We're savvy mums & swear by these tips to get our kids through summer term

Oct 02, 2023

FROM scuffed shoes to sun cream stains on white uniform, the summer school months can end up rather pricey for parents up and down the country.

But two savvy mums have shared the top tips and tricks they swear by when it comes to getting their kids through summer term.

Speaking exclusively to Fabulous Digital, child & behavioural expert Amanda Jenner and Queen of clean Lynsey Crombie have answered common issues parents may encounter as the temperature heats up.

From keeping lunches cool to removing sun cream stains on school uniform, they've shared heaps of cheap and cheerful advice on a whole range of school-related topics...

On hot days, parents need to consider what they're packing in their children's lunch boxes.

"Always use a good plastic lunchbox to keep everything together," suggests Amanda, who is a mum-of-three.

"Change soggy bread to crackers as bread will go warm and butter will melt making it very unappealing to eat.

"Freeze a yogurt stick and place in the lunch box this will defrost in the day but also keep the food cool."

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The parenting guru goes on to urge mums and dads to avoid packing chocolate and to instead replace it with cold fruit and crisps.

"Also put ice cubes in the drink or freeze it so that it's lovely and cold by the time they drink it," she says.

Queen of clean Lynsey Crombie, who has three children, has a super simple solution for refreshing school uniform.

"When washing school shirts and white school socks, add in a heaped tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda to the washing machine drum and then wash as normal," she explains.

"I like to wash at 30 degrees or less these days, but if they're looking a little grubby wash at 40 degrees."

She adds: "For the collar, rub in some hair shampoo, massage into the stain, leave for 15 minutes then wash as normal.

"For any sun cream stains cover the stain in eucalyptus oil and then wash as normal."

Meaning, parenting whizz Amanda also has some words of wisdom when it comes to ensuring your child's school uniform lasts throughout the summer term.

"Don't wash your main uniform daily and only wash on a 30 as this is proven to make clothes last longer and it also cuts down the energy bills," she advises.

"To get stains - especially sunscreen which is oil based - out of school uniform, use washing up liquid or dab with white wine vinegar."

Amanda also has the perfect advice to stop kids losing stuff at school.

"Make sure everything is clearly labelled with a waterproof laminated label so it doesn't fall off," she suggests.

"Or alternatively you can buy a laundry pen which is water resistant to label socks, shoes, etc."

Freeze a yogurt stick and place in the lunch box this will defrost in the day but also keep the food cool

Cleaning and parenting guru Lynsey notes that school bags are often left on classroom and corridor floors, meaning they pick up lots of dirt.

"Our children then come home and transfer this dirt into our homes which is not always pleasant," she explains.

"Most backpacks can be machine washed - just make sure you take everything out, give it a shake over the bin to get out any pencil shavings or small bits of rubbish and then pop it on a 30 degree wash with a low spin, and hang to dry."

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Lynsey goes on to say that if they have any stains from Biro pens and felt tips, add a little stain remover to the wash too.

"After a machine wash, they always come out like new so this will save you having to buy a new one," she says.

But if your school bag can't be machine washed, then no fear - Lynsey has an alternative solution.

"You can hand wash it using warm water and either washing up liquid or liquid laundry detergent," she advises.

"Scrub the outside and the inside with a soft bristle brush over the sink and then hand to dry.

"Treat any ink stains with a stain remover!"

"To protect school shoes throughout the summer, it's important you use a protection spray or scuff spray regularly," says Amanda.

"Cleaning them after school with a damp cloth and drying them properly will help preserve them and stop dirt building up which will eventually damage the shoe."

For any sun cream stains, cover the stain in eucalyptus oil and then wash as normal

However, she goes on to warn not to put them on a radiator if they become damp.

"This'll over dry them and the material will eventually crack," she explains.

"Giving them a good polish will add moisture back into them or use a marker pen if there are scuffs you can't remove."

According to Lynsey, if your child's water bottle is looking a little cloudy and off-colour or has mould spots in it, you can bring it back to life by using a few simple tips.

"For mould spots, fill half with rice, add white vinegar and really shake it, leave overnight, pour out and rinse and the mould spots will be gone," she says.

"For cloudy-looking water bottles and to banish any odours, pop in an Alka-Seltzer or a denture tablet, fill with water and leave overnight."

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Fabulous has teamed up with the five-star Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya to give you the chance to win a seven-night, all-inclusive holiday for two, with return flights courtesy of Thomas Cook.

All you need to do to enter is vote for your favourite hair, make-up and skincare products in the Fabulous Beauty Awards 2023.

Plus, there is £17,000 worth of beauty goodies up for grabs! Click here to vote.