Cleaning expert's 59p trick to remove pine needles without breaking the vacuum
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If you've chosen a real Christmas tree this year, you might have noticed the floor beneath it starting to get littered with pine needles. And while your first instinct might be to grab your vacuum cleaner, pause for a moment before you do, as you could potentially damage the device. This is because the needles can become lodged in various parts of the machine - including the hose, bag, and filters - and can cause a blockage when they accumulate.
But don't worry, this doesn't mean you have to try and pick up the needles by hand. Cleaning guru Emily Barron revealed that one of the simplest ways to clean up fallen pine needles involves a common kitchen item that many of us may already have at home - particularly if you've been doing any festive baking.
All you need to do is sprinkle baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, on the floor to cover the pine needles and make them easier to collect, then use a broom or a lint roller to gather the pesky needles. Once gathered, the needles should be disposed of in the garden bin, and the remaining baking soda can then be vacuumed up, leaving your floors spotless once more. Bicarb is a frequent ingredient in cooking, but if you need to rush out to buy some, Tesco sells it for just 59p.
Emily, a cleaning expert at Rezigo, emphasised the importance of keeping your Christmas tree watered to prevent excessive needle dropping. However, she warned that the type of water you use could potentially cause more harm. She advised: "Make sure you top up the water every other day and be sure not to let the base dry or a seal can form and it might not take up further water. And be careful about the water you're topping it up with.".
