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House Cleaning Tips

With so many objects around the homeand numerous cleaning products fromwhich to choose, it can he difficult tomatch object with product. Simplesolutions are often the best, and, if youare unsure of how to tackle the cleaningof a specific item or the removal of adifficult stain without causing moredamage, the following are some tips that could save you a great deal of time,effort and money.

Antiques

Cleaning antiques must he done withthe greatest of care - even damagingthe patina can drastically reduce thevalue of an antique object.

Furniture: a damp, soft cloth wit Is alittle liquid soap should be sufficient toremove grubby marks from furniture.Wipe with a clean, damp cloth and usenatural beeswax to polish, then buffsoftly to a shine.

Pictures: dust the frames of pictureswith a feather duster, or use a softmake-up brush on elaborate gildedframes. You can clean old, but notparticularly valuable, paintings with aspecial picture cleaner (available fromartists' suppliers) - always follow themanufacturer's instructions. If you donot wish to clean a painting yourself,take it to a qualified restorer.

Appliances

Wipe the door fronts and sides ofappliances with a cloth dipped in hotwater and detergent, and wrung outuntil it is just damp. Move applianceseasily to clean underneath and behindthem by rubbing a little liquid soap infront of their feet before pulling.

Baths

Acrylic: never use scourers on acrylicor glass-fibre baths - a sponge and agentle spray cleaner should he all thatare required. Rinse thoroughly.Enamelled: avoid using acid-basedcleaners on enamelled baths as they will

gradually etch into the surface. Use acellulose sponge and liquid detergent toclean off tidemarks. Turpentine orwhite spirit (paint thinner) rubbed onwith a soft cloth will remove stubbornmarks. Use a limescale remover aroundthe bases of the taps (faucets) to breakdown hard-water deposits.

Blinds and shades

Remove roller-type blinds and shadesfrom their fixings and unroll thembefore washing with [lot water anddetergent. Use a soft brush on stubbornmarks, if necessary. Rinse well withclean water, and leave to drythoroughly before replacing.

Clean slatted blinds with a specialU-shaped duster brush, or wear cottongloves to grip and wipe along each slat.Always work from the top to thebottom to avoid dust settling on thecleaned slats beneath.

CLEANING ESSENTIALS

Keep the following items to hand.

• Dusting cloths made from discardedcotton T-shirts or clothes.

• Cleaning and polishing cloths inthick, absorbent knitted cotton andimt -free fabrics.

• Household gloves to protect yourhands from chemicals, thin disposablegloves for delicate cleaning jobs andcotton gloves for dusting.

• A dustpan and 2 brushes a hardbrush for carpets and a soft brush forsweeping up dust trom hard floors.

• A mop and bucket.

• A long-handled broom.

• Wire-wool and lightweight scouringpads, old toothbrushes and a nailbrushfor reaching awkward areas.

• Cleaning products: spray cleanersft)r bathroom and kitchen surfaces thatdo nut require rinsing; heavy cleaning liquids to remove grease and burned-onfoods; cream cleaners with a lightscouring action; bleach.

• A lemon dipped in salt is an effective brass cleaner, but rinse thoroughly after use.

Brass and copper

Wash lacquered brass in warm, soapywater, then rinse it and buff dry.Unlacquered brass should he cleanedwith a proprietary brand of brass andcopper polish - use an old toothbrushto reach fine derailing. A cut lemondipped in salt is effective on very dirtyareas - always wash the brass afterwardsin hot, soapy water. Try a silicone carwax (marble-polishing powder) tomaintain the shiny finish on brass.

Bronze

The characteristic patina on bronzeshould not be cleaned and scrubbedaway. Remove surface marks with purenirpenrine applied with a soft cloth.Alternatively, wash in warm, soapywater and huff up with a soft cloth.

Cane furniture

Most cane and wicker furniture has alacquered finish, and only requiresoccasional buffing with a soft cloth andfurniture polish. Clean ground-in dirt on cane furniture with tine srcel wooldipped in a washing-soda solution (a[rattail of soda to a bucket of warmwater), or use a soft brush and warm,soapy water. Place old newspapersunder the piece ro he cleaned to catchdrips. Wipe over with a clean, dampcloth and allow the cane to dry awayfrom direct heat.

Carpets

Before shampooing a carper, vacuum it thoroughly to remove grit, dust andcrumbs. Move the furniture out of theroom or stack it at one end. Choose aday when you can open the windowsto let the carpets dry naturally. Use aspecial carpet shampoo and follow themanufacturer's instructions. If you donot have an electrical carpet cleaner ofyour own, you will be able to hire (rent)one fairly cheaply from DIY stores andsome electrical suppliers.

Always check first that the colourwill nor run by rubbing an unobtrusivearea with shampoo solution.

Start at the corner of the roomfurthest from the door and work backacross the room to avoid treading onthe damp ;tress. Cover an area ofapproximately 1 sqsq yd at a rime,drawing the brush head of the cleanertowards you in strips across the areauntil no more water is drawn back intothe head. Allow the carpet to drythoroughly before replacing furniture.

Ceilings

Cooking smoke can makeceilings dirty over time. Cdver thefurniture and carpet with old sheets ordecorator's cloths (drop cloths) andbrush away any loose cobwebs or dustfirst. Dip a clean floor mop (preferably one with a foam head) in warm watermixed with a little detergent. Squeezeout as much excess water as possiblebefore working your way across theceiling in a back-and-forth movement.Change the water as soon as it begins tolook murky. Finish with clean waterand leave to dry. Never allow waternear lighr fittings (fixtures) or switches - use a damp cloth instead.

Use a make-up brush and soapy water toclean delicate china ornaments.

Chimneys

It is usually recommended to call in a professionalto clean the flue and chimney, but youcan hire (rent) or buy chimney rods ifyou prefer Co do the job yourself. Beforestarting, ensure that all the furnitureand carpets are covered and char thewindows and doors in the room areshut. I lave a vacuum cleaner ready

and old newspapers laid around thefireplace. Wear old clothes, shoes,rubber gloves and a protective face-mask. Follow the directions given withthe rods, and, as the soot starts to drop,be ready to vacuum it up quickly.When leaving the room, remove yourshoes to avoid the risk of treading sootinto other rooms. Remove and washthe brush head on the vacuum cleaner.

China

Immerse china ornaments in warm,soapy water; and use an old shaving ormake-up brush to work into awkwardcrevices. Rinse well and dry with a softcloth. Clean china candlesticks that arccovered in wax by immersing them inhot water ro melt the wax, then cleanthem in soapy water.

To clean china plant pots with watermarks, place them in a howl and applyneat limescale remover ro the marks.Leave for half an hour or until thelimescale dissolves, then rinse and dry.

Chopping boards

After use, place chopping boards in thesink and carefully pour boiling waterover them. Use a scrubbing brush,disinfectant and soapy water to clean itthoroughly. Rinse and allow to drynaturally. Do nor soak wooden boardsas they may warp. You should replace achopping board that is heavily worn, ascuts and cracks can allow harmfulbacteria to multiply.

Computers

Always unplug a computer beforecleaning it. Vacuum regularly using thesoft-brush attachment, and turn rhokeyboard over and tap it lightly todislodge any crumbs or dust. Use acotton bud (swab) dipped in nearmethylated spirits (denatured alcohol)to clean individual keys. Finally,wiping a little dilute fabric conditionerover the computer with a damp clothwill help to reduce the static.

Cookers

Before cleaning, always switch off thepower supply ro an electric cooker. Aself-cleaning oven can use up a for ofpower when burning off food residues;it helps to line the horrom of the ovenwith heavy-duty tin foil which you canthrow away once dirty. A watery pasteof bicarbonate of soda and water, allowed to dry on the oven floor, willzabsorb grease spatters and is easy towipe out after cooking.

You can deal with a heavily soiledoven easily with proprietary brands ofoven cleaners. Many contain sodium hydroxide which can cause serioushums, so follow the manufacturer's gloves and goggles, and ensure that the instructions carefully, wear protectivekitchen is well-ventilated.

Always give the bob (burners) a quick wipe over after every use, in order to prevent foods from solidifying on the surfaces. Remove burned-on foods withan abrasive cream cleaner, or with ascourer and hot water with a few dropsof ammonia added. Remove the ringtrims and wipe underneath them. I )onor wipe over a ceramic glass hob witha dishcloth, as food particles will causestaining once the heat is switched on.Instead, use the manufacturer'srecommended cleaner. Be sure to cleanup any acidic spillages such as fruit,vinegar, or sauces and sugar from thehob immediately, as they will pit thesurface, otherwise leave the cleaninguntil the cooker has cooled.

Cooking pans

Aluminium: clean using a paste madefrom equal parrs of baking powder,cream of tartar, washing powder andvinegar. Use a cellulose scourer to bringthe surface to a shine, then rinsethoroughly. Leave the juice of a lemondiluted in 0.751/1 pint of water in pansovernight to remove water marks.Enamelled: do not use scourers onvitreous-enamelled pans. Removestains by soaking in a weak solution ofbleach, and scrub dirt around handleswith in old toothbrush and detergent.

Crystal stemware

high temperatures in a dishwasher willgradually weaken lead crystal, so washthis carefully in hand-hot water using amild liquid detergent. Use a soft dishcloth to wipe rims, but do nor try toforce it into narrow-necked vases ordecanters. Crevices in cut crystal canhe cleaned with an old toothbrush andsoapy water. Rinse thoroughly andallow to dry before polishing with aglass cloth. Clean the inside of adecanter by swishing around a handfulof rice grains mixed with somedetergent and want water. Dilutelimescale remover will also tackle thewhite film found in vases.

A handful of rice and a warm detergent solution will clean marks from inside decanters or narrow-necked vases.

Curtains and drapes

Close the curtains or drapes to spreadour the gathers, then vacuum from thetop down to the bottom. Gatheredvalances and pelmets should also hevacuumed regularly. When removingcurtains and valances for cleaning,make sure that you know which sideeach should hang from by marking the linings with a small letter `1-' inwaterproof ink at the top left and It' atthe top right. Remove the hooks andkeep them in a safe place. Flatten outthe heading tapes for even cleaning.

Curtain tracks and poles

Dust and grime can settle on cracks andpoles, preventing the smooth openingof curtains, so dust regularly with a softcloth and wipe clean with a damp clothand a few drops of liquid detergent.

Wipe with clean water and allow todry. Rub silicone wipes along thesurfaces of tracks and poles for smooth,gliding curtains.

Cutlery (Flatware)

Wash, rinse and dry cutlery (flatware)as soon as possible after using it in orderto prevent food from becoming driedon, or salt and acidic foods fromstaining the finish. Only placedishwasher-proof cutlery in thedishwasher; silver, bronze and hone-handled cutlery should always hewashed by hand. Never leave bone-handled cutlery to soak, as this willcause the handles to work loose overtime. Buff cutlery with a soft, cleancloth before putting away.

If you have several items of silver orsilver-plated cutlery to clean, line thebottom of a plastic howl with tin foiland place the cutlery on top. Add ahandful of washing soda and cover withboiling water. The electrochemicalreaction will remove the tarnish. Rinseand dry the cutlery before storing away.

Double glazing

Wear stout gloves before removingsecondary double glazing for cleaning.Chamois leathers give professionalresults, but avoid using them withdetergents. Use a solution ofmethylated spirits (denatured alcohol)or white-wine vinegar in tepid water.Particularly dirty windows can hecleaned using a solution of 120 inI/4 fl02/1/2 cup each of ammonia and white-wine vinegar mixed into a bucker ofwater. Scrunched-up newspapers arealso excellent for adding a gleans towindows - dip them in the solution anduse instead of a chamois leather.

Drains

Fish out any debris caught in the coverof a drain and place it in a plastic hagbefore throwing away. Regularly rinsedown drains with a household bleach ordisinfectant. If Cat has solidified aroundthe drain, pour some near ammonia onto it and leave for a couple of minutes,then carefully pour boiling water downit to flush.

Extractor fans

Switch off an electric extractor fanbefore removing the cover to clean thevents. Wipe the plastic cover with acloth dipped in warm, soapy water.

Unscrew a non-electric, plasticwindow fan from its mountings andsoak in warm, soapy water to removedust and grit. Rinse and allow to dry.

Fireplaces

Brick: cleaning out a fire grate cancreate a lot of dust-, so damp down theashes first using either a plant spray gunor some used, damp coffee grounds.Rub soot deposits on brick fire hacks and surrounds with a wire brush. Useneat malt vinegar to scrub the bricksand rinse with clean water.

Cast-iron: when cool, dampen theashes and vacuum away dust and sootfrom the hearth and surround. Use agrate blackener or high-temperaturestove paint to burnish and protect themetal. Do not wipe a tiled surroundwhile it is hot, as water can cause theSurface of the tiles to craze.

Stone: scrub a stone fireplace with asolution of 1 part bleach ro 8 parts tepidwater. Rinse with clean water and patdry with absorbent clorhs. Once dry,apply a clear brick and stone sealant forprotection from further staining.

Floors

Brick and stone: sweep and wash withwarm water and a mild detergent. Redbrick can be brightened and polishedwith 'Cardinal Red' brick polish (all-purpose powdered cleanser).Floorboards: vacuum out dirt fromthe gaps between floorboards before cleaning or polishing. Wipe overunvarnished boards with is damp cloth and leave them to dry before polishingwith a wax floor polish. Buff varnishedboards with is non-slip polish.

Remove the extractor and allow CO soakin a detergent solution to release the dirt gentlythen use a soft brush to clean the grooves.

Linoleum: start by icmoYing obvious marks by scrubbing with a gentle cellulose scourer and soap. An abrasive cream cleaner applied with a cloth willaalso work well. Use a clamp mop and soapy water to clean the linoleum thoroughly, then rinse.

Marble: avoid using any abrasive cleaner or applicator on marble. Mop the floor with warm water and a mild0 detergent, using a blunt knife to lift any stuck-on dirt. The surface can he polished with a silicone wax.a

Slate: wash regularly with soap and detergent and rinse thoroughly. Restorethe shine of slate by wiping a little milkover the surface.

Vinyl: grimy vinyl will cleats up moreeasily if you mop a proprietary brand offloor cleaner over the floor and allow itto soak for 10 minutes before cleaning.

Remove a build-up of solvent-basedpolish by using medium-grade wirewool and white spirit (paint thinner).Use an ordinary floor cleaner witha little ammonia added to removeemulsitru polish, then mop over.

Always sweep or vacuum the floorbeltire cleaning.

Remove thick grime under a cookerby first softening the patch using asponge dipped in hot water. Leave for5 minutes, then use an old wallpaper-stripping blade wrapped in a cloth toprise off the grime.

Freezers

A freezer needs to be dc-frostedregularly. Start hy removing all thefood, packing it tightly in cold boxes orcardboard boxes lined with a thick layerof newspaper. Turn off the freezer andtake our all the trays to be washed. Usea plastic spatula to prise off loose piecesof ice in the freezer, but do nor hack atthem as you may damage the freezerlining irreparably. Use a toothbrushdipped in warm, soapy water to reachinto the seals, then rinse and wipe dry.If the ice is thick, direct the warm heatfrom a hairdryer on to it to speed themelting, keeping a plastic howl to handto catch the water. Wipe the inside ofthe freezer with a clean cloth, replacethe shelves and re-pack the fOod.

Furniture

For home-made furniture cleaner, mix2 parts white-wine vinegar, 2 partsturpentine and 2 parts paraffin with 1part methylated spirits (paint thinner)in an old jar. Apply the solution tofurniture with an old cloth and polishoff straight away.

Some polishes clean and shine atthe same time, and are most suitedto varnished finishes. With old or valuable items, it is best to wipe themover with a barely damp cloth dipped inlukewarm water and a mild detergent toremove sticky marks, before polishingwith a proprietary wax polish.

French polish: wipe off greasy andsticky marks with a damp cloth andwipe dry immediately.

Oiled wood: clean with a cloth moistened with turpentine.

Painted finishes: clean painted piecesof furniture with a soft cloth wrung outin warm, soapy water. l.Jse clean waterto wipe oft' any residue and leave to dryaway from direct heat.

Varnished and sealed woods: treat asfor painted finishes.

Waxed wood: wipe with a cloth wrungout in warm, soapy water. Wash downany heavily marked pieces and rubparticularly had patches with a cellulosesponge scourer. Remember always tofollow die wood grain. Rinse and wipewith clean, absorbent cloths to removeall traces of water.

leave for a few minutes. Rinse welland dry with a soft cloth. Scrape outheavy soap deposits with a blunt knifeto aid the action of the paste.

Kitchen grease builds up quickly. Scrape it from the grouting around tiles using a blunt knife.

Glass

Add a water softener when washingeveryday glass in a dishwasher. Cleandelicate and cut glass by hand.

Grout

Revive the grouting between riles usinga little bicarbonate of soda (bakingsoda) mixed to a paste with bleach.Apply the paste with a toothbrush and

REMOVING DENTS

Once washed and buffed. the tiles are asgood as new.

Iron: wipe over the bars and finialsusing a cloth wrung out in wants waterand detergent. Wipe over with cleanwater and polish with a soft cloth.Upholstered: use a proprietary brand ofdry-clean foam, following themanufacturer's instructions.

Wood: wipe in the direction of thegrain with Warne water and detergent,or use a combined cleaner/polish spray.

ueovr Carefully lift all the items from a displaycabinet so that you can give it a thorough cleanbefore replacing the ornaments.

Remove dents in wood furniture byplacing a thick, damp cloth over thearea, then placing the tip of a hot ironimmediately over the dent. The steamwill penetrate and swell the compactedwood, which can then be re-polishedalt el wards.

Irons

Clean the casing when the iron is cool.The sole plate is best cleaned while hot.I.Jse a proprietary brand of iron cleaneror bicarbonate of soda (baking soda),rubbed over with a damp cloth. Or rubthe iron over a damp towel _jewellery

Wrap delicate filigree jewellery in finecotton muslin (cheesecloth) and dip itinto a proprietary brand of jewellery-cleaning solution. Otherwise, warmwater with a few drops of ammonia,applied with a soft make-up brush, will remove dirt.

Most gemstones are fairly resilientbut their settings may be delicate, sotreat these with care. Use an oldtoothbrush and a liquid jewellerycleaner to reach behind the settings,or dip them in the solution. Rinseand dry with a soft cloth.

Lampshades

Brush or vacuum off dust, then 'spotclean' using dry-clean foam. Use thesoft-brush attachment of the vacuumcleaner for pleated shades.

Use a duster with an extending handle toreach high lampshades and cobwebs.

Lightbulbs

First switch off the electricity. If thelight has been turned on, allow the bulbto cool before removing it. Wear cottongloves to remove. A cotton bud (swab)dipped in methylated spirits (denaturedalcohol) will remove fly marks. Removea fluorescent tube from its fixing andwipe along the length using a clothwrung out in soapy water and detergent. A cloth dipped in whitespirit (paint thinner) will remove agreasy film on the tube. Dry thoroughly.

Marble

Avoid scratching the surface of marblewith abrasive scourers, as this can leadto ingrained staining. Remove stains bydabbing neat lemon juice or white-wine vinegar on the mark. This will also etchthe surface, so he sure ro wash off thelemon juice or vinegar after a couple ofminutes. 15 m1/1 tbsp of Borax mixedwith 0.75 Ill pt of water will also cleana marble surface, but always rinse beforebuffing dry with a soft cloth.

Mats and rugs

Clean bath mats in the washingmachine and hang them up ro dry.Vacuum other mats and rugs regularlyto remove grit and dirt that cart damagethe pile. Take them outsideoccasionally, throw over the washingline or a garden sear and beat with abroom. Turn the rug every fortnight toensure that all areas receive even wear.Valuable rugs should he cleanedprofessionally, otherwise clean asdescribed for carpets.

Mattresses

Clean marks on mattresses using aspecial 'dry-clean' foam (available fromdepartment attires and supermarkets).Follow the manufacturer's instructionson the aerosol. Do not use water anddetergent to clean a mattress, as it willonly spread the mark.

Microwave ovens

Keep cleaning to a minimum bycovering foods to prevent spatters frombaking hard on rho walls of rho oven.Tum off the power at the wall beforecleaning a microwave oven. Wipe itover with a damp cloth wrung out inwarm, soapy water and detergent. Abowl of water brought to the boil insidethe microwave will soften any toughpieces. Wipe the inside of the ovenoccasionally with a special disinfectantthat will not taint foods. Leave the doorajar so that the oven can dry naturally.

Mirrors and mirror tiles

A soft cloth moistened with methylatedspirits (denatured alcohol) will removemost marks from a mirror evenhairspray. Prevent a mirror from misting over ill a steamy bathroom byrubbing a little washing-up liquid overit and polishing with a clean cloth.

Wipe a little smashing-up liquid over abathroom mirror to prevent misting.

Patio furniture

At the end of the summer, clean andcover all patio fut nitrite before the icyweather sets in.

Wrought-iron furniture: wash thisdown with a solution of warm water anddetergent to remove tree sap and birddroppings. Allow to dry and eitherpolish with a silicone wax or touch upchipped paintwork with a rust-

inhibi ring paint ro prevent it fromdeteriorating over the winter.

Wood: wipe over wooden furniture andapply a good wax to unsealed wood, orvarnish any areas that look worn.Plastic and plastic-coated wirefurniture: clean this with a windowand conservatory cleaner, or wash it down with a solution of warm water anddetergent. Rinse and dry. Do not useabrasives on the furniture - remove anyscuffs using, a cloth moistened withmethylated spirits (denatured alcohol).

Pewter

Clean old or valuable pewter gently in asolution of warm water and washing-upliquid, then rinse and buff with a softcloth. Clean new pewter with a non-abrasive metal polish.

Refrigerators

You should sort out the fridge regularlyand throw away any old and out-of-darefoods. Pack all other items in a coldbox. Switch off the power and removeall shelves and trays. Wash these inwarm water and detergent, rinse andleave to dry. Wipe the inside of therefrigerator with a damp cloth wrungour in a solution of warm water anddetergent, risen rinse and dry. Use anailbrush dipped in warm, soapy waterto reach into the grooves of the seal,then rinse and dry. Replace the shelvesand food only when the refrigerator iscompletely dry.

Aeovr A nail- or washing brush is excellent forcleaning out the seals on a refrigerator.

Refrigerator Seals

Rubber refrigerator seals need to he ingood condition. Check that the sealson your fridge are in good workingorder by closing the door on is sheer ofpaper. If you can pull it out easily,either the seal needs replacing or thebinges need adjusting.

Shower curtain

Put a nylon shower curtain in withthe normal wash when putting a loadthrough the machine - the biologicalaction of the detergent will removesoap build-up and mould spots. Forother finishes, wash by hand in asolution of warm water and detergent,then rinse and allow to drip dry.

Shower head

Remove the shower head and immerseit in a dish of limescale remover orwhite-wine vinegar to clear deposits.An old toothbrush will clear blockedholes and debris from behind the plate.

Silver

Use a soft cloth and a non-abrasivecleaner - silver is a soft metal and easilydamaged, and silver plate can be wornaway to expose the base metal byconstant cleaning. Embossed, engravedor raised decoration can accumulatedirt and polish. A badger-bristleshaving brush or soft artist's paintbrushdipped in polish is useful for reachingdifficult areas. See cutlery (flatware) forcleaning silver cutlery.

Sinks

Tip a little neat disinfectant down theoutlet and overflow once a week andleave overnight to work.Vitreous-enamel: removediscolouration sing a weak solution of'beach. Clean regularly with a liquiddetergent to remove grease.Stainless-steel: wipe a damp clothdipped in a little limescale remover toclean white patches from a sink, drainerand taps (faucets). Rub withbicarbonate of soda (baking soda)mixed with a little water to make thesink gleam. Tough marks can heremoved with a cellulose scourer andcleaning cream. Rinse and wipe dry.

•Check with an expert beforeattempting to clean a valuable silverantique in case you damage it.

•Store silver in a dry place, wrappedin sheets of black or acid-free tissue toprevent rarnishittg.

oSilver-cleaning fluids will stain astainless-steel sink or cutlery. If contactoccurs, wash immediately with water.

Taps (Faucets)

Wash taps (faucets) using a bathroomcream cleaner, then rinse and buff witha soft cloth. Remove dirt at the basesand behind the taps by brushing withan old toothbrush dipped in cleaner,and break down limescale depositsaround the spouts of taps by filling asmall plastic bag with dissolved watersoftener. Tie the bag around the spoutso that it sits in the water solution.Leave overnight, then remove the bagand brush away any remaining scale.

An old toothbrush is excellent forcleaning behind taps (faucets).

Telephones

Wipe over telephones regularly usinga damp cloth and soapy water. Donot allow any water near the diallingkeys or handset. Wipe the handsetusing some cotton wool (absorbentcotton) dipped in a dilute solution ofdisinfectant. A cotton bud (swab)dipped in methylated spirits (paintthinner) will clean the dialling pad.

Televisions

Switch off the power at the wall andpull the television forward slightly tovacuum all the surfaces. Wipe over thescreen with a few drops cif glass cleaneron a soft cloth and polish offimmediately. Anti-static wipes areuseful for reducing a build-up of dust.

Tiles

Ceramic floor tiles: sweep the floorthoroughly, then wash the riles with amop and warm, soapy water. Rinse butdo not polish. Clean the grout betweenthe tiles with a scrubbing brush dippedin soapy water.

Ceramic wall tiles: remove soapdeposits with a liquid bathroom cleanerand a cellulose scourer. Dirty groutaround the tiles is usually inure of aproblem when soap and limescale buildup in the ridges. In this case, use ablunt knife to work your way gentlyalong the grout to remove the worst ofthe grime. Finish with a nailbrushdipped in an abrasive cream cleaner,rinse well and wipe with a soft cloth.

Toilets

A quick 'flush and brush' in The a little bleach ordisinfectant at night should keep mosttoilets sparkling. I. )se a limescaleremover on water marks and leave it towork for a little while belOre flushing itaway. Wipe the sear regularly withdisinfectant and use an old toothbrushto clean around the seat hinges.

Vases

Cracks in china vases can discolourafter a time. Apply a little dilute bleachon a cotton bud (swab) to the crack andleave it to work for 10 -15 minutesbefore rinsing and drying. Removewater marks with limescale remover.Clean the inside of a narrow-neckedglass vase by swishing a mixture of rice,warm water and detergent around.

Upholstery

Remove pet hairs and fluff with alength of sticky tape wrapped aroundyour hand.

Fabric: vacuum fabric-coveredupholstery thoroughly, then clean offspots and marks before cleaning thewhole piece of furniture. Use a foamupholstery shampoo and follow themanufacturer's instructions verycarefully. Always test a small patch on ahidden area first to see if the dyes arefast. If not, call in professional cleaners.

Regularly vacuum upholstery to keep it looking fresh.

'Spot-clean' dirty marks on a sofa andchairs with a dry-foam cleaner.

To clean loose covers, remove themand follow the directions on the care-guide label inside. If there are noinstructions, clean the covers on a low-temperature programme and dry themaway from :my direct source of heat.Leather: before cleaning, checkwhether the leather is washable byputting a small drop of water on anunobtrusive area. If it remains on thesurface you can clean it, if it sinks inand darkens the leather you must onlydust and give it an occasional wipe witha damp cloth. Soap flakes dissolved inwarm water will clean washable leather.Do nor overwet the upholstery. Keepleather supple by 'feeding' it regularlywith a leather cream.

Wall coverings

Read the care Libel supplied wirh a rollof wallpaper and 1011ow its cleaninginstructions. If the label is lost, try asmall test patch (behind the door is agood place) and sponge the wallpaperwith a little warm water and liquid detergent. If the colour does not smudge and the surface does riot blister, continue around the room, working from the bottom of the walls to the top. Rinse with clean water by starting from the top of the walls and working to the bottom to prevent streaks appearing. Remove grease splashes by covering the patch with a paper towel and then a warm iron. The warmth will draw the grease into the paper.r

Walls

On painted walls, clean obvious marksfirst by gently rubbing with a dampcloth and a cream cleaner. Use warm,soapy water and work from the bottomof the wails to the top. Change thewater regularly in order to preventstreaks from appearing. Use a long-handled sponge-head mop to reach andclean the tops of walls. Rinse from thetop to the bottom, and finish bycleaning the skirtings (baseboards).

Window frames

Use a fungicidal wash ro deal withmildew and follow the manufacturer'sinstructions for cleaning.

Painted and varnished: these shouldonly require an occasional wipe overwith a damp cloth wrung out in soapywater. Use a combined cleaner/polishspray to bring them to a shine.

Aluminium: Rub with a paste of Boraxand water. Rinse and buff dry.

CLEANING LEATHER UPHOLSTERY

Try a suede-and-leather shoe cleanerfor small areas. A water-repellentsuede-and-leather shoe spray canprotect the leather always test the area first in a hidden place.

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