Cruise industry leaders convening in Genoa at the industry’s first European Summit devoted to decarbonisation of cruise have called on governments to join in the effort by creating the right regulatory framework and investments to match the industry’s commitment to accelerate development and delivery of sustainable maritime fuels and technologies necessary to achieve net-zero carbon cruising by 2050.

Amazon Prime Day is on the horizon, and it’s time to start making a note of the kind of deals you want to snap up. Last year saw Amazon offer impressive prices on both essentials and splurge pieces, meaning that regardless of what you’re looking for, there’s bound to be a deal for you. From mattresses to small appliances, there’s a saving to be made across brands such as Shark, Simba, Nespresso and more.

Amazon Prime Day will take place on the 12th and the 13th of July this year, so it’s worth holding off on any purchases that are likely to be discounted. You can get a sneak peek by heading to look at Amazon deals that are already live. That’s especially true if it’s an item that might cost you a fair amount, so you can prioritise that cash for something else. As far as tactics for the day itself are concerned, it’s worthwhile to bookmark anything you really want, and check back on the day itself to make sure you’re getting a good price. Scroll through to find worthwhile deals that are already live before the big day, if you just can’t wait to start shopping.

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Amazon deals – quick links

Head straight to the deals live on Amazon now by using the links below.

• Amazon lightning deals
• Amazon deals under £15
• Amazon home & kitchen deals
• Amazon garden & outdoor deals

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Amazon Prime Day last year – what happened?

Amazon Prime Day last year fell on the 21st and 22nd of June last year, and we saw everything from cheap smart speakers (the Echo Dot was only £24.99) to bargain robot vacuums, some pretty incredible discounts on luxury mattresses such as Emma and Simba, and coffee machines deals aplenty. Among the most popular of deals was definitely household bulk buys, to name a few, we saw a 110-pack of  Finish All-in-One Max Dishwasher Tablets selling fast, as well as a 54-pack of Andrex Toilet Rolls. We think it’s safe to say that Amazon Prime Day 2021 was a success in all departments.

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When is Prime Day this year?

Prime Day 2022 shouldn’t be too far away now, and while we aren’t exactly sure of when it will be, we can assume it’s likely to be in mid-July. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with the exact dates as soon as we know, so you can feel prepared.

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What to buy during Amazon Prime Day?

Mattresses

Amazon Prime day mattress deals were impressive in 2021’s sale event – the Emma was on sale, as was the Simba, and both for cheap prices, too. Deals also went way beyond just cheap mattresses – it was the prime (see what we did there?) time to buy pillows, mattress toppers.. you get the idea. See what’s still on sale…

Related: the best mattresses to buy in 2022

Head to our Amazon Prime Day mattress deals page for more offers next year

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Kitchen buys

It would be a smart idea to spend some money on your kitchen during the Amazon Prime Day sales. During Prime Day last year, we spotted everything from cookware to bestselling appliances and more, all on sale for cheap prices. This includes Nespresso coffee machines, a Ninja blender, the Instant Pot and lots of air fryers. Here’s what’s still discounted…

Check out our Amazon Prime Day kitchen deals for all of those specific discounts

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Vacuums

Prime Day also makes a pretty great time to buy a new vacuum cleaner, and the last event brought lots of impressive deals to light. The popular Numatic Henry vacuum was on sale, and there were plenty of Shark vacuums discounted, too. Not to mention robot vacuums were being sold for super cheap prices, and handheld models had their prices slashed, such as the Shark Cordless Vacuum. See Amazon vacuum deals below…

Related: the best vacuum cleaners to buy in 2021

See our page for Amazon Prime Day vacuum deals this year– as they come in

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What is Amazon Prime Day?

For two days only, once a year, Amazon slash its prices during an event called Amazon Prime Day. This event is for Prime members only, hence the name, while it’s a great opportunity to buy anything from a mattress to a vacuum cleaner or an appliance, on sale. In other words, it’s an ideal time to save some money. And who can resist a bargain? Not us, that’s for sure.

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Is Amazon Prime Day better than Black Friday?

Yes and no. It definitely depends on what you want to buy. Black Friday can’t really be compared to Amazon Prime Day as Black Friday is celebrated by almost every retailer out there, so if what you are looking to buy is sold at Amazon then we would say go for it during Amazon Prime Day. Why? This event should fall before Black Friday as it has done in the past, so it makes complete sense if you can score a deal earlier, then why not? Also, Amazon Prime Day shouldn’t be as hectic as Black Friday is, and during Amazon Prime Day you need only check the price of what you want to buy on one website, as oppose to checking across several sites. All in all, Amazon Prime Day is easier to find a great deal and it’s before Black Friday, so we would say try and score a deal then. If not, then wait for Black Friday…

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How do I access Amazon Prime Day deals?

To get your mitts on the deals come Prime Day, you’ll need to sign up for an Amazon Prime account. Already have one? Brilliant. Never had one? It’s still good news, as you’ll be eligible for a free trial. We don’t suggest starting this free trial until the date of Amazon Prime Day 2021 is announced, as it’s only free for 30 days. With this membership, you will get access to all of the Amazon Prime Day deals as they arrive on-site, and you’ll also get free next-day delivery so you can enjoy your bargains straightaway. Because who wants to wait around for their goodies to arrive?

Even better? Prime memberships come with access to Prime Video, Prime Reading, Amazon Music and so much more. If you are a student, a Prime membership is a reduced price. Also, if someone in your household already has Amazon Prime, you can now be added to their account and enjoy the same benefits. Kids can be added, too.

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What is a Lightning deal?

Lightning Deals are what Amazon Prime Day is all about. An item will go on sale at a discount for a limited time (usually for a few hours, max) or until a certain number have been sold.

On any Lightning deal, you’ll see a timer counting down how long you have to claim the deal and a percentage bar that shows how many of that particular item has already been purchased or are in a customer’s basket. When stocks are really low, you might be added to a Waitlist. This means that if a shopper has the item in their basket but doesn’t go through to checkout, you might still have a chance to grab it. You’ll need to be quick, though!

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Amazon Prime Day tips – 3 things you need to know

1. Write a list

Before you start shopping during Amazon Prime Day, write a list of what you actually want, and stick to it! It’s all too easy to be distracted by – and waste money on – reduced-price items that, in reality, you’ll barely ever use. Make a note of what you are after a few weeks or a month or so before the event and check out their prices ahead of Prime Day. Write these prices down and compare them on the day to check you are actually getting a good deal.

2. Do your research

‘Wow – a 4K, 46inch TV reduced to £80! I’ve not heard of the brand but surely I’d be MAD not to buy it?!’

OK, so maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but you should always ask yourself why the item is so cheap. If the picture or sound quality of that £80 TV is so poor it’s unwatchable, you’ll only have to replace it with something more expensive down the line, and all the while you could have missed out on a really good deal on a really good set. Check the reviews of whatever you are buying too if you need more in-depth information.

3. Use the Amazon app’s Watch-a-Deal feature

Download the Amazon app and you can also take advantage of the ‘Watch-A-Deal’ feature. This sends an alert whenever an item you want goes on offer. To get alerted when your deals start, open the app, go to the menu and select Settings, then tap Notifications. Turn on Watched and Waitlisted deals.

Next, go into Today’s Deals and add any Upcoming Deals that you’re interested in to your Waitlist. Now as soon as a deal starts, a notification will pop up on your phone screen, so you don’t miss it.

Good luck, and remember – it’s only a bargain if you really need it!

The post Amazon Prime Day home deals for 2022 – your ultimate guide appeared first on Ideal Home.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. we’re spending more time outdoors than ever. But while there are garden ideas aplenty, many of them require a lot of work or cost a pretty penny.

TV presenter and interiors influencer, Louise Roe, has exclusively shared with us how she styles her outdoor space to perfection – without having to take out a mortgage. Her favourite trick? Inspired by the relaxed vibes of Provence, she uses vintage and pre-loved items to create a beautifully Bohemian space on a budget.

Louise Roe’s stylish outdoor space secret

So, how does the style guru make her outdoor space into something special without the price tag?

‘With vintage,’ Louise Roe said to us. ‘We often use vintage for indoors but never consider it for the garden. I love finding old rugs, vintage bamboo tables and chairs and crockery, to give it a more timeless feel. I set up searches on e-Bay when I get obsessed with styles and items. Plus, I actually love the thrill of things coming up unexpectedly!’

‘Adding these one of a kind pre-loved pieces can really make a smaller space feel special. And it’s a great way to make the area your own.’

Choosing vintage pieces means you’re guaranteed to have a unique look in your outdoor space. Plus, it doesn’t matter if you have acres of lawn to play with or a tiny balcony – there’s something to fit both large and small garden ideas.

‘A bistro set is a lovely way to create a sweet Brasserie moment in a limited space,’ suggests Louise. ‘They usually fold away, so can be very practical. Little rattan lanterns are a nice touch in smaller spaces, too, and I love a hanging plant!’

It’s not just style and budget garden ideas that looking for secondhand pieces bring, however. By purchasing a pre-loved item you’re being eco-conscious and helping the environment.

Louise Roe has partnered with eBay to create an edit of her favourite garden products to buy this summer.

There are so many vintage outdoor pieces out there – and some seriously stylish one on the edit – but unless you have ample storage, our tip is to make sure you’re buying something that will work indoors as well as out. After all, the British summer only lasts so long!

The post Louise Roe reveals her secret for creating a stylish outdoor space on a budget appeared first on Ideal Home.

When a fan’s blades are spinning, we don’t tend to notice just how much dust they’re collecting. But if your fan’s been working overtime recently, you might have become aware of just how grubby it is.

The best fans draw in a lot of air, some of which contains dust and dirt, which sticks to the fan motor and blades. Careful cleaning will extend the lifespan of your fan greatly and even reduce your running costs, says Chris Michael, Managing Director at Meaco.

Luckily, it’s a pretty straightforward process, whether you’re giving your tower fan a quick once-over without taking it apart, or giving your desk fan a deep cleanse after digging it out of the cupboard. Here’s how to clean a fan to get it looking shiny and new.

Make sure you take a look at your instruction guide or the manufacturer’s website to see whether the steps in this guide are appropriate.

How to clean a desk fan

1. Unplug everything

Safety is everything here, so don’t do anything without first unplugging the fan from the mains. Make sure there are no trailing wires while you’re working, too, and keep the plug away from any cleaning fluid or water while you work.

2. Carefully take your fan apart

Grab a screwdriver and get to work. We’ll note first, however, that all fans are different and your first move should be to read the instructions before taking anything apart.

If you were the one who assembled it in the first place, then it should be simple to simply reverse this process. However, if the fan arrived in its full form, make sure you know what you’re doing. Taking apart your fan can also affect your warranty, so consider this before doing anything.

If you’re feeling confident, the face and rear grills of your fan are likely to be secured with some screws (don’t lose these!). Place the fan face down on a flat surface and carefully remove the screws to access the blades. This will help prevent the screws from falling inside the fan, Chris Michael explains.

Set them aside and remove the blades from the motor. ‘All fan blades have a safety nut on the front,’ says Chris from Meaco. ‘Forget “lefty loosely, righty tighty” and go the opposite way,’ he says. Unscrew it by hand and the whole fan blade will come off.

3. Wipe everything down

The blades will be where most of the dust has settled, so tackle these first. Be gentle when wiping blades, as you don’t want to bend them. If there’s a lot of build up, then it’s a good idea to get a small vacuum to suck off the excess before moving on. Use one of the best handheld vacuum cleaners or a standard vacuum cleaner with a crevice nozzle attachment.

Alternatively, you can use a compressed gas canister, but this is messier. Chris Michael suggests simply using a wet wipe or a dish cloth but says you need to make sure it’s 100% dry before putting the blade back on.

Avoid spraying any cleaner directly onto the fan, and give it a good polish until you’re satisfied. Next, get a microfibre cloth, at Amazon, to wipe down the rest of the fan’s body.

4. Rinse the grill

If your fan’s grill is suitable for washing, then this will undoubtedly be the most efficient way to get to everything in the nooks and crannies.

Again, make sure not to get any part of the fan that’s connected to the electricals or motor wet, and leave everything to dry thoroughly before reassembling. If you’re happy, then gently wash the grill over the sink with a sponge.

5. Reassemble

As soon as everything is clean and dry, you can get to reassembling.

How to clean a fan without opening it

The same cleaning method can be applied to pedestal fans, with a quick wipe of the stand. But tower fans can be trickier to disassemble. And, of course, it’s not always necessary to completely take apart a fan to give it a quick clean, and it’s always better to maintain a clean fan rather than needing to deep clean it every few months.

‘If you are unable to open your fan, use a vacuum with a brush attachment to gently remove dust from the exterior of the fan,’ suggests Chloe King, Duux Brand Manager.

The easiest way of ensuring proper upkeep is to get a can of compressed air. These are a godsend for cleaning tricky-to-reach places like between the keys of your keyboard without doing any damage to the tech behind it.

Just position the nozzle between the mesh front of your fan and blow away the literal cobwebs. This removes all of the unsightly dust that has built up on the blades and takes seconds.

As an alternative, anything that blows air (like a hairdryer on its cold setting) will work or use your best vacuum cleaner with an attachment.

For the rest of the job, the easiest thing to do is grab a microfibre cloth and rub the outside of the fan down every so often. Or you can just add it to your home care and cleaning rotation when you’re going around with a feather duster.

How to clean a bladeless fan

You may be thinking – ‘that’s all very well for an ordinary bladed fan, but what about my Dyson fan?’. Well, the answer is a little less complicated.

To clean your bladeless fan you just need to get a damp cloth and give it a good wipe down, as demonstrated over on the Dyson website.

Note: devices like the Dyson Hot+Cool range often also clean the air as they work, so you should also make sure you’re cleaning/changing the filter as needed. The dust has to go somewhere!

How to clean a tower fan

‘Tower fans don’t need a lot of maintenance,’ says Andrew Bramley, a professional in the Commercial Cleaning Industry, at Pure Freedom. He recommends vacuuming the exterior with the brush attachment to will remove the initial dust, paying particular attention to the vents as this is where the dust buildup will be.

‘You will need a can of compressed air and blow it into the vent to release clogged dust or dirt,’ says Andrew. ‘Finally use a duster to remove any remaining dirt off the fan.’ Then give the stand a wipe down with a microfibre cloth.

The post How to clean a fan – remove dust and grime from your desk, tower or bladeless fan appeared first on Ideal Home.