Nail Trimmers
Did you know that each version of our nail trimmers uses the same replacement pads? That’s right – whether you’ve got the battery version or rechargeable, whether the pads go on the front or top, you can use the same ones, as they’re universal for each version. That means even if you want to upgrade your trimmer but still have pads you haven’t used yet, you don’t need to replace those as well. They transfer over without any issue at all! The pads are also extremely easy to clean. How, you ask? Simply take a soft cloth and gently wipe the pad. Even though there is sandpaper, if you keep things careful, the pad surface is easy to dust off to get rid of that unsightly nail dust.
Shell Wearable Silicone Breast Pump
The Shell is a handy little device indeed. Use it as a passive milk collector, as an active pump, or grab the twin pack and use one for each! It’s incredibly easy to switch between the two, as well. This pump features a handy valve on top, letting you adjust the suction. To increase after attaching, simply press the back of the Shell – this will push air out through the valve, creating a stronger vacuum effect. If it’s too strong, and you want to release a bit of the pressure, press the valve. It’s on the top of this pump, so it’s easy to reach, and pressing it will allow air to enter the chamber, meaning the vacuum is decreased. Have a play until you find the perfect level for you.
Some mums can sometimes find it a bit difficult to attach the Shell firmly using the press-the-back-and-attach method – everyone’s breasts are different, after all, and what works for one may not work for someone else. Did you know, though, that there are two other methods that others have found more effective? The roll method is where you attach the Shell by using your palm to roll the pump up onto your breast, letting you push more air out while you attach it. Some may want to hold their breast in place with their other hand while they roll it on, while others might find the rolling motion alone is sufficient.
The flip method, on the other hand, is where you use both hands to push the back right in, almost flipping the Shell (and making it quite flat at the same time), thereby pushing even more air out, and the attaching and releasing. You can even find demonstrations of these methods on our TikTok!
Cleaning Silicone
Because transparent silicone is so transparent when it’s new, it can sometimes bother people when that crystal clarity seems to disappear. The first thing to mention, though, is that some cloudiness is perfectly normal in silicone, especially in hard water areas. It doesn’t affect the performance or safety of your products at all, as long as you’ve been cleaning them thoroughly after each use and sterilising when necessary – just like any other product. However, if you prefer the look of it without so much cloudiness, or if some strong-coloured foods have stained it, there are ways to decrease this. First, though, never use bleach or bleach-based cleaners on your Haakaa silicone products, as these can worsen the cloudiness and shorten their useable lifespan. One very quick and easy method to clear your silicone up that a great many mums have tried and had success with is boiling your pump in water with a capful or two of white vinegar added, then rinsing it well. Alternatively, adding ¼ to ½ a cup to a container of water (the equivalent of a sinkful) with your usual dishwashing detergent and leaving it to soak for 10-15 minutes, then rinsing and sterilising as usual has also been effective for others.
Silicone can also, unfortunately, occasionally grow sticky. More fortunately, cleaning sticky silicone is easier than you’d think. There are a variety of reasons for this stickiness to occur and one of these is because silicone is naturally non-stick – you’ve probably either seen it used in bakeware or have a lot of it yourself. This means fats and oils build up on the surface, and breastmilk tends to be relatively high in fat. For this reason, the first step is to try giving it a good wash in hot, soapy water (and it’d be a good idea to wear dish gloves to protect your hands), then give it a thorough scrub with a dedicated bottle brush. For the outside, try using a good, strong sponge that will give you a good grip – though make sure it’s not a harsh scourer that will scratch the surface.
Another common issue with silicone is absorbing odours. Again, this is something that can be remedied. Make a paste out of equal parts baking soda and water. You’ll want enough to cover your silicone product, so how much will depend on the product in question. Leave it as long as possible once the product is completely covered – overnight is best. Remove the paste, then soak it in another mix of equal parts water and white vinegar for an hour. Rinse off, wash as usual, then sterilise. You may need to repeat the first couple of steps if the odour is powerful. Alternatively, if you just don’t have time to go through all that, the oven may well be your best friend. Preheat to 120°C, then pop whatever you need deodourising into the oven. Give it 20 minutes, then check. If there’s still some smell, put it back then check every ten minutes. It’s essential with this method to keep checking regularly and not forget about it. Incidentally, both of these methods will work with any of your 100% silicone bakeware, so they’re handy to have in your arsenal no matter what you’re working with. Just make sure to only use these (especially the oven method) with items that are 100% silicone. While good-quality silicone such as Haakaa uses is oven-safe (up to 250°C), non-silicone materials in other products may not be.
This is, of course, just a quick look at some of the handy tips that can keep your Haakaa gear going for years. What are some others you’ve found helpful?