A BARGAIN shopper showed off a $2 Goodwill kitchen find that was a miracle.

Although it went undiscovered in her local store, she was able to determine the correct value on the handle.

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Nidia (@albanidia__) shared the sparse loot in a TikTok video.

She showed off Le Creuset’s latest steel pot to complement her kitchen collection, which normally retails for hundreds of dollars.

However, Nidia revealed that she only spent two dollars for it.

“My new beauty: Saving is the best,” she said.

“I buy these at the Goodwill outlet stores and because they are quite heavy, they usually cost between $2 and $4.”

When she opened the lid, she revealed that she had purchased the jar in a stained condition.

Dark brown stove stains lined the inside and bottom of the pan.

However, Nidia was undeterred as she loaded up on an army of dish soap and detergents.

She lathered the bottom with Bar Keeper’s Friend Liquid Soft Cleanser and Powder Cleanser.

She formed a paste with the powder and added more detergent to the pan for a complete clean.

Nidia scrubbed the pan thoroughly and set it aside for an hour.

After a warm water rinse, she was pleased with the amount of dirt and oil that came off.

“I’ll probably do the bottom again,” she said.

Many agreed that saving for household items often turned up the most unexpected treasures.

“I recently found two Dutch ovens at the thrift store. I love them and now I understand the hype, the quality is incredible,” said one commenter.

Some offered cleaning advice to get the remaining stains out.

“If you had a drill brush attachment for a drill it would make things so much easier! Nevertheless, it came out great,” said one viewer.

“I heat the pan then scrub with BarKeepers, works like a charm,” said another.

“Baking soda and aluminum foil. Trust me. It won’t scratch and gets them out quickly,” said a third.

One viewer offered a foolproof solution that guaranteed her a sparkling new pot.

“I believe Le Creuset will take and replace pans in less than ideal condition if you cannot get the stains out,” they said.

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By Marta Jary for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 7:56 AM EDT, March 18, 2024 | Updated: 7:59 AM EDT, March 18, 2024

The smell is unbearable and the mess is staggering – but a top cleaner says sprucing up hoarder homes like this is the ‘most rewarding’ job she’s ever done.

Arlene Jayne Batefrom Victoria, was forced to quit her corporate job in 2019 and didn’t know where her career would take her.

“I had a bit of a nervous breakdown,” Ms Bate said.

‘I had a burnout and didn’t want to return to the corporate world.’

But eventually she found purpose in helping people who have “lost” control of their homes and have not been able to properly maintain their properties for years.

Many tend to judge hoarders unfairly – because they cannot see beyond the accumulation of dirt and waste – but Ms Bate understands that this is the symptom of a complex mental health problem.

“The general perception is that hoarders are lazy slobs, which is far from the truth,” the cleaning professional said.

‘We’re getting thousands of comments on our social media pages with people calling them ‘filthy pigs’ and all kinds of horrible names.

“But what most people don’t realize is that hoarding is often a condition usually caused by some kind of trauma.”

Such triggers range from a death in the family to physical injury.

Mrs. Bate, running now Mrs. Muscle Cleansinghas worked hard to dismantle harmful stereotypes about hoarders and rebrand them as “hoarders” to alleviate the stigma.

Sometimes collecting is a learned behavior.

For example, Ms. Bate has had clients who grew up in a collector’s home and then became collectors because that’s the only way they can make a living.

“People don’t live this way because they want to, or because they’re lazy,” Ms. Bate said.

Ms. Bate gave an example of a young man she helped a few months ago.

‘He lived with his mother and they had agreed that no matter what, he would not send her to an old people’s home. But unfortunately, she developed dementia and it became a challenge to care for her alone.

‘Eventually he decided to put his mother in an assisted living facility, and the first night she was really horrible to him. The mother was not lucid, she was not in the right state of mind – she told him that she hated him and that she would never forgive him.

‘The client went home after the argument and his mother died that same night.

“That traumatic event triggered his hoarding and he started collecting things he thought his mother would like.”

Ms Bate admitted that hoarding can be fatal.

“Hoarders live in an environment that poses a fire hazard,” she said. ‘

Many home fires are not caused by the condition of the home, but because it is messy.’

There are different types of hoarding and patients collect items for different reasons, Ms Bate said.

Sometimes it’s because they have an emotional bond. For example, the cleaners enter a house where there are a lot of baby clothes, even though the residents have no grandchildren.

“They think they’re going to have grandchildren and they want to be prepared,” she explained.

‘It’s difficult to work with the customer in those circumstances, because those things are not necessary now.

‘Then you have those who collect things that might come in handy one day, like jam jars. If someone has an empty one, he cannot throw it away because he can fill it with something in the future and give it away. There is no way to get rid of that item.”

Sometimes customers become obsessive about an item.

“They may have a can of beans, but they want to be able to see all four sides of it, so they buy three more and put them together on a shelf.”

The cleaning company’s longest job lasted 200 hours and lasted more than a month.

‘We advise our customers during every step of the process. We have two people work with a client to clear out items in their home that they don’t need. Normally we carry out a large-scale emptying and then a deep, industrial cleaning.

‘Another approach is called the ‘get sh*t done’ method. We go in, take out all the trash, remove everything in the house. There is no customer intervention, we just clean until the house shines again.

“But the other form of hoarding is when you can’t clear everything out, because it causes additional trauma and can worsen the disease.”

Ms Bate also revealed it is a myth that hidden treasures are often found under piles of belongings.

‘What collectors have usually has no value. They collect cardboard boxes, old newspapers, furniture from the street, empty jars, cans of beans.’

The one thing Bate always encounters when she’s cleaning out houses are spiders.

“There aren’t always cockroaches or other insects or rodents, but there are always hundreds of spiders,” she said.

“We just worked on a house where hundreds of redbacks came running out.

‘We found dozens of nests everywhere, dark and dirty everywhere. On the back of a laundry basket, under the trash on the floor, they were literally everywhere.”

Ms Bate and her team move the spiders when they can, but that is not always possible.

Despite the hard work and difficulties, Bate revealed that she far prefers cleaning collective housing over simple household chores.

“In my opinion, domestic clients are much more demanding and are never satisfied with the work you do,” she said.

‘They are often not grateful for the hard work involved in cleaning, unlike our hoarders.

‘Now I know we provide a service that allows customers to make a huge positive change in their lives. You don’t get the same satisfaction from working as a domestic helper.

‘I like that we provide an environment where clients can move from a life of chaos to a life of peace and tranquility. Hopefully the transition in their home will allow them to incorporate that into the challenges they encounter in their daily lives.”

A PREGNANT mother who sued Ikea over a kitchen installation ‘nightmare’ claims she is still owed more than £4,000 despite a court ruling in her favour.

31-year-old Jessica Holmes reportedly had a kitchen installed by the Swedish company two years ago, but was shocked by the ‘terrible’ workmanship.

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She finally took legal action on February 5 and was overjoyed when she was told that Ikea would have to pay her £4,192 within 14 days, as well as her legal costs of £205.

But more than a month later, the teaching assistant says she still hasn’t received a cent and has ‘had enough’.

Mum-of-four Jessica, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, told The Sun: “It was an absolute nightmare.

“You wouldn’t think that a big company like Ikea would do this. I am currently on maternity leave.

“I spent my entire pregnancy calling Ikea to resolve this.

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Have you had a bad experience with an Ikea kitchen? Email: Jonathan.Rose@thesun.co.uk

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“I was literally on a drip in the hospital and called Ikea.

“Financially it’s been a struggle having to keep fighting this in court to get my money.

“We were looking forward to getting a new kitchen, but the whole experience was just terrible.

“I have never experienced such poor communication. They have been so rude.”

Jessica claims the kitchen is usable, but the worktops are all cracked, cupboard doors are unattached and there is a cutout for the boiler that “looks like it was made by a child”.

She says she has spoken to Ikea and their legal team will contact me again, but she has not received any further correspondence.

Jessica continued: “The judge was shocked. He said he couldn’t believe the state of the kitchen.

‘Ikea ​​didn’t even have the decency to come to court. We have now sent bailiffs to collect the debt.’

An Ikea spokesperson said: “Ikea was not informed of the court hearing, which took place in our absence, and a judgment was therefore entered against us without our knowledge.

“Having received a copy of the judgment, we are now working to ensure the customer is fully reimbursed and to resolve the issue to his satisfaction.”

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A gardening expert has advised you against throwing away some of your kitchen scraps and instead throw them in your garden.

Not only will it help your plants grow, but many of the DIY techniques can deter creepy crawlies and kill stubborn weeds.

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Halton Stairlifts outdoor expert Neil McKenzie shared sustainable hacks that promise to rejuvenate your garden in spring so it blooms in summer.

Many of the tips include everyday items from your kitchen, such as tea bags, eggs and other essentials.

EGGSHELL MAGICAL

There is also a special magic that comes with an ordinary breakfast staple.

Neil said crushed eggshells are a ‘fantastic source of calcium’, which helps plants develop strong cell walls.

There is also an added benefit to sprinkling crushed eggshells around your plants.

USE OLD COFFEE INGREDIENTS

If you’re an avid coffee drinker and don’t know where to put your coffee grounds, Neil has shared an eco-friendly solution.

“If you grow acid-loving plants such as roses, azaleas or blueberries, sprinkling used coffee grounds around them can help lower the soil pH, creating an ideal growing environment,” he said.

BANANA PEEL FERTILIZER

Neil said banana peels are a “gold mine” of potassium, phosphorus and calcium, which promote overall plant health and boost flower and fruit production.

“Buriing chopped banana peels near the roots of your plants can boost their growth and resilience,” he said.

Do not throw away used tea bags

Many of us like to have a hot cup of tea in the morning, but Neil advised not to throw these in the bin once they’ve been used.

According to him, they are rich in tannic acid and nutrients, which can improve soil quality.

“Bury them just below the soil surface to retain moisture, reduce fungal infections and give your plants a nutritional boost,” he added.

They deter snails without using harmful chemicals.

REUSE COOKING WATER

Neil suggested a useful method for boiling water after steaming or boiling your vegetables.

They are packed with nutrients that are good for your garden

Once the water has cooled, pour it over your plants and give them an extra mineral boost.

DIY VINEGAR WEED REPELLENT

A handy DIY recipe involves mixing vinegar, water and a drop of dish soap, which can be an effective herbicide against nuisance weeds.

Spray it directly on the leaves of unwanted plants to curb their growth without damaging the soil or nearby plants.

According to Neil McKenzie, enforcing all these tricks can “improve the vitality and aesthetics of your garden” and contribute to more environmentally friendly gardening.

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JACK Grealish has landed a tasty new brand deal – after signing up for a new advertising campaign for Hellman’s mayonnaise.

The Manchester City boss filmed the ad last week with some of his England teammates.

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Insiders said the Mayo ad would air in the run-up to the euro in Germany this summer.

A source said: “Jack is in demand off the pitch and he is the star of a new Hellman’s Mayo advert.

“He took part in a video shoot in Manchester last week with some other English players.

“The details of the shoot are still being kept under wraps, but it will feature Jack and his teammates enjoying a few squirts of the white stuff.”

Jack is a big fan of sauce and was even given his own brand of Nando’s Peri-Peri sauce at a party last year.

The chicken chain created Super Jack’s Sauce for the winger who loves takeaway after a game.

He said he ordered the same Chinese restaurant, Spinningfields’ Wing’s Restaurant, after every match at the Etihad last summer.

Jack said: “I like Chinese. I get one after every game.

‘I’m going to Wings in Manchester. I usually get a takeaway. I have Singapore chow mein, I have egg fried rice, I have salt and pepper chips, I have salt and pepper shrimp and then curry sauce.

“Then I just mix it all up and have a big free for all.”

Last month, Jack, 28, signed a seven-figure deal to become the new face of Pepsi.

He joined the campaign with ex-footballer and actor Vinnie Jones.

A DERMATOLOGIST revealed her secret to getting rid of dandruff and oily hair.

She said her hack can be found in most pantries and works in minutes.

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TikToker Dr. Neera Nathan (@dermatologysurgeon) wrote that her patients were speechless when they heard about her trick.

Dr. Neera, a Harvard-trained dermatologist, said her remedy for oily hair and dandruff is apple cider vinegar.

“Apple cider vinegar has antifungal and exfoliating properties, making it a natural treatment for scalp buildup, dandruff, and greasy hair or oily roots,” she wrote.

Dr. Neera said to mix the vinegar with water and put it in a spray bottle.

“I recommend spraying one part ACV and four parts water onto the scalp,” she said. “Leave it on for five minutes and then rinse.”

“This can be used once to twice a week and also acts as a brightening treatment,” the doctor added.

Neera posted a video of herself staring into the camera and blinking, possibly joking that her patients were speechless at her suggestion.

“When I tell my patients to apply diluted apple cider vinegar to their scalp for 5 minutes, this is a natural way to get rid of dandruff and greasy hair,” she wrote.

Neera’s post attracted more than 1,100 comments.

Many of the people who wrote comments agreed with the doctor’s tip.

“When I tell my patients to apply diluted apple cider vinegar to their scalp for 5 minutes, this is a natural way to get rid of dandruff and greasy hair.”

“As someone who does this, it works,” one person wrote.

“I do this once a week and it makes your hair so soft and revives your curls,” said a second.

“And it’s so great for detangling hair as it gives it a soft texture,” added a third.

“These are facts,” a fourth posted.

There is no research to support the claim that apple cider vinegar improves dandruff Healthlinebut there are anecdotal claims that it works.

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A SKINCARE fan has shared a homemade facial cleansing recipe she created with anti-aging benefits.

She was able to prepare the anti-aging recipe with all-natural ingredients in her kitchen.

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Vicky (@vicky84201) shared the ‘organic’ skincare recipe in a TikTok video.

She explained that the DIY face wash was great “for hyperpigmentation and anti-aging properties.”

To start, she made oranges, pomegranates, green tea, rice water, honey, turmeric and soap base.

In a glass, she heated a bag of green tea in rice water, oranges and pomegranate juice in the microwave.

After extracting the green tea, she stirred the mixture thoroughly.

She transferred the juice to a large glass jar and added the honey, turmeric and soap base.

After another round in the microwave for 40 seconds, she transferred the finished face wash into a spray bottle.

“You’re done! Ready for a brighter, more even skin tone,” she said.

When she was ready to cleanse her skin, Vicky simply gave her face a few good spritzes and a good splash of water.

“It works,” she said simply.

People were excited to try her DIY and many thanked her for sharing.

“Keep up the good work,” said one commenter.

“It’s just amazing,” said another.

“It turned out great!” said a third.

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A BARGAIN hunter has shared the handy Dollar Tree purchase that helped her clear out her closet clutter.

The $1.25 purchase helped her up her kitchen organization game.

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Marilyn (@iammarilynrivera) shared the convenient Dollar Tree purchase in a TikTok video.

She took viewers on her shopping trip and revealed her “hack for a small apartment worth $1.25.”

“Are you looking for that extra space in your kitchen cupboards?” she said.

Although being organized was crucial, she didn’t want to compromise on aesthetics.

“But also try to make it look cute and organized, run to Dollar Tree and grab this!” she said.

She showed off her new closet organizer, which gave her another shelf to work with.

When she got home, Marilyn took all the dishes and utensils out of her kitchen cupboard.

Putting the shelf organizer in place allowed her to stack more dishes as she pleased.

“It made my kitchen cabinets look so much more organized and for only $1.25!” she said.

People shared their own Dollar Tree tricks and tips, including one commenter who bought the same organizers.

“I combined two side by side and used them as holders for my cat’s food bowls, then placed a plastic mat on top,” they said.

“I recently found these nice glass jars with metal lids that are quite authentic for 1.25!” said another.

“Live that fun organizational life for little money!”

“I love the Dollar Tree store, I couldn’t live without it,” said one Dollar Tree fan.

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