Ask the EXPERTS

Now Mrs Hinch has got you in the mood, follow the masters of cleaning at the Good Housekeeping Institute for the answers to all your cleaning niggles

1 What’s the best way to get rid of limescale on your bathroom shower screen? Get a spray bottle and mix a solution of half water, half white vinegar. Spray on your shower screen after every use and leave to work its magic. 2 How do I brighten faded white grout? Apply whitening toothpaste to an old scourer or toothbrush, scrub the grout then rinse with water. 3 How do I clean really burnt-on stains from a pan? Allow the pan to cool, fill with water and add a dishwasher tablet or 1tbsp bio washing powder. Put the pan on the hob and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes and the burnt bits will lift away. Wash as normal. 4 Why do I need to wash bath towels when I’m clean when I use them? Bath towels absorb dead skin and natural bacteria and the warm and damp conditions help bacteria thrive. To combat this, towels should be washed every third use. Wash at 60°C or higher – check the care label first. Do I need to clean my

washing machine? Yes! Clean the detergent drawer and door seals after every use, as this is where bacteria builds up. For a deeper clean, use a washing machine cleaner. Alternatively, add a capful of bleach into the detergent drawer and run the machine at around 30°C on an empty wash. You can also use diluted bleach to clean around the drum’s seal. Leave the drum and detergent drawer open between washes to air and prevent mould growth. Check the drain filter regularly. Be prepared and have a bowl ready to collect the excess water that might shoot out! 6 Anti-bacterial wipes, or spray and cloth? Ideally, use a spray and a reusable cloth, as wipes are not particularly environmentally friendly, so are best kept for occasional use. How can I remove marks on the wall without taking off the paint? Use a scrunched-up ball of white bread as an eraser, or try Flash Magic Eraser. 8 What’s the trick to keeping pet hairs at bay? If there’s only a bit of hair, put on rubber gloves, slightly dampened, and rub your hands over the area. Then, to get the hair off the gloves, plunge them into a sink of warm water and the pet hair will lift off easily. If there’s a lot of pet hair to remove, you’ll find it easier with a vacuum cleaner nozzle. 9 How can I remove shoe scuffs on hard floors? Use a paste of bicarbonate of soda and a damp cloth.