How to load the dishwasher correctly is something of a hot topic among cleaning fans. Cutlery handle up or down? To pre-rinse or not to pre-rinse? It’s a minefield.

But cleaning obsessives are now putting dishcloths in there alongside their usual mugs and crockery. This care and cleaning hack is one of the more unconventional we’ve seen, however many cleaning lovers are raving about the trick.

Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd

We get through an alarming number of dishcloths each week – or even each day if we’ve done a lot of cooking. According to cleaning groups on Facebook, putting clothes in the dishwasher is an effective way of banishing grime and germs.

There are now endless cleaning hacks online, some claiming to help you perform standard household tasks like cleaning the oven in the blink of an eye. We think we’ll stick to putting ours in the washing machine as we don’t like the idea of cleaning cloths mixing in with our kitchenware.

Image credit: Colin Poole

While it might seem bonkers, some claim that it’s actually much more hygienic than using the washing machine. This is due to the higher temperatures our dishwashers can reach.

Cleaning fanatics are placing the cloths on the top rack of the dishwasher. Others are even throwing washing up sponges in to be cleaned with their plates, bowls and cutlery.

Some people are saying it’s a lot more effective than soaking cleaning cloths or putting them in the washing machine. There are some hardwearing scourers that can go in the dishwasher, meaning you can use them for longer, but it’s not something we’d do all the time.

Dishwasher | Beautiful Kitchens tour

We think Marigold’s microfibre cloths from Amazon are among the best cleaning products for everyday cleaning. When it comes to cleaning them, we usually keep used ones in a bucket under the sink and wash them along with tea towels when the pile starts to grow.

If your dishcloths have seen better days or have been burnt, stock up on some tea towels at Amazon to help keep the kitchen clean. Would you try this cleaning hack?

The post Cleaning lovers are washing their dishcloths in the dishwasher appeared first on Ideal Home.

The boundaries between Halloween and Christmas are starting to become more blurred than working out when to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas. First came Halloween trees, now this year Poundland has launched a range of spooky Halloween nutcrackers to get your home ready for the spooky season.

Forget fake bats and spider webs, nutcrackers are set to be the number-one decoration in town to help you celebrate Halloween at home in style this year. Traditionally a Christmas decoration, Poundland has brought out a range of spooky figures in the usual nutcracker style – a collab Jack Skellington would be proud of.

The Christmas decoration cross-over comes dressed as Count Dracula, Frankenstein and even a skeleton in a top hat. Crazily creepy, but just right for bringing a novel touch to your home – and, of course, those Instagram photo-snapping moments!

Poundland Halloween Nutcrackers

Now, it’s said that the original Christmas nutcrackers, dressed as mini toy soldiers, were a symbol of good luck, frightening away any evil spirits and protecting your home. In our book, that makes these Poundland versions perfect for Halloween!

Image credit: Poundland

Line the figures upon a mantelpiece or have them in your window ready to greet trick or treaters – they’re sure to get a smile. The best part is, each of the nutcrackers is only £2, so they won’t break the bank and you could get the whole set.

Or, why not have them guarding a festive snack table? Poundland has lots of Halloween-themed plates, cups and edible snacks to make it devilishly fun, including (our favourite) milk chocolate eyeballs!

Image credit: Poundland

Surround your figures with Poundland’s Halloween tinsel, light-up spiders and ghosts and hanging bats to make a truly spooky display. Hang some fake cobwebs, add some easy pumpkin ideas, a few LED tealight candles and dim the lights to set the scene.

Image credit: Poundland

We think these nutcrackers would make a great gift for anyone going to a Halloween party or gathering this year, too. Would you buy just one, or all three? And if you had to choose, which would it be?

Image credit: Poundland

Have these nutcrackers made your list for Halloween must-haves this year? If so, you’ll be pleased to know that they’re in store now, but it’s always worth ringing ahead to check they have them in stock.

Well done Poundland, we think they’re fab-BOO-lous!

The post Are Poundland’s Halloween nutcrackers the ultimate festive decoration crossover? appeared first on Ideal Home.