisture, Julian said your bad smells will banish overnight. He added: "Uncooked rice is a natural desiccant, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air, and in this case, from inside your shoes. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. 'You can also add bicarbonate of soda and salt to boost the effect; the bicarb neutralises smells, while salt helps kill off bacteria." Unlike quick fixes like shoe sprays or machine washing, this trick is gentle on footwear and reusable, making it ideal for school shoes, leather work shoes, or canvas trainers. Julia said: "Washing shoes in a machine can ruin the structure and glue, especially in heat, but this is a dry solution that actually works." The surprising hack is already doing the rounds online and receiving rave reviews from those who have tried it out. On Mumsnet , one parent said: "I just today attempted 'natural odour absorbers' made out of old, odd socks with uncooked rice and bicarb, plus a few drops of essential oils. Tie the end in a knot and voila. I've put some inside shoes which are the pongiest… so far it smells nicer." And in a Facebook group for youth dancers , one user asked how to clean shoes that 'smell like death', and another recommended to "pack socks full of rice, sew them shut and stick one into each shoe. The rice absorbs the moisture." Julian added: "It's simple, affordable and surprisingly effective, and in this week's heat, it's the best way to keep shoes fresh without resorting to harsh chemicals." How to try it yourself Fill a clean sock with uncooked rice (about half a cup per shoe) Add 1 tsp of bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of essential oil (optional) Tie the sock shut Pop one sock into each shoe overnight and repeat whenever the shoes start to smell Vittoria Wellen‑Bombelli, shoe expert and supply chain coordinator at wide fit shoe specialists Pavers, previously gave her lowdown on shoe-cleaning hacks - including one surprising trick involving a teabag. Vittoria commented: "Do opt for a scented tea bag, such as green tea, to deodorise your shoes instead of regular tea bags, as this smell isn't particularly favourable and you're unlikely to notice any benefit. "Avoid placing a tea bag inside of your shoes after a particularly wet walk, as this could actually cause the tea bag to leak inside of your shoes, leaving unwanted stains."
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
'My daughter's school enforces a required equipment rule that could cost me a fortune'
A mum took to the internet to share her outrage after discovering her daughter's school introduced a new rule A mum has criticised her daughter's school for a 'daft' rule after fretting that it could cost her dearly. Parents will know well that having children does not come cheap. There is also no shortage of things mums and dads need to buy and this is especially true when it comes to school supplies. Pencils, textbooks, uniforms, shoes and backpacks are just some of the many essentials little ones need to help them learn. But one item, which isn't new but may not be considered a must-have, pushed one mum over the edge, prompting her to vent her frustrations online. The mother detailed how her 12-year-old returned home with a pink water bottle, which was a departure from the usual plastic Evian bottle she takes to school daily. After discussing it with her daughter, she learned that the school is pushing for waste reduction and is thus urging students to reuse their new, school-branded water bottles in class. While she supports the eco-friendly move, the mum raised concerns about the potential expense as her daughter has a habit of misplacing bottles. Sharing her struggle on parenting forum Mumsnet last year, she explained: "My daughter brought home a pink water bottle yesterday, I thought she'd brought home somebody else's, as she usually takes a bottle of Evian because she's forever losing them. "No, this is a new required equipment, with the school logo, her name, and form on it. I'm just worried that she'll lose it and I'll have to pay for a replacement, and another, and another." While the initiative received backing from all users on the forum, some questioned the need for the bottles to feature the school's emblem. A fellow parent commented: "My daughter's school has similar after a big thing to reduce waste, though no name on theirs, so what happens is as they get lost, they're all brought together so kids that lose them come and grab one with the right form colour lid. "This helps, I guess, more often, I find hers sitting on the table while she's at school - like right now." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Another user agreed: "Much better for the environment than single-use plastic. "Our school stipulates reusable water bottles but they can be any, not the school logo." A third user shared: "My daughter's secondary school has recently started this. Instead of buying a drink in a bottle, they buy a token and fill their bottles from a filling point. One more user added: "Seems quite a good idea - much better than taking in bottles of Evian every day and throwing away the bottles." What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman Wonders If Working from Home Is a ‘Backward Step for Women' After Taking on More Household Tasks Than Her Husband
A woman on Mumsnet said she works from home and takes on more domestic tasks than her husband 'I am picking up most of the domestic tasks, shopping, cleaning, loading the dishwasher, cooking, running children around,' she explained of her household duties Now, she's questioning whether the WFH lifestyle is a 'backward step for women,' considering her scenarioA wife is wondering if working from home is worth all the hype. In a post on the U.K. forum Mumsnet, the woman explained how she and her husband worked from home during COVID, but now, her husband goes into the office three times a week while she goes in once a month. 'We both work full time and both have demanding jobs. When he is in the office he gets up around 8, showers and goes into the office. I am picking up most of the domestic tasks, shopping, cleaning, loading the dishwasher, cooking, running children around, etc.,' she wrote. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! However, she added that she had noticed that working from home 'has resulted in me taking on more at home while he gets to swan about — that is a simplification but you get what I mean.' The increased workload made the wife question the WFH lifestyle. 'The more I think about it the more I think it is a backward step for women and although at times WFH is very convenient it actually means longer hours, I often start work at 6.30am, and more of the domestic tasks expected to fall on women's shoulders,' she wrote. She turned to the forum to ask if this was the 'experience of others' and if she should return to the office. Most of the users didn't think this was an issue about women, but more so an issue in her marriage. 'I think it falls to whoever is at home, not my experience that it is the woman choosing to work from home more. If you can go into the office more why don't you? And also you shouldn't be working extra hours, why would you work for free?' one commentator wrote. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Others found working from home to be beneficial. 'No, I think WFH has been liberating for many women and many couples. This does seem to be a bit more about the man you married and your domestic imbalance,' one person replied. 'For a start, what's stopping him getting up at the same time as you and getting stuck into his domestic responsibilities before he leaves for work?' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman Says She's Started Moving on After Her Ex-Husband Left Her for Someone Else. Now, He Wants to Come Back
A woman sought advice on the U.K.-based community forum Mumsnet, sharing that she had just begun to move on after her ex-husband left her for another woman — but now he wants to come back "I was wrecked but got on with it because I had to," she wrote of the breakup Readers overwhelmingly advised the woman to not entertain the idea of reconciling with her exA woman is unsure if she should take her husband back — months after he left her for someone else. She detailed her dilemma in a post on the U.K.-based community forum Mumsnet, beginning by explaining that her ex left her in February. He "said 'he wasn't happy' and 'needed time to figure himself out,' which basically meant he'd been seeing someone else," the OP (original poster) wrote. After he walked out, she was left to pick up the pieces at home. 'He moved in with her sharpish, left me with two kids under 6 and a mortgage to deal with. I was wrecked but got on with it because I had to," she wrote. Just as she had begun to move on with her life, her mother-in-law called to tell her that her ex had been hospitalized after an incident at a bar. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! 'He got into it with some bloke outside a pub who was kicking off at his new girlfriend. Tried to break it up and got badly hurt,' the OP said. She took their kids to see him in the hospital. While she was relieved that he seemed OK, she was surprised to learn that he had a change of heart about being with her. 'It was honestly surreal. He looked at me like he hadn't seen me in years. Got emotional, said he's been stupid, wants to come home, wants his family back,' the OP recalled. She said her mother-in-law 'is acting like I should just forgive and forget,' and sending messages that he is still the father of their kids and not to do anything hasty. But the OP insisted she was not eager to get back together with her ex as she's just beginning to heal from how the relationship ended. 'I'm not sure I even want him back," she explained. "I've only just stopped crying every night. I've started sorting myself out again and even been chatting to someone new. Nothing serious, but he's kind and makes me laugh. Ex hasn't even apologized properly for what he put me through.' The woman said she's struggling to forget all the hurt that led to this point. 'I keep thinking about how quick he left. And now he's lying in a hospital bed feeling sorry for himself and suddenly remembers he had a family? It's all a bit too convenient," she wrote. In the comments section of her post, most readers had the same take on the situation, urging the OP to continue moving forward and not entertain her ex's request to reconcile. 'Say NO,' one person wrote. 'He showed you who he is. You're rebuilding your life. Keep going! Best off without him!' 'Absolutely not!" another agreed. "He's done it once and if you forgive him he'll do it again. He made his bed, now he can lie in it." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. One commenter suggested that she remain civil for the sake of their children and let her ex's "meddling" mom handle the rest. 'Support him (if you wish) for the sake of the kids, but never take him back. He can move in with his mum if she wants him,' they wrote. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bridesmaid Says She's Getting ‘Itchy Feet' 20 Days Before Friend's Wedding: ‘We're No Longer Close'
A Mumsnet user is wondering if she should back out of her friend's wedding with only 20 days to go before the event The woman said that she and the bride-to-be have grown apart in recent years, but still said yes to being a bridesmaid "I thought it might rekindle our old close friendship again," she explained, but she has felt ignored during wedding planningA woman is having second thoughts about being a bridesmaid at her friend's wedding that is less than a month away. She turned to the community forum Mumsnet for advice, explaining that she was 'emotional' about her decision and wanted to 'know what others would do.' The woman detailed that there was a lot of history between her and her friend, whom she's known since elementary school. Five years ago, her friend was a bridesmaid at her wedding, but their friendship is no longer as strong as it once was. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! 'We were extremely close until about 3 years ago, just after my first child was born. I can't really pinpoint a problem or time that we started to distance. Weekly texts became monthly, and I felt like I did 80% of the check-ins,' she wrote. After looking over their messages, she didn't feel that either side did anything wrong. "I hardly spoke about my child with her and I tried to arrange child free meet up's with her. I can't imagine it being because I had a child — she was always quite anti having children until recently," she added. The woman figured she and the bride-to-be 'drifted,' but was surprised when her friend asked her to be in her wedding. 'I said yes, and thought it might rekindle our old close friendship again,' she said. However, the woman said that her hope didn't come to fruition. 'We've met up since with the other bridesmaids and it's been a lovely time when we meet but I almost feel a bit like I can feel their friendships are closer than ours. The [bachelorette party] was a great time but a clear feeling of who she was closer too,' she said, adding that her offers to help with the wedding have been ignored. She continued, 'Our messages are quite generic — almost like you're talking to an acquaintance. Sometimes she will reply asking how me and the kids are but then ignore me after, I feel like she doesn't really care.' The wedding is in 20 days and she was 'starting to get itchy feet" about being a bridesmaid. 'Part of me feels we're no longer close but at the same time, the bride hasn't been nasty or mean. Do I just show up on the day and then fade things out? I've already brought my dress, paid the make up artist and hair stylist,' she said, Her husband has told her to attend and then let the friendship fizzle and users were in agreement that she shouldn't back out this close to the wedding. 'It would be extremely childish not to turn up because you're feeling jealous of her other friendships. You say she hasn't said or done anything unkind to you, you've just drifted apart so to dramatically resign from being her BM or to just not turn up sounds really unnecessary,' one person wrote, adding that they did not know what she was hoping to achieve. 'You say you enjoyed the [bachelorette party] and the meets ups with the other bridesmaids, so go and enjoy the wedding and then if you want to let the friendship drift again afterwards you're free to do so I suppose, but I'm honestly not sure what it is you want from her,' that person continued. 'Just see your commitment through and pull away after that,' another encouraged. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In various updates, the original poster felt the bride only asked because she was her bridesmaid, and once again listed all the ways she felt her friend was not keeping her involved in the wedding plans. Still, she has decided to go to the wedding. 'I will show on the day with a smile on my face and remember how long we have been friends and the good days we had together. Then I'll fade into the distance,' she wrote. Read the original article on People
