I’m a cleaning pro – the cheap hacks you need to keep your house spotless & why anti-bac spray is a total rip off
THE festive season is, unfortunately, over and it's time to give your house a good clean to start the new year fresh.
But as the cost-of-living crisis soars, it's more important than ever to spend your money wisely - and we all know that cleaning products can be expensive.
To make sure you save in 2023, Fabulous spoke exclusively to experts at , who revealed their top cleaning hacks - and turns out, you don't really need an anti-bacterial spray after all.
''There are various options of anti-bacterial sprays dedicated to certain areas of the home, but we’ve found that many include the same range of ingredients but with a different label slapped on the front.
''If you’re buying different sprays for each room in the house it can amount to quite a heavy cost once they run out every few weeks.''
So what to use instead? Well, according to the pros, there are several options already sitting in your kitchen - and they'll cost just pennies to use.
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DIY vinegar spray
''A bottle of plain white distilled vinegar is a cheaper alternative to anti-bacterial sprays, costing as little as 30p in some supermarkets.
''Mix the vinegar with water and then you’ve got a
homemade solvent for a fraction of the price.''
Sharing the inexpensive trick, the gurus said the DIY spray can be used to tackle several issues, such as marks on surfaces and nasty limescale in the bathroom.
Mayo - not just for salads
To banish stubborn water marks from pots and pans, the experts recommended giving mayonnaise a go.
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Simply dab a bit of the popular condiment onto the stain and let it sit for a few hours or overnight, before wiping it off with a clean cloth.
Voila - your beside table will look like brand new in seconds!
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According to the cleaning sensation , there are also other ways to use this pantry item that go beyond sandwiches and dressing salads.
These, she explained, include removing crayon marks from the walls, getting rid of stickers and labels, and even taking out chewing gum stuck in hair.
Getting saucy
Whilst you're in the kitchen, grab a bottle of ketchup too - this too can be made use of when cleaning - and people are going wild over this hack.
Offering a helping hand, the gurus explained that all you need to do is squirt a bit of the tomato condiment onto the affected area and let it sit for an hour or so.
Once the time's up, grab a clean cloth and give the sink a good wipe - and all the stains will be gone.
Hubby's shaving foam
Another inexpensive item you can use to make your toilet sparkle again is grabbing shaving foam.
The experts claimed it works wonders for tackling toilet stains and it'll be just as effective as using bleach or special cleaners.
For this, lather some of it onto the surface, leave for a minute and then wipe down with a dry cloth to ensure a streak-free finish.
Vaseline - not just for a soft pout
With romantic dinners and guests coming around during the festive season, there might be a few candle stains ruining your wooden furniture.
To give the table a much-needed makeover, the pros at explained how you can use a hairdryer and a bit of Vaseline.
''Hold the hair dryer directly on top of the wax until it melts away into liquid form,'' they said, adding it should be on a low heat setting.
''If any pieces of wick are left behind after melting, they can be removed with a sharp object such as a paring knife or paint scraper.
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Next, make a paste of baking soda and water - this will help to remove any hardened wax residue.
Finally, they went on, add a petroleum jelly over the entire spot where the candle was sitting and let it sit overnight before removing it with a damp cloth in the morning.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong - here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps