I wish I'd bought one years ago...

[Florianna]

What products/habits have revolutionised your housekeeping?

I've just bought an E-cloth mop system, and I love it: quick, easy and no clatting about with a mop bucket!

So, do you have any other products/routines that you wish to share?

Do mangic sponges clean walls without taking the paint off? If so need them in my life!

Magic not mangic? What even is mangic??!

Washing machine

Heated airer

Dishwasher

Cleaner

I can't believe so many hadn't heard about colour catchers. You can get colour catchers for colours and separate ones for whites if you're worried. Try Poundland. I also have a 10kg washing machine. I have a big family and it keeps my laundry basket under control.

I recommend using laundry bags. I got some in Lidl on offer. I always pop the colour catchers in a bag to prevent them getting stuck in the washing machine filter. I put all the socks in a separate bag. No more odd socks because they're always paired.

I had a Vileda electric sweeper and it made it so much easier to keep the floor tidy. It sounds like a small version of a cordless hoover. It didn't last long so I need something else. Might get a cordless hoover instead. Any recommendations please?

My friend has one of these robot hoovers said best thing she's ever bought but pricey for me though amzn.to/2N5MjkG

Unless they do one that pours you a wine and gives you a foot massage

Vanish Carpet Care stain removal spray.

I use it to get stains out of clothes as well as off carpets. Amazingly effective.

@Shadowboy, every time i have used them on paint its removed the paint as well so I havent used them on paint for a long time. I do use them on other surfaces though with no issue

The Dyson window vac. The amount of condensation it collects!

The Lakeland heated airer. And with the tip (gained from MN) of putting a duvet/sheet over the whole thing - it's marvellous .

Those magic eraser things make light work of removing slobber from the paintwork (dog's, not mine).

My cordless Vax and also my steam mop. Both super quick to use and no faffing about.

My shark hoover

Cordless vac
Steam mop

Ikea shelf stackers
Silicon baking sheet liners
Oven base liner
Method cleaning products ( house smells fantastic)

Love this thread! Bought colour catchers yesterday after being very sceptical but only did 2 washes instead of 3/4 & no diasters 🙌🏼 magic sponges, laundry bags & oven liners added to amazon wish list for pay day

Can anyone recommend a good freezer defrosting spray? Just bought a new chest freezer and loving the extra space but hating the thought of when it needs defrosting! Never tried one before but want something to ease one of my least favourite jobs!!

Pebble - you need to google, but I believe equal parts of isopropyl or cheap vodka, and water in a spray bottle will melt ice.

Pyrex baking trays, fab although could do with them being a little bigger.

Oven liners, utterly wonderful

Spray mop. Don't try to kill big spiders with it, I've broken mine this week.

Squeegee for the showers, I have the large ones from halfords.

Silicone pan scrapers

100x seconded. Best thing I own!

A Scrub Daddy sponge, want to treat myself to the Scrub Mommy ! (Sad)

Be careful of colour catchers. They ruined my MILs machine. Hi the guy who came out to fix it pulled sh*t loads of them out of it- they travelled through the filter & were stuck between drum & motor.

Micro fibre cloths are my favorite thing! I have loads and run special washes for them (non bio no fabric softener)

E-mops are game changers too. I got my mum one and she was gobsmacked!!

Thanks Cynderella... vodka sounds great - then I can drink the rest while I'm waiting for it to melt - win /win!!

I use my hand held steamer to defrost my smaller freezer.

Pebble You absolutely must drink the rest of the bottle because vodka only keeps for half an hour after the bottle's opened.

Eufy 11c robot vac...only really does my kitchen, utility, hall and the kids den but it means I don’t have bits all over the floor.

I second eufy - we love ours ... and "he" is quiet too (well, much quieter than roomba).

My other house favourites:

1. the laundry "basket" which looks like 3 linen bags suspended on a frame with wheels (I think the name was laundry sorter?). Each hamper/bag is essentially a full washing load for our washing machine. Even the 4 year old can now sort his dirty laundry into white/dark/colours when he takes his clothes off ... next task is to teach him to use the stain remover
2. Weird one: the mushroom brush I got at a German Christmas market a few years back: soft bristles, nice wooden handle that you can wrap your hand over, still going strong for all fruit and veg scrub + easy to rinse after.
3. Teaspoons with long handles - I have had them (and loved them) for years. My mum came to live with me for a few months to help me out and positively coveted them ... I got her a set as a small thank you and she still tells me it's her favourite gift.

Thanks for the thread, OP. There are some really neat suggestions that I'll now look forward to trying out

Any recommendations for cleaning windows outdoors and inside in a new build? Sorry to hijack OP!

@autumn18 lots of elbow grease and patience! We have just done ours we used The Pink Stuff (stardrops), lots of microfibre cloths and depending on whether you have plaster on the upvc a blader. There is also a white upvc cleaner you can buy on eBay which is good (pic attached) and there is some special cleaning fluid you can get but only from window fitters/shops I'll try and get a picture for you.