TEN HANDY HINTS TO MAKE CLEANING EASIER

HEAvy furniture can leave carpets and rugs with dents. Get rid of them by leaving a row of ice cubes inside the dents, then allow them to melt into the pile to bring it back to life. USE a lint roller to dust lampshades. It is delicate and won’t push the shade out of shape like a vacuum nozzle. PIck up any broken glass that has fallen on to the floor with a slice of bread. MAkE fresh flowers last longer by adding a drop of vodka or a 2p piece to the water. cOPPEr pans are a gorgeous way to modernise your kitchen. And hiding in your cupboard is the perfect cleaning solution for them: humble tomato ketchup will make copper shine and sparkle after a quick rub. FOr stubborn marks and stains on walls, use a new tennis ball. Lightly dampen and gently rub on to the wall to remove them.

USE a wet rubber glove to collect pet hair from sofas or carpets.

IF yOU have any limescale on the taps, cut a lemon in half and firmly push the lemon over the nozzle of the tap so that it stays on. Leave for a few hours before rinsing.

cOMBAT a summer’s worth of cooking grime on the barbecue by sprinkling bicarbonate of soda on to the grillcleaning brush before scrubbing away.

A LITTLE toothpaste goes a long way when it comes to scuffed leather shoes. Just squeeze a small amount on to the scuffed area and rub with a soft cloth. Wipe clean with a damp cloth — easy peasy.

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