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Can't get enought? Get some more tips
If
you just can't get enough and are itching to become a converted scrubber ...
then you might like to read these facts and tips that will help you turn your
home into a sparkling haven.

The kitchen grime file

Within eight hours one bacterium can multiply to 16 million on a damp dirty cloth. Surfaces are more often contaminated after they've been cleaned, by wiping with unclean cloths. 79 per cent of people change their dishcloths less than once a month. 87 per cent rinse the dishcloth in dirty washing-up water.
Top tips for the kitchen

Don't use one cloth for everything. Keep two separate cloths, one for dishes, one for wiping down surfaces.

Don't store them near food or on clean surfaces.

Don't wipe your hands on tea-towels - you can transfer germs from your hands. Use a separate hand towel, or paper towels in the kitchen.

Use cotton dishcloths. Their waffle weave provides slight abrasion, helping to remove dirt, and they last longer.

After washing up, leave the cloths to soak in a solution of washing-up liquid with a couple of drops of bleach added.

Replace with new cloths on a regular basis.
What is the best order to clean up?

Glasses - always do special glass that you treasure separately. Either put it to one side and do it last, using fresh water, or do it first and put it away safely.

Lightly soiled dishes - saucers, jugs, side plates.

Cups and mugs.

Plates (food remains scraped and rinsed off).

Cutlery.

Cooking dishes and pans.
Handy cleaning tips

Baking trays and roasting tins - add a cup of biological washing powder to warm water and soak. You can remove tougher stains by heating gently on the hob for 10 minutes.

Boil tartare sauce in water to remove the 'rainbow' effect from aluminium pans.

Clean rust from knives by leaving the blade stuck in a raw onion. Wiggle it around to activate the juice.

To remove tea stains from mugs and cups, rub with a paper towel and a little salt, borax or bicarbonate of soda. The mild abrasive action removes the mark wonderfully.

Pans are easier to clean if you soak them immediately in cold water with a drop of washing-up liquid.

To remove rust from cast-iron pans and woks, rub with the cut side of half a potato dipped in concentrated washing-up liquid. Rinse, then wipe with cooking oil and paper towel.

To remove the tarnish from copper cookware, sprinkle with salt, cover with lemon juice or vinegar, then rub the affected area again. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry.

Remove red wine stains from the bottom of a decanter by adding a few grains of rice and some distilled white vinegar. Rotate gently; the abrasive action of the rice will gently remove inaccessible deposits.
The Bathroom File

A shiny fresh basin is a treat to behold. Do you know what it is that many people say they like about having a cleaner? They come home and their taps are shiny! Honestly, that's it, yet they sit around and wait all week for it to happen, when they could do it themselves in a couple of seconds. Kim & Aggie swear that shiny taps are good for the soul.
Top tips for the bathroom

Liquid soap is more hygienic in areas that visitors use. They don't want your soggy soap between their palms!

Don't forget the stopper! Clean the plug. Turpentine works well on rubber stoppers.

Rub cooking oil or baby oil on the bottom of your soap dish to prevent the soap sticking to it.

Clean your basin every day, removing soap scum, limescale and germs.

To remove limescale from heavily encrusted taps (note that this method is not suitable for plated taps of any kind, especially gold): mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and scrub on with a soft toothbrush. For heavy caking, soak paper towels, wrap around the tap in a plastic bag held in place with an elastic band, and leave overnight. In the morning remove it and the limescale comes clean away!

Paint the bottom of metal shaving-foam cans with a little clear nail varnish to stop them leaving rusty ring marks.

Gloopy toothbrush mugs are a haven for bacteria. Pop them into the dishwasher once a week to keep them fresh.
Cleaning cloths in the bathroom

Use different-coloured cloths for different jobs to avoid cross-contamination.

Use different-coloured cloths for basins and baths from the ones you use for bidets and toilets.

Wash and replace all cloths frequently, or use disposable cloths.
Tips for the Toilet

For regular cleaning, drop a couple of denture-cleaning tablets into the bowl. Leave overnight, but definitely don't add your false teeth.

Pouring a can of cola into the bowl and leaving it for an hour will also remove stains.

Avoid blockages and neutralize toilet odours by pouring a cup of bicarbonate of soda into the pan once a week.