Vileda Micro and Power Cloth Review

Vileda describe this as follows:

This superior Microfibre cloth includes power zones which remove burnt on dirt, limescale and stubborn marks without scratching. Get the benefits of long lasting microfibre cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals:

• Ultra performance microfibre cloth.
• Powerzones to remove grease & grime, as well as limescale and burnt on dirt.
• Can be used without harsh chemicals
• Can be washed over and over again by hand or machine

 

I used these for wiping down the windows after I had washed them with the two in one mop and needed to 'polish' them off.  So I decided to use these and used the normal microfibre side to polish the smears away, they worked perfectly and it required little effort to polish the windows clean.

 

I then decided to wipe the worksurfaces down in the kitchen, the 'power' side of the microfibre is great, it's like normal microfibre with 'stripes' of a tougher, harder fabric.  This is really useful and really cuts through anything dried on, like there was an area where we had spilt some sugar and it was dried on.  It really lifted it off the work surface easily without having to use any chemicals and scrubbing which could scratch the worksurface.

 

It's not something I would have thought to buy myself but is a really useful product.

Vileda 1 2 Spray Mini Review

Vileda describe this as follows:

• The 1 2 Spray Mini is perfect for cleaning windows and surfaces if you are in a hurry!
• The handle can be filled with either water or a cleaning fluid, such as the 1 2 spray cleaning chemical. Its ergonomic shape allows you to hold and spray at the same time. The surface can then be cleaned using the triangular head. It is an all in one system!
• The 1 2 spray head is made from microfibre, which easily removes dirty marks and stains, the triangular shape also means cleaning those hard to reach corners are easy.
• Perfect for cleaning the inside of your car and also around the house.
• The head can be washed at 60 degrees in the washing machine after use, refills are also available.

I wasn't sure about this item, seemed a bit of a gimmick to me.  I decided to clean some glass doors between the kitchen and utility with it, they get really grubby as the dogs spend the night in the utility and stop in there if they are wet/have dirty paws etc.

Before & After

 

The handle of the 'mop' unscrews so you can fill it with cleaning fluid.  In this case I filled it with vinegar and water.  Wow I was impressed, I love this little gadget, it is amazing.  It's so easy to use, you just press the little button on the handle and it sprays a fine mist by the pad.  It's so much easier than having to use a cloth and a spray bottle.  The head of the mop swivels also so you don't end up twisting your wrist to maneouvre it.  The triangular shape gets into all the corners well.  The mop head can be removed and put in the washing machine so should last ages.

 

So to sum it up, brilliant!  I want the full sized version now to do the floor in the utility!!

 

Vileda Non Scratch Power Scourer Review

Vileda describe this as follows:
 The Non Scratch Vileda Power Scourer is a real step up from a standard foam scourer.It is more hygienic as food won't get lodged in the scrim; instead they are easily rinsed away.
The non-scratch Scourer also cleans more efficiently, less pressure is needed to get amazing cleaning results

This non scratch scourer is perfect for delicate surfaces such as ceramic and glass.

It performs better than a standard scourer as the abrasive does not get blocked by dirt particles.

The 3D structure needs less pressure to clean

The sealed surface means it stays fresher and cleaner for longer as it's so easy to rinse.

More hygienic than a standard scourer.

Easy grip sponge

I found the back of the sponge was quite rigid and difficult to get into smaller items, however I did feel like it softened up so after more use I think it will become more flexible.  The non scratch side is great as the usual scourer is a material back and food does get tangled in the fibres, however this back is a strange rubbery/plasticky texture so the food didn't get stuck all over the back of it.

I used the scourer side on delicate glasses and it didn't scratch, I also used it on a non-stick pan and it also didn't scratch.  It holds the washing up liquid froth well and also is a good size to hold, nice and thick.

Vileda Spiral Scourer Review

Vileda describe this as follows:

These Spiral Steel Scourer are specifically designed to remove the toughest burnt on marks. Tough and very Long Lasting.  They are ideal for heavy duty scouring, on Pans, Grills and BBQs

Made from Steel so won't rust.

Tough

Long Lasting 

 



I decided to try and clean the grill pan with these, we have only used the pan two or three times since new so it wasn't overly dirty.  However there was still quite a lot of dried on grease on the grill and quite a lot of grease on the pan itself.

 These scourers got through it really easily, I hadn't even soaked the pan at all and this scourer cut through it all really easily and left it sparkling.  I have used brillo pads before on things like this but they break up so easily and quickly, this however is a lot better and stays together for longer.  I also tried it on an oven shelf which was a lot more worse for wear and could have done with being soaked, the scourers coped admirably, they did start to break up and pull apart but nothing like as much as a brillo pad so they are a lot better option.

Vileda Style Sunplash All Purpose Cloth Review

Vileda sent us some products to test and I will review them one by one, our first product review is the Style Sunplash All Purpose Cloth.

 

Vileda describe this as follows:

 

Style Sunsplash All Purpose Cloth is made from a special blend of fibres, which gives it it's superior absorbency, but also makes it extra durable. Sunsplash Cloth is ideal to use wet or dry on all surfaces.

Super Absorbent.

Long lasting and durable.

Can be washed by hand or machine.

 

 

I actually have been using this type of cloth in the kitchen for a while.  I find them really useful for wiping down the worksurfaces.  They soak up a lot of liquid so if you have spilt something (usually when I open a new milk carton it goes everywhere!) they come in very handy.  They also then rinse out really well and will wipe the surface down and not leave a lot of water everywhere so the worksurface dries quickly.

 

They are great as when they are getting a bit dirty they can just be thrown in the washing machine and come up like new.  I have found after 4 or 5 washes they do tend to go a bit thin and rag like so I usually will then replace and use the old one for dirtier jobs (like wiping down the utility room).

 

The only time I didn't find these brilliant was if you have a spillage on the carpet and have animals then they tend to pick up any hairs that may be about and then they are difficult to get off so you then can't use the cloth on worksurfaces.  I tend to therefore use an older cloth for jobs like this as they are good at soaking up spillages.

 

So overall I would recommend the product as they do come in very handy, it would be good if they did them in a range of colours though as they do only come in yellow.

 

Dell Studio 1747

Well off to PC World we went and they couldn't help us as this laptop wasn't on their list of authorised models, so looks it's down to us to fix it!!

I managed to find the manual online and within that it explained how to remove the hard drive, which wasn't difficult - just a case of removing a few screws.  We ran the boot discs which showed no errors other than the lack of operating system - on the boot menu there wasn't anything listed for hard drive when it was removed and when it was still in place, so to me sounded like the hard drive had definitely had it!  

You only have to look at google to find out that this model has had so many problems with overheating, something to do with the i7 processor inside it, since Mark has had it, it has constantly crashed and turned itself off.  In this case the heat has obviously burnt out the hard drive - so to be honest I am not sure whether we are doing the right thing and replacing as it may just happen again??  It's only 3 years old.

I was back to PC World today to pick up my laptop as I got them to double the RAM so it could run in a speedy fashion again and not wurrrr along slowly lol!  They charged £25 for fitting and £50 for 4GB RAM so I didn't think that was too bad.  I am now loving having a youthful laptop again, it's a Sony Vaio VGN-AR51M and I have had it about 6/7 years and it has NEVER let me down (touch wood) - I love it :).  While I was there I noticed a hard drive on offer at £45 for a 500GB WD Blue so I decided to buy it for Mark's Dell as I hadn't found cheaper than that online.

Back home and with a swapped hard drive, the Dell is now picking it up in the Boot Screen, I now just need to buy a windows operating system to load onto it.  I have ordered a cheap XP disc as didn't want to spend a fortune in case it doesn't work.

So today I have had a geeky day!!!

Day 1 & a broken laptop!

Well I was doing some video editing on Mark's Dell Studio 1747 laptop (my Sony is quite old and could do with some more RAM).  I was using Adobe Premier and was almost finished when it crashed - great I thought not remembering the last time I had pressed save. So I powered it back up but it had died! I get a black screen as below and having looked online it sounds like the hard drive might be toast! The laptop is only a couple of years old and I can't believe it has died already - I personally like my Sony computers and will be sticking with them from now on, not touching Dell again, the laptop wasn't cheap and it has been quite temperamental since Mark had it. So a trip to PC World computer doctor I think!

So not the greatest start to my first day of maternity leave, perhaps am not cut out to be at home! 

37 Weeks

So anytime now would be nice lol - wishful thinking!! We measured spot on at our midwife appointment so have recovered from a bit of a growth slow down and are back on track now!

I have been suffering from SPD, for a couple of weeks it was agony to walk, I went to see a physio but they couldn't do much. My mothercare support band wasn't really supportive anymore so I invested in a paramedics Wiltshire support band suggested by the physio.  I have to say it has relay helped, it isn't overly comfy to sit down whilst wearing and also I can still feel my pelvis move when I am climbing stairs (so I avoid stairs!), however generally it has helped.  I also saw an osteopath but he couldn't help either.  Just a case of putting up with the pain until she is here!

Cupcake Ice Cream Cones

I was inspired by Sunday Brunch to make these:

 Ingredients

120g caster sugar

120g butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 medium eggs, lightly beaten with a fork

120g self-raising flour

2 tbsp milk

15 small flat-bottomed cornets (called ‘cup cones’)

For the buttercream icing

• 150g butter, softened
• 300g icing sugar, sieved
• 1-2 tbsp milk
• Food colouring (optional)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 190°C/fan 170°C/gas mark 5.
2. Beat the sugar and butter together in a bowl until pale and creamy.
3. Add the vanilla essence then add ¼ of the beaten eggs at a time, beating them into the mix.
4. Fold the flour into the mix and add the milk to loosen it a little.
5. Spoon the mix into the cones so that they are half full.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a skewer pushed into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cones and place on a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, make the buttercream icing: beat the butter until it’s nicely soft then add most of the icing sugar (saving 2 tbsp) and beat again until it’s pale and creamy.
8. Mix the remaining icing sugar with the milk and beat it until it’s smooth. Add food colouring if you’re using it.
9. Take a piping bag with a star-shaped nozzle and fill it with the icing, then pipe whippy shapes onto the cupcakes.
10. Sprinkle popping candy or chocolate shavings on, and add flake chocolate to finish it off.

 

I used a Wilton 1M nozzle, the cakes were lovely, I wasn't sure whether they might be a bit dry at the bottom but they weren't at all :)

Baileys Fudge

So for my last day at work I was asked to bake cakes, I thought I would try to make some fudge. I have tried three time before - the first time was perfect, the second time it turned to toffee and the third time it didn't set - it hadn't helped that I didn't have a sugar thermometer, now I do I wanted to try again!  

397g can condensed milk

150ml Baileys

450g Demerara sugar

125g Butter

Grease a 7inch/18cm square tin.

Place all the ingredients, except the whiskey, into a large non stick saucepan and heat gently stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

Bring the mixture to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes stirring continuously until the temperature reaches 116*/240*C on a sugar thermometer (make sure you stir continuously scraping into the sides of the saucepan or the cream and butter will burn and give you brown specks in your fudge) - don't worry if you don't have a sugar thermometer fill a small bowl with cold water and drop a teaspoonful of the mixture into the water - roll it between your fingers it should form a soft ball. If not simmer and stir for a little longer and try again until a soft ball is formed.

Remove the pan from the heat and beat for 5 minutes with a wooden spoon until thickened and slightly grainy. Pour into the prepared tin. Allow to cool. When cold cut into squares. Store in an airtight container for 1 month if it lasts that long!

So the outcome? It worked and everybody loved it, it has a lovely crumbly texture and is very alcoholic, if you like smooth fudge its not the recipe for you, but if like me you like crumbly fudge you will love it!

Mug shots

I found an article about the new craze of baby mugging, well as we have not got our human baby, I decided to mug the dog!

So here's Ember's Mug Shot!!