What's your best household tip that you don't think is widely known??

[PisforPeter]

I need to up the standards on the domestic front

A shower squeegee is brilliant for gathering up hair off the carpet DD3 I'm looking at you

Steam cleaners are really good at cleaning most things easily- hard floors, kitchen cupboards, sofas, radiators, glass, scrubable walls, tiles, bathrooms etc. It can help remove stickers on glass.

White spirit to get rid of sticky marks.

Use a squeegy after your shower on the glass and tiles, to get rid of water marks.

Microfibre cloths clean everything.

Make a plan to do big jobs on a set day each week, so bedding on Friday, towels on Sunday, clean dishwasher and washing machine on 1st month and set a date each month to do a meter reading.

When you've got a routine it flows easily so you don't have to think about it.

Yes, steam cleaners are brilliant for surfaces but especially for gunky nooks and crannies, the sort you would have to spend ages scrubbing with a toothbrush otherwise, eg appliance door seals, the edges where kitchen floors meet worktop plinths, the edges of inset panels on some kitchen cupboard doors.

Use white vinegar with some essential oil added as a fabric softener - a good glug in the softener compartment of every wash. It cleans the washing machine as it goes - no maintenance washes required (although it might well dislodge shed loads of lime scale which then blocks the filter - but just the once.)

Way cheaper than Calgon and your clothes smell lovely, not of vile artificial perfume.

Teach the whole Family.

Don't put it down put it away ??

delegate
and if your dp/dh is bothered about mil seeing a tip a lived in home, he can do the work.

Marking my place to read when I'm not so tipsy (and I forget threads I'm watching exists)

Hard floors and pets or long hair? Stick a pair of (preferably) sports socks on and shuffle round, you'll pick up loads with minimal effort and not have to get the vac out. Also excellent way to dust the skirting boards.

I would also say 'treat' yourself when it comes to cleaning products and tools. If you love the smell or secretly really enjoy your new gadget it makes it much less of a chore. For example, it's as tacky as hell, but I do love my pretty bucket and mop - it does make it a bit more pleasant.

babas 'bicarb in the bum'

newname - are you Aggie ?

Great list - thanks for taking the time to share everyone

backforgood no sorry I am not Aggie, she would probably have a heart attack at some of my short cuts and corner cutting! I work long hours and shifts so I´ve got good a cheating my way to a cleanISH house. If I didn´t find quick ways I would never keep anything clean tbh.

The best tip aside is to clean as you go and delegate! NEVER LEAVE A ROOM EMPTY HANDED.

From 2 or 3 my daughter knew is dirty washing didn´t go in the basket it didn´t get washed. By 5 she was helping load / unload the dishwasher etc. She was peg monitor for hanging / taking in the washing.

Things like when she was in the bath, I would clean / tidy the bathroom. When food in the oven or cooking on the hob I tidy the kitchen start at the left of the oven and work clockwise ending up at the oven again. We´re a team in keeping the house clean - yes she is a kid but we both help each other and we have a pretty good system now which means it doesn´t take long to stay on top of and means more time for FUN.

Oh I remember an other sort of!

If like use you use those soft insulated lunch boxes this sort of thing Don´t try and wash them, just open them inside out and bung them in the dishwasher clean as anything and no effort.

keep your clingfilm in the freezer, stops it sticking to itself and generally behaving like a little bastard when you try to use it.

WellIshouldnever, love the idea of Cillit Bang as a weedkiller. I'll try it. I have some immortal weeds in my garden.

My favourite is path and patio cleaner, bunged down a truly scuzzy loo bowl. Does wonders if you leave it for an hour or so.

I am going to try cillit bang on some stubborn weeds.

Got a cupboard full of dusty, water marked glassware? Sink full of water, good squirt of acid toilet cleaner, place them in carefully. Remove after 5 minutes and they will dry streak free.

Really manky grease films can be painted with Swarfega and wiped off with a damp cloth.

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I've only ever used one cleaning product that has amazed me enough to recommend it, Harpic Power Plus toilet cleaner. It is the only thing that removed the stains in our toilets. I had tried bleach overnight and other similar products, but this is the only one to ever remove the (years) old stain that previously nothing would shift!

Also apologies for the above two posts, stupid mobile phone.

Apologies if it's been mentioned already: biological washing powder, dissolved in water, used to soak or scrub any spills such as potty training accidents or baby sick on your soft furnishings. Then sponge off as much liquid as possible. Then liberally sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda, leave to dry (overnight) & vacuum up. Helps with the smell a lot more than just the bicarb.

Back off the read the thread now!

Anyone got any tips to remove sweat stains from armpits of white teeshirts?

Put a dot of clear nail varnish on the threads of each button on a new shirt and never have to sew on a button again.

for me its have a box at the bottom of the wardrobe for coat hangers.
when you wear an item place the hanger in the box.
that way no empty hangers taking up space.
when ironing take the box with you and hang up as you iron.

I used to iron a bundle. pile it all up then hang it upstairs. easier just to transfer all the already hung clothes straight to the wardrobe

So stop the hanger mess, tie either ribbon or elastic to the necks of the hangers to keep them tidy.

For very very stubborn limescale in the loo use Spirits of Salt neat and leave it for about half an hour then a quick scrub with the loo brush and bingo, all shiny! Yes, it's basically 32% hydrochloric acid, that dangerous stuff from school chemistry lessons, so BE VERY CAREFUL!