Garden Bags

Don’t get excited but we’ve now started to see a few patches of sun… and my dog even decided it was warm enough to sunbathe in the garden for an hour the other day! So perhaps it’s now safe to move from cleaning and tidying inside the house and move to the outside areas also.

Not only does the garden need much needed TLC after the Winter months, but the front areas, such as paths and driveway can start to look a bit neglected with leaves collecting in the corners (and the front door needed a much needed clean too!) Why not start with the correct tools to make it a bit easier?

Like many I’ve spent a lot of time putting leaves and general garden waste into a bin bag, always frustrating and seemingly difficult, particularly on windy days, but there is a very handy tool which can now help. The ‘Handy Hoop’ is brilliantly simple & easy to use - just open the hoop, clip in the refuse bag and close the hoop to secure. It’s as simple as that. This time saving and robust device holds the bag open to fill easily!

If you’re looking for extra storage for all those collected leaves and garden debris, look no further than the ‘Pop-Up Bag’ – this garden bag has a top cover, zipper & hard base it’s ideal for storing such items and perfect for use as a carrier for taking to the recycling centre – the zipped top prevents leaves & grass from spilling out whilst in the back of the car!

The unique spring design means it holds itself open and collapses down for compact storage & transport. With padded handles, tear resistant tarpaulin fabric and tipping handle for easy emptying it’s a hard working item, you’ll wonder how you managed without it! The hard base provides extra strength & stability, and it’s very hard wearing. It opens to 45cm tall, has a 37 litre volume and 25kg load capacity.
Those garden jobs just got easier!! See the full Garden Accessories Range, with new products being added all the time.

I’ll be continuing the Spring tidy up both inside and out next week!

What’s your tog? When to change your duvet (plus duvet storage solutions)

You may have already begun to do some Spring Cleaning jobs, and there are the usual ones that can get overlooked with day-to-day cleaning – we’ve already mentioned those blinds and lampshades that are usually forgotten... Let The Spring Cleaning Begin! However, now is the time to also think about changing your duvet to one with a lower tog.

People seem to often fall into two categories here – people who know all about duvet weights and fillings, and those who are clueless. Well for those who don’t know, here are the basics to help when buying and changing your duvet. It’s all about their ability to trap warm air – a natural filled duvet, such as duck feather or goose down have better thermal properties than a synthetic filling, such as polyester. As with everything there are advantages and disadvantages to both – natural fillings last longer and are considered more comfortable because of their lightweight feeling. Synthetic fillings are cheaper and can be machine-washed – natural ones should be professionally cleaned because they need to be thoroughly dried. The tog rating provides an indication of the warmth of the duvet – the higher the tog, the warmer the duvet. As a general guide during Winter months most people would require between 12-13.5 tog weight, in Autumn/Spring a 7-10.5 tog weight is usually adequate and for Summer between 3-4.5.

So now is the time to change your duvet to a lower tog, but what do you do with your out of season duvets? Being bulky items that aren’t used for long periods of time many people put them in the loft or large cupboards, which means space can be an issue. Vacuum storage bags are the ideal solution to storing your duvets when space is at a premium. The ‘Vacuum Storage Jumper/blanket Volume Reducing Chest’ is available in large and jumbo sizes. Just insert your vacuum cleaner's hose into the valve to remove the air from the bag, and just watch the volume of the bag reduce by up to 60%. One large chest has a vacuum bag with the capacity to store jumpers, pillows, blankets, duvets, sheets and/or t-shirts. The chests can be stacked and so makes a wonderful space-saving storage solution!

They can’t be used for feather or down-filled duvets, but for these types of duvets you can get ‘Breathable Duvet Storage Bags’ in both double and king sizes. The new design has a zipped opening at the end which makes it very easy to put duvets / pillows etc into the bag.

There is a strong carry handle on the side and the storage bag can be stored vertically or horizontally. This breathable bag is ideal for storing those luxurious feather / down duvets & pillows. One satisfied customer said:

"For the quality and design of the product it is very good value. It comfortably holds a pretty bulky 12.5Tog duvet and two pillows. I went to the Argos site initially, but the reviews for a non-breathable storage bag would deter anyone from purchasing. Excellent delivery time."

For more duvet storage solutions see the duvet storage solution range on the site.

Get your boots in shape with boot shapers!

Boots come in many different styles, sizes and designs… absolutely essential in Winter, not only because of the way they can transform an outfit, but you can’t beat them when it’s cold outside (or when it’s slippy underfoot) and you want something that looks good and keeps you warm (and stops you slipping too!)

However, once Winter is over and you can begin to think about wearing more lightweight clothing and footwear they can become difficult to store. Not only that, the price of them means they are quite an investment that you want to keep in great condition for years to come. Store your boots properly and you’ll get lots more years of service out of them!

Correct storage means using boot shapers to prevent creasing and cracking and you won’t find any superior to the new Woodlore Deluxe Boot Shapers. Made from 100% Aromatic Cedar Wood they will make your boots still feel loved when not in use! These beautiful shapers will absorb moisture from boot linings and deodorizes boots too. Ideal for Dress, Riding & Western Boots (H = 45cm W = 9cm D = 8.25cm). They fit women's boot sizes 36.5 & up and men's boot sizes 40 to 46. They have adjustable widths and brass knobs for ease of use and are presented in an attractive gift box.

There are many other shapers available including the very popular ‘I Love My Shoes’ Boot Inserts and Boot Shaping Storage Inserts. See the full range on the site so you can make sure you see your boots next Winter in tip top condition!

Want a FREE Lint Roller?

Many satisfied customers know why our Lint Rollers are so popular - they know...

...how quick and easy they are to use

...because they are of superior quality the handle includes a spindle which does the rolling for you - it rolls while you hold the handle, and the result is a smooth, quick and very easy rolling action

...how economical they are - if you buy a cheap one you may soon realise that it’s a false economy when you come to the end of the roller. The handle won’t be removable and you have to throw out the complete product and start again. If you get one with a removable handle you can buy refills in future, which saves you a lot of money in the longer term and saves the environment too!

...how efficient they are at removing lint & pet hair from clothing & upholstery

...because they are manufactured to our specification they have an extremely sturdy and removable handle, with a super easy rolling action. In the very unlikely event that you need a new handle we offer a Free Replacement Handle Service, which means you’ll only ever need to replace the refills

...the refills last for ages because they contain 7.5 metres (approx. 25 ft) of very adhesive paper, but when you do need a refill, we offer amazing multipack discounts of up to 50% off!!

...want to own one? We are currently offering a FREE LINT ROLLER to the first 100 fans to follow us on Facebook this week

The Spring Cleaning continues…

Continuing the Spring Clean, with our now lovely and clean blinds and lampshades, we should start to think about giving other areas of the house a good dust. Most people manage to keep up with a lot of the dusting when doing their regular daily/weekly cleaning, but that doesn’t mean there aren't many areas that have been neglected throughout the year. Out of sight, out of mind is the problem here and you can get a bit of a shock when you see the dust that has accumulated in these out of sight areas – the cleaning of the blinds and lampshades will have proven this! So how can this become a quick and easier task?

Using dusters alone doesn’t always do the job and not all feather dusters can get into each and every corner that needs dusting, but this is when a duster such as the ‘Antistatic Duster with Flexible Head & Telescopic Handle’ shows how the correct product can speed up the job.  It picks up Dust, Dirt & Hair like a magnet with it’s telescopic arm that extends to 196 cms ( 77" ).  It’s versatile – it can also be used as a hand held duster and it’s flexible head cleans hard to reach areas – it can bend to almost any angle, just shake to re-shape the duster head! One customer recently said

“Delighted customer. Ideal for all those hard to reach places and easy to maneuver even when fully extended. Furthermore it was sent to me within a day of ordering.”

For anyone who has an allergy which means dusting is even more important the ‘Waxed Mini Dusters’ are recommended by the British Allergy Foundation. They have a baked-on wax treatment and lift dust like a magnet. Long lasting, they are designed for use around the Home, Car & Caravan.

For real traditionalists we have a selection of brand new cleaning brushes, such as the ‘Deluxe 6" (15cm) Lacquered Wooden Bannister Brush’ and ‘Old Fashioned Split Bristle Height Scrubbing Brush’ which are suitable for general household cleaning and built to last.

With the dusting out of the way how about tackling some areas of the kitchen which are often neglected? When was the last time you cleaned the sink plug hole or overflow? Take a look and you’ll no doubt notice this is one area that is often overlooked. We may all clean our sinks regularly but don’t bother with this because it’s so difficult. With a proper Sink Cleaning Brush you can effectively clean this hard to get to area! The ‘Twisted-in-Wire Sink Cleaning Brush’ has stiff bristles and is perfect for the job… plus it’s manufactured in the UK. If you’re thinking of giving the fridge a good clean too, make the job easier with a cloth which can soak up condensation – ‘The Wonder Shammye Cloth’ is a super absorbent cloth so is naturally ideal for use when defrosting the fridge (it has many other uses too – I use it to dry my dog’s paws when I’ve washed him before coming into the house and mopping up around his water bowl!)

More enjoyable than the big clean up (most things are!) is the big tidy up – storing away Winter clothing and bedding is actually a good job to do because it begins the process of making you aware that warmer weather may be on it’s way! Duvets need to be changed soon and footwear and clothing which was packed up last year needs to think about making an appearance. So next week I’ll take you through the process of storing everything properly to ensure it’s in tip top shape for when you next need it.

Can it! How to store food safely

Being keen on making sure I use everything that I open – the can of beans that I didn’t quite finish, the juice I’ll drink later etc… and ensuring I minimize the amount of food that is thrown away in my house, I thought there are no doubt many others like me who will be interested in a brilliant new product to the site.

'Reusable Stay Fresh Plastic Can Caps’ are the latest addition to the many kitchen accessories being added to the site recently.

Not only great for covering up, keeping fresh and safely storing unused food and drink in the fridge and more, but also ideal for taking away when traveling – if you’re thinking of going camping or caravanning, this product is a must have! Each pack contains 9 Stay Fresh Plastic Can Caps in assorted colours. The outer diameter is 77mm and internal diameter is 72mm, so they are ideal for fitting over most cans and glasses etc. They are easy to use, easy to fit and dishwasher safe. Made in the UK.

If you’re looking for other ways to keep your food fresh and airtight (and again especially useful when traveling in a caravan) are the "Anylock" Sealing Rods are an amazingly simple & easy to use system of sealing literally any type of bag.

They can be used to re-seal open packs of Breakfast Cereals, Snacks, Pasta,  Rice & Pet Food Snacks etc.  Odour-proof, Airtight, Watertight & Re-useable.

See the full range of Kitchen Accessories for more inspiration!

Let the Spring Cleaning begin!

It’s official… it’s now Spring! Cleaning may be the last thing on your mind when you think of Spring, but throughout history people have taken a day out from other jobs to do a complete clean of their house – cleaning areas that are sometimes hardly touched with day to day cleaning because there's no time! Of course originally this was necessary because people heated them with wood and coal and welcomed the opportunity to open the doors and windows to get rid of the sooty air and get some fresher air inside! Central heating has meant that we no longer have this problem thank goodness, but that in itself has problems – creating an unnatural living environment which could still benefit from some sunlight and fresher air too!

So in the spirit of our ancestors I would suggest that we could all benefit from giving our houses a good clean and tidy… this becomes much easier if you have been able to do little and often, spending a short time cleaning and tidying each day makes the Spring Clean a much easier and less scary job!

Let’s begin with the basics – when you get a day with promised dry and warm weather make the most of it and hang out all you larger bedding items – quilts, blankets and mattress covers, plus any sofa/bed throws. Open up the windows!!! It will make you feel good as you work(!) and you’ll soon notice the difference in the air quality inside!

I like to work on areas that normally don’t get much cleaning – hoover curtains, dust blinds and lampshades with a specialist cleaner or duster such as the brilliant ‘Microfibre Blind Cleaner’. It’s a really useful cleaner because the handle has three arch spines that enable you to clean places that you usually find hard to reach with a lot less effort. This will make cleaning your blind really quick and easy – even narrow blinds and there’s no need for chemicals. When the sleeve is dirty simply wash it in the washing machine & the product comes out as good as new, even after multiple washes. Each pack contains 2 replacement microfibre sleeves.

For really small blinds the ‘Deluxe 100% Lambswool Fluffy Duster (Made in England)’ is perfect. It’s 25" long (635mm) and made of natural lambswool fibre, which is both resilient and elastic so will reach into most crevices.  Lambswool is extremely soft and the natural lanolin in the wool will attract and hold the dust – magic! Not only great for mini blinds this is a really useful duster and particularly effective on:

Ceiling fans
Picture frames
Plant leaves
Fragile ornaments
Baseboards & woodwork
Bookcases
Lampshades
Vents

For a super quick and easy way to clean lampshades try the ‘Gonzo Lampshade Cleaner Sponge’ which is an amazing sponge used to lift dust and dirt from Lampshades (but is also great for Ceiling Fans, Venetian Blinds, Curtains, Computer Screens, Books and more!) It does not scratch or smear surfaces and can be used over and over again. Ok so that’s the curtains, blinds and lampshades clean!

We should now think about giving everywhere else a good dusting before moving into the kitchen, the bedrooms and not forgetting the outside areas!! Take a well earned break… more on these areas later, nobody ever said it could (or should) all be tackled in one day!!!

Baby Wooden Hangers and more…

It can be difficult finding good storage products for small items of clothing, such as accessories and baby and children’s clothes, but luckily I have some suggestions to keep their wardrobes organized and making it easier to keep track of such items!!

Children's hangers need to be sensibly sized and the perfect solution for many would be a space saving variety – see ‘Struggling for wardrobe space? Problem solved with our brilliant space saving hangers!’ on how to solve problems of ‘finding’ space in your wardrobe.

The Swivel Hook Hanger is great because it has tie/belt bars and end loops to allow you have as much use from each hanger as possible and the swivel hook is really useful for hanging on the back of the door too. Sold in pack of 10, one satisfied customer said they are:

“Great hangers! Perfect for my 3 year old's wardrobe. Big enough to fit clothes up to about 10 years old”

Space Saver Hanger Packs are brilliant too, with 1 Space Saver Hanger Bar & 6 hangers per pack… they allow 6 garments to hang in the same space as 1!

If, like many, you are looking for baby wooden hangers, there is a large range on the site to choose from – such as the classic Wooden Hanger with Adjustable Clips. Very versatile, with non-slip grips on the shoulders, this High Quality Children’s Wooden Hanger is finished in natural wood and has a Chrome Swivel Hook.

Another big seller is the Crescent Shaped Children’s Wooden Tops Hanger which is made in Beech from FSC certified sources. It’s ideal for Shirts, Blouses & Dresses. Chrome hook. With many options of colour and shape visit the site for more Baby and Children Hangers.

If you’re looking for something to keep your accessories in order a small non-slip one would be ideal – see the Non Slip Clamp Hangers, brilliant for accessories such as scarves and shawls, and baby clothes too.

Measuring only 9cm wide & 14cm high it’s the perfect solution. No longer do you need to leave your children’s clothes or your accessories in a pile at the bottom of the wardrobe any more!!!

Use the best products to keep everything tidy!

In preparation for the big Spring Clean Up you may want to think about starting the long overdue task of storing away everyday items in the kitchen, under the stairs, in cupboards, the garage or shed.

For an easy way to secure and store items around the home and garage check out the Velcro® Tidy It! Kit. No DIY skills are required and it is a great way to neatly store away everyday items.

The kit contains:
•    Heavy Duty Stick On Black Hook Strip 50mm x 500mm
•    Loop Squares 50mm x 50mm x 4
•    Adjustable Ties Black 25mm x 300mm x 4
•    Clear Storage Bag 120mm x 240mm
•    Stick On Loop Tape Black 20mm x 120mm

Don’t forget if you’re fed up with untidy cables – which can be hazardous too, the new Velcro® ‘Tidy Cables’ Kit is great for bundling, securing and tidying messy wires and cables. For really bulky cable there is a cut-to-size self-gripping tape and all components are reusable and can be opened and closed 1000s of times.

Each pack contains:
•    Self Gripping Tape Black 30mm x 1m
•    Adjustable Ties Black 12mm x 20cm x 3
•    Sticky Back Cable Wrap Strips White 60mm x 10cm x 2
•    Removable Adhesive Cable Clips Opaque Small x 8

Also part of the Cable Management Range are Velcro® Coloured Adjustable Ties. They are designed to keep hazardous wires behind PC's & TV's etc under control & away from mischievous hands. Very simple – just wrap & press to secure.

Teamed with our wide range of storage items there’s no excuse for not staying tidy!

When the going gets tough… turn to ‘Velcro® Heavy Duty’

Some jobs around the home, in the garage or garden require products with a lot of strength – for example securing tools, torches, large pictures and so on, holding down rugs/carpets, or for use outside to ensure something is going to be able withstand wet conditions. This is where the Velcro® Heavy Duty Range is perfect… such as Velcro® Heavy Duty Stick On Strips.

These extra strong weather resistant adhesive strips are really sticky & provide a weather resistant adhesive making them ideal for use Outdoors or in damp / wet conditions. Each pack contains 50mm x 100mm x 2 sets.

Also available is Velcro® Heavy Duty Jumbo Pack Stick On Tape, in white & black. Each pack contains 50mm x 5 metres to cut to size and is perfect for the securing of either temporary or permanent items. It has a 50% stronger closure & adhesive than regular hook & loop and can be used both in & outdoors because of the water resistant adhesive. So strong it will hold up to 7kg per 50mm length (depending on condition of surface & correct application). For optimal performance you need to clean and dry both surfaces where fastener is to be applied, peel each fastener from backing tape & press firmly in place. Allow 5 minutes for adhesive to set before attaching the hook to the loop. Adhesive reaches maximum strength after 24 hours.See the site for more details.

These are just a few products in the extensive Velcro® range… see the site for many more >>

When the going gets tough… turn to ‘Velcro® Heavy Duty’

Some jobs around the home, in the garage or garden require products with a lot of strength – for example securing tools, torches, large pictures and so on, holding down rugs/carpets, or for use outside to ensure something is going to be able withstand wet conditions. This is where the Velcro® Heavy Duty Range is perfect… such as Velcro® Heavy Duty Stick On Strips.

These extra strong weather resistant adhesive strips are really sticky & provide a weather resistant adhesive making them ideal for use Outdoors or in damp / wet conditions. Each pack contains 50mm x 100mm x 2 sets.

Also available is Velcro® Heavy Duty Jumbo Pack Stick On Tape, in white & black. Each pack contains 50mm x 5 metres to cut to size and is perfect for the securing of either temporary or permanent items. It has a 50% stronger closure & adhesive than regular hook & loop and can be used both in & outdoors because of the water resistant adhesive. So strong it will hold up to 7kg per 50mm length (depending on condition of surface & correct application). For optimal performance you need to clean and dry both surfaces where fastener is to be applied, peel each fastener from backing tape & press firmly in place. Allow 5 minutes for adhesive to set before attaching the hook to the loop. Adhesive reaches maximum strength after 24 hours.See the site for more details.

These are just a few products in the extensive Velcro® range… see the site for many more >>

A Nation of Pet Lovers

A couple of days ago I got some great advice from Collienet's Margaret, who gave me some top grooming tips and dog show information… I now have a house with fewer dog hairs and a lovely smell!

Being the home of the Sticky Roller Brush we are naturally interested in all things relating to pets and as a nation of pet lovers I thought many of you may be interested in a programme coming soon to Sky 1 called ‘Pet Nation’. Starting on Friday 26th March at 8pm this brand new programme is a ten part series celebrating our love of our pets. Liza Tarbuck and Huey Morgan are the hosts exploring the many aspects of owning a pet – looking into alternative therapies for your pets, gadgets, home videos, cooking for cats and dogs(!) and stories from around the world. We’re hoping to get more tips on how to care for our pets (and cope with their hairs!) But continuing with our pet theme (and as I’ve recently been grooming my dog more frequently since Margaret’s tips on grooming!), here’s a run down on how to brush a dog!

For small dogs you can use a grooming table, but larger dogs should be groomed on the floor. Ideally start working on one side at a time and in small sections brush against the growth direction – you can prevent matting by parting the hair down to the skin. When both sides have been brushed, finish by working from head to tail in the direction of the hair growth this time. Using a soft-bristled brush at the end will help to distribute the oils to their hairs.

If like myself you have a dog that is particularly prone to matting you may need to consult a professional groomer (I find that if my dog gets quite matted I have to book a professional groom to get him back to a stage where I can continue my ‘daily’ grooming!) Finishing with a grooming spray will keep the coat nicely conditioned and less prone to matting – and as mentioned in my previous article you can get sprays that smell of Baby Powder too!

For a great little hardworking and gentle brush check out the BRAND NEW Supa Groomer – Essential Gentle Grooming Brush. Not only does it gently groom light dust & hairs from dogs and horses, it can also be used to remove animal hairs from upholstery & carpets. It’s easily cleaned & hardwearing!

A Nation of Pet Lovers

A couple of days ago I got some great advice from Collienet's Margaret, who gave me some top grooming tips and dog show information… I now have a house with fewer dog hairs and a lovely smell!

Being the home of the Sticky Roller Brush we are naturally interested in all things relating to pets and as a nation of pet lovers I thought many of you may be interested in a programme coming soon to Sky 1 called ‘Pet Nation’. Starting on Friday 26th March at 8pm this brand new programme is a ten part series celebrating our love of our pets. Liza Tarbuck and Huey Morgan are the hosts exploring the many aspects of owning a pet – looking into alternative therapies for your pets, gadgets, home videos, cooking for cats and dogs(!) and stories from around the world. We’re hoping to get more tips on how to care for our pets (and cope with their hairs!) But continuing with our pet theme (and as I’ve recently been grooming my dog more frequently since Margaret’s tips on grooming!), here’s a run down on how to brush a dog!

For small dogs you can use a grooming table, but larger dogs should be groomed on the floor. Ideally start working on one side at a time and in small sections brush against the growth direction – you can prevent matting by parting the hair down to the skin. When both sides have been brushed, finish by working from head to tail in the direction of the hair growth this time. Using a soft-bristled brush at the end will help to distribute the oils to their hairs.

If like myself you have a dog that is particularly prone to matting you may need to consult a professional groomer (I find that if my dog gets quite matted I have to book a professional groom to get him back to a stage where I can continue my ‘daily’ grooming!) Finishing with a grooming spray will keep the coat nicely conditioned and less prone to matting – and as mentioned in my previous article you can get sprays that smell of Baby Powder too!

For a great little hardworking and gentle brush check out the BRAND NEW Supa Groomer – Essential Gentle Grooming Brush. Not only does it gently groom light dust & hairs from dogs and horses, it can also be used to remove animal hairs from upholstery & carpets. It’s easily cleaned & hardwearing!

Offer Ends Soon! Become a Fan and get a Special Offer!

We are currently running a great promotion which gives you £5 off your next shop*. Simply become a Caraselle Fan on Facebook to receive this money off voucher - go to the site for more details.

But be quick because the offer ends on March 15th!

Don't forget we also have a brilliant ‘Tell A Friend’ promotion which enables both you and your friend to benefit from your referral because if they go on to spend £25 (excl. p&p) not only will you receive a £5 voucher to spend, but so will they. There's nothing to loose!

* Minimum spend £25 (excl. P&P)

Offer Ends Soon! Become a Fan and get a Special Offer!

We are currently running a great promotion which gives you £5 off your next shop*. Simply become a Caraselle Fan on Facebook to receive this money off voucher - go to the site for more details.

But be quick because the offer ends on March 15th!

Don't forget we also have a brilliant  ‘Tell A Friend’ promotion which enables both you and your friend to benefit from your referral because if they go on to spend £25 (excl. p&p) not only will you receive a £5 voucher to spend, but so will they. There's nothing to loose!

* Minimum spend £25 (excl. P&P)

Yikes!… what to do when your colours run!... plus NEW LOWER PRICE on Dylon Colour Catcher!

Last month I told you that we are now stocking some brilliant Dylon products in my article “Catch the colour and save your clothes”, but no doubt you will be glad to hear about another product in the range – Colour Run Remover (especially if you have just washed your clothes and they’ve come out of the wash not the colour they went in!!!) Is it possible to turn back the clock? We’ve all been there, in a mad rush to get the wash on you don’t notice the one item that’s going to ruin your other clothes, but now in most cases this can be resolved with the Colour Run Remover.

It can restore fabrics to their former glory and its pH balanced COLOURSAFE formula means colours, whites and delicates like wool and silk can be treated together safely with beautifully fresh results. Colour runs can be a thing of the past with DYLON Colour Run Remover – it’s the easy & effective way to remove colour runs because:

•    Colour safe
•    PH balanced
•    Pleasantly fragranced
•    No need to wash fabrics after use
•    75ml sachets
•    2 sachets per machine use or 1 sachet for use by hand
•    Suitable for all fabrics including delicates

Dylon really are colour experts, but don’t take our word for it – check out the demonstration of their brilliant Colour Catcher product too which is now at a lower price of only £1.99 for a pack of 10 sheets.

Inside Advice from a Doggie Expert!

Being the first day of Crufts I thought I’d share with you some inside advice about which are the best shows to go to and tips on the best way to groom and wash your dog (and my crazy but very loving Border Collie). Well who better to go to than top collie breeder Margaret from the Collienet resource? Having fallen in love with ‘Lassie’ from an early age she became involved with showing in the late 80s and she hasn’t looked back since! Her many successes have included Bhyllsacre Troubador, Layfette Shades of Delight, Sweet Tiffin, Pa Solsidan, Perryswood Blue Chrystal and Chantique Simply Smashing. So myself being a complete novice I asked Margaret which she thought were the best shows for me to go to and whether it was worth going along to Crufts... she told me that Crufts is great, and for someone like myself the Discover Dogs section is particularly interesting – it’s the place to be if you are trying to choose a dog and for the children to get to know the many different breeds. However the car parking can be challenging so only go if you are prepared to put up with the busy car park!

However she advised me that Dog Shows that are done in conjunction with Agricultural Shows are brilliant for families because they don’t restrict the children to seeing just the dogs. This year I’m now thinking of going to the Tatton Park Fun Dog Show, Just Dogs Live and the Okehampton & District Agricultural Show – (I’ll keep you posted!)

For general dog hair removal Margaret has some suggestions, like myself she uses Caraselle’s Pet Hair Rollers to clean up in between hoovering (see my previous blog on the many uses of the Mighty Lint Remover).  She recommends getting a specialist vacuum cleaner best suited for pet owners to minimise the bulk of hair and grooming for at least 10 minutes a day ideally – I’m guilty of missing this step sometimes, like many others I’m sure!

Surprisingly she pointed out that short-haired dogs could create even more problems when removing hairs than long-haired dogs. Whilst my border collie produces a mass of hairs all over the wooden floor and upholstery, short haired breeds have much coarser hair which sticks in fibers and makes it harder to remove… so don’t be fooled into thinking that having a dog with short hairs means you won’t have to remove hairs in your home!

Margaret suggested brushing them when sitting watching telly at night… makes you more likely to do it! (you could get rid of hairs from your sofa with a lint roller at the same time!) Whilst you may want the undercoat when you are showing dogs, the best way to remove it is to groom frequently… apparently on certain breeds the easiest removal is when you can see it lifting from the skin slightly because it comes away more easily then. The most common cause of dog hair loss is seasonal change, but I was surprised that she mentioned that hair loss is also affected by their food – so if you change their food you may notice a change in their hair loss.

I wanted to find out from Margaret whether I should be bathing my dog more frequently and what the benefits are. She’s not a great believer in bathing dogs too frequently because it makes their hair less water tight… but if you do wash your dogs try to let them dry naturally which is better because the heat from the hair dryer will make them loose oils – in a similar way that it does for us of course! Naturally as Margaret points out, the frequency a dog will need a wash will depend on the breed of dog (length of hair) and what they are doing in between washes! She told me that you can get some lovely grooming shampoos and sprays, so that with a light spray over the coat your dog can have a tangle free, conditioned and shiny coat… you can even get one which smells of Baby Powder, and Margaret can vouch that it will give your house that lovely Baby Powder smell!

So a house with fewer dog hairs and a lovely smell… thanks Margaret! Check out our wide range of Pet Hair Removers and keep an eye out for an article next when I’ll interview Jonathan B about some great new products coming soon!

More Caraselle Space Saving Solutions!

In addition to the many, many space savings hangers mentioned in my previous article: “Struggling for wardrobe space? Problem solved with our brilliant space saving hangers!” there are now even more brilliant space saving solutions which have been added to this range.

Apart from the clever Huggable Hangers, which are recent additions, for those who want to make use of their doors for storage, the new and unique “Over the Door Closet Organizer” is ideal.

It fits over almost any door because the patented sliding latch system allows the organizer to fit over doors up to 6cm thick, and so even fits over Fire Check doors. This is a really simple solution allowing you to create extra hanging space in your bedroom, dormitory, laundry / utility room or bathroom. It features an extra mini hanging rod, is strong, robust and really easy to assemble.

In the same range is the ‘Over Door Folding Hanger Bar’ which folds away when not in use. The latch system allows the hanger to fit over doors up to 5cm thick. It holds garments neatly and installs & removes instantly. Moulded ridges prevent hangers from sliding and you can hang up to 5 hangers neatly spaced apart.  Dimensions:  Height =  31 cms ( 12" ), Width  =   6 cms ( 2 3/8" ), Depth  =  26 cms ( 10 1/4" ) when extended.

Don’t forget the space saving range includes Space Saver Hanging Bars, Over Door Hangers and Space Saving Clothes Hangers.

Craft projects and household tasks made easier, find out how with Velcro® know how…

Anyone who has had to work on display items, notice boards, posters and other craft projects will know that it can become a very time consuming task, but the Velcro range has products that will assist with this yet again!

For example, the Velcro® Brand 12mm Permanent Clear Acid Free Glue Spots are high tack, mess free and easy to apply – they are the ideal alternative to tape, tacks, pins and glues. Great for cards, signs, decoupage, scrap & photo books, displays and more. Removable Glue Spots are available in packs of 80 also, which are easy to apply and importantly easy to remove too!

Velcro® Brand 25mm Stick On Squares are great for similar household or office uses and can be used to also keep lightweight items tidy and secure. They are ideal for light tools, notice boards, access panels, small electrical appliances, games & much more. Available in Black and White, each pack contains 24 sets of 25mm Black squares. Similarly you can buy Velcro® Stick on Coins, which can also be purchased as hook only, and loop only packs.

Tomorrow I'll be talking about great new space saving solutions which have been added to the already extensive Space Saver Range.

Clothes Repairs and more with Velcro®

I recently wrote about the ways I was making use of the new Velcro® products (such as the Sew & Stick Tape for attaching a blackout blind), but it’s also really useful to have certain items in your sewing kit for dressmaking and repairs. I’ve already mentioned the Hem Fix Kit, which is ideal for instant repairs, but Sew on Tape (plus Anti Snag Sew On Tape) and Iron on Tape are also great for use at home when you don’t need an instant fix.

The Velcro® Sew on Tape is ideal for many Home Furnishing and Dressmaking tasks. It can be used for hand or machine sewing of soft furnishings, garments and more round the home.  Each pack contains 20 mm x 1 metre and is very long lasting and durable.

For fine and delicate materials prone to snagging use the Velcro® Anti Snag Sew On Tape. Each pack contains 20mm x 3 metres ( 1.5 metres closure ).

Want to make it even easier? For those who don’t want to (or can’t) sew… try the Velcro® Iron on Tape which is great for non-sew applications. Ideal for repairing and making clothes - use it instead of Buttons & Zips. Each pack contains 16mm x 1 metre.  Need help with your craft projects too?

Find out tomorrow how Velcro® can come to the rescue again!

What do YOU say about our Sticky Roller Brush?

Recently I told you the many reasons why our Pet Hair Removers are so popular and the importance of the handle on the Best Selling Pet Hair Sticky Roller Brush “It’s all in the handle”.

However, you would probably prefer to hear why we are the home of the Sticky Roller Brush from people like yourselves.

So here’s what you are saying:

"No matter what pet you have, if it roams around the house it will leave hairs. I have used this product for years on clothes and soft furnishings. It is so easy to use and effective for removing pet hairs, great value for money. A five star buy."

"I have bought a number of different pet hair removers in the past and at long last this one is the best where the handle stays firmly attached to the roller without the roller flying off the handle as has happened to me in the past, so I will recommend this product 100%."

"Refill for Brush - Absolutely wonderful"

"Fantastic product. I have 2 cats which seem to shed incessantly. I have used rollers from Ikea and Asda (Korbond). Yours is far superior in terms of the length of time the stickiness lasts, and how much fur is picked up. These sticky rollers work great at removing my cats' loose fur.  P.S. And the 20 refill and a free loaded roller handle is excellent value for money."

"An excellent product, I've been using them for ages purchased through my local dry cleaners but now I buy them direct which is much better as I get the quantity I want at a better price and its direct which I prefer. Fast and efficient service, items arrived well packaged and are perfect for getting fluff and pet hair off your clothing or anything else for that matter!!"

If you spend more than £25.00 (excl. p&p) we will send you a FREE 7.5 metre Sticky Roller Brush worth £4.50* so you can see for yourself why people are talking about this product!

*UK only

Lavender in your wardrobe

Yesterday I went through some of our new cedar wood products that are infused with lavender – great products that serve a dual purpose being brilliant moth deterrents but also freshening by providing a wonderful lavender smell – well we also have some great products for doing just that in your wardrobe.  The new Deluxe Woodlore Aromatic Cedar Wood Hang-Up Infused with Calming Lavender Oil provides great Moth Protection and a natural aromatic scent. Eliminating odours and freshening, it is presented in an attractive gift box so makes a great gift.

Woodlore now have Aromatic Cedar Wood Shirt Hangers which are infused with Lavender – being 44cms wide makes them ideal for hanging shirts. With a chrome plated swivel hook there are 5 per pack. These are just part of the extensive range of Cedar Hangers.

Don’t forget there are many lavender products on the site including Lavender Balls – great for the car or wardrobe and made from 100% essential oils, Heathcote & Ivory Lavender Fragranced Sachet for drawers, cupboards & wardrobes, Heathcote & Ivory Lavender Padded Hangers and many more!