More NT Handy Hints by Emma
HANG CLOTHES INSIDE OUT TO AVOID FADING
SEAL YOUR WASHING DETERGENT POWDERS IN AN AIR TIGHT CONTAINER.
OTHER WISE IT WILL BECOME A HARD LUMP!
REMEMBER TO DISSOLVE YOUR POWDER IN A BUCKET OF HOT WATER PRIOR TO WASHING. AFTER YOU TIP IT EVENLY ON THE LOAD, FILL IT STRAIGHT BACK UP WITH A SCOOP OF DETERGENT AND THE HOT WATER, SO NEXT WASH ITS ALREADY DISSOLVED FOR THE LOAD. CHOICE MAGAZINE RATED “OMO MICRO CONCENTRATE” THE WHITEST WASH & “DUO” FOR THE PRICE.
IF YOU LAUNDER NAVY WHITES, OR LIGHT COLOURS TAKE NOTE IF YOUR WASHING LINE IS UNDER TREES. IF IT IS, COVER THE LINE WITH A TARP OR COVER TO PROTECT CLOTHES FROM BATS AND POLLEN FROM FLOWERS ETC
Because of the damp climate during the wet season, its important to keep areas where white goods are located DRY and DUST FREE. Otherwise rust develops rapidly, reducing the life span of your appliances. Don’t cover white goods with plastic/tarps that don't ’breath’
Wipe over white goods firstly with an anti mould solution, allow to dry, then apply a rich furniture polish as a barrier.
No mould or rust will grow
Leave your pegs to hang on the line. putting them away often encourages a warm dark damp area for bugs to lurk, so when you reach in for the pegs! Ahh! This is another good reason to give all washing a VERY good shakE out when bringing it in off the line. Many unique insects find their way on to the washing line and into your clothes. ARACNAPHOBIA!!!
I have had a red back bite from the washing, which is not pleasant!
During the wet season utilise the undercover areas of your house for drying clothes. You will find most storms move in the afternoon, so hang the washing out early. If you use your dryer, much sure there is excellent ventilation, or the humidity builds up in the dryer room and wrecks the dryer circuits!
As tenant you are responsible for any mould build up in your home, so make sure the laundry is always well ventilated. Leave all the doors and windows open when possible. Give all the surfaces regular coatings of your anti mould solution.
Add a few drops of PATCHOULI oil to the rinse cycle of the wash, and when washing sheets & towels, add a capful of EUCALYPTUS oil during rinse cycle. Both these oils are anti fungal , anti bacterial, anti dust mite
If you are really stuck to dry something, remember that members of a Mess are entitled to use the laundry with permission of the PMC.
This helps in an crisis!
Cartoon
© Colin Wicking
© PACK WINTER CLOTHES, MESS KITS, LEATHER, JACKETS, EVENING WEAR IN AIR TIGHT PACKS (Available from BigW & Kmart), dry clean or wash clothes first, and then make sure their totally dry. YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE THE WET SEASON BEGINS – BEFORE THAT FIRST RAIN COMES!
© A good thing about air conditioning your home is the ability to block out the dust, damp, and POLLENS. These guys create the mould that grows. And because of so many tropical plants in the Top End, allergies are common place. CHOOSE A SANCTUARY AREA
A room that you and family can utilise in the cool. A room that can be effectively blocked off, by doors etc to contain the effect of the air conditioning.
KEEP YOUR AIR CON FILTERS CLEAN AND SAVE MONEY
© It is true that the only way to preserve your valuables and photos and fabrics from the mould is to shut up the home and air-condition it. We didn’t the first year and lost many precious things, it was quite distressing! Last year we did keep the home closed and everything was excellent, except for the electricity bill which was $1700 for operating three airconditioners 10 hours a day for 3 months.
© WASH LARGE ITEMS such as DOONAS & SHEEP SKINS BEFORE THE WET STARTS
© Use an oil based polish (such as Mr Sheen) on your white goods. Wiping them all over, paying particular attention to seals will discourage rust/mould growth
© Don’t put items on your fridge front like magnets etc, these will attract mould.
© MOULD WILL GROW ON PETS! You may notice bald patches on your furry friends? I will tell you how to cure this next issue, or call for our great book of handy hints for living stress free and naturally in the tropical NT.
Cyclone season is from November to April, and as well as planning for yourself in a storm, you must consider your pets. Many animals become very frightened by lightening & thunder, let them indoors.
Animals are not accepted at public emergency shelters. Therefore when preparing for a cyclone make provision for your pets.
Think about their location before an emergency situation occurs.
Include pets food, water, bowls and bedding in your supplies.
Attach waterproof identity tags with your contact details on pets.
Make sure you have a restraining item for the animals ie lead/collar
Have a litter tray, towels, discenfectant & poo bags for droppings
Ticks are a big problem, so shampoo (recipe in mould section) , beach walk and properly treat animals regularly.
“Frontline” or “Advantage” liquid treatments are very effective, and are available from vets and pet shops.
In the NT you don’t need a water heater to keep tropical fish! Its constantly warm enough to enjoy beautiful tropical fish all year.
Smaller caged animals require daily attention in the form of clean cage and water/food supplies. Ants move in VERY quickly!
Wash pet bedding weekly to avoid fleas & mould like ring worm.
Cartoon © Colin Wicking
Stand your pets food bowl in a dish of water, stops ants raiding.
You must register dogs in the NT through your local council. Its around $45 for an entire dog and $6 for a desexed dog. RSPCA subsidise sterilization and vaccinations, be thoughtful with pets.
Remember farm animals are not allowed in DHA homes or on Defence property. You must have an agistment for horses & cattle.
Remove your dogs collar when they are inside to allow the neck area to dry out. This discourages bald patches caused by mould.
NT is quite dog friendly, most public areas, parks and beaches allow dogs on a leash, excluding the mall in town, market areas and East Point Reserve and national parks / reserves.
Use the poo bags provided by Darwin city council, be considerate!
The Wharf has excellent food at a good price overlooking beautiful Darwin harbour
and often an interesting view with various ships coming in.
There are a number of biting and stinging pests in the NT, and also household pests that can be trying. But don’t fight the cockroaches, ants, rodents and geckos & bats! They are a natural part of the tropics. Try to let nature do its work. The ants will come in and clean up, the geckos eat the mosquitoes and spiders, the frogs eat the beetles and roaches. Mother nature has worked it out!
When you start using poisons the balance becomes
upset often compounding the source.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN A CURE
At Dusk and Dawn cover up to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
Wear long sleeved light coloured clothing & always something on your feet! Many biting insects dwell in your lawn and the sand.
AVOID MANGROVE AREAS, this IS midgie heaven. Sand flies are their worst on a Full Moon especially August – October. Treat bites with rock salt & lavender & calendula baths
Use a good insect repellent, the tropical strength ones are best, but please apply sparingly on children, its toxic and residual!
Try spraying the clothing or equipment, such as chairs, rather than the skin.
A natural mix for insect repellent
In a 500ml Plastic Spray Bottle
500ml Water SHAKE WELL
20 Drops Lavender essential oil
15 Drops Citronella & Eucalyptus oil
10 Drops Peppermint essential oil
5 drops of Lemongrass & Thyme
It can be used in air & on the body.
Spray under beds before sleeping time.
Mortein make a plug in product called a “Mozzie Zapper” this was rated as the most safe yet effective mozzie & fly repellent/killer ever by Choice Magazine. Put a new mat in the zapper each night in the bedrooms during the wet season, remember to turn them off each morning. The mat works for 12 hrs = 25c.
Wipe cupboards out with peppermint and eucalyptus oil mix. Ants and Rodents HATE these odours. Put Peppermint oil on cotton wool balls and stuff in corners, this really works
Hose out your rubbish bin regularly, then spray with citronella oil to kill flies & eggs. Watch out for spiders. Spray the handles of the bins and under rim regularly.
Keep Lavender oil in the car incase of bites, it works wonders for ants, mozzies, everything!
Keep a bottle of white vinegar in the car too for when you go to the beach for walks. Dousing a painful box jelly fish sting with vinegar until reaching hospital is the best treatment, this applies to dogs too! Don’t try to remove the tentacles just keep the vinegar flushing.
Peanut butter is a favourite of rodents, therefore when aiming to trap them, put peanut butter on the mouse or rat trap. Cheese is not eaten by rodents at all, only in the movies!
Lawn Beetle can be quite upsetting if you take pride in your grass. Apparently an application of diluted dish washing liquid in the infected areas discourages the lawn beetles.
Have your stingose on hand for outdoor activities, as there are many ginger ants.
Remember if there are signs of pests and un wanted guests, including access for them via over hanging palm frond & trees, you must advice DHA as soon as you move in, or it will become your responsibility to resolve the pesky problem!
The BBQ is a great way to cook in Darwin, as you dont heat the house up and you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery while cooking!
There are lots of clean public BBQ's all over Darwin free to use. Just contact Darwin City council for a list of locations.
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My Favourite Cartoonist is Darwinian - Wicking
