smoltalk february.

If your New Year gym resolution is starting to wobble… you’re not alone. But don’t let the smell of your sports bag be the thing that finally talks you out of going.

Sweaty kit and damp towels turn sports bags into 5 star hotels for musty smells. The culprit here is moisture. When it hangs around, bacteria will thrive and that’s when things get fusty. But there’s a super simple hack to help keep smells at bay…

• Fill an old (clean) sock with uncooked rice.
• Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. 
• Tie a knot in the top… and pop it straight into the bag.

That’s it. No washing. No sprays. No drama. How does it help?

Rice is great at absorbing moisture, which is what causes most of those lingering smells in the first place. And the essential oils add a fresh aroma. Result!

Scents like lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree all work beautifully. And when the scent fades, just undo the sock, add a few more drops to the rice and keep going. 

Low effort. Zero waste. One less excuse to skip the gym; you’re welcome.

Come with us to beautiful Carmarthenshire and the historic Llanelli Goods Shed, home to Caban Eco: a busy community hub for refills and good coffee. As one of their chosen brands, we’re proud to help the team offer low-waste, budget-kind options to their community. Centre coordinator Sarah kindly told us more about how it all works.

Q. What sparked the creation of Caban Eco?

Personally, I've always tried to make better choices (like using cloth nappies for my children). We're based in one of the most deprived wards in Wales, but that doesn't mean people don't want to make better choices. Eco-friendly items usually cost more, and Caban Eco is a way of empowering people to make those better choices without stretching household budgets further. It also challenges throwaway society - people like coming in to refill items, make use of clothing in the community wardrobe that would otherwise have gone to landfill, and they like having plastic-free options available.

Q. How do the Community Wardrobe and Cleaning Club support people who come through your doors?

It gives people the 'feel good' factor about making more eco-friendly choices without adding to financial struggles. The community wardrobe has helped people of no fixed address with suitable Winter clothing, and has helped others moving into their home for the first time (fleeing domestic abuse) gain access to things like soft furnishings.

Q. How has the community responded to Caban Eco?

It's taken some time for awareness to raise and people to get used to the notion of refilling and cutting down on plastic waste. Now, we have a steady stream of Caban Eco regulars who come into the Goods Shed, enjoy a lovely cup of Welsh coffee and meet friends - or attend one of the community groups - and then hop onto the train we've repurposed for the Caban Eco project. The Goods Shed brings people together and makes a real difference to those experiencing isolation. We've seen people come in and barely give any eye contact and now they'll have full on conversations about their week. Some of our over 50s group say coming to the Goods Shed is the highlight of their week, and the ladies who attend crafting sessions run by a local CIC, TopStitched Wales, love looking on the community wardrobe for pieces they can upcycle!

Q. Why did you choose smol products for your refill and cleaning stations?

smol are one of the biggest names offering cleaning products which are kind to the planet as well as working brilliantly! Being based in the UK was also a big consideration as we wanted to focus on Welsh and UK-based brands to boost the local economy. People really enjoy the products and didn't know how much of a variety smol had to offer. This has been a great way for people to try new products if they're wary of online purchases.

Q. If someone reading this wants to help, what’s the best way for them to support Caban Eco?

The best way would be to visit llanellirailwaygoodsshedtrust.org - and donate. We offer so many services and have an incredible team of volunteers - in 2026, we're having major repairs to the Grade 2 listed building we're based in, so want to make sure we can continue service as normal. If you'd like to volunteer, or learn more about us, our details are on the website.

If you’re rinsing your plates until they look clean before loading them into your dishwasher, we’ve got news: you’re doing extra work for worse results. Rinsing dishes before they go in the machine is one of the most common (and counterproductive) cleaning habits around.

Here’s why.

Most modern dishwashers use a turbidity sensor (word of the day!). During the wash, this sensor shines a light through the water to measure how clear or cloudy it is.

Cloudy water = dirty dishes

Clear water = “not much cleaning required”

If the water looks dirty, the machine will wash your dishes for longer, adjust the temperature, or even add in some extra rinses. But if the water looks clear? It assumes your plates don’t need much help and it just won’t try as hard. Dishwasher detergents are also designed with this in mind. Their enzymes actually work with food residue, breaking it down during the wash. If you’ve pre-rinsed everything off… then you’re removing the very thing the detergent (and the sensor) relies on.

Dishwashing the smol way?

• Scrape off big bits into the bin
• Load the dishwasher
• Step away; your work is done

Let your dishwasher do the job it was designed to do. You’ll save time, water, and end up with cleaner dishes.