PACK YOUR CLEANING CADDY

OVER the years, we pick up many cleaning products and gadgets, some of which hardly ever come out of the cupboard and simply take up valuable space. Supermarkets try to offer something for everyone so there’s a huge choice, but you don’t need to buy them all. Don’t be swayed by something new or something that someone else has raved about – just commit to the products that you’ve tried and liked.

I’m a big fan of microfibre dusters as they don’t tend to leave fibres behind, but I also repurpose old bedding, towels and T-shirts as cleaning rags. It’s so much better for the environment than using disposable wipes.

Keep a bag near your washing machine for your dirty cloths and wash them every time the bag is full. And do a quick audit once a month to make sure everything is stocked up and that your tools are nice and clean. I like to keep everything in caddies or baskets around my house – I strategically place mini-caddies in different rooms, especially in the bathrooms. Each should have an extra supply of microfibre cloths, which will save you from constantly going up and downstairs when something needs a clean.

Here is my list of essentials:

• Rubber gloves

• Vacuum cleaner

• Hand-held vacuum

• Dustpan and brush

• Broom

• Mop and bucket

• Washing-up bowl or bucket Sponges

• Microfibre cloths in different colours (to avoid crosscontamination – I use blue for the loo, pink for the sink, green for clean and yellow for dusting)

• Wire wool

• Duster

• Squeegee

• Cotton buds (bamboo ones are more eco-friendly)

• Old toothbrushes (perfect for getting into those difficult-to-reach areas and crevices)

• Paintbrushes or old make-up brushes (great for small items, such as your children’s Lego)

• Glass cleaner

• All-purpose cleaner

• Washing-up liquid

• Laundry detergent

• Fabric conditioner

• Toilet bleach

• Beeswax polish