A professional cleaner has shared a simple method for deep-cleaning an oven using items you can easily find at a supermarket

Ovens are typically among the most challenging appliances to clean in any household, as grease from cooking spills over and then gets baked onto surfaces whenever the oven is switched on again. What many people fail to realise is that grease undergoes a chemical transformation when subjected to heat, turning into a burnt, thick and incredibly sticky residue.

Grease takes on an almost varnish-like quality, meaning it can’t be shifted with water-based solutions — leaving you scrubbing away for hours with harsh chemical cleaners that sting your eyes. However, there’s actually a natural yet highly effective method to eliminate grease stains without forking out a fortune or wasting hours scouring away at your oven.

Jules Gordon, a professional cleaner and founder of Eco Cleaning Fairies, has shared that you can deep clean an oven “with a little bit of washing up liquid and a little shake of soda crystals.”

Washing-up liquid is formulated to tackle stubborn food marks on dishes and contains surfactants which help lift grease away by reducing its stickiness.

Soda crystals are powerfully alkaline, meaning they can dissolve the fats and oils present in grease, softening stains rapidly and making them far simpler to remove.

What’s brilliant about these cleaning products is that they’ll dissolve any food residue in your oven, allowing you to wipe everything down without spending ages on the task.

Using soda crystals and washing up liquid means you’ll never dread cleaning your oven again, as even the most stubborn stains can be tackled in around 30 minutes.

Soda crystals are widely available in the cleaning or laundry aisle of most supermarkets, though they may also be labelled as washing soda or sodium carbonate.

How to clean your oven

Start by filling a basin with hot water, then add a squirt of washing up liquid and some soda crystals. Remove all trays and grills from the oven. Place any smaller trays or grills into the basin and leave them to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

For larger trays and grills, sprinkle soda crystals over them, dip a scourer into soapy water and give them a gentle scrub. Next, place them inside a clean bin bag and leave them to soak for approximately 20 minutes.

Advertisement

It may seem odd, but bin bags trap moisture, preventing the soda crystal solution from drying out and allowing it to break down stubborn grease and grime effectively.

Meanwhile, fill a bucket with hot water, washing up liquid and soda crystals. Dip a cloth into the mixture and use it to wipe down the inside of the oven.

Start at the top and work your way downwards. Use a scourer to tackle any greasy patches, which should lift away with minimal effort.

Rinse the oven thoroughly with clean water and ensure it is completely dry before switching it back on.

Buff the oven door with a dry cloth, though some people swear by scrunched-up newspaper as a tried-and-tested method for polishing glass.

Take out the trays and grills and place them in either the sink or bin bags. Give them a good scrub with a scourer, and it will be far simpler to shift any stubborn marks.

Your oven will now be gleaming and entirely stain-free, meaning you’ll never have to dread cleaning it again.

Aldi has shared advice on how to stop bananas going brown and mushy as a food storage expert explains the right method to do it

Budget supermarket giant Aldi has shared vital guidance for banana buyers on how to prevent the fruit from turning brown and soft. The retailer, which was once again crowned the UK’s cheapest supermarket in April, has previously released tips aimed at helping shoppers keep their food fresher for longer.

It joined forces with food storage specialist Kate Hall to advise customers on the best ways to preserve everyday staples, including milk, potatoes and bananas.

The initiative follows research by the supermarket chain revealing that the average Brit discards £387 worth of food annually, with seven in 10 admitting they purchase food fully expecting to throw it away, reports the Express.

For those buying bananas, Kate recommends a straightforward method to extend their shelf life and prevent them from browning or becoming mushy — simply slicing them up and popping them into the freezer.

Kate said: “Let’s face it, we can’t always make banana bread every time a bunch gets past its best. But if you can spare 30 seconds to peel, slice and freeze bananas, you can avoid them going to waste.

“Just spread them out on a lined tray before freezing so that they don’t clump together, and then store them in a resealable freezer bag. These are perfect for making banana ice cream or chocolate peanut butter bites!

“You can use the same approach to save lots of other fruits and veggies too, for example, cucumbers can be sliced and frozen to be used instead of ice cubes, added to smoothies, or even blitzed into a refreshing sorbet.”

She added: “Using your freezer is such a simple way to press pause on your food so it doesn’t end up in the bin. Freezing food can help our budgets stretch further, and you can actually freeze a lot more than people realise. The trick is knowing the best way to freeze food and what to do with it after freezing.”

Luke Emery of Aldi UK said: “At Aldi, we’re committed to reducing food waste wherever we can across our supply chain, whether that be working with suppliers to cut down on waste, or marking down prices of items nearing their sell by date.

“Now we’re on a mission to help shoppers minimise their food waste too, while getting even more value from their Aldi groceries at the same time. It seems simple, but the research shows that freezing items still isn’t something many do – so we want to showcase just how easy that can be.”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota county prosecutor on Monday announced charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the nonfatal shooting of a Venezuelan man during the Trump administration’s crackdown in the state.

The officer, Christian Castro, is charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said at a news conference. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

“Mr. Castro is an ICE agent, but his federal badge does not make him immune from state charges for his criminal conduct in Minnesota,” Moriarty said, adding that Sosa-Celis never posed a threat and that her office received no cooperation from the federal government. “There is no such thing as absolute immunity for federal officers who commit crimes in this state or any other.”

Castro, 52, fired through a home’s front door and shot Sosa-Celis in the thigh after Castro and another officer chased a different man, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, to the Minneapolis apartment duplex where he and Sosa-Celis lived, Moriarty said, noting that both Sosa-Celis and Aljorna were legally in the U.S.

Federal authorities initially accused Sosa-Celis and Aljorna of beating an officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel during the confrontation. But a federal judge later dismissed the charges, and ICE and the Justice Department opened a joint investigation into whether two immigration officers lied about what happened.

In a statement, ICE said the U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating statements from officers, who could face disciplinary action including being fired and criminally prosecuted. ICE called the Hennepin County attorney’s action “unlawful and nothing more than a political stunt.”

One of several cases being investigated

The Trump administration sent thousands of officers to the Minneapolis and St. Paul area as part of President Donald Trump’s national deportation campaign and considered Operation Metro Surge a success. But tensions mounted during the weekslong campaign, and the shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers sparked mass unrest and raised questions about officers’ conduct.

Minnesota leaders and the Trump administration have clashed over who has the authority to investigate and prosecute federal officers for on-duty conduct, with the administration suggesting that state officials don’t have jurisdiction.

State officials, though, have said they don’t trust the federal government to investigate itself or hold officers accountable.

“There’s no modern precedent for what happened to the people here in Minnesota,” Moriarty said Monday. “So it requires a lot of us to dig in and look at ways to hold people accountable that we probably never thought we would be looking at in our careers.”

Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, has been investigating multiple incidents that occurred during the crackdown. Moriarty’s office last month charged Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. with two counts of second-degree assault for allegedly pointing his gun at people in a car on a highway, but he is still at large. She said Monday that her office has made “substantial progress” in apprehending him.

The county is also investigating Good’s and Pretti’s killings, and sued the administration in March to gain access to evidence in the two cases and the one involving Sosa-Celis. Although Moriarty hasn’t charged anyone in either killing, she has said she’s confident her office’s investigations will bring transparency, even if doesn’t bring charges.

Video captured the Sosa-Celis confrontation

The cases against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis were dropped after a highly unusual motion from the chief federal prosecutor for Minnesota, U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, who said “newly discovered evidence” was “materially inconsistent with the allegations” that were made in the criminal complaint and with evidence presented at their preliminary hearing. He said dismissal with prejudice, which meant the charges couldn’t be refiled, “would serve the interests of justice.”

Minneapolis last month released video showing the moments before Sosa-Celis’s shooting, captured from a distance by a city-owned security camera.

The video appears to show a person standing with a snow shovel outside the house, near the street, then retreating toward the house and tossing the shovel into the yard. This happens as a person being chased by another person runs up from the street, falls on the sidewalk, gets up, and keeps heading toward the house.

The three appear to scuffle near the front steps for about 10 seconds. The exact moment when Sosa-Celis is shot isn’t clear. A car with flashing lights pulls up, and another person walks up.

Castro fired from the yard through the home’s front door knowing there were people who had just run inside, Moriarty said. “The bullet traveled through the door and struck Mr. Sosa-Celis’s leg before making its final impact in the wall of a child’s room.”

She said her office would continue to prosecute the case even if Castro’s defense tries to move the case from state court to federal court. She also noted that a presidential pardon would not be possible for the state charges even if Castro were to be found guilty in a federal court.

___

Fingerhut reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

The family of a popular young woman have launched a foundation in her name to raise awareness of skin cancer after losing her to the disease.

Fiona Brady, 36, died at Altnagelvin Hospital on January 29, 2024 following a diagnosis of Stage 4 Advanced Melanoma. She was the loving partner of Gary Devenney, beloved daughter of Bernadette and Connolly, dear sister of Roisin and Gerald and godmother of Caleb.

Over two years since her passing, Fiona continues to be held closely in the hearts and minds of all who loved her.

READ MORE: ‘A doctor told me I had dementia and to go home and Google it’READ MORE: ‘I donated stem cells and offered a total stranger a second chance at life’

While Northern Ireland may not be renowned for its sweltering temperatures, skin cancer is the most common form of the disease here and accounts for over 31% of all cancers diagnosed. Over 4,000 people develop skin cancer each year and almost one in 10 of these are malignant melanoma, the most serious form.

Malignant melanoma rates have risen over the past 40 years from an average of around 100 cases per year in the mid-1980s, to over 400 in recent years, according to the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Protecting skin from damage is really important, but so is checking for changes to your skin or moles. Early detection and treatment of skin cancer can dramatically improve outcomes. Most cases of skin cancer are treatable, especially when caught early.

Fiona’s family and her partner, Gary, from Coleraine want to honour her memory by helping raise awareness of the disease and save other lives.

On May 1st they launched The Fiona Brady Foundation, to coincide with Skin Cancer Awareness Month. The aim is to shine a light on skin cancer awareness and ‘empower communities through skin cancer education and prevention initiatives’.

Gary told Belfast Live: “When I did some research, I discovered that there’s no specific registered skin cancer awareness charity in Northern Ireland.

“The NHS has a website called ‘Safe in the Sun,’ which lists all the precautions you can take etc, but there doesn’t seem to be any organisation here driving active skin cancer awareness campaigns.

“What we’re trying to do with the foundation is to make people aware of the fact that skin cancer is the highest diagnosed form of cancer in Northern Ireland above all other cancers.

“Not a lot of people realise that because we don’t live in a sunny climate but you have to be cautious all the time regardless.

“When there are awareness campaigns, they are largely during the summer, but skin cancer is not just a summer disease – it can happen all year round.

“People tend to think there is only a danger in the sun but that’s not the case,” Gary explained.

While Gary lost Fiona at only 36 and was “very young” to be affected by skin cancer, there is a misconception

“While it’s a cancer attributed to people slightly older – around 50 – there are still those below that age who are either falling away or not being heard of.

“One of the other reasons we’re launching this foundation is in the hope that when someone sees Fiona and how young, she was it will break that stereotype,” he said.

Gary also stressed that Fiona followed every precaution from doctors when it came to sun protection.

He added: “Fiona covered up, she used her sun cream, never went to sunbed, didn’t sunbathe or sit out in the sun.

“She loved being away on holidays, but she was also very cautious and wore the big floppy brim hats and a shawl over her shoulder so she wasn’t exposing herself. She took every precaution to the letter.”

The foundation has five aims, which includes highlighting the signs and symptoms of possible skin cancer.

The Fiona Brady Foundation also aims to encourage and highlight preventative measures and early detection as well as increasing access and awareness to dermatology services across Northern Ireland.

Fiona’s loved ones also want to provide a space where people and their families, who have been impacted by skin cancer, can come together to share experiences and support.

There’s also a long-term aim, with political support, of opening up information around services and policy development.

The foundation has been publishing stories on the foundation website and socials throughout the month of May from people affected by skin cancer, highlighting its impact.

Tips for protecting your skin from cancer

Check when you are most at risk from UV radiation. Levels of UV radiation are highest in Northern Ireland between March and October – even when it is cool or overcast.

If you are going outdoors, check what the UV index will be throughout the day. You can check daily and hourly UV index forecasts via most weather apps on your mobile phone.

Help protect your skin when the UV index is 3 or more by following this guidance:

• Stay in the shade between 11.00am and 3.00pm, when UV rays are strongest.
• Cover up with suitable clothing.
• Wear a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
• Buy sunglasses that have a CE mark or carry British Standard BS EN ISO 12312-1.
• Use sunscreen on exposed skin; an SPF of at least 30 and UVA 4 stars as recommended by the Department of Health and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
• Babies under six months should stay out of direct sunlight. If exposure to sunlight is unavoidable, apply a small amount of high protection sunscreen to exposed areas, such as the cheeks and back of the hands. For children over six months choose SPF 30 or SPF 50 to protect against UVB rays and minimum UVA 4 stars. Higher SPF will give more protection.
• Avoid sunburn by never allowing your skin to go pink or red in the sun. Sunburn doesn’t have to be raw, peeling or blistering skin; for people with darker skin, it might feel tender, irritated or itchy.
• Choose and use the correct amount of sunscreen – an adult needs six teaspoons distributed evenly on the body with an SPF of at least 30 and UVA 4 or 5 stars.
• Avoid sunbeds – they can cause over exposure to UV radiation.
• Check your skin at least once a month, be aware of any changes, and speak to your GP if you notice any mole changes, new moles or abnormal skin changes.

The Fiona Brady Foundation website is available to visit at https://www.fbfoundation.co.uk/ and on social media at The Fiona Brady Foundation.

Gary has also published a book of poetry, titled ‘I Talk to Trees,’ which will be available to purchase via the site, with all proceeds going to the foundation.

If you have a skin cancer awareness story and would like to get in touch with the foundation, please email: info@fbfoundation.co.uk.

To ensure you don’t miss out on all the latest from Belfast Live, be sure to make us your preferred source on Google.

Two other teenagers were arrested last week

Two more people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a large fire in Haverhill. Suffolk Police were called by the fire service at 8.46pm on Tuesday, May 12, to the former Parkway Middle School on Park Road.

On Friday, May 15, two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson not endangering life. Both of the teenagers were questioned at Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre.

They were both bailed to return to police on August 7. This follows the arrests of a 15-year-old boy on May 13 and a 14-year-old boy on May 14. They were arrested on suspicion of the same offence. Both were bailed until June 22 and July 27 respectively.

Suffolk Police are still appealing for information about the fire. You can report anything through the force website quoting Crime ref: 37/27212/26.

You can also call 101 if you do not have access to the internet. If you want to report anything anonymously, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

To get more news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .

Members of a Facebook cleaning group inspired by Mrs Hinch, real name Sophie Hinchliffe, have been sharing affordable ways to remove water rings and scratches from wood.

The conversation began when a user asked for help with furniture damage, sparking more than 140 comments.

Many suggested mayonnaise or dedicated wood products, but one more unusual option stood out—walnuts.

One group member said: “A walnut kernel is supposed to work.”

Others said rubbing the fleshy part of a walnut directly onto the stain could dramatically improve damaged wood.

Another user said: “Cut a walnut in half and rub fleshy part over the stain.”

Another user shared a slightly different approach.

She said: “Mash a walnut to a pulp and then gently rub in. “Leave in for a few minutes and then buff with a dry cloth. “Works every time!”

The hack is thought to work because walnuts contain natural oils that can darken scratches and help blend damaged areas with the rest of the wood.

With walnuts costing only a few pence each, the remedy is also remarkably low-cost.

A 150g bag of walnuts is currently £1.62 at Asda.

Fans joked it could be worth keeping walnuts in the cupboard just for future furniture mishaps.

The group also discussed the mayonnaise method, which some said didn’t work for them.

Others defended it, saying it was useful for removing water rings.

Mrs Hinch fans reveal clever soap hack

Those small, leftover slivers that are tricky to use are sparking discussion among users of the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group.

One woman described the switch from liquid handwash to bars of soap and asked how to make use of the tiny Dove pieces that get left behind.

The post prompted dozens of helpful replies, all suggesting a similar solution—stick the leftover bit onto a fresh bar.

Maree, a group member, wrote: “Squeeze the little bit onto a new bar when it’s wet.”

Others agreed with the advice, saying it works with any bar soap and helps reduce waste.

Karen suggested: “Squash it on gently when wet xx.”

Ronnie recommended soaking the slivers to help them blend more easily.

She wrote: “I soak the little pieces in water for about half an hour then press it into the curved side of the big soap.

“Let soap dry out a bit so that the little piece of soap can bond.”

While convenient, the final tiny pieces can be annoying to use and often end up in the bin.

By simply pressing the remnants onto a fresh bar and allowing them to dry, users can get full value from every bar.

The Orchard County were in Division Three of the National Football League when the Camlough native first broke into the senior team and he says the players owe their success to the drive of their manager

As the Armagh players made their way to the Gerry Arthurs Stand after Sunday’s epic extra-time win over Monaghan, Kieran McGeeney was there to greet every single player.

One-by-one, the Orchard boss embraced his players before they watched Aidan Forker and Aaron McKay raise the Anglo Celt Cup in front of thousands of fans who packed onto the pitch at St Tiernach’s Park.

At 31 years of age, Greg McCabe is old enough to remember a time when Armagh struggled to win a game in the Ulster Championship in the early years of McGeeney’s reign.

Indeed, when he first broke into the senior ranks, the Orchard County were in Division Three.

Fast forward some 10 years and the Camlough native is an All-Ireland winner and now has a coveted Ulster SFC medal. None of it would be possible without McGeeney stressed McCabe.

“Geezer is Mr Armagh, without him, these days don’t happen. I was there 10 years ago in Division Three and it wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t great but look how far we have come?

“We have won an All-Ireland title, we have an Ulster title now and we are playing Division One football, so it is just about pushing forward for more from here.

“Geezer brought in standards, he brought in ‘we before me’ and if you are not in it for Armagh then you are not going to be there.

“Listen, there are 42, 43 men in that panel and they all want to play for Armagh and that is why we are all here.

“Moments like this here will fairly kick us on but we will enjoy it but we will soon knuckle down and get ready for the All-Ireland Championship.”

McCabe said Sunday’s victory was as much for the fans as it was for the players, adding: “It is unbelievable, years of hard work, we have walked down this tunnel many of times with our heads down, sitting with our heads between our knees, tears and I just thought maybe Ulster was never going to come us.

“Our fans travel all over the country for us, it doesn’t matter if we are playing in Kerry or at home or in Clones, it doesn’t matter, our fans travel in big numbers, they have seen a lot of bad days and a lot of defeats, but winning the Ulster title was giving back to them.”

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here .

Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories

Running from May 11 to May 24, the campaign encourages people to consider fostering and celebrates the dedicated teams who support families every step of the way.

East Riding’s fostering recruitment team, including support staff, assessors, and social workers, guides prospective foster carers through the application process and beyond.

Marie, team manager at East Riding Fostering, said: “We have a wonderful team of support staff and assessors who ensure we make the process warm, welcoming and supportive.”

Team member Jo added: “I love meeting people, and I’m proud to be part of a team that strives to give the best outcomes for all children and young people.”

Lindsay, a fostering social worker, said: “Over the past 12 years, I’ve been really lucky to work in a variety of roles from safeguarding, adoption support, and fostering.”

The team also works closely with local businesses to create new opportunities and experiences for foster families.

Foster Care Fortnight aims to highlight the individuals who play a vital role in helping foster families thrive and supporting children in need of a safe and nurturing home.

The victim was left terrified of Craig Britton, who has avoided an immediate prison sentence

A man held a knife against his partner’s throat and threatened to do worse next time if she contacted police and he went to prison. Craig Britton has spent time on remand in custody since his arrest but avoided receiving an immediate prison sentence for his actions.

A judge at Swansea Crown Court told him: “I have given you a chance it is up to you whether you take it.”

The court heard that the first incident Britton was before a judge for happened in October. The victim got up to leave the bedroom when the defendant “lashed out” unprovoked. She believed he may have been under the influence of crack cocaine. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

The 42-year-old pushed his partner into cupboards, leaving her with some bruising and a small cut. During the assault, the victim told Britton she would phone the police to which he responded: “If I ever go to prison because of you I will do my time” and then threatened to do worse the next time.

The defendant then went downstairs to get kitchen knife and brought it into the bedroom. Prosecutor Georgia Donoghue told the court Britton held it at the victim’s throat for “few minutes”. He didn’t say anything and then left the property.

The defendant’s partner was left with a small cut on her chest as a result of the incident. The court heard that she ended the relationship after this.

On another occasion, Britton turned up at his then-ex-partner’s friend’s address while she was there. He asked her to lend him money, which she refused and he then became aggressive. He then stole £350 in cash from her purse.

Both matters were reported to the police and the defendant was asked to attend a police station. Following the incidents, the defendant called the complainant and asked her to drop the charges.

In another incident, Britton turned up at the complainant’s party unannounced. Ms Donoghue told the court they socialised for a few hours before Britton’s behaviour “changed”. Unprovoked, he slapped the woman in the face. He also threatened to smash her phone, television and house up.

Ms Donoghue said the victim was “terrified of the defendant”. She eventually managed to phone the police while in the bathroom and Britton was arrested at her home address.

The court heard Britton was thought to be under the influence of drugs during the assaults.

The defendant denied two offences of battery, two counts of theft, threatening with an article with a blade in a public place and threatening to destroy or damage property when interviewed by police. He later pleaded guilty to the six offences on the first day of trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard he has 45 previous convictions, including for drug and driving offences. He also has previous convictions for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place as well as battery. Some of the offences were of domestic violence, Ms Donoghue said.

In mitigation, Ryan Bowen, for Britton, said the defendant had first appeared before the court at 16 years old. He said his upbringing was “marked by violence in the family home” from his father. He was placed into the care system but eventually ran away to live on the streets.

Mr Bowen said his client had struggled with drug addiction since he was 16 and now accepts that this isn’t an adequate coping mechanism. He said the defendant feels his time in custody has “done him a favour” and wants to carry on his sobriety when he leaves prison.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees told Britton his actions were serious, to which the defendant, appearing via video link from HMP Swansea replied: “Yes sir.”

He told the 42-year-old: “I hope [your time in custody] has sobered you up”. Judge Rees said it was “disturbing” to note that some of the defendant’s previous convictions were for domestic violence.

He sentenced Britton, of Glamorgan Farm School, Lane From Burnside To Glamorgan FA+, Neath Port Talbot to 19 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

He will be required to complete 10 days’ rehabilitation activity and drug rehabilitation for 12 months, along with an accredited programme.

Judge Rees told the defendant: “I have given you a chance. It is up to you whether you take it.”

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice