World Leaks

GETTING laundry dry inside at this time of year can seem like a mammoth task.

Especially when the majority of people are doing their utmost to keep energy bills down by not using the tumble dryer.

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It can be difficult at this time of year to get clothes dry inside without turning the heating on[/caption]

DUNELM

But one woman took to Facebook to rave about the clothes drying pod that costs her just 25p an hour to run[/caption]

So it’s no wonder they’re turning to other ideas and suggestions for getting their wet washing dry inside in the autumn and winter.

And one woman – a huge fan of cleaning guru Mrs Hinch – took to Facebook to share her store find, which she insisted is a laundry game changer.

“Any tips on drying clothes quickly that are on an airer when the heating is not on?” one person asked in the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips group.

Yvette was quick to reply, as she wrote: “One of these costs me around 25p an hour to dry the clothes.

“And that’s all it takes to dry one big load of washing!

“Game changer.”

She also shared a screenshot of the exact drying pod she’d picked up for £55 from Dunelm.

And the positive reviews kept on coming on the Dunelm website, with one person writing: “Works well and I really like it having the cover so it keeps everything enclosed in one place so easy to dry things that can’t be put in the tumble dryer.

“I don’t have to have things hanging round the room making the house look untidy.”

“Great product, easy to use and great value for money,” another raved.

The 800w pod features a “PTC ceramic heating element for reliable performance” and a “convenient 3-hour timer for customisable drying cycles”.

On the Dunelm site, they also said they’d worked it out to be cheaper in cost to run than Yvette had calculated – at just 18p per hour.

Someone else recommended a similar drying pod from Lakeland, writing: “I use a Drysoon and love it.

“Fits loads on it, pop the cover on and turn it on.

“According to my meter it uses about the same as a slow cooker.”

“Lakeland dry soon heated airer. A brilliant invention,” another agreed.

Other people responding to the Facebook post shared their own suggestions, with a popular one being a dehumidifier.

“I’d highly recommend a dehumidifier if you’re drying inside,” one wrote.

“It dries washing quicker but also gets rid of the moisture…otherwise all that moisture from the washing is going into your house and can cause mould spores,” another agreed.

As a third said: “A dehumidifier works really well. I use mine a lot in the winter and much cheaper than a tumble drier!”

NOW that Autumn is here, it means one thing – it’s silverfish season.

Silverfish are tiny and hard to spot, but these small silver insects can be found scurrying around your home, and if you spot them, you could be facing a big problem. 

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As silverfish season arrives, we spoke to a pest pro to find out more about the pesky insect[/caption]

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Fantastic Pest Control’s pest technician Mihail Velev revealed the areas they thrive in and top tips for getting rid of the teardrop-shaped creatures[/caption]

Alamy

Mihail Velev

Mihail claimed that consistency is key when getting rid of silverfish[/caption]

These shiny silver insects, shaped like a teardrop, thrive in damp, humid conditions and love areas with water and moisture.

But if the thought of a silverfish scuttling along your bedroom floor sends shivers down your spine, fear not, as we spoke to a pest control expert to find out how to banish them, and for good. 

Fantastic Pest Control‘s pest technician Mihail Velev, told Fabulous: “Adult silverfish are a wingless insect species which are around two centimetres in length. 

“This silver-coloured pest has a shiny body with fine fish-like scales and two front antennae. It also has three bristle-like attachments on the back end of the body. 

“The reason they’re called silverfish is because of their silver-coloured body and the fish-like movements they make when they move. 

“These pests are very common all around the world and, even though they’re generally harmless, they can still be unpleasant when they infest a home.”

Mihail explained silverfish are most commonly found in attics, basements, bathtubs, sinks, kitchens, old books, classrooms, and showers, which are all typical areas with high humidity and moisture. 

The pest pro added: “This is because moisture provides them with favourable living conditions, as is the case with many other pests. 

“Silverfish are known to feed on materials containing starch and can find sustenance in water-damaged paper products, cardboard and even certain types of glues used in construction materials. 

“The most common time of the year to find these pests in your house is generally Autumn because that’s when temperatures outside start to drop, and they look for warmth and humidity indoors.”

According to Mihail, you’re more likely to spot silverfish at night, as he continued: “Silverfish are nocturnal pests. This is because they generally prefer dark spaces and during the day, they will hide anywhere in undisturbed corners or areas and come out at night to look for food.”

But Mihail claimed that whilst silverfish might not look that friendly, they aren’t inherently harmful.

These pests are very common all around the world and, even though they’re generally harmless, they can still be unpleasant when they infest a home

Mihail Velev

He claimed: “In most cases, silverfish aren’t harmful. They rarely bite and don’t have the capacity to puncture human skin because of their weak jaws. 

“They also aren’t known to carry any disease or cause infections. 

“However, sometimes, they can trigger allergic reactions and cause respiratory problems, specifically for people with pre-existing health conditions. 

“Because of this, they are mainly only a nuisance and can’t hurt a person. Despite that, keep in mind that they can contaminate your food when they leave their faeces around your home, so you’ll need to make sure you deal with them on time.”

How to get rid of them

If you’ve spotted silverfish in your home and are looking to get rid of them, Mihail has shared everything you need to know.

He advised: “In general, to get rid of silverfish, you’ll need to use preventative practices. Keep your kitchen floors, counters and cupboards clean. 

“Wipe down any bookcases, closet shelves, and door and window frames. 

“Vacuum any hidden spots, such as behind the oven, microwave, toaster, and refrigerator. Declutter the areas where you see silverfish and consider using a pest control spray to kill silverfish on contact if the infestation is severe. 

They can contaminate your food when they leave their faeces around your home

Mihail Velev

“Besides that, because they’re attracted to high humidity, consider installing and using exhaust fans in the bathrooms, kitchens and other areas prone to high humidity and using a dehumidifier to maintain optimal humidity levels between 40-60%. 

“Fix any leaks promptly, seal any potential entry points for them, such as cracks, gaps and crevices in your walls, floors and around pipes, and remove any potential silverfish food sources by storing your food items in airtight containers.

“Some other things you can use as natural silverfish repellents include diatomaceous earth, which you can sprinkle in areas with silverfish presence. It’s a natural drying agent that dehydrates and kills them. 

“Consider also using cedar-based products, such as cedar blocks or cedar oil, which is a natural repellent for silverfish.”

When you’re dealing with silverfish, keep in mind that consistency is key and silverfish control requires ongoing efforts

Mihail Velev

Mihail also revealed the £1.49 buy from The Range that they can’t stand – lavender oil – as he recommended: “You can also make use of essential oils with silverfish-repelling properties, such as lavender, citrus or cinnamon. 

“You can soak cotton balls in them and place them in infested areas. 

“Another product to use includes boric acid powder which you can apply in cracks, crevices and other possible hiding spots. Boric acid is an effective insecticide that’s relatively safe for humans and pets when used appropriately.

“In any case, when you’re dealing with silverfish, keep in mind that consistency is key and silverfish control requires ongoing efforts.

“Consistently implement preventive measures and monitor for any signs of re-infestation. 

“Besides that, address other possible pest infestations. Silverfish may be attracted to areas infested by other pests and addressing other pest problems can also help with silverfish control.”

But if you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work, Mihail explained: “If there is a large number of silverfish in your home, the infestation persists and you’re worried about your or someone in your household’s health, it will be best to call a professional pest control service. 

“They can conduct a thorough inspection, identify the source of the infestation and apply targeted treatments.”

UK house prices have grown at their fastest rate in the past two years, according to Nationwide.

The building society says house prices increased by 0.7% in September, up from 2.4% in August to 3.2%.

This is the fastest pace since November 2022 when there was a 4.4% rise.

The average UK house price in September is £266,094, which is an increase from £265,375 in August.

The news follows a pretty subdued period for the property market, with wider economic factors like wage stagnation and political uncertainty hitting the market hard.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s chief economist, said: “Average prices are now around 2% below the all-time highs recorded in summer 2022.

“Income growth has continued to outstrip house price growth in recent months while borrowing costs have edged lower amid expectations that the Bank of England will continue to lower interest rates in the coming quarters.

“These trends have helped to improve affordability for prospective buyers and underpinned a modest increase in activity and house prices, though both remain subdued by historic standards.”

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STRICTLY Come Dancing star Toyah Willcox has revealed how she came close to ending her life at a notorious suicide spot.

The actress and punk legend was only saved thanks to the quick-thinking of a passing policeman.

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Strictly star Toyah Willcox recalled how she tried to take her own life[/caption]

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Toyah was in her early 20s when she found herself standing on a bridge[/caption]

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The punk icon admitted she was ‘heartbroken’ at the time[/caption]

The incident unfolded when Toyah was living in London in her early 20s and was trying to make it in showbiz.

Recalling what happened, she said: “The route from my flat took me across a bridge so I grew accustomed to the view from the bridge at dawn.

“In those days there was little traffic on the roads at 5am. The bridge mesmerised me. I could understand why many a lonely person had jumped from it.

“I contemplated jumping every time I crossed it. Sometimes because I was drunk and bolshie. But most of the time because I was heartbroken.

“Back then loneliness and rejection were a big part of my life.”

Writing in her memoir Living Out Loud, Toyah said these feelings eventually mushroomed into her trying to end her life one morning.

The 66-year-old star revealed: “It was, about 4.30am, the sun was rising on the bridge.

“I’d spent the night at a succession of parties. On the way home I stood watching the view from the bridge. It always made me cry.

“I thought to myself, ‘What would it be like to jump?’. So, looking around to make sure the coast was clear, I climbed the high railings and dared myself to jump.

“As I balanced on the railings I thought of mum and dad, my brother and sister and how they would feel. It would destroy them. I thought of ending all possibilities, and decided I didn’t ever want to jump.  But by now it was too late.”

Explaining what happened next, Toyah went on: “Then, a hand grabbed my ankle. I almost fell forward.

“A voice came, ‘Don’t do it. Just don’t do it’. I turned and it was a policeman. He was white as a sheet.

“Where he appeared from I had no idea. There was no bicycle, no car, no footsteps. We talked for an hour…and parted friends.”

Toyah – born with a twisted spine, a clubbed right foot and one leg shorter than the other – recently spoke out about her health struggles and revealed she has suffered from crippling insomnia since she was just 14.

In an interview, she discussed how her sleep issues started during her school days, when she was under pressure to perform well in exams.

She recalled: “I experienced the typical teenage stress that the pressure of cramming for exams, and then sitting there for hours on end doing them brings.

Toyah is competing in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing alongside her professional partner Neil Jones.

The celebrities and their partners took to the dance floor for the first time last week, with Toyah and Neil performing a Tango.

Unfortunately, their attempts fell flat with the judges and they only received a score of 12. This placed them at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Fans, however, were outraged and felt Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke had been unduly harsh.

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Toyah is partnered with Neil Jones on Strictly Come Dancing[/caption]

PA

The pair found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard last week[/caption]