Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 51:19
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Using Old Dish Mop; DIY Cake Boards Display Homemade Cakes, Saving $90; No Ice Needed
3. Share Your Tips -
4. 2020 Saving Revolution - Registration is now open!
5. Membership Sale
6. On the Menu - Meal Ideas for Christmas Leftovers
7, The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Christmas Dinner
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. The Cheapskates Club Show
10. Last Week's Question - Best, cheapest way to clean laminate floors?
11. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I love this time of year. I love the Christmas tree. I love making the cakes and puddings and mince pies and shortbread. I love wrapping presents and looking for the perfect bow or ribbon to finish them off so they are "just so".
I love the carols, even the nerdy ones in the shopping centres. I love watching those cheesy Christmas movies. I love Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve.
I love the shimmer of tinsel as the fairy lights bounce off it. I even love the meal planning for Christmas dinner. I love that all these things mean Christmas to my family.
I love that we own our Christmas. I love that so many Cheapskaters have taken up the challenge and own their Christmases too.
But my favourite thing about Christmas is putting out the nativity sets and thinking about the Christmas story and that very first Christmas and what it means to the world.
However you spend Christmas Day, I wish you and yours peace and joy, now and for the future.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
PS: Just 27 Planners left! We have just 27 Living the Cheapskates Way Budget & Lifestyle Planners left! If you've been putting off ordering, you need to get in quick. This is the very last of this year's planners, and we'll be using them in The Cheapskates Club next year for the 2020 Saving Revolution and as we practice meal planning and budgeting and getting organised and all manner of other things we do the Cheapskates way. You can order your planner here. Please note that while we will ship them as they are ordered, we can't guarantee that they will be delivered before Christmas.
2. From The Tip Store
Using Old Dish MopDon’t throw away an old dish mops instead use them for when you wash your car! They are perfect for cleaning the wheels and bumpers, and get into those tight spots easily
DIY Cake Boards Display Homemade Cakes, Saving $90
Instead of paying $15 or more from my local cake shop for cake boards to display home-made cakes, I use artist's canvases bought from $2 Shops or The Reject Shop for $2 - $3 each. They make excellent cake boards, come in a variety of sizes in square or rectangular shapes and can be re-used over and over. Depending on the type of cake and how it is decorated I either cover the board with ordinary foil, wrapping paper or cut to size plastic party tablecloths (again bought from The Reject Shop for $2), sticky-taped neatly on the back of the board. With six birthdays a year, not to mention other special occasions, making my own cake boards saves my family at least $90 a year!
Contributed by Pat Allan
No Ice Needed
When going camping I pre-make the evening meals and freeze them in containers. When frozen I pop them out and then vacuum seal and keep frozen till the trip. These frozen meals act like ice bricks in the esky, keeping other food cool. And if you need to top up with a bit of ice near the end of the trip the food won't spoil by absorbing any water.
Contributed by Julie Stroud-Watts
Editor's note: I do this too, with the added advantage of being able to heat the meal in the bag, saving on washing up when water can often be scarce. I have also made freezer blocks by putting 2cm water in the bottom of 2 litre ice-cream containers and freezing, then vacuum seal the ice-block and store flat in the freezer. Because they're vacuum sealed, they can be thawed and frozen over and over, just remember to keep them flat. Cath
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. 2020 Saving Revolution
Registration for the 2020 Cheapskates Club Saving Revolution is now open, but will close at 5pm on 31st December 2019.
If you'd like to join the Saving Revolution, and get your finances under control so you too can live life debt free, cashed up and laughing you'll need to register before 5pm on Tuesday, 31st December 2019. Late registrations will not be accepted so get in early!
Click here to register.
Registration is open to anyone, but there are advantages to joining the Saving Revolution as a Cheapskates Club member.
As well as weekly lessons and challenges (which everyone will receive) Cheapskates Club members will have access to the 2020 Saving Revolution Forum, Saving Revolution tools, tip sheets, videos and webinars (you can join the Cheapskates Club here).
Have questions? I've answered the most common Saving Revolution questions here.
5. Membership Sale
New Cheapskates Club memberships are now just $25 for the first year!
If you want to win the Battle of the Bills (and who doesn't?) then the Cheapskates Club is the place to find the resources you need to plan your money saving strategies and attack the bill monster.
To help you get started, the price of Cheapskates Club Platinum membership is just $25.00* for the first year until 5pm AEDST, Tuesday 31st December 2019.
Click here to order your membership now!
6. On The Menu
Meal Ideas for Christmas Leftovers
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow. I also hope you've done your meal plan for not only tomorrow but the rest of the week to use up those inevitable leftovers. Even if you only have enough food left after Christmas day for one meal, think about how you are going to use it.
Will you be able to use those leftovers before they go off (3 -- 4 days max if they are covered in the fridge)? an it be frozen as is? Can it be recycled as another dish?
Meal Ideas for Leftovers
Slice chicken, turkey or ham. Layer slices in a shallow dish. Make up the appropriate gravy and cover the sliced meat. Seal the container (burping to expel trapped air). Label and freeze. Thaw completely before reheating gently in the microwave or in a low oven.
Mash leftover roast veggies such as potato, pumpkin, onion with leftover peas, corn, carrots, beans etc. Add a beaten egg and mix through. Shape into croquette shapes; roll in plain flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs. Flash freeze (freeze in a single layer on a biscuit sheet) then store in an airtight container. Thaw before gently frying in shallow oil. These are very nice with a sweet chili sauce.
Shred leftover cooked chicken or turkey to make lettuce rolls, cabbage rolls, chicken tacos, curry etc. Store the shredded meat in an airtight container. Thaw before using.
Slice leftover Christmas pudding and freeze in single portions. You'll be able to enjoy your pudding in winter when the colder weather welcomes heavier desserts. Double wrap in plastic film and store in a ziplock bag (expel the air before sealing).
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Baked Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday: Gnocchi & garlic bread
Wednesday: Christmas Day
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Hamburgers
In the fruit bowl: cherries, mandarins, bananas, watermelon
In the cake tin: shortbread, fruit cake, melting moments, afghans
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
7. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Christmas Dinner
With Christmas just under a week away, I'm sure you've thought a lot about Christmas dinner, and what you'll be serving. It's tempting to go overboard, after all, we all want to enjoy a delicious feast on this special day. But remember - it's just one meal, on one day of the year.
Yes, we want it to be special, but we don't want that one meal to cost a week's wages. Make it special by setting a lovely table. Use a nice tablecloth and pretty serviettes. Bring out your best dishes and glassware. Make place cards for the table. Use a candle wrapped in tinsel for a centrepiece (you don't need to light the candle, especially if it's a very hot Christmas Day - it just looks lovely).
And then the meal. Keep it simple, whether you like the traditional roast or go for a genuine Aussie barbecue or a more modern meal.
A traditional roast might be chicken and ham, with roast potatoes and pumpkin, cauliflower in cheese sauce and green beans. For dessert plum pudding, custard and ice-cream.
A barbecue could be gourmet sausages and rissoles, caramelized onion and a tossed salad, coleslaw, bread or buns and a big pavlova or fruit salad for dessert.
Remember numbers: how many are you catering for? I like to suggest you cater for the number of guests plus one more. That way you are sure you have plenty of food, and you're not left with loads of leftovers to store.
Which brings me to: leftovers. Our wonderful climate does not lend itself to leaving food out on tables for hours. So serve your meal, then get the leftovers into the fridge as quickly as possible. If you do happen to have a lot of one thing leftover, break it down into smaller containers. It will chill faster, lessening the chance of any nasties incubating.
But regardless of your menu, remember: Christmas Dinner is just one meal, on one day of the year.
Be sensible, and you'll be able to enjoy it, knowing you haven't gone broke.
Merry Christmas everyone!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
8. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Simple Ways to Slam the Brakes on Impulse Buys this Boxing Day
Turn Leftovers into Lunches
What's in the Fridge?
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Help Needed
Christmas 2019
It’s Not Exactly Brain Surgery!
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
Top 7 Favourite Icy Pole Ideas
It's Clean Out The Fridge Day
Tips for Making Great Jam
9. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Coming Up
Tonight (Thursday 18/12/19) Rocky Road Wreath, Quick Fudge and other edible gift ideas
Latest Shows
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Using Old Dish Mop; DIY Cake Boards Display Homemade Cakes, Saving $90; No Ice Needed
3. Share Your Tips -
4. 2020 Saving Revolution - Registration is now open!
5. Membership Sale
6. On the Menu - Meal Ideas for Christmas Leftovers
7, The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Christmas Dinner
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. The Cheapskates Club Show
10. Last Week's Question - Best, cheapest way to clean laminate floors?
11. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I love this time of year. I love the Christmas tree. I love making the cakes and puddings and mince pies and shortbread. I love wrapping presents and looking for the perfect bow or ribbon to finish them off so they are "just so".
I love the carols, even the nerdy ones in the shopping centres. I love watching those cheesy Christmas movies. I love Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve.
I love the shimmer of tinsel as the fairy lights bounce off it. I even love the meal planning for Christmas dinner. I love that all these things mean Christmas to my family.
I love that we own our Christmas. I love that so many Cheapskaters have taken up the challenge and own their Christmases too.
But my favourite thing about Christmas is putting out the nativity sets and thinking about the Christmas story and that very first Christmas and what it means to the world.
However you spend Christmas Day, I wish you and yours peace and joy, now and for the future.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
PS: Just 27 Planners left! We have just 27 Living the Cheapskates Way Budget & Lifestyle Planners left! If you've been putting off ordering, you need to get in quick. This is the very last of this year's planners, and we'll be using them in The Cheapskates Club next year for the 2020 Saving Revolution and as we practice meal planning and budgeting and getting organised and all manner of other things we do the Cheapskates way. You can order your planner here. Please note that while we will ship them as they are ordered, we can't guarantee that they will be delivered before Christmas.
2. From The Tip Store
Using Old Dish MopDon’t throw away an old dish mops instead use them for when you wash your car! They are perfect for cleaning the wheels and bumpers, and get into those tight spots easily
DIY Cake Boards Display Homemade Cakes, Saving $90
Instead of paying $15 or more from my local cake shop for cake boards to display home-made cakes, I use artist's canvases bought from $2 Shops or The Reject Shop for $2 - $3 each. They make excellent cake boards, come in a variety of sizes in square or rectangular shapes and can be re-used over and over. Depending on the type of cake and how it is decorated I either cover the board with ordinary foil, wrapping paper or cut to size plastic party tablecloths (again bought from The Reject Shop for $2), sticky-taped neatly on the back of the board. With six birthdays a year, not to mention other special occasions, making my own cake boards saves my family at least $90 a year!
Contributed by Pat Allan
No Ice Needed
When going camping I pre-make the evening meals and freeze them in containers. When frozen I pop them out and then vacuum seal and keep frozen till the trip. These frozen meals act like ice bricks in the esky, keeping other food cool. And if you need to top up with a bit of ice near the end of the trip the food won't spoil by absorbing any water.
Contributed by Julie Stroud-Watts
Editor's note: I do this too, with the added advantage of being able to heat the meal in the bag, saving on washing up when water can often be scarce. I have also made freezer blocks by putting 2cm water in the bottom of 2 litre ice-cream containers and freezing, then vacuum seal the ice-block and store flat in the freezer. Because they're vacuum sealed, they can be thawed and frozen over and over, just remember to keep them flat. Cath
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. 2020 Saving Revolution
Registration for the 2020 Cheapskates Club Saving Revolution is now open, but will close at 5pm on 31st December 2019.
If you'd like to join the Saving Revolution, and get your finances under control so you too can live life debt free, cashed up and laughing you'll need to register before 5pm on Tuesday, 31st December 2019. Late registrations will not be accepted so get in early!
Click here to register.
Registration is open to anyone, but there are advantages to joining the Saving Revolution as a Cheapskates Club member.
As well as weekly lessons and challenges (which everyone will receive) Cheapskates Club members will have access to the 2020 Saving Revolution Forum, Saving Revolution tools, tip sheets, videos and webinars (you can join the Cheapskates Club here).
Have questions? I've answered the most common Saving Revolution questions here.
5. Membership Sale
New Cheapskates Club memberships are now just $25 for the first year!
If you want to win the Battle of the Bills (and who doesn't?) then the Cheapskates Club is the place to find the resources you need to plan your money saving strategies and attack the bill monster.
To help you get started, the price of Cheapskates Club Platinum membership is just $25.00* for the first year until 5pm AEDST, Tuesday 31st December 2019.
Click here to order your membership now!
6. On The Menu
Meal Ideas for Christmas Leftovers
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow. I also hope you've done your meal plan for not only tomorrow but the rest of the week to use up those inevitable leftovers. Even if you only have enough food left after Christmas day for one meal, think about how you are going to use it.
Will you be able to use those leftovers before they go off (3 -- 4 days max if they are covered in the fridge)? an it be frozen as is? Can it be recycled as another dish?
Meal Ideas for Leftovers
Slice chicken, turkey or ham. Layer slices in a shallow dish. Make up the appropriate gravy and cover the sliced meat. Seal the container (burping to expel trapped air). Label and freeze. Thaw completely before reheating gently in the microwave or in a low oven.
Mash leftover roast veggies such as potato, pumpkin, onion with leftover peas, corn, carrots, beans etc. Add a beaten egg and mix through. Shape into croquette shapes; roll in plain flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs. Flash freeze (freeze in a single layer on a biscuit sheet) then store in an airtight container. Thaw before gently frying in shallow oil. These are very nice with a sweet chili sauce.
Shred leftover cooked chicken or turkey to make lettuce rolls, cabbage rolls, chicken tacos, curry etc. Store the shredded meat in an airtight container. Thaw before using.
Slice leftover Christmas pudding and freeze in single portions. You'll be able to enjoy your pudding in winter when the colder weather welcomes heavier desserts. Double wrap in plastic film and store in a ziplock bag (expel the air before sealing).
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Baked Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday: Gnocchi & garlic bread
Wednesday: Christmas Day
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Hamburgers
In the fruit bowl: cherries, mandarins, bananas, watermelon
In the cake tin: shortbread, fruit cake, melting moments, afghans
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
7. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Christmas Dinner
With Christmas just under a week away, I'm sure you've thought a lot about Christmas dinner, and what you'll be serving. It's tempting to go overboard, after all, we all want to enjoy a delicious feast on this special day. But remember - it's just one meal, on one day of the year.
Yes, we want it to be special, but we don't want that one meal to cost a week's wages. Make it special by setting a lovely table. Use a nice tablecloth and pretty serviettes. Bring out your best dishes and glassware. Make place cards for the table. Use a candle wrapped in tinsel for a centrepiece (you don't need to light the candle, especially if it's a very hot Christmas Day - it just looks lovely).
And then the meal. Keep it simple, whether you like the traditional roast or go for a genuine Aussie barbecue or a more modern meal.
A traditional roast might be chicken and ham, with roast potatoes and pumpkin, cauliflower in cheese sauce and green beans. For dessert plum pudding, custard and ice-cream.
A barbecue could be gourmet sausages and rissoles, caramelized onion and a tossed salad, coleslaw, bread or buns and a big pavlova or fruit salad for dessert.
Remember numbers: how many are you catering for? I like to suggest you cater for the number of guests plus one more. That way you are sure you have plenty of food, and you're not left with loads of leftovers to store.
Which brings me to: leftovers. Our wonderful climate does not lend itself to leaving food out on tables for hours. So serve your meal, then get the leftovers into the fridge as quickly as possible. If you do happen to have a lot of one thing leftover, break it down into smaller containers. It will chill faster, lessening the chance of any nasties incubating.
But regardless of your menu, remember: Christmas Dinner is just one meal, on one day of the year.
Be sensible, and you'll be able to enjoy it, knowing you haven't gone broke.
Merry Christmas everyone!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
8. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Simple Ways to Slam the Brakes on Impulse Buys this Boxing Day
Turn Leftovers into Lunches
What's in the Fridge?
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Help Needed
Christmas 2019
It’s Not Exactly Brain Surgery!
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
Top 7 Favourite Icy Pole Ideas
It's Clean Out The Fridge Day
Tips for Making Great Jam
9. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Coming Up
Tonight (Thursday 18/12/19) Rocky Road Wreath, Quick Fudge and other edible gift ideas
Latest Shows
10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Nance who wrote
"I have recently had Laminate flooring put in and wondered the best way to “wash” it as liquids are a no=no on laminate. I vacuum it but there are still spots to be seen. What is the best value for money cleaner to use? Thanking you for your help."
Susan Denne answered
Plenty of "swiffer" type mops are available. You attach a wipe to the mop and discard wipe when dirty. Another type has a microfibre pad with a spray bottle. A fine mist that is mopped up does not hurt laminate. DIY solution that saves money by not having to buy wipes - if you already have a dust mop then make up a suitable solution in a spray bottle, spray a section and then run dust mop over then move on to another section. I have used these methods on laminate flooring that is 13+ years old.
Abbie Moncrieff answered
I’m in my second house with laminate floorboards and understand your pain..! My mum put me onto Long Life Self Shining Floor Polish. It is a true godsend!! Initially you need to clean the floors with the microfibre mop and wipe all imperfections by hand if needed so that there are no nasties that you don’t want “trapped”. Using a spare microfibre head on your floor mop, apply the polish liberally. Be careful not to get it on anything you don’t want it on i.e. skirting boards, carpet. I usually wait for the first coat to dry and then do a second coat. It acts as a sealer so when you use the recommended floorboard spray and microfibre mop, it will pick the dirt / dust up. I repeat this process approximately every three months. Make sure you pop the microfibre mop head used to apply the polish in a plastics bag in the fridge to reuse next time or it will go hard.
Judy Bancks answered
All flooring stores sell a product to clean laminate floors, called Laminate and Hardwood cleaner, various brands. This is used monthly, using a fine spray from a spray bottle then wiped over with a dry microfibres mop. This lifts any smears and leaves a lovely new look sheen. Spilt liquids should be mopped up immediately of course using a soft microfibre cloth, and a wipe over with a dry mop at least weekly should lift dust and prevent scratches from occurring
Sharon Pauley answered
Some warm water in a mop bucket. A cap full of mentholated spirits. Ring out mop so it's not very wet and mop. I do it all the time on laminate and sealed timber. I was told this years ago from a flooring company. Works perfectly and puts on a lovely shine.
11. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
12. Join The Cheapskates Club
Until 5pm, 31st December 2019, for just $25 for the first year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
13. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
As per the terms of sbucription, your renewal will be processed on the due date. Renewal notices are not sent. You can find your membership expiry date on your profile page (membership are active for one year from the date of joining/renewing).
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
14. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates
www.cheapskatesclub.net
Last week's question was from Nance who wrote
"I have recently had Laminate flooring put in and wondered the best way to “wash” it as liquids are a no=no on laminate. I vacuum it but there are still spots to be seen. What is the best value for money cleaner to use? Thanking you for your help."
Susan Denne answered
Plenty of "swiffer" type mops are available. You attach a wipe to the mop and discard wipe when dirty. Another type has a microfibre pad with a spray bottle. A fine mist that is mopped up does not hurt laminate. DIY solution that saves money by not having to buy wipes - if you already have a dust mop then make up a suitable solution in a spray bottle, spray a section and then run dust mop over then move on to another section. I have used these methods on laminate flooring that is 13+ years old.
Abbie Moncrieff answered
I’m in my second house with laminate floorboards and understand your pain..! My mum put me onto Long Life Self Shining Floor Polish. It is a true godsend!! Initially you need to clean the floors with the microfibre mop and wipe all imperfections by hand if needed so that there are no nasties that you don’t want “trapped”. Using a spare microfibre head on your floor mop, apply the polish liberally. Be careful not to get it on anything you don’t want it on i.e. skirting boards, carpet. I usually wait for the first coat to dry and then do a second coat. It acts as a sealer so when you use the recommended floorboard spray and microfibre mop, it will pick the dirt / dust up. I repeat this process approximately every three months. Make sure you pop the microfibre mop head used to apply the polish in a plastics bag in the fridge to reuse next time or it will go hard.
Judy Bancks answered
All flooring stores sell a product to clean laminate floors, called Laminate and Hardwood cleaner, various brands. This is used monthly, using a fine spray from a spray bottle then wiped over with a dry microfibres mop. This lifts any smears and leaves a lovely new look sheen. Spilt liquids should be mopped up immediately of course using a soft microfibre cloth, and a wipe over with a dry mop at least weekly should lift dust and prevent scratches from occurring
Sharon Pauley answered
Some warm water in a mop bucket. A cap full of mentholated spirits. Ring out mop so it's not very wet and mop. I do it all the time on laminate and sealed timber. I was told this years ago from a flooring company. Works perfectly and puts on a lovely shine.
11. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
12. Join The Cheapskates Club
Until 5pm, 31st December 2019, for just $25 for the first year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
13. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
As per the terms of sbucription, your renewal will be processed on the due date. Renewal notices are not sent. You can find your membership expiry date on your profile page (membership are active for one year from the date of joining/renewing).
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
14. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates
www.cheapskatesclub.net