HOW TO CLEAN UP
BEING CONFINED TO BARRACKS HAS LEFT OUR HOUSES NEEDING A REALLY GOOD SCRUB SO USE OUR...
Front room
THE remote control on your telly is likely to be the grubbiest object in here, so clean it at least once a week with an anti-bacterial wipe, more often if you have children.
Baby wipes are expensive but ideal for the task – remember, never put them down the toilet.
Lots of people eat in their front rooms now so it’s important to pull out the sofas, give them a good vacuuming and wipe them down thoroughly. Baby wipes are magic for this too. Since the lockdown we have seen a slight increase in rats and mice invading people’s homes, so make sure you vacuum and clean behind the cushions where crumbs might encourage them.
Every house has housemites, but it’s the quantity of them that makes life unhealthy.
Carpets should be thoroughly cleaned every six months, particularly if anyone in the house suffers from an allergy. You can use foam cleaner on carpets.
If you can afford it, it’s much better to have them steam cleaned once a year. With a professional steam, jets of water get rid of moths and mites, then suck the water back up – the end result looks like a new carpet.
Bedroom
WASH sheets and pillow cases weekly and have duvets and pillows dry-cleaned every six months.
Body warmth attracts bacteria, so vacuum the mattress and flip it round every six months. This is not only more hygienic, it is good for the springs, too.
To keep moths out of the wardrobe, use little cedar wood balls or squares. Clear out the wardrobe once every three months and vacuum it out – the close-together fabrics accumulate a lot of dust.
Lots of people think bed bugs only live in beds, but they can live in the folds of your curtains, so give them a good vacuuming.
Kitchen
BELIEVE it or not, your kitchen sink is the filthiest place in the house, and it’s a great place for nasty things to grow if you don’t clean it properly. Soak it with a kettle of boiling water and then give it a good wash down with an appropriate kitchen sink cleaner.
Lots of people just use washing-up liquid to clean all surfaces but it’s not really up to the job and always leaves a greasy layer. Use the cleaner that’s recommended for each type of surface – be it granite, stainless steel or wood – and wherever possible make sure it’s a product that’s eco-friendly. The next dirtiest spot here is just behind the fridge handle – think of those grubby hands that have touched everything from tissues to raw chicken. So give it a really good clean several times a day.
You should try to empty out and clean the fridge at least once a week, especially the vegetable tray.
Veg should be scrubbed before use not just for basic cleanliness but because soil contains some dangerous germs.
And defrost your fridge regularly too – a layer of ice stops it working properly, and it’s the low temperatures that keep it germ-free.
While many supermarket products are treated, organic products are not, so they go off quickly and, in the case of things like flour and rice, can attract food moths. Keep an eye on sell-by dates because mold on food produces spores that can get in anywhere.
Remember that bacteria loves grease, so don’t skimp on tackling the cooker, hob and hood, too.
Bathroom
BE sure to unclog your shower head, where germs may lurk. Pour equal amounts of water and white wine vinegar into a plastic bag. Tie this around the shower head ensuring the holes are submerged. Leave for an hour, then clean the head with a soft cloth to remove the lime scale.
Sinks should be rinsed and dried after each use and shower doors and curtains left open after use to allow a free flow of air and discourage mould. You don’t want to have to use nasty chemicals to get rid of it. Invest in a new toilet brush and pay attention to the area under the rim where germs can lurk.
Scrub round with disinfectant or bleach and don’t forget to wipe the toilet handle.
Assign each member of the family their own towel to avoid cross-contamination.
Green tips
● AIM to use environmentally friendly products such as Ecover, Method and Kinn. Check for alternatives at larger supermarkets, Robert Dyas and Lakeland.
● Ecozone Anti Bacterial Wipes (£2.49) are eco-friendly; they’re vegan, biodegradable and alcohol free.
● Invest in a large pack of e-cloths. Select different colours for different rooms so pink for the kitchen, blue for the bathroom, etc, and keep them separate. Try MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth pack of 12 for £11.99 on Amazon.
● Soda Crystals (£1.39) prevent greasy build-up and can be used on extractor hoods, pans and sinks. It keeps odours at bay.
● Bicarbonate of soda is a wonder. Mix it with water to clean countertops, stainless steel sinks, microwaves and cooking utensils. Mix it with vinegar and lemon for extra cleaning power. Lemon juice can be used to refresh a microwave and stop mildew.
● Don’t forget to regularly clean the cleaning cloths! Machine wash on hot with detergent but no fabric softener and soak mops in a bucket of hot water and cup of bleach (or vinegar). Remember to clear and clean all filters on vacuum cleaners.
...& Covid protection
● EVERY time you enter the house, wash your hands and wipe down the handles you have touched. ● Always take off your shoes at the door. Shoes tread all sorts of nasties into the house. Leave any jackets or coats that you wear outside at the door as well. ● Fantastic Services offers deep cleaning and a full fumigation service. For more information go to fantasticservices.com.