With the amount of COVID-19 community cases on the rise and the government’s recent move to tighten measures regarding social gatherings, it almost feels like we’re back in the crazy ole’ days of the Circuit Breaker once again.

But you know what, been there, done that.

So now armed with first-hand experience of being cooped up in a HDB flat with a baby boss of my own making, let me share what I think are some useful skills you’ll need to survive (and thrive!) during the next lockdown.

Smart shopping

Yes, some physical shops will still be open in Phase 2. But why mingle outside unnecessarily when you have a full retail experience at your fingertips? To stop yourself from falling prey to impulse purchases and endlessly browsing online shops, make lists of the different websites you can visit for all your purchase needs. Familiarising yourself with their usual estimated delivery timings and costs will also help you better plan out your purchases. Thankfully, it’s highly likely that most of your favourite brands would have online shopping platforms of their own.

That said, being a smart shopper doesn’t mean going all out and stocking up for the next zombie apocalypse. It just means making better decisions with your purchases. Why not try picking up some smart shopping tips here?

Plant mummy-ing or daddy-ing

Okay, so you’re starting to get the feeling that your spouse isn’t really listening to your umpteenth complaint about that annoying colleague at work. And maybe your friends are too busy looking after their kids at home to entertain your stream of memes over WhatsApp. But you know who will ALWAYS be there for you no matter what? Your plants. Das right. #theygotyoubruh

A useful skill to have during these trying times, is plant rearing, or being a green thumb! Afterall, plants love when you talk to them and care for them. Plus, they’re pretty and make the air better! If you’re new to the game though, some easy plants to start with include gorgeous indoor plants like the Monstera plant that humidifies dry air or the rubber plant that’s even safe for those with pollen allergies. But don’t just take it from me, check out what this plant mama has to say!

Hairdressing

As far as we know, hair salons will remain open during this period of ‘heightened measures’. But, if you recall during the Circuit Breaker, salons were only open for haircuts. During the time, some of you may have fiddled cautiously with a pair of scissors or electric clippers, trying to trim the luscious locks of a loved one. This time around, stay ahead of the curve and pick up some hairdressing tips to keep yourselves and your fam groomed without having to leave home. Thankfully, there are useful tips on home hairdressing for men, women, and kids on YouTube. Once you’ve got that snazzy new haircut, the only thing left to do is to change out of your PJs before your next Zoom meeting. Come on now, one leg at a time.

Arts and crafting

If you struggle with doing anything remotely artistic, brace yourself for parenthood – if that’s your jam anyway. If you have some kids of your own, chances are you’ve already started helping them out with art projects they’ve bought home. So a great way to keep the little ones occupied during this pseudo-Circuit Breaker is by coming up with some arts and craft activities for them at home. And in the name of recycling and sustainable living, you’d be surprised at what you can create from items you would have otherwise disposed of. For instance, you could make tin can wind chimes, tissue box creatures or even potato stamps! For more ideas, check this out.

Home baking and cooking

The last Circuit Breaker turned many a Singaporean into a home baker or chef. This time around, we say get a head start and try out all the adventurous recipes you’ve been thinking about! Apart from boosting your confidence and gaining a valuable life skill, you’ll also save a lot more money than if you were to get takeaway or have food delivered. Short of ideas? This list of creative recipes should help you along your way.  

Car maintenance

With Work-from-Home arrangements back in place in Phase 2, you probably won’t be travelling out much. But if you own a car, you’ll likely be using your trusty steed for groceries or school runs. So the last thing you need is for it to be making weird noises or for the air-conditioning to start malfunctioning when you’re on these essential trips. As such, a truly useful skill to have would be to learn how to care for your car on your own. One good place to start is by browsing these useful car maintenance guides. But of course, if all that auto talk and gibberish is giving you a headache, then maybe play cheat a bit and use this app lah. You can thank me later.  

Back to Phase 2? Better check out this useful guide to sanitisers and learn how you can book a sanitisation service for your car here.

Okay, so maybe your mother was right when she tried to advise you against your 27th kueh bangkit at that family gathering. But in between fending off your relatives’ incessant questions about marriage and work, you can’t be blamed for indulging a little more than you should have right?

Don’t sweat it… yet. Afterall, Chinese New Year happens once a year, and there are many other days left in the same year to work off those calories! Well, that’s what I tell myself anyway.

But if you’re a little strapped for time, here are some quick and easy exercises you can do in your car, at the office, or even while you’re working from home. But please, do not do these exercises while actually driving – safety comes first!

1. Seat pushes

Taking a little break while waiting for a parking spot at the mall? Here’s an easy way to exercise your triceps. Grip the steering wheel at a 10 and 2 position, with your elbows bent. Straighten your elbows and push against the wheel, arching back into your seat. Hold this for 10 seconds, then rest and repeat 5 times.

2. Butt clenches

If you’ve always wanted some glorious glutes, then get clenching! It may sound silly, but surely it’s better than sitting down all day. Simply squeeze those buns and hold them in for 15 seconds. Relax for 30 seconds, and then repeat for 3 sets. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. 

3. Mini crunches

Okay, so this exercise may not get you that dream 6 pack in a day. But it’s a good place to start! Sit up straight in your seat, and tighten your core muscles/abs as hard as possible. Hold in for about 8 seconds and then release. Repeat 5 times.

4. Shoulder raises

For this easy exercise, you won’t even need to take your hands off the wheel. Raise your shoulder to your neck while tightening your shoulders and neck muscles as much as possible. If you’re doing this effectively, you’ll likely feels some tension in your upper back too. Do this about 20 times. Once you’re finished, relax and roll your neck gently from side to side.

5. Calf raises

Now, now, don’t skip leg day! To give your legs a good workout, start by sitting up straight, feet on the floor with your knees at 90 degrees. Find a weighted object like a book or bag to place on your knees. Point your toes until you feel the flex in your calves and before returning to the resting position. Do this 10 times. If you’re not feeling much of a pull, try a heavier object on your knees.

6. Inner thigh exercise

So you’ve been stuck in your car for ages waiting for your turn at the car workshop. Firstly, why aren’t you using AutoApp yet? Secondly, grab a tennis ball or a similar sized object and place it between your thighs. Okay, okay hear me out before you judge. Once you’ve got that done, squeeze the ball for a count of 10, and repeat 3 rounds. This exercise helps loosen the inner thigh muscles so that you don’t get those annoying pins and needles from sitting down too long!

7. Wash your car

Okay, okay so I cheated a little. This “exercise” involves actually getting out of your car and using more than 1 muscle. But hey, no pain, no gain right? So the next time you’re washing your car, be a little extra and try the following: hold a deep squat when washing your tyres, do side to side lunges as you’re sponging the side of the car, and do bicep curls whenever you pick the bucket up. If you feel silly, just remember that washing your car can help you burn up to 250 calories an hour. Yah, who’s laughing now, kaypoh passerby?

Feeling pumped up already? Why not try out this 4-week workout plan or check out some exercises you can do at home?

Okay, so here’s the deal. People tend to think of New Year’s resolutions as a sort of To-Do list. But a lot of the time, New Year’s resolutions aren’t something you can just cross off in a matter of days, let alone months. So your plans to “travel more” were scrapped because of the pandemic, and “losing weight” was out of the question with all those McSpicy meals you treated yourself to during your work-from-home sessions.

Well, take a deep breath because everything is okay.

If you managed to accomplish some of your goals or even all of them, well done you! But if you’re like many others who didn’t quite get to accomplish everything you set out to do this year, this might help you make better resolutions for 2021.

Next year, start smaller.

The biggest mistake people make when planning out New Year resolutions is setting out unrealistic goals. It’s good to be ambitious, but remember that your goals need to be achievable within the time frame you set. A good way is to break up your goals into manageable chunks. If you plan Mount Kinabalu but have never climbed a mountain before, then start small. Hike up those staircases at your HDB block several times a week, then go up and down Bukit Timah hill until you’re sure your body can handle something more. There are some cases where a YOLO is not gonna cut it.

Don’t fret, maybe some goals aren’t important anymore.

Sometimes resolutions just stop making sense. Maybe you started the year gearing up for a promotion at work. But suddenly your company’s structure changed and you don’t really want it anymore. Or perhaps you wanted to lose weight, but decided you much rather just bulk up instead.

Okay listen here, friend. It’s okay to let some goals go.

Don’t think of it as you’re making an excuse or chickening out. Lemme put it this way – if you drive out in the morning for Nasi Lemak, but halfway through you start craving a McDonalds breakfast meal, are you going to just journey on to the Nasi Lemak stall anyway? Let it wait. Be brave and embrace the Sausage McMuffin, I’d say.  

Just remember, you aren’t alone.

Just because New Year’s resolutions are something you make on your own, doesn’t mean you have to go at it all alone. Afterall, nothing says motivation better than having a friend next to you cheering you on while you do your 100th 10th sit up at the gym! Next year, share your goals with people close to you who you can rely on or maybe even consider joining support groups, and you’re sure to go much further than you thought you would otherwise. There’s always strength in numbers, afterall!

Less thinking, more doing.

It’s always good to plan out how to achieve your goals. But over-planning and mulling over things too much will not get you anywhere. You want to spend more time with your significant other, so you spend weeks planning out an elaborate staycation, complete with romantic dinner at an exclusive restaurant and specific activities you can do throughout the day. While that’s all well and good, all that time spent deciding what to do means less time actually spent with your loved one, since you were caught up with planning. Sometimes, doing less is indeed more.

Every bit counts so be remember to keep track.

Apart from breaking your goals into smaller, more manageable chunks, be sure to keep track of what you’ve accomplished along the way. If you’re planning to achieve fitness goals, make a list of all the steps you need to take, and then cross them off one by one. Apart from giving you that extra boost of motivation, it’ll also help you remember the all-important journey to success! If you need some help with keeping track of your goals, you could even make use of nifty apps like these!

Now that you know how to plan your New Year’s resolutions more effectively, why not kickstart your fitness goals with these exercises or just mull them over at a relaxing staycay?

Don’t you just love crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo? All you need is a great idea, simple prototype and you could be on your way to making a multi-million dollar product. Once you get all the necessary backing and support on these sites, of course. Afterall, your bright idea could solve major problems, minor ones, and even those people never knew they had!

Now, now, don’t get me wrong. I’m a big advocate for big ideas and creative solutions. I even once backed a cool looking water bottle on Kickstarter that I waited a whole year for. (That’s a different story for another time.)

But just like most Tinder dates, the line between good-weird and bad-weird is sometimes a very fine one. So when it comes down to assessing the weirdness of these… weird car accessories, well, maybe it’s better if you be the judge.

1. Pee whenever, wherever, as long as not together, with The Car Pool

Have you ever been on a long road trip, or in the middle of a massive jam on the expressway when you’re suddenly overcome with the undeniable urge to relieve yourself? Then why not go for a sneaky lil’ tinkle with The Car Pool, “the world’s most portable toilet for men”! Instead of just using the nearest empty Coke bottle in your car, this a-pee-ling (sorry) device will ensure that you umm… aim with efficiency and precision! OTOT!

And ladies, if you are feeling a little left out, cast your gaze upon this curious contraption too! She-wee whuuut.

Funding status: Fully funded!

Get it here: The Car Pool Store

2. Send emojis on the road with Car Wink

If you find yourself constantly wishing drivers would be more considerate on the roads or love FB groups like this, then this might be the gadget for you. Though I can’t quite decide if Car Wink is weird-good or brilliant, there’s no doubt it’ll help share some happy vibes! Simply attach this solar powered device to your rear windscreen and you’ll be able to send messages (in the form of emojis) to those around you. Did a driver just give way to you? Flash him a thumbs up! Are you being tailgated? Then flash him the… ‘too close’ emoji. Best of all, it’s voice controlled once you hook it up to your smartphone!        

Funding status: Fully funded!

3. Dip yo’ nuggets with swag with the Saucemoto dip clip

Saucemoto is an in-car dip clip (yes, you read that right) that lets you easily slot in your sauce tubs for quicker dipping on the road! And if the tub doesn’t fit, it comes with a little container of its own to fill up with sauce packets of your choice. Will likely not impress your date, but may earn you a second look from the fast food employee at the drive-thru faster than you can say, “extra curry sauce, please”.

Funding status: Fully funded!

Get it here: Saucemoto

4. Keep your lil’ one’s head in place with NoBob

If you’re one of the many parents who’ve frustratedly watched your tykes’ head bob from side to side once they’ve dozed off in the car seat, NoBob might be what you’re looking for! This special strap holds your child’s head in place so you don’t have to hazardously try to adjust them while driving. It’s also nice that the device has been safety-tested and specially designed to stop your child from pulling it over their head. Though it may look a little strange to some, can you really say no to that cute little sheep wrapped around your little one’s head? Aww.   

Funding status: Fully funded! 

Get it here: NoBob

5. Keep cool with the Orion robotic sunshade

The Orion sunshade is purported to be the first windscreen sunshade that automatically expands or folds itself with a press of a button! What’s more, its compact nature allows you to easily store it in your cupholder, glove box or other compartments in your car. Found a much cheaper sunshade on Taobao, you say? But is it robotic, tho? Nope, didn’t think so. And also, you have to admit it does look pretty slick:

Funding status: Funding in progress.  

Back it here: Orion on Kickstarter

6. Breathe easy with Airbubbl

Based on their research (ooh science!), the folks at Airlabs claim that nitrogen dioxide levels in your car are on average, 21% higher than on the street. They attribute this to the unfortunate location of your car’s air intake, which happens to be behind the exhaust pipe of whatever car is in front of yours. And despite the use of the air-con or air filters that keep out nasty particles, Airbubbl hopes to improve the quality of the air in your car even further! Cool. But on a side note, doesn’t it look suspiciously like this?

Funding status: Funding in progress.  

Back it here: Airbubbl on Kickstarter

7. Live the nomad life with Carsule

For those of you who’ve always fantasised about living in an RV or feel that Airbnb’s are like sooooo 2019, you’ll probably love weird car accessories like Carsule. Essentially, it’s an inflatable booth that attaches to the back of your car. Offering ample sheltered space for a dining area and such, it also allows for panoramic views of the surroundings. It’s also easily packed and stowed into a portable package when not in use. Of course, there probably aren’t a lot of places you could use this in Singapore, but it might make for an interesting holiday up north once the COVID-19 restrictions clear!

Funding status: Fully funded!  

8. Clean, polish AND seal your car’s surfaces with Gentlewipes

Having worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry for some years now, I can confidently tell you that great branding goes a long way. That’s one of the reasons why I really dig Gentlewipes. They’re basically pimped-out, no-water-needed wet wipes that not only clean your car, they also give the exterior a high-gloss, sealing effect without the need for water or any fancy polishing treatment. But what really makes it all the more appealing is its cheeky packaging design and gritty product photography that’s sure to lure any hipster within a 5-mile radius. So does it do everything it says on the bottle? Who cares! Take my money anyway!      

Funding status: Fully funded!

Get it here: Gentlemonkeys

9. Get fancy with Snapbag, a sleek car… dustbin

If you can’t stand how some dustbins cheapen the look of your car’s interior and really suck at holding in the rancid smell from the trash inside, then you need to check out Snapbag. So sleek, it looks more like a classy backseat organiser than a bin! It also boasts high capacity, leak and odour proof qualities, and comes with a washable plastic liner too. Best of all, it fits snugly on your seat and doesn’t compromise legroom. Perfect for the aesthetically-focused driver!

Funding status: Fully funded!

_{Feature image credits: Medium}

Now that you’ve explored some weird car accessories, if you’re still in the mood for shopping, why not check out these cool car accessories for kids or visit these little known shopping places?

So your wanderlust has reached hazardous levels. But you still can’t travel and a staycation (free tourism vouchers or not) just won’t cut it either. So here’s an idea: why not live vicariously through strangers on TV? Afterall, if you squint hard enough, you can almost picture yourself sipping cocktails by the beach or getting lost in the wilderness!

But if you’re not sure where to start and don’t want to get sucked into Netflix’s ‘endless scroll’, then check out these recommendations based on your travel style! Of course, we’ve done the tough job of watching the best travel shows on Netflix during office hours so you don’t have to. Well, someone’s gotta do it.

Love staying at cool Airbnb homes or hip hotels? Watch Instant Hotel.

If one of the highlights of your holiday is staying at pimped out Airbnb lofts or trendy hotels, then you’ll get a kick out of Instant Hotel. In it, teams of Australian homeowners compete for the title of best Instant Hotel by staying overnight at each other’s rentals and rating their experience.

From a retro diner themed home in the picturesque Barossa Valley, to a Zen retreat in Brisbane that’ll make even the most uptight city dweller want to namas-stay there, this Netflix travel show is a right treat for anyone who loves amazing interior spaces. Of course, because it’s “reality tv”, expect a fair amount of drama from the contestants too!      

Other shows that feature cool homes: Stay Here, The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes, Tiny House Nation, Interior Design Masters

Are holidays all about the glorious food? Watch The Final Table.

If you believe that best way to understand a country’s culture is through its food, then you’re definitely a travel foodie. Whether you spend most of your time hunting street food at dimly-lit night markets, or dining at the finest restaurants, we’re sure you’ll love The Final Table. The Netflix travel show sees teams of elite chefs facing off to impress judges with iconic dishes from countries such as Spain, Italy and Japan. Learn about new dishes or watch as chefs take a creative spin on popular ones. Though you can’t taste food through your TV (yet), it’s never too early to start planning your menu for the next trip!

Other shows to whet your appetite: Restaurants on the Edge, Street Food: Asia and Street Food: Latin America, Million Pound Menu

Love sailing on the high seas? Watch Below Deck.

If you frequently book cruises to nowhere, or dream of one day chartering a luxurious yacht, Below Deck is a must-watch. The show follows the lives of the crewmembers who work on luxury yachts around the world. It also comes with a healthy dose of (say it with me) drama, thanks to ridiculous requests from demanding guests who come loaded with moolah. Think foam parties on board, giant slides and insisting on a visit from Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler…

Since its debut in 2013, Below Deck has spanned an impressive 7 seasons and a spin-off Mediterranean series. Of course, the best part is getting a look at some incredibly pimped-out yachts, complete with jacuzzis, fancy Japanese-style automated toilet bowls and gastronomical delights prepped by Michelin-starred chefs!

Other shows featuring luxurious lifestyles: Selling Sunset, Million Dollar Beach House, Singapore Social (just kidding)

Live for crazy family vacations? Watch Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father.

If you love family vacations (though they drive you up the wall), you must catch this lesson in comedy gold. In this Netflix travel show, free-spirited comedian Jack Whitehall takes his “stuffy” father Michael out to countries around the globe. While Jack longs for authentic cultural experiences, roughing it out and copious amounts of alcohol, Michael prefers posh hotels, 5-star restaurants and museum tours.

Although there are four seasons in series, Season One, filmed in Southeast Asia is arguably the best, in my humble opinion. Guaranteed to get you all tickly as you reminisce about your own wacky family trips.

Other funny travel shows with comedians: Conan Without Borders

Can’t wait to get lost in the wilderness again? Watch You vs Wild.

Having earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Interactive Program (ooh), You vs Wild is an action-packed survival series that every nature lover/aspiring survivalist should watch. In it, viewers make important decisions (with their remote controls or other mobile devices) as they journey through deserts, jungles and other harsh environments with adventurer Bear Grylls. The goal? Survive. From helping Grylls make the perfect shelter, to even… instructing him to eat bear poop, this interactive series is strangely addictive. And who knows, it may inspire you to try surviving in the wild once travel is allowed again!

Watch how it works here:

Other shows which embrace Mother Nature: Cabins in the Wild, Win the Wilderness, Night on Earth

Take pride in venturing off-the-beaten track? Watch Dark Tourist.

Absolutely despise ‘tourist-y’ things and hate sticking to an itinerary? Then you’re likely a free spirit who loves taking the road less travelled! If so, you should definitely check out Dark Tourist. The New Zealand series follows journalist David Farrier as he explores dark tourism; the kind that involves visiting places typically associated with death or tragedy. From touring a Colombian prison with Pablo Escobar’s former hitman, to learning about voodoo in Johannesburg or the Jeffrey Dahmer murders in Milwaukee, the show carefully tows the line between fascinating and morbid.

Other shows about unorthodox ways to travel: The Kindness Diaries, Expedition Happiness

Fancy a bit of history on every trip? Watch Secrets of Great British Castles.

Can’t complete a holiday without visiting the museum or some historical site you’ve been planning to check out for ages? Then check out Great British Castles, a fact-packed documentary hosted by Dan Jones. Regardless of whether castles fascinate you or not, learning about their turbulent pasts will satiate any keen historian. Or at least keep you occupied until the borders are open again!

Other historical documentaries: Way too many

BONUS: Long for lonnnnng train rides? Watch Slow TV.

Though a complete torture for some, long train rides can be a relaxing experience for others. If you’re in the latter camp, then you may have heard of Slow TV (Sakte-TV). A form of documentary that has grown massively in Norway since 2009, Slow TV focuses on the mundane. Why not spend 7 hours watching a train ride from Bergen to Oslo, or 2 hours watching people at an intersection in Tokyo? Afterall, desperate times call for desperate measures. Sadly, though Netflix has pulled the title off its Asian catalogue, you can watch some videos from the channel here.

Too busy to watch your favourite Netflix travel show? Then maybe you should free up some time by letting the pros handle your next car servicing. If you’re looking for ways to holiday without leaving the country, here’s how to road trip and have a staycay!

Feature image: Bogdan Glisik / Shutterstock.com

When they told you about parenthood they probably mentioned the diaper duties, frantic school runs and deep questions about life from a pint-sized interrogator who kinda looks like you. But did anyone really prepare you for the true horror of trying to remove potato chip crumbs from your car seat seams? Are you still, unable to identify the origins of that mysterious stain on your carpet from months ago?

Yup, thought so.

Not to worry though, we’ve got you. Read on to discover some car cleaning hacks and tips that’ll help you ace this parenting gig and keep your beloved ride in tip-top condition!

Clean up window art.

Is that a bird? A plane? No, it’s just your little one’s impression of their favourite Peppa Pig character. Drawn on the passenger side window. With her tongue.

Whether its fingerprints, smudges or *inhales* saliva art, having a bottle of glass cleaner in your car really goes a long way. Just remember to use a microfiber cloth to prevent scratches, and to avoid paper towels which could leave unsightly streaks or lint trails. If you ever happen to be without these, baby wipes actually work wonders too! Their anti-static residue helps stop new dust from gathering on your windows.

If for some reason your little one’s gone to town with pasting stickers on your pristine windows, try picking them off before spraying on WD-40 on what’s left. Then, wipe it off after a few minutes with a damp cloth. Or you could just give in a little and hand them some washable window markers instead. Take that, Banksy Jr!

Say bye-bye to pee-pee.

You have never felt real fear until you’ve heard, “Daddy, I need to go wee-wee” while you’re cruising down the expressway with no sign of the next exit. If you, like many other parents have experienced wee on the car seats, you may have noticed that a stale smell still lingers too, regardless of how much you’ve tried to clean your fabric seats.

Instead of trying to drown it out with air freshener (or tears), try this: Stir about 2 cups of cold water with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and add on another tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Then, lightly dip (not soak) a sponge into the mixture and blot the pee-stained area from the outside in. Finally, use a dry cloth to blot until dry. Easy pee-sy!

Rid your seat seams of crumbs.

Just like eager aunties at the supermarket, you too fell for his wily charms. All it took was a “Mummy, I’m hungry!” and you let him eat Mamee noodles in the back seat of your car. So it may not have been the best of ideas but what’s a girl gonna do when faced with that cherubic smile? If vacuuming alone doesn’t help get rid of crumbs on the seat seams, try using a small detail brush or toothbrush. You’ll be amazed at how easily it scoops up small bits of dirt you never noticed before!   

Dude, what’s that smell?

Puke, pee, poop, forgotten bottles of milk, leftover snack packs… the list of undiscovered treasure in your car can sometimes seem endless. Worst of all, the smell lingers on and on like a bad love song. But before you start ordering batches of expensive air freshener or fragrance sticks, try this. Simply leave an opened bag of charcoal briquettes/bricks in your car overnight. Abracadabra, stank be gone!

Grease fighting.

Maybe you didn’t clean your tyke’s hands as well as you thought and now grease from those chicken nuggets are all over the place. A Happy Meal really shouldn’t be making you so unhappy. Got any car cleaning hacks for grease, you ask?

Why yes! Simply apply a scoop of cornstarch to the greased-up area and gently rub it into the stain with a clean cloth. After letting it sit for a few hours, use a vacuum to remove the remaining cornstarch.  

How about Crayo-NO-la.

You can drive peacefully if your children are distracted, they said. Let them do some colouring, they said. Well they certainly didn’t mention how difficult it was to get crayon stains off the seats and carpets. It’s okay, try this nifty trick to free your car’s carpets or upholstery from your little Picasso’s doodles.

First, gently scrape off crayon bits with a spoon, then spray a small amount of WD-40 and dab with a sponge. Finally, apply some liquid dishwashing detergent to remove the remaining bits of crayon. Sweet! But, in future, perhaps consider these toys to distract them instead…? 

Backseat driving.

No one really knows why kids love kicking the seats in front of them. But what we do know is that those dirt and grass stains on the back of your driver’s seat aren’t good for your car’s interior.

To get rid of these, simply apply some interior cleaner then wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. For tougher stains, use a more concentrated cleaner with a horsehair brush instead.

If you have leather seats, apply on some leather conditioner after cleaning it to prevent dry-out. Also, because prevention is better than cure, you could invest in a back seat cover or simply throw on a large t-shirt over your seat to prevent footprints.  

Diaper duty.

If you ever run out of wet wipes or tissue (*gasp*) on the road, reach out for your nearest diaper. Yup, you heard that right. Whether it’s spills from sippy cups or your own coffee tumbler, rest assured that the diapers are ultra-absorbent and can quickly soak up spills. Also, yes they’re expensive but desperate times call for desperate measures!

Just a note that these car cleaning hacks may not work for all situations. If in doubt, always err on the side of caution and seek help from professionals instead. While you’re at it, be sure to check out our sanitisation service too!

Do you kinda wish you hadn’t tried to siam that insurance agent from the booth at the roadshow/showroom, or perhaps taken more time to read the fine print on that document you signed? Ok, ok no need to panic. Whatever the case, it’s never too late to learn a little more! Do note that details of each plan may differ slightly depending on which insurance company you approach.

First, there are 3 main types of car insurance plans in Singapore:

1. Third-Party Only (TPO)
2. Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT)
3. Comprehensive Car Insurance

If you’re feeling basic, consider the Third Party Only (TPO) plan.

TPO is the most basic form of car insurance in Singapore. It meets the minimum legal requirements and comes with low cost but low coverage. It covers damages that you may cause to the property of others, whether it’s another driver’s car or even streetlamps and fences. However, it doesn’t protect you or your car (boo!), so you won’t receive a pay-out from your insurer in the event of an accident.

So, if you’re really not too concerned about financing the costs of damages to your own car during an accident, then consider a TPO plan. Maybe you drive an old/overused car that you’re planning to scrap soon, own a car that’s hardly on the roads, or you don’t rely on your car that much to get around.

Whatever the case, if you just want the bare minimum, go for the TPO.

So what’s covered again?*

Damages to your car: ✗
Damages to car/property of others: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to fire or theft: ✗
Loss/damages to your car due to natural disasters: ✗

If you need a little more reassurance, then look at a Third Party Fire and Theft (TPFT) plan.

Apart from covering damages to the property of others like with the TPO, the TPFT plan, as its name suggests, also covers damages caused by fire or theft.

This mid-tier option would best suit drivers who don’t want to go “all-out” with their insurance, but still want coverage that’s a bit more comprehensive than a TPO. It’s also best for drivers who often travel to countries where crime is a little more rampant than here (*coughs in Singaporean*). Of course, at the risk of sounding like your neighbourhood GP, prevention is better than cure. So do remember to keep your doors and windows locked!

Do note however, that the TPFT doesn’t cover damages caused by non-theft/fire related factors. i.e. if you’re one of the many victims of bird poop ruining your ride’s paintwork, or if your car gets hit by an errant driver.

So what’s covered again?*

Damages to your car: ✗
Damages to car/property of others: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to fire or theft: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to natural disasters: ✗

If you want it all, get a comprehensive plan.

If you want ultimate peace of mind and don’t mind splurging a little, go for a comprehensive plan.

These plans normally include all the benefits of TPO and TPFT plans, along with damages caused by Acts of God. These include situations where perhaps a random tree falls on your car (touch wood, literally) or ponding flooding. Apart from offering personal accident benefits, passengers are also covered for their medical expenses. Also, comprehensive insurance plans will cover damage to your car from accidents, whether it’s your fault or not.

However, not all comprehensive plans are alike. As they tend to cover a range of things, they’re not as straightforward as the TPO or TPFT plans. Some may only offer coverage for specific natural causes, while others may entice you with add-ons like coverage for a courtesy car when your car is in the workshop. Naise!

You should consider this plan if you rely on your car a lot, especially to commute to work and back. If your car is brand new, has high value or will cost a lot to repair, look to this plan too. You should also consider it if you’re not a very experienced driver. But before you say anything: having comprehensive insurance doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. If you happen to take a loan to pay for your car, some banks will also ask that you take up a comprehensive plan as a form of assurance.

So what’s covered again?*

Damages to your car: ✓
Damages to car/property of others: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to fire or theft: ✓
Loss/damages to your car due to natural disasters: ✓

If you’re still finding it hard to decide on the right car insurance for your ride, get in touch with us here and our insurance partner g&m will find you a quotation that best suits your needs.

_{*May vary slightly depending on insurance company}

Ah, the teenage years – a confusing time when it was all about self-discovery, rebellion, and making sweet memories. Being a teen in the early 2000s was an awesome experience, what with technology becoming more accessible, and the internet finding its way into many Singaporean homes.

But let’s face it, 90s kid or not, we’re sure every generation of teens has some things they feel a little embarrassed about. As a 100% Singaporean tech start-up, AutoApp is all about speeding things up for convenience. But we’re also big on taking time to appreciate the journey. Even if that journey is made up of some truly throw face things…

1. Zhng-ing the heck out of your handphone

‘Handphones’ served an important purpose in the early 2000s. We’re not talking about calling your parents, SMS-ing your crush or playing Snake under your desk in class. Phones were integral in showing your personality! Whether your weapon of choice was the staple Nokia 3310 – everyone’s favourite brick of a phone, Motorola Razr, Sony Ericcsson Walkman phone, or even the various Samsung flip and slider phones, many felt that phones were not made to live a plain ole’ boring existence.

So you made sure to customise it to the T. For the most part, accessorising your phone was perfectly fine. But then there were some who went ALL OUT with orbiang looking phone cases, keypads in different colours or textures, light up handphone charms that blinked when people called you. Well, at least everyone (miles away even) could tell the phone was yours.

 90s kids in Singapore would also comb the newspapers looking for ads advertising ringtones based on popular songs that you could buy for a few cents. Of course, the more talented (or diligent!) among us would just customise their own ringtones. #effort

These days, there are some who miss the Nokia 3310 so much that we’re pretty sure there’s been a glitch in the matrix.

2. Feelin’ fly in surf or skate clothes

Ever gone surfing at East Coast Park? Yup, neither has the rest of Singapore. But still, that didn’t stop 90s kids from donning surf wear (colourful board shorts anyone?) or saving up cash to buy wallets from the likes of Ocean Pacific, Billabong, Rip Curl and Quiksilver. And if surfing wasn’t your thing, perhaps skateboarding was. Again, it didn’t matter much if you couldn’t tell an ollie apart from a kickflip, because Stüssy t-shirts were cool. Not to mention DC, Ethnies, Vans, blind, Volcom, etc. Don’t pretend like you don’t know what we’re talking about, Tony Hawk.

Also, not a skate or surf brand, but this:

3. Trying to be ‘smart’ about the arcade’s dress code

The arcade was is always a cool place to hang out after school. And in the early 2000s, it was pretty common to see groups of teens watching others enthusiastically dance-battle it out on the DDR or Para Para machines. For petrolheads in the making, we’d probably find you at the racing simulator machines like Daytona or Sega Rally.

But you were only bad ass enough if you drove in Manual mode so you could feel the mechanical vibrations from the gearstick as you tried your best to “drift” in whatever capacity the game allowed. Of course, there was a strict policy that no kids in school uniforms were allowed. But if you were a GeNiUs, you probably just threw on a random t-shirt over your school shirt and you were good to go! 90s kids in Singapore: 1, Arcade staff: 0.

4. Being an mIRC boss

Most 90s kids in Singapore were probably way too familiar with the (then) most used 3 words on the internet:

“Hi intro pls”. 

You’d likely spend several minutes trying to get on the interwebs. All while listening to the gargling noises coming from your dial-up modem and warning the rest of your family that no one could call in for the next hour or so. And when you finally did, it was straight onto the mIRC chat client on your desktop!

You’d join channels based on your interest (#cars, #Singapore, #MapleStory, #Neopets) or even school-specific channels. Remember when a # was more than just an Instagram hashtag? You’d also key in lyrics from your favourite song or some emo poetry that would appear in the chat room when you logged out. And if people were fun enough to talk to, you’d probably add them on to your MSN list.  

And if you were one of the many wHo TyPed LyK diS lOrXx, we won’t tell if you won’t.  

5. Proudly slipping on ‘Trail’ slippers

Remember those colourful slippers that were (sometimes) deemed acceptable enough to wear to Orchard Road to lepak? Yup, okay quick question – how on earth did they get popular here and what ever happened to them? And is Trail even an actual brand? Mind-boggling.

In some cases, to cement your friendship, you may even have exchanged one slipper of your pair with a friend who had a different colour. Of course, fingers (and toes) crossed your friend’s feet were the same size as yours! Though the slippers were pretty affordable, “pirated” brands such as ‘Trial’ also eventually surfaced, of course. Y tho.    

6. Getting creative with school uniforms

When you’re a teen, somehow doing the opposite of whatever an establishment asks you to do sounds all the more appealing! Perhaps that’s the reason why some of us made pretty questionable decisions when it came to wearing our school uniforms.

These included (but were not limited to):

• Untucked shirts
• Pulling full-length socks with logos down so they looked like ankle socks
• Using shoelaces and safety pins to give your shirts/blouses a baggier look without having to tuck them in
• Wearing your school belt on your hips instead of your waist
• Unbuttoned collars

One thing’s for sure – there’s no denying that 90s kids in Singapore went all-out MacGyver with their uniforms.

7. Destroying your PC keyboard with racing games

Couldn’t afford a new PS2? No worries, your favourite racing games were easily available on CD-ROMS or illegally on Limewire for PC! From older versions of Need for Speed, Gran Turismo, Midtown Madness, Ridge Racer to even Crazy Taxi, it’s difficult to describe the feeling of energetically slamming on your keyboard to manoeuvre your cars. All the fancy controllers of today ain’t got nothing on WASD, Spacebar and your arrow keys. RIP keyboard.   

8. Leaving testimonials on Friendster

Do you even remember life before Facebook? Well, for 90s kids in Singapore, there was Friendster. The now defunct social networking site used to be where you could personalise your own profile, add friends, post photos and even add your own background for feels. One of the features teens loved the most were Testimonials. Pretty much like a digital ‘autograph book’ from the Primary School era, your friends could leave nice little snippets about you so that other kids would know you were cool, legit, and not some creepy perv masquerading as a teen online. Aww.

Of course, Facebook came along and it was the end of Friendster. The now defunct social networking site eventually became some sort of casual gaming site before disappearing into oblivion.

9. Making that ger or boi yours

Ah, young love! These days, Gen Z has a whole bunch of different terms to describe appealing people or people in relationships. There’s, “Oh, he’s her ride or die”, “I totally ship them”, or “Wow, he’s such a snacc.” At the risk of sounding like a senior citizen, back in our days, life was simpler. You see a pretty girl or handsome guy, go on a few dates and it was:

“ai stead mai?”

Some alternative sentence uses included “Do you want to be my stead?” or “She’s her stead.” or the more wistful, “stead me please?”. As you probably guessed, ‘stead’ was a play on the phrase “going steady”. Unfortunately, just like 50-cents McDonalds ice-cream cones, the use of this phrase seems to have vanished over time.

10. Channelling the emo or punk

Move over hipsters and hypebeasts because the sub-culture of our time was emo. Fashion-wise it was all thick black eyeliner (even on guys), black clothes, layered hair with long fringes, studded belts, and piercings. On that note, do you remember how you had to hide your piercings from your Discipline Master/Mistress with transparent ear sticks?

And when it came to music, there was a whole plethora of bands who ranged from emo, punk, pop-punk, emocore, in the form of Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, MCR, Jimmy Eat World, Brand New, Deathcab for Cutie, and more. Of course, you’d get your accessories from 77th Street, clothes from Far East Plaza, and music from HMV at the Heeren or Napster.

You’d also likely spend your time on your Easyjournal, Livejournal, Deadjournal or Blogspot (the only site that still happens to be around) writing about your feelings or posting emo song lyrics. As a side note, if you thought your blog was lost for good because the website shut down, try typing in your old URL here! You can thank us later!    

And if you happened to wear various colourful plastic bands around your wrists… well, that’s another story for a different time.

11. Drooling over celebs in teen magazines

Remember when good stuff wasn’t just on the internet? In the late 90s and early 2000s, Singaporean magazines such as LIME (defunct), Teens (defunct), Teenage, Seventeen Singapore used to be a common sight at newsstands and convenience stores. Every month, eager teens would grab a copy, read up on their favourite bands or TV/movie stars and of course pluck out that centrefold to blu-tack it to their walls. For kids with more cash, they’d head down to Tower Records at Suntec City, or HMV at Heeren and grab copies of international mags like Top of the Pops, Smash Hits and more.

12. Getting cute for neoprints

Remember life without fancy cameras? Most of your memories were likely recorded with the 2MP camera at the back of your handphone, if you were lucky enough to have one. And then there were neoprints which were basically photo stickers with cutesy patterns and things. A great date activity with your stead (see point 9) or with friends, most of the neoprint machines were found in Orchard Cineleisure, Far East Plaza or the Heeren.

For about $10 (obviously split between fellow broke teens), you’d cram yourselves into a neoprint machine, awkwardly or enthusiastically pose for the cam, and then spend some time ‘designing’ your personalised stickers by drawing or writing your names on them. After which, you’d use the scissors provided to cut and divide them among yourselves. Super kawaii, can?!      

13. That little issue about boybands and girl bands

To truly understand each generation, you should look towards the excellent music that was produced during that time. Of course, you have some amazing music, and then… you also have boybands and girl bands. It’s not that their music sucked, it’s just that they served up music with a healthy dose of good looks too!

We’re not complaining.

Okay so we may not have had One Direction, the Jonas Bros, Blackpink or BTS, but we had the Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Westlife, A1, and O-Town. And closer to home, there was no K-Pop, but Taiwanese pop idols ruled the hearts of many a teenage Singaporean girl. There was F4 with their luscious locks, 5566, S.H.E… okay I could go on but I better stop. You’d download their songs over Napster buy their CDs from CD-RAMA (at Popular) or HMV and memorise every lyric even!

Tech has definitely come a long way since the late 90s! Sure, the Nokia 3310 brings back the feels but phones have also gotten way smarter. It’s now even possible to care for your car with just a few taps on your mobile. Find out how here!

For more stories about things that make us uniquely Singaporean, explore other articles from our Going Stun series here!

Keep your personal details to yourself.

If you have the memory span of a goldfish, or if numbers just make you nervous, chances are you’ve probably saved your login or credit card details on several websites.

Well, it has probably made online shopping way more convenient hasn’t it? Groceries? Click and done! Phone bills? Click and paid! $120 designer dustbin with an obscure Swedish sounding name? Click and ordered! Wait, what just happened?

You see, just like the anti-drug campaigns of old and Pringles commercials have taught us: Once you start, you can’t stop. The easier it is to check out your ever-growing cart online, the more likely you’ll find yourself spending money on things you may not necessarily need. What’s more, having your login details saved makes you an easy target for hackers and the like too.

Know that the price isn’t always right.

So you’re looking for a new phone. What’s your game plan? Do you go straight to the official manufacturer’s shop or your favourite neighbourhood tech shop? Or maybe you’d rather skip the queues and just get it online instead?

You don’t have to dig too far into the money-saving tips jar before you come across this nugget of wisdom: Always look out for the best prices on more than one platform, whether online or off. And if anyone mockingly calls you an ‘aunty’, well they won’t be laughing once they find out how much you’ve saved! In some cases, searching several places could save you a hefty amount of cash. After all, no one likes paying more for something they can get for less.

If you’re a car owner looking out for car parts or accessories, the same rules apply. As a pro tip, check out websites like sgCarMart or platforms like Carousell which may offer bargains or money-saving tips on purchasing car accessories and more. Facebook groups specific to your car make or model may even feature certain parts and accessories that you won’t be able to find elsewhere.

Keep your purchases close and your receipts closer.

If you’ve ever purchased gadgets or other electronic equipment, you probably already know the importance of receipts. Afterall, they’re a life saver when the item you purchased turns out to be defective and needs to be repaired or replaced. But did you know that keeping your receipts for services such as hairdressing appointments, or even consultations with your doctor is just as important too?  

For instance, when it comes to servicing your car, a one-month warranty on workmanship is more or less standard. This makes sense since you’ll probably only notice issues a day or two after the initial work. As such, it’s definitely a good idea to remember to keep your receipts in a safe place. If a bulk of your receipts are on paper (and not digital), snap quick pics on your phone just in case the ink fades over time.

Don’t fall for the ad trap.

Unless you spend most of your time in hibernation, it’s almost impossible to go a day without seeing at least one advertisement. In fact, studies have found that the average person sees thousands of ads a day! And with social media platforms allowing companies to target consumers down to specific demographics (did someone say single, 28-year-old male with 2 golden retrievers and an interest in romcoms and juggling?), you’ll most likely be seeing ads that appeal most to you. That’s also why that image of a pair of sweet sneakers you viewed once has been following you around for days.

Since you can’t avoid ads, one way to deal with them is to make lists of things you do need to get, and to stop yourself from making purchases out of boredom. Of course, that’s easier said than done! *quickly closes Zalora, Lazada and Qoo10 tabs on browser and starts reading up on more money-saving tips*  

Don’t be fooled by marketing gimmicks.

Yes, we’re sure you know it all too well. That ‘clearance sale’ banner that you’ve seen at the same shop for months now, or even overly-excited youths at supermarkets offering you ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ promotions. Sales and marketing gimmicks have been around for years to help make products look more appealing to consumers.

For instance, one of the most used marketing gimmicks at car workshops is the classic bait and switch. They’ll start by offering customers low prices to service their car or perform repairs. Once customers bring their car in, the staff might then point out several things that could do with replacing too – these include brake pads, transmission fluid and more.

Well, boo to that.

As a rule of thumb, try to avoid car servicing packages which are well below the usual market rate. For instance, be wary of anything that costs less than $180 unless you know exactly what it entails. If you’re still clueless on whether something is a marketing gimmick or not, just remember this: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

But if you’d rather just avoid the hassle of finding a good workshop or trying to pick up money-saving tips you can use at your next car servicing then why not try out AutoApp? By only working with reputable and trusted partner workshops, you can rest assured that you’ll never fall prey to gimmicks or scams with us! And that’s the truth. 

Know the ABCs of T&Cs.

There’s a whole bunch of reasons why you should always pay attention to the fine print. Sure, most of us tend to just gloss over walls of text, especially when the font size is smaller than 10. However, the extra effort you make to read the terms and conditions of that car servicing contract or online website could pay off in the long run. The last thing you want is to be slapped with extra fees or charges that you weren’t aware of.

And… you don’t want to be signing off your first-born child to an unknown company do you? 

Stock up, but not too much.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that some Singaporeans love stocking up on everything – from instant noodles, toilet paper to sanitisers and disinfectants. But what drives consumers to do so? Perhaps it’s the comfort knowing that everything is readily available should you ever need it, or maybe it’s just plain ole’ kiasu-ism.

That said, it’s perfectly fine to stock up on groceries or essentials every now and then, in reasonable amounts of course. And if you’re a car owner, it’s a good idea to keep a couple of bottles of engine oil at home so that you can do your own top-ups between servicing sessions. Wet wipes are also super convenient when it comes to cleaning dusty dashboards or your hands after you’ve been checking your engine or brake fluids. They’re also handy wiping down dusty dashboards and other interior surfaces. So be sure to keep a few packs in your glove compartment! Pro tip: Wet wipes come in large sizes as well and work better for car applications.

Gang up on shipping costs.

Don’t exorbitant shipping prices really just stink? I mean surely it can’t cost THAT much to fly a tiny wallet all the way to Singapore, unless of course it’s flying first-class. If you know the feels, then fret not. One awesome way to save on shipping costs is through group buys.

It’s simple. Customers seeking out products from the same seller, place an order together so that the shipping cost is split evenly across the board and you save precious moolah! What’s more, a quick online search should lead you to forums or group buy listings on platforms such as Carousell. Easy peasy.

If you happen to be in the market for car accessories or parts like performance filters, strut bars or tyres, group buys may be available on Facebook groups and forums too – so keep a look out! Plus, joining online communities of car enthusiasts such as these could earn you a new friend or two who may have some money-saving tips and ideas for you too!

Now that you’ve picked up some money-saving tips and learnt a thing or two about shopping smart, would it be wrong to tempt you with some cool car accessories for your kids, automotive merchandise or maybe even yummy foods to whet your appetite?

That said, at AutoApp, we’re all about transparency and clear-cut policies that make sense. Find out more about how we can turn servicing your car into a stress-free experience here.

You know that one friend who’s suddenly become a health expert/logistics specialist because of the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s always, “Wow, you paid $8 for that face mask? Do you know I got it for $7.99 on Shopee?” or “Have you heard of X? It’s a rare herb from the Himalayas that boosts immunity!” And then came the day she heard you were shopping for sanitisers and it was all, “Why are you buying that? That’s not going to work on your car, you know. Don’t you know anything about choosing the best sanitisers and disinfectants?”

Well sorry, Karen. It’s not like everyone spends half their life knee-deep in health articles on Google.

But… she does have a point. Sanitisers and disinfectants have been in the spotlight since the increased emphasis on maintaining good hygiene due to the pandemic. But how much do you actually know about them? If you’ve been too embarrassed to ask know-it-all ‘friends’, or too tired to comb through the sea of articles on the interwebs, read on to find out more. We promise we won’t tell.

Is a sanitiser what I want, what I really, really want?

Ah, perhaps the most important question of all! Before you check out your online shopping cart or wheel a physical one to the supermarket counter, make sure you’ve only stocked up on what you need. Are you looking for something to keep your hands clean, disinfect your living room, or get rid of that ketchup stain on your car seat? Just remember that the serious looking bottle of transparent liquid with a huge 90%-alcohol label stamped on the front won’t solve all your problems.

So let’s start. Sanitisers, disinfectants and cleaning products.

They’re all different – although some do boast a combination of the three. Cleaning sprays and products (the most common of the group) get rid of dirt, debris, and food residue but don’t remove or ‘kill’ any bacteria. They’re also mainly for use on surfaces as opposed to your hands and body.

Then there’s sanitisers and disinfectants. Sanitisers reduce contamination or bacteria to a safe level while disinfectants get rid of everything on a particular surface. Disinfectants are made up of many powerful chemicals as compared to sanitisers, which are thought to be gentler. This is likely why you’ve heard of hand sanitisers and surface sanitisers, but you’ve probably never heard of a hand disinfectant.

Disinfectants are also used for much bigger messes (which is why they’re frequently used in hospitals). In a way, they’re kinda like more powerful sanitisers. Because of their strong chemicals, you wouldn’t want to use disinfectants on surfaces that come in contact with food, toys for children, or other places where it could be ingested.   

On a scale of 1 to potent Russian vodka, how much alcohol should sanitisers have?

Okay, so you’ve decided that what you really need is the perfect bottle of sanitiser. If you’ve been browsing social media enough or paying attention to COVID-19 related news, you’ve probably heard that sanitisers made up of at least 60% alcohol are most effective in getting rid of coronaviruses.

It’s true.

Sanitisers come in alcohol-based and alcohol-free versions, with the alcohol-based ones ranging from 60-95% alcohol and often containing isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or n-propanol. Sounds cheem, right?

Long story short, alcohol-based sanitisers are sought after because alcohol can attack and destroy the envelope of protein around certain viruses. Once destroyed, it makes it tougher for the virus to survive and multiply.

Alcohol-free sanitisers on the other hand contain (brace yourself) quarternary ammonium compounds like benzalkonium chloride. These help reduce microbes but are believed to not be as effective as alcohol when fighting viruses and bacteria.

Some sanitisers smell so good, and some smell so… sterile. Why don’t people just buy the nice smelling stuff?

If you’re a serial sniffer and can’t walk past a Bath and Body Works outlet without buying at least one thing, you’ve probably been dying to ask this question. As tempting as that Lavender Blossom Marshmallow with Coffee Beans Sanitiser might seem, hold your horses. Some sanitisers with fragrances may actually be harsher on your skin.

Companies don’t usually list the ingredients that make up their signature scents, so you probably won’t spot any red flags on the product label. As such, you’ll never know what chemicals go into heavily fragranced sanitisers. But that said, there are some brands that use essential oils which keep their sanitisers smelling great and you feeling refreshed.

Okay, but does matter matter?

There are three main types of sanitisers on the market – gel, foam and spray sanitisers. Should you really be fussed over the difference? Well, not really.

But if we were to nit-pick, foam sanitisers cling to your hands easier than gel ones. If you’re not careful, gel sanitisers can slide off onto the floor and leave unsightly marks on it – especially on waxed floors. #proauntytip Also, foam sanitisers are kinda fun in the same way bubble baths are.

On the other hand, because they help spread droplets better over wide areas, spray type sanitisers are best for use on surfaces or objects (though there are some you can find specifically for hands).     

So what’s up with ‘food-grade’ sanitisers then?

Food-grade sanitisers are sanitisers that can be used on surfaces that come in contact with food. As such, they’re normally used in restaurants or kitchens at home. Some food-grade sanitisers are also suited for children and their toys/belongings (seeing as little ones sometimes put anything in their mouths)! Food-grade sanitisers are generally alcohol-free, though there are some that contain food-grade alcohol such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.   

Will my skin stay as smooth as a baby’s bottom after using sanitiser?

If you’re likely to be using sanitiser on your hands frequently, then you’ll want one that won’t dry up your skin. Alcohol-based sanitisers, though effective in eliminating bacteria, can be harmful to your skin when overused. Alcohol deprives the skin of important proteins and lipids which lead to skin dryness and irritation. To prevent this, look out for sanitisers that have moisturising ingredients such as aloe vera or water. Afterall, no one wants prunes for hands!

There’s loads of sanitisers on online shopping platforms and in stores. If they’re bottled, look pretty decent and are priced reasonably, they’re probably safe… right?

Never judge a sanitiser by its cover. Instead, check out its product label.

Knowing where your sanitiser comes from and everything that goes into it will stop you from being a victim of scalpers. If it doesn’t have a product label, stay 1 metre away from it. If its product label lists potentially toxic chemicals including sulphates, EDTA or parabens, safe distancing rules also apply. Prolonged use of sanitisers with these ingredients could be harmful to the body. And remember, just because the price is high, it doesn’t make a sanitiser legit.

Instead, choose a sanitiser or disinfectant from this list of products effective against coronaviruses collated by the National Environment Agency of Singapore. Still confused? Why not just try making your own here?

So… are there any specific sanitisers or disinfectants that will keep viruses away from my car?

There are a number of great sanitisers and disinfectants on the market but we love the Aeris Active hospital-grade disinfectant cleaner. Not only is it on the NEA-approved list, it works just as well in your car as it would in your home. Plus, tests have also shown that it can kill coronaviruses in under 60 seconds! It removes mould and mildew, and leaves behind an invisible film to prevent recolonisation on the surface. That way, it keeps germs away for longer after use. Most importantly, it’s compatible with a majority of surfaces so it won’t damage your car’s interior.

At the risk of sounding a wee bit lazy… is there someone I could call to sanitise my car?

We were hoping you’d ask! Come next month, AutoApp will be coming up with special packages that’ll help with cleaning, disinfecting and protecting your ride. Plus, early adopters of our app will have a special treat to look out for too. Follow us on Facebook to stay in the loop!

When all’s said and done, remember that sanitisers aren’t the solution to everything. Maintaining good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and keeping a safe distance from others will help protect you and your loved ones during these trying times. Stay safe!

Need tips on cleaning, disinfecting and protecting your vehicle? Check out some tips here or watch this video for special advice: