subject: Keeping Your Home Sparkling Clean [print this page] There was no need to do any housework at allThere was no need to do any housework at all. After the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse. ~Quentin Crisp, The Naked Civil Servant, 1968.
Does your housework normally comprise "sweeping the room with a glance?" Rather than waiting a few years to see if Mr.Crisps theory is correct, follow our easy guides to make housework easy.
Defrosting your freezer
*Do this the day BEFORE a big shop! (Although, if, in the name of cleaning, you HAVE to eat up that chocolate ice-cream, well...).
*Switch off your freezer (this is an important step!), pack up all your frozen food in a cool-box, and leave the freezer door open.
*For an upright freezer, you can catch all the drips with a deep tray on the bottom shelf, and a towel on the floor. If you've got a chest-type freezer, just open the valve in the drainage chamber and pop a washing-up bowl underneath.
*All you need to do now is wait for it to defrost. Time for a cup of tea? Or that ice-cream you need to eat up?
*Finally, wipe down the insides with a mild, odourless cleaner (or use warm water mixed with bicarbonate of soda- 1 pint water/ 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate), and then dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
*TOP TIP: speed up the defrosting process by popping saucepans of hot water on the shelves.
Making your toilet sparkle
*Remove any stains by pouring in a can of Cola and leaving for an hour (this is very effective- but does make you think twice about the effect it must be having on your teeth!).
*Avoid blockages and unwanted odours by pouring in a cup of bicarbonate of soda once a week.
*It's certainly bizarre, but try using denture-cleaning tablets every 2 weeks (leave them in the bowl overnight).
*TOP TIP: keep your bathroom smelling nice and fresh by putting a fabric softener sheet in the bin
How to avoid mould
*Keep your home clean and dry (harder than it sounds, I know!) and well-ventilated.
*If it's not sunny outside and you need to dry your washing inside (e.g. if you live in the UK), make sure you keep a window open. This will reduce humidity levels and make your clothes smell nice and fresh!
*Even if you're using a tumble drier, make sure you keep a window open...
*Be aware that mould and dampness can really damage your health- if you do spot any damp patches on the walls or ceiling, make sure you get them sorted ASAP!
*TOP TIP: when running a bath, first run the COLD water, and then after the HOT - this reduces condensation significantly.
