Domestic Tips for New Australians

 Having not always lived in Australia and now having my mum visiting from Far Far Away, as well as an old friend recently landing here, got me thinking.  There are some domestic tips that definitely apply here that were not applicable in our old lives.


  Baking Paper - Until I came to Australia I had NO IDEA that Baking paper could be such a saviour in the kitchen.  Yes, I know I was pretty backwards!  I now use baking paper to line everything - biscuit trays, casserole  dishes and trays for roast vegetables - it makes a huge difference in reducing the amount of cleaning one has to do!  It is also great if you paint - I use it as my artist's palette too, no cleaning up messy paints off a plastic palette afterwards.

Pushing a Trolley on a Slope

Trolleys  - Australian supermarket trolleys cannot be pushed in a straight line.  They seem to have a mind of their own and veer off in any direction at any possible moment, making pushing them downhill an interesting challenge.  Avoid identifying yourself as a newbie by NOT going to the manager of the local Woolworth's and lodging a complaint - after about 4 years here you'll (almost) forget how easy it used to be to push a trolley and just accept the fact that it is an amazing workout for your arms!

Watch out for unsuspecting pedestrians!

One thing I absolutely LOVE about shopping in Australia is the Self Service check out.  Initially, when this was first introduced here it annoyed me but I now find it so empowering to check out my own groceries!  Generally, there is no queue- for me it speeds up check out and allows me to operate at my own pace (super quick!!), instead of standing there watching someone else working.  (I am sorry for anyone who has lost a job as a result though).  My only complaint - there should be more space for packing in this area.

Self Service Check Out

Ironing -Back in the land of Far Far Away, our little family of four managed to keep a domestic worker occupied 2 hours every weekday afternoon with ironing.  I don't iron much any more.  The occasional school shirt/ work shirt may be ironed but if I spend 2 hours once a week ironing it is a lot. In fact, with all of us on holiday at the moment nothing has been ironed by me for at least a month.   My tip  give the clothes that you would normally iron a quick tumble (about 10 minutes) before hanging them out.  Put shirts/ dresses on hangers and they can go straight from your line into your cupboard.  Bedding is best folded as soon as it comes off the line or put straight back onto the bed - in fact, we probably only need one set of bedding!

My bargain of the week - a whole tray of strawberries that I got for $7 at Harris Farm - The Cyclist loves smoothies and 12 of the 15 punnets have been washed, packed and frozen for future use (by the person who will most benefit from them) - I love a bargain.  Most non perishable items in Australia can eventually be purchased at less than full price.  The retailers here love "sales" and it is a very popular marketing tool.  So, watch out for sales!

My Bargain Strawberries

My final tip - avoid living in a house with cottage pane windows.  The big glass sliding doors that we have are so easy to keep clean.  I love living here and have never had such toned arms - look what I did on New Years day:

Do you also find supermarket trolleys such a challenge?

Do you have any domestic tips you would like to share?

Are you tempted by a bargain?