Would you mop up in a cleaning contest? Take our quiz and find out
After shock news that too much dust can make you fat...
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... 1 How door often handles shouldand lightyou clean switches?a) Twice a week b)c) WeeklyOnce a year 2 How often should you clean your dishwasher filter? a) Every day b) Once a month c) Weekly 3 When should you change your vacuum cleaner bag? a) Full b) Half-full c) Two-thirds full 4 How often should you replace your toilet brush? a) Once a month b) Three times a year c) Once a year 5 When should you replace your mop head? a) Monthly b) Weekly c) Annually 6 What is the best way to get rid of stains in the toilet? a) Bleach b) Coke c) White wine vinegar 7 How dishcloths?long should you keep a) One month b) One day c) One week 8 How many times a year should you clean your curtains? a) Once b) Twice c) None 9 What is the best thing to use to clean shower heads? a) Soak in white vinegar and water b) Anti-bacterial spray c) Bleach 10 What should you do after chopping raw meat on a chopping board? a) Soak in hot, soapy water for 10 minutes b) Scrub with bleach c) Rinse with boiling water 11 When is the best time to clean windows? a) Lunchtime b) First thing in the morning c) Afternoon 12 How often should you clean your washing machine drawer? a) Every day b) Once a month c) Every two weeks 13 Where should you spray furniture polish? a) Directly onto furniture b) Directly on to a cloth c) In the air 14 What is the best way clean children’s toys? a) Use a duster and polish b) Use anti-bacterial wipes c) Put them in the dishwasher on short cycle 15 What is the best way to rid trainers of bad odours? a) Leave outside b) Put wet newspaper inside and freeze overnight c) Put dried-out teabags inside 16 What area should you clean most regularly? a) Toilet b) Bedroom c) Kitchen sink 17 What should you do if you get an ink stain in the carpet? a) Dab with hand sanitiser b) Call in the professionals c) Dab with white wine 18 How often should you get your carpets professionally cleaned? a) Every four months b) Once a year c) Every three years 19 How often should you clean your oven? a) Once a week b) Every three months c) Once a month 20 Along with a degreaser spray, what should you use to clean your hob? a) Damp cloth b) Paper towel c) Sponge 21 What is the best month the check your gutters? a) September b) May c) June 22 What is the best thing to clean a fabric lampshade? a) Sellotape b) Lint roller c) Duster 23 How long should you keep your doormat? a) Four months b) Three years c) 10 years