These simple, effective cleaning products will make your home look cleaner.
1. Skip bar soap
Use a liquid soap that has a pump or a soap dispenser to keep your bathroom basin clean for longer. Your basin and countertop will stay clean by using a soap dispenser, but if you feel more traditional, you can keep the soap dish.
2. Taps should gleam
Use a sponge to rub toothpaste on chrome fixtures.
3. Make your shower shine
Mix 3/4 cup of household chlorine bleach and 2 litres of water to clean grout. Use a stiff brush to apply the mixture to one area at a stretch. Allow it to sit for a while, then scrub the grout and rinse. Clean the shower tray daily or at least once a week, so that it doesn’t become off white.
4. Hang towels in the right way
Hang towels where they can dry thoroughly to prevent them from becoming mouldy between showers. A towel rail is the best option, your towels will stay dry between showers and let’s face it, who doesn’t love a fluffy towel? You don’t have a towel warmer? That is not a problem, a robe hook will hold your towels and get them dried as well.
5. Combat musty odours
A bicarbonate soda open container placed next to your towels and sheets can help prevent a damp linen closet.
6. A simple, all-purpose cleaner
This cleaner will make almost any surface shine, including kitchen counters and appliances. Mix 4 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda and 1 litre of warm water. Use the sponge to clean up any spillages.
7. Degrease cabinets
As with your utensils and kitchen tools, the cupboards can become greasy while you cook dinner. To remove the grease, spray a spray bottle with warm water and add some washing-up liquid. Rinse with warm water and dry using a clean, dry cloth.
8. Shine copper with ketchup
Yes, ketchup! Copper pots can sparkle again with a bit of ketchup.
9. Refresh your microwave
To make the interior more manageable, heat a cup of water with a chopped-up lemon and turn the microwave on high to steam the contents. Allow the bowl to sit for 15 minutes, then open the door and scrub away all grime.
10. Zap oven spills
Spray the spills with ammonia using a spray bottle. Add a little bicarbonate soda to the mixture and a few drops of white vinegar. Allow it to bubble for about a minute, and then use a scrub sponge to remove any grime.
11. Stains can be removed from a cutting board
To remove food stains or smells, run the cut side of the lemon across the board. Salt or bicarb can be added to the board first for extra cleaning power.
12. Vinegar adds shine
White vinegar can be used to brighten windows and mirrors. Use 1 litre of water to mix 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Then, pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe it off, and not paper towels which can cause streaking.
13. Cover furniture nicks
Have you got a scratch or a scuff on your wood furniture? To mask the damage, rub it with a walnut shell removed.
14. Glamourize a mirror
Coffee filters are lint-free, so you can use them to wipe down any mirrors, from an entrance mirror to a LED bathroom mirror.
15. De-grime patio furniture
To clean your outdoor tables and chairs, add a few drops of washing-up liquid in a bowl of warm tap water. Rinse with the garden hose.
