Would you mop up in a cleaning contest?

After shock news that too much dust can make you fat... Take our quiz and find out

If you’re someone who regularly wrestles with a duvet cover while trying to change the bedsheets, swapping them once a fortnight is probably the most you would aim for.

But there’s bad news if you think that means you’ve got a hygienic bed. That’s because cleaning guru and author of books Spotless and Speed Cleaning, Shannon Lush, says we should be changing our pillowcases every other day to stop clogged pores and blemishes.

She says: “Your hair holds more dirt than anywhere else on the body. It’s like a mop.” And she adds: “If you’re showering once a day you can wash your sheets weekly.”

Her claims come as other experts this week blamed dust for adding inches to our waistlines.

A study found that a grubby home could contribute to weight gain, as some house dust contains what researchers call “obesogens”.

Even small amounts of dust could have an effect, Duke University in North Carolina, revealed.

So, how often should you clean your house? And do you know your duster from your dishcloth?

Stoyan Stoyanov, of cleaning firm Fantastic Services, says: “You would be surprised to know how many people get it wrong.

“And, let’s face it, most people prefer to lay on the sofa instead of tackling the household chores.”

So take our quiz to find out if you’re in the Dirty Dozen or are a Clean Freak... a) Every day b) Once a month c) Weekly a) Full b) Half-full c) Two-thirds full a) Once a month b) Three times a year c) Once a year a) One month b) One day c) One week b) Anti-bacterial spray c) Bleach a) Every day b) Once a month c) Every two weeks a) Dab with hand sanitiser b) Call in the professionals c) Dab with white wine a) Damp cloth b) Paper towel c) Sponge

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