While the Royal Family may live a life slightly different to the rest of us, it is not all fancy ballgowns and chandeliers. Aside from royal palaces and events, the Royal Family face some of the same problems we all do and that many people can relate to.
Among those problems is the upkeep of cars and homes, with one former royal cleaner revealing a very cheap solution for keeping royal car interiors fresh without spending fortunes on air fresheners. Speaking to motoring experts at Plates Express, Anne Simmons, who worked in the royal household for nearly a decade, said that like most cars, royal cars can develop a smell – something she was sometimes asked to take care of.
To combat this, the 57-year-old from Berkshire said that when preparing official vehicles for last-minute inspections or events, she would do one thing to erase any unpleasant odours.
As reported by The Sun, Anne said: “One day, I was asked to get a car ready for a senior royal’s outing.
“Everything looked spotless, but the inside just smelt… stale. We didn’t have fancy sprays or scented gels to hand, so I reached into my bag and pulled out a dry tea bag. I tucked it under the seat and let it sit.
“By the time they stepped in, the smell was gone – and in its place was a gentle, comforting scent. “It’s something I’ve used ever since.”
Anne praised the method, saying, “It’s discreet, cheap, and lasts much longer than people think. Black tea is my go-to, but you can use herbal ones like lavender or mint if you want a fresher smell.”
While this cheap hack may not be common knowledge, it is believed to work well, with tea leaves pulling moisture and bad smells from the air.
This is not the only revelation the former royal cleaner has made this year, with Anne also revealing that wet wipes are no longer used in the palace as they used to cause costly plumbing issues. Instead, it is believed Palace cleaners use reusable cleaning cloths.