Cleaning the Dining Room 

Dining areas are incredibly diverse, ranging from the formal to the chaotic. Use the same quick cleaning technique as the lounge room (see Cleaning the Lounge).

Cleaning Tables

If you have a valuable timber dining table, I strongly suggest using a table protector to guard against scratches. Use heat resistant placements and have extra mats for the centre of the table when serving. Using tablecloths will cut down on mess and speed up your cleaning.

Quick tip: Mixing beeswax, lavender oil and lemon oil on a cloth is a great timber cleaner. Antique stores often use this combination. 

What is French Polish?

French polish is created by layering very thin coatings of shellac either on timber or papier-mache. Clean it with a non-silicone-based furniture polish. Try not to use water near French polish because it will whiten the surface.

Quick tip: To repair a heat mark on a table

Heat marks appear as a white ring on your table. To repair  a French polish finish, use beeswax applied with a piece of lemon peel. If the table is very damaged, use a mixture of 1 part bicarb and 1 part olive oil, paint it onto the mark, leave it for a few minutes, then polish it off with a cloth. Polish normally.

Be very careful with polyurethane surfaces because if you scratch them, you'll have to reseal them. If you do scratch the surface of polyurethane, wipe it with Brasso in the direction of the grain. The mark will become worse before it gets better. Brasso works because it partially melts polyurethane. If the scratch has penetrated through the timber, you'll have to reseal the area which is a big job. If this is the case, seek the advice of a professional. 

If heat has bubbled the surface, for French polish, see a restorer. For a polyurethane finish, fill a syringe with 1 part Aquadhere to 20 parts water. The mixture should be the consistency of runny cream. Inject a small quantity into the centre of the bubble then press down. Place a weight, such as a heavy book, on it while it dries, using a piece of plastic wrap to protect the underside of the book.

Cleaning Chairs

Don't forget to wipe chairs because they are great dust collectors - and don't forget to clean the legs as well.

Vinyl: Clean vinyl with vinegar and water mixture then rinse with a damp cloth.

Fabric: Wash loose fabric covers or removable cushions regularly, either by hand or in the washing machine. If you can, have two sets of covers so you can replace them immediately. If you like, use different colours to change the whole mood of the dining area. Upholstered chairs should be vacuumed or brushed thoroughly with a lint - or clothes-brush. If they're stained, mix bran and white vinegar until it forms clumps and rub it over the stain. Leave to dry, then vacuum.

Leather: Leather should be treated with leather dew. For scratches, if the leather is brown., rub a cult walnut along the scratch. For other colours, use shoe cream along the scratch

Timber: Timber should be cleaned with a small amount of cider vinegar, water and a damp cloth. Shellac or French polish should be cleaned wit ha good non-silicone furniture polish.

Plastic: Plastic should be cleaned with a cloth wrung out in water. For stubborn stains, use dish-washing liquid applied with a cloth. Minor scratches can be treated with a small amount of glycerine on a cloth.

Stainless steel: The best way to clean stainless steel is with bicarb and vinegar. Mix them together on a sponge and wipe over the chair. Then wipe with a cloth that's been wrung out in water. For scratches, apply a dab of Gumption to a sponge and wipe over the scratch.

Then apply bicarb and vinegar and clean with a cloth.

Chrome: Clean chrome with a cloth and a little detergent and water or vinegar. 

Cleaning Mirrors

If you have mirrors in this room, clean them with a lint-free cloth dampened with methylated spirits and wrung out.

Quick tip: Place mirrors high enough on the wall so that they can be tilted. Mirrors should never be flat but rather sit with a 10 percent title forward. A tilted mirror also speeds cleaning because not as much dust will sit on top of the mirror's edge.

Quick tip: If you drop candle wax on carpet or fabric.

Put ice on the wax to harden it then scrape as much away as possible with a blunt knife. Wedge a metal comb underneath the wax and put a paper towel on top of the wax, then use a hairdryer over it. The paper towel will absorb the wax. Repeat until all the wax is removed. Never use an iron carpet as it can char natural fibres or melt synthetic fibres. 

Cleaning Ornaments

Brass should be cleaned using a proprietary cleaner or my choice of cleaner, bicarb and vinegar. If you're coating it, use shellac rather than brass coat because it can be removed more easily.Be aware that brass will tarnish even after being coated, but the coating will help it last a little longer.

Bronze can be cleaned with a damp soapy cloth but never rub bronze or you'll remove the patina.

China should be dusted with a hairdryer on a low setting and use a small paintbrush for those difficult-to-reach areas. Wash every six months in blood-heat water and dry thoroughly with a hairdryer, if very dirty, add a little detergent to the water except if the item has non-china elements, such as lace or paper. Never soak china.

Clay should be vacuumed and dusted regularly. Never soak because clay absorbs moisture. If you wash, do so quickly and dry thoroughly so you don't lift the glaze.

Cloisonne is enamel fused into small wire pockets on the outside of a bronze, brass or copper vessel. Clean it with vinegar and water. Never use soaps because it will tarnish.

Embroidery where possible, should be kept out of direct sunlight. Keep it covered and inside cabinets. Hand wash gently if its's colourfast. If not, take it to a restorer or a good dry cleaner.

Ephemera should be kept as flat as possible under glass or in cabinets. Spray fabric with surface insecticide spray to keep bugs away.

Fabrics can be treated as you would your best table linen. Keep them well dusted and, where possible, vacuum.

Ivory can be cleaned with sweet almond oil applied with a cloth.

Lace should be hand washed in pure soap and rinsed very well. Glue medical gauze underneath a hole to hold it until you're ready to repair it properly. Embroider over the gauze in the same pattern as the lace, trimming away any excess gauze when you have finished.

Paper must be kept dust free and away from direct sunlight. Wash carefully with a slightly damp cloth. Just dab rather than wipe the paper. If in doubt, use a restorer or conservator. 

Silver can be cleaned with a proprietary cleaner or bicarb soda and vinegar. Polish with bran.

Timber, it it's sealed, can be cleaned using a good silicone-free furniture polish, it it's unsealed, clean with furniture oil.

Tinware can be wiped with warm soapy water and dried thoroughly with a rag dampened with sewing machine oil. This will prevent rust. If tin does rust, apply WD-40 with a cloth. To stop bugs eating paper labels on tinware, wipe the labels with a damp tea bag.

Cleaning the Lounge

For many people, there's not a lot of lounging going on the lounge room. In some homes, this area is converted into a playroom for children with toys such as racing car tracks and doll's houses placed smack bang in the middle of the room. Other houses combine all the communal areas of the home -the lounge, dining and family rooms - into a grand living space. And yet other houses have separate lounge and dining rooms, formal spaces that are reserved for special occasions, which may also be the show-off rooms - the places where guests are likely to spend their time. Whatever your arrangement, the cleaning process is similar. Tailor these general instructions to your needs!

Assemble the Cleaning Kit

Clutter bucket - to transport displaced items; bicarb - cleaning agent; white vinegar - cleaning agent; mehtylated spirits - to clean mirrors and entertainment systems; furniture polish - to polish furniture; beeswax, lavender oil, lemon oil - combined to make furniture polish; cloth - to wipe over surfaces; dusters - to clear dust; paper towel - to absorb water and polish; insecticide spray - to deter insects; spray bottle - to hold vinegar and water; hairdryer - to clean ornaments; small soft paintbrush - to clean ornaments. 

Lounge Room Quick Clean 

Begin with your clutter bucket, putting it in anything that doesn't belong in the lounge room. Place it outside the lounge room. Add a little lemon oil to a soft broom head or a long-handled duster and dust the ceiling and light fittings - the lemon oil will transfer to the dusted surface and inhibit spiders. Then dust the walls with a broom covered in an old T-shirt. Wipe down all paintings, picture frames or wall art, especially along the tops of frames. Wipe light switches and power points with vinegar on a cloth. Wipe door jambs with either vinegar or detergent and water on a cloth adding lavender oil for fragrance. Dust over windows sills.

Quick tip: there is a knack to cleaning window sills. Use the fine nozzle or brush head on the vacuum cleaner and vacuum all the dust. Wipe over with a cloth that's been wrung out in the water. If there's any build-up of grime in the corners, wrap a cloth that's been wrung out in water over a butter knife and reach into the corners. You can clean sashes in the same way. The window action will work better if it's kept clean.

Wipe all surfaces including the coffee table with the appropriate cleaner. I advise against using silicone-based cleaners because silicone builds up each time you use it and traps dirt between the layers - and because there's no solvent for it, you can't release that dirt! To clean laminate, use equal parts white vinegar and water on a cloth. 

Clean glass tabletops with methylated spirits and a cloth, then wipe the glass with a paper towel until it squeaks. Never use furniture polish on glass and see a restorer for scratches. Perspex tables can only be cleaned with dish-washing liquid and water. Never use abrasives on perspex or it will mark (proprietary window cleaners are abrasive).

Don't forget to wipe along shelves. Anything that's a dust magnet, such as knick knacks, brick-a-brack or emphera needs to be wiped wit ha cloth that has been tightly wrung out in water.

Quick Tip: Hints For Blokes - because most men think visually, if they can't see it, they won't clean it. If dust and dirt is out of sight, before you start cleaning, use a three-step ladder to see where things need to be cleaned.

Dust should be blown off fragile ornaments with a hairdryer. Loosen any tough spots with a small soft paintbrush then use the hairdryer. 

If your fireplace is operational, clean it after each use. To clean the surrounds, simply dust the area with a soft clean cloth. Clean the mantle piece according to what it's made of. Use diluted vinegar to clean marble, then rinse with clean water. Timber can be cleaned with a little dish-washing liquid, water and an old pair of stockings scrunched into a ball. If there is some or soot staining, try cleaning with vinegar and an old pair of pantyhose first. If that doesn't work, collect some of the ash from the fireplace, mix with water and make a slurry, then wipe over the area. Allow it to dry then rub off with an old pair of pantyhose. To clean the inside cavity of the fireplace, hire a chimney sweep when you do you spring clean.

Next, sprinkle a small amount of bicarb over the carpet, couches and soft furnishings.Roughly pat the bicarb through the soft furnishings with you hands to both deoderise and clean any light soil marks. Then vacuum the soft furnishings and the floor. Make sure you remove the cushions on the couch and vacuum underneath them.

If you spill something on the couch, work out what the stain is made of, then use its solvent. Remove protein stains with cold water and soap suds, remove fats with warm water and detergents suds, remove chemicals with their solvent. You can identify protein stains because they have a dark edging around the stain. Carbohydrate stains are evenly coloured across the stain. 

If there are any spider webs around the couch, remove the and wipe lemon oil on the underside of the couch. Spiders hate lemon oil and will stay away.

Don't forget to clean bookshelves with the brush head attachment on the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum curtains, pelmets and picture rails with the brush head attachment. Before using the brush head attachment. make sure it's clean. To clean it, wash in water and dry in the sunshine.

Vacuum floors and if it's a hard floor, wipe over with a cloth that's been wrung out in vinegar.

Replace items such as doilies and tissues and fluff cushions. Have a small bowl of bicarb and essential oil for fragrance. Empty the clutter bucket then put away your clean kit and top up your master list.

Cleaning the Linen Cupboard

Linen cupboards can be located in various spots in a house. Many are situated at the end of the front hallway or on landings. I don't feel at home unless my linen cupboard is sorted. Whenever I move house, it's the first thing I arrange. It also means a pretty tablecloth is ready to use if people suddenly pop over. You may not have time to polish a table, but you can always throw a tablecloth over it.

The linen cupboard should be sorted by having items most used at eye level, those least used on higher levels and items for children, such as towels, on lower levels. Make sure there's nothing dangerous on the lower, child-accessible levels.

Speed your cleaning by storing linen according to the room it's used in. That way, when you're cleaning a particular room, you can easily grab one pile of linen rather than sorting through several shelves. If you only have a limited amount of storage space, have the linen piled from bottom to top, but group it according to the room it's used in. If you have items stored for a long time, wrap them in acid-free tissue paper to stop them from going yellow. Acid-free tissue paper is available from newsagents, art supply stores, picture framers and sometimes from dry cleaners.

Quick tip: If an item has gone yellow, it's generally because of soap residue. To repair cotton items, soak them in Napisan. For sil, hand wash in 1/4 cup of lemon juice added to a nappy-sized bucket of blood-heat water, then dry in the sun. For vintage items, use 2 teaspoons of soap flakes, 1/4 cup of white vinegar added to a bucket of blood-heat water, rinse then dry.

Bugs love linen, so keep bath salts and fragrant soaps in the linen cupboard to deter them. The salts and soaps will leave a lovely scent on your linen. Also use scented paper liners on the shelves, which you can make yourself. Never store medicine in this cupboard because the linen will absorb the smell. Even Band-Aids have an odour that will be absorbed by the linen. 

Cleaning the linen press is a spring/autumn cleaning job. Remove all the linen, then vacuum the shelves of the linen press. Shake each item and refold before returning it to its spot in the linen press. 

Cleaning the Stairs

Your stairs could be as grand as those in the film Gone with the Wind or they could be very plain and functional. No matter how big they are or what their finish is ,every corner of every tread must be vacuumed once a week because it's a dust haven. Before vacuuming, run up and down the stairs several times to dislodge as much dust as possible. It's great exercise. Get the kids to do it! Then, if you have pictures in the stairwells, wipe over the frames with a damp cloth. Start cleaning from the top of the stairs and work your way down because dust lifts and drops down. Then vacuum by facing up the stairs, keeping your vacuum cleaner in front of you, and walking backwards down the stairs one step at a time, cleaning each step as you go. That way, your body will stop the vacuum cleaner from tumbling down the stairs and will put less stress on your back. As you vacuum each step, also vacuum between the banister posts with the nozzle or brush attachment. The brass rods, which hold runners in place, need to be polished with bicarb and vinegar on a cloth or just vinegar if you clean them regular. 

Banisters need to be dusted and polished according to what they're made of. Clean brass with vinegar and water applied with a cloth. Aluminium is cleaned with cold tea applied with a cloth. Clean steel with vinegar and water applied with a cloth. Painted metal or plastic can be wiped with a little detergent and water or vinegar on a cloth. For French polished timber, use beeswax, lavender oil and lemon oil applied with a cloth or you can also use a good non-silicone furniture polish.

Quick tip: to create the lavender oil, lemon oil and beeswax cleaning cloth, get a microwave-safe bowl. Place a cleaning cloth in the bowl, then add 1 drop of lavender oil, 1 drop of lemon oil and 1 tablespoon of beeswax to the top of the cloth. Warm in the microwave in 10-second bursts until the beeswax melts. The cloth will be impregnated with the mixture and is ready to use. Store it in a zip-lock plastic bag.

Special attention should be paid to the end of banisters because lots of people grab them with their hands and leave messy finger marks. Make sure you remove all the marks. Wipe between the banister posts with a cloth that's been wrung out in water.

Then vacuum underneath the stairs. 

If the stairs are wooden, vacuum and then wipe with a mop. I prefer to use a broom, which has its broom head wrapped in an old T-shirt dampened with vinegar and secured with an elastic band.

To Make Cleaning Faster

Speed up your cleaning by making sure extension cords are long enough before you start vacuuming. How many times have you nudged into a corner thinking the cords would just make it and then lost power? You then have to walk all the way back to the power point, add an extension cord and resume your cleaning. It's a time waster! So sort that out before starting the job. I also use a protector to cover the joins of extension cords so they don't scratch the surface of things. 

If your stairs are carpeted, make sure the carpet is tight and well fitted so that dust havens aren't created. 

Get free carpet cleaning quotes from accredited Auckland carpet cleaners today. 

Related links:

Auckland Commercial Cleaners 

Cleaning Lights and Lamps

Dust lights and lamps with an old T-shirt for a quick clean.

Light shades made of fabric should be dry cleaned or cleaned with carpet cleaner or brushed with bran and vinegar. Once the carpet cleaner or bran and vinegar is dry, use the brush head on your vacuum cleaner to remove it. Make sure the brush is clean first or you'll create more mess. Glass light-shades should be cleaned in warm water. Clean brass and metal arms with a good quality brass polish - and make sure you don't get cleaning product in the electrical fittings. To cut down on bugs, spray the tops of the light shades wit surface insecticide. 

Cleaning Paintings

Acrylic paintings can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Water colours should be cleaned by a professional. To remove residue and dust from oil paintings, clean with stale urine, salt and potato. This technique is a guaranteed barbecue stopper! Collect 1 litre of female urine and leave it in the sun for a week to reduce it to 500 millilitres. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of grated raw potato. Stir and allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes. Dampen a cloth in the mixture, wring it out and then wipe gently over the painting. Dampen a clean cloth in water and wipe the painting gently and pat it dry. You can also rub brown bread over the painting to clean it but it can induce mould if the atmosphere is damp, so don't use this technique if you're in a damp, dark spot. For any serious cleaning problems, see a restorer. Never use alcohol-based cleaners such as methylated spirits or turpentine on gilded frames. Most gilding is covered with a layer of shellac and alcohol-based cleaners will affect it. Instead, dust the frame with a hairdryer on the cool setting. This should be enough to clean it but if dirt remains, wipe a damp cloth over the frame and then dry it with a soft cloth. Protect paintings by spraying a cloth with a surface insecticide and wipe it over the back of the picture frames. Don't touch the painting, just the frames. 

Strategies to Make Cleaning Faster

Light switches are often forgotten about when cleaning. Given the amount of contact they have with dirty fingers, it's a good idea to get into the habit of wiping over them. Whatever you do, never spray cleaning product directly onto them or you could short-circuit the electricity. I dampen a cloth with white vinegar and wipe it over the light switch. Add bicarb to the vinegar cloth it it's particularly dirty.

Floors 

I like to have a rug or mat inside the front door. If you have carpet, you may have it made from a matching carpet square; just make sure it doesn't have a thick edge that people can trip over. I'd also suggest attaching rubber mesh underneath so it doesn't slip or curl.

You may want to create a space for damp shoes either outside the front door or on the hall stand, if you have one. Use a wooden box or basket and line it with a plastic bag so that water doesn't soak through to the floor and leave puddle marks. Some hall stands have a metal drip tray built into them which is perfect for muddy shoes and umbrellas. Clean them with bicarb and vinegar on a cloth, but if they container lead, be very careful and always wear rubber gloves when cleaning. Lead, a cumulative poison absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin's pores, can kill.

It's also a good idea to have some storage at the back of the house for dirty shoes and sports gear. A large basket or small cupboard or even a bucket with a lid should do the trick. It depends on how much sports gear you have. If you can, use cupboards with good ventilation. And store some bicarb here so that you sports stars can dust inside their shoes before putting them away. Bicarb will absorb those sweaty smells. Just remember to remove the bicarb before wearing the shoes again. Shake it out the same way you would if you had sand in your shoes. If the smell from trainers is really overpowering, you may have to do what I did in share house one time and insist the offending shoes were stored in a plastic garbage bin at the back of the garage!

Some people like to keep their sunglasses, scarves, bags and coats on the table or hall stand so they're quickly accessible. But be careful leaving bags and keys here, particularly if you live in the city. Rather than just dumping things on the hall stand or table, have a wooden storage box with a lid or small cupboard. It's just as easy to use, it prevents clutter and everything is hidden away and tidy. Make dividers in the box for each family member and clean out the compartments each week as part of the quick clean.

You could also install some hooks in the box or on the inside of the cupboard for keys. Colour code the keys so you don't confuse them.

If you tend to dump your post and other stuff near the door, keep a wastepaper basket here as well. That way, unwanted bits and pieces can be thrown out immediately. Because it's at the entrance to your house, make sure it's a stylish bin. Having one here will increase your speed when cleaning.

The entrance to each house will be different and the lifestyle of the people using the house will vary. Shape it to suit your needs, being careful not to over-clutter this area. Consider shifting rarely used items to the study or to the back of the house.

Flowers and Ornaments

I know many people like to keep flowers at the entrance to heir home, but did you know they die more quickly here because of the draft coming through the door? Potted plants are a much better idea, particularly daisies, because they contain pyrethrum, which deters insects. Select plants with low water needs, such as succulents, although I avoid spiky ones after snagging my stockings several times! Scented herbs are also good because they keep the house smelling fresh when you brush past them, and they come in handy when cooking. Have deep saucers under your pots so water doesn't spill and create more cleaning!

Quick tip: What to do if you get lily stamens or pollen on the carpet

If the stain has set, damp it with kerosene applied with a cotton ball. Then damp the stain the methylated spirits applied with a cotton ball.Dry with a paper towel before repeating. Do this until the colour is removed. Some pollen's will be easy to remove, others will need several attempts. To avoid the problem, remove the stamens before putting the flowers on display. Put a plastic bag over your hand and pull the stamens out into your palm, then wrap the bag over itself and the stamens and throw it in the bin. This way, your hands won't come in contact with the stamens. 

Quick tip: instead of flowers, create an impression at the entrance to your home with a covered potpouri bowl, rock art,water art, paintings behind glass (to protect them from dust and allow easy cleaning, washable hangings, wind chimes, beautiful shells or pot plants.

The entrance is also a popular area to display ornaments but I don't recommend it because there are higher dust volumes in this part of the house. There's also the danger they could be knocked over in the wind. If you do keep ornaments here, clean them with a hairdryer on the lowest setting and secure them by putting some Blu-tak on the bottom. But only use Blu-tak on non-absorbent surfaces as it will an oil stain. 

Quick tip: This is an area where dog poo can hit.

Remove as much of the solids as possible then blot with a paper towel until the carpet is touch dry. Sprinkle bicarb over the area. Then wring out a cloth in vinegar and sponge off the bicarb. If your dog eats commercial food, it will have a high caramel content to colour the food so you'll need to wipe the area with glycerine first. Just apply a small amount of glycerine to a cloth and wipe over the area. Fill a bucket with cold water and enough detergent to create a sudsy mix. Use just the detergent suds, not the water, from the bucket and work them into a the stain with a soft nylon brush. Dry it with a Surplex or use a paper towel to absorb the moisture. When dry, vacuum. If there's any unpleasant odour, repeat this process. An alternative method is to apply cold water and detergent suds with an old toothbrush, using a little water as possible. Then fill the bucket with warm water and detergent and again apply  the suds to the stain with an old toothbrush. The reason you use both cold and warm water is because faeces container proteins and fats. Cold water removes proteins and warm water removes fats. You must clean in this order or the warm water will set the protein stain! Dry with a paper towel or Surplex by standing on it. 

You could always get free quotes form our local Auckland office cleaners to assist with your cleaning requirements. 

Cleaning the Entrance

There's no escaping the fact that the entrance to your house creates that all-important first impression. Make it as open, clean and airy as possible. Nobody wants to walk into a dark, dank cave. It's worthwhile standing at the front of your house, taking a good look around, and working out what your entrance says about you. If you don't like the message, then it's time or a revamp! Always make a point of including this area immediately outside and inside your font door in your quick clean; that way you will impress your guests, as well as giving yourself that warm feeling when you come home at this threshold between the outside world and your domestic sanctuary.

Assembling Your Cleaning Kit

Clutter bucket - to transport displaced items; bicarb - cleaning agent; vinegar - cleaning agent; water - cleaning agent; methylated spirits - to clean mirrors; cloth - (such as an old T-shirt) to wipe and dust surfaces; straw broom - to sweep floors and clear cobwebs; dustpan and brush - to clear accumulated dirt; vacuum cleaner - to vacuum floors; mop - to wipe over floors; bucket - to hold water or to hold cleaning items; rubber gloves - to protect hands and provide grip; Scotchgard - to spray over carpet and rugs to protect them from dirt; hairdryer - to clean ornaments; spray bottle - to fill with vinegar or fragrance.

Quick Cleaning Outside Your Front Door

Remove anything that doesn't belong in this area with a clutter bucket. Then begin clearing any spider webs outside the front door, including around light fittings, with a broom. To deter spiders, wipe the broom head with a little lemon oil before sweeping and it will transfer to surfaces as you clean. Wipe along the door jambs, lock plate and doorknob with the appropriate cleaner. For brass, use a little vinegar on a cloth. For timber, use a little vinegar on a cloth or detergent or water. Dust the door with a dry cloth. If you have furniture on the front verandah, clean according to its surface. Shake your entrance mat and sweep the verandah or entranceway wit ha good straw yard broom. If there's a lot of refuse, collect it in a dustpan and place it straight into the green bin. Water any pot plans and remove any dead heads or portions of the plant that have died. 

How to Make Cleaning Speedier

One of the best ways to speed up your cleaning is to prevent dirt from getting into the house in the first place. That's why a mat placed at the front and back doors of the house is so important. A mat is a bit like a security guard for dirt. I think the best kind of mat is a copra one. If the drainage around your mat is poor, put a rubber-tyre strip mat underneath the copra mat, which will help with ventilation and keep it dry.

Mats

The best way to clean a copra mat is to give it a good bash against a wall, then hose the top and bottom. Dry it in the sunshine standing on its edge. Stop your cat or dog from sleeping on the welcome mat by spraying the mat with insecticide. 

Quick Clean Inside Your Front Door

Using the same clean kit, remove extraneous items with a clutter bucket and empty any bins. Dust the ceiling and light fittings with a soft nylon broom which has a little lemon oil on it (the oil will transfer to the ceiling and light fittings and deter spiders). Sweep along the walls and tops of cupboards or hall stands.

It's inevitable that you'll get marks on the wall, especially in high traffic areas. Be careful when using proprietary products to clean these marks because most have an alcohol base which can break down the paint surface and leave a bleached shiny spot. Clean your walls every week either with a broom or vacuum cleaner. Put an old T-Shirt over the broom head or brush to prevent bristle marks. Some dirty marks will come off using a good pencil eraser. You could also try rolling brown bread into a ball and rubbing it against the wall. If these don't work, try a very diluted solution of sugar soap applied with a cloth. Wring out the cloth tightly before applying. For build-up around light switches, apply vinegar and water sparingly with a sponge. To avoid drip lines, start cleaning from the bottom and work your way up, drying as you go.

Quick tip: Every time you change a light bulb, clean the other light bulbs wit ha cloth and they'll shine brighter. To prevent halogen lights corroding, wipe the connection of the bulb with a cloth once a week.  

Remove dust and grime from any paintings, wall hangings or wall art. Clean light switches, door jambs and any window sills. Clean any furniture with the appropriate cleaner.

If it's been raining, clear the water in umbrella stands or you'll create a mould farm or a home for frogs!

Quick tip: Create your own umbrella stand with a spaghetti jar. The bulb at the bottom of the jar is a perfect water collector.

What to do if you get a water stain on the carpet from umbrellas
If you get to the stain immediately, blot as much as possible with a paper towel. A Slurpex is ideal in this situation. If the stain has been there for a while, wipe it with a little glycerine ten apply a quality spot remover and use a paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.

Wipe the top of the table or hall stand according to its surface. Hall stands often have mirrors which should be cleaned with methylated spirits wrung out on a lint-free cloth, such as an old T-shirt.

Quick tip: if you don't have room for a hall stand, install some hooks either behind the front door or along the wall to store coats. If you're in a rental property, use removable hooks which wrap over the top of the door. You can also now buy reusable 3M adhesive hooks. 

When cleaning picture frames, clean glass with methylated spirits and a cloth but be careful not to get methylated spirits around edges or it could seep into the print. Polycarbonate should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Clean metal and timber as you would furniture. Clean plastic with glycerine. 

Clean floors by either vacuuming and/or mopping. Top mop, I wrap and old T-shirt that has been dampened with water and vinegar over a broom head, fix it with elastic bands and wipe over the floor. If you have rugs in this space, shake them outside. And remember, rugs and carpet are less likely to absorb stains if sprayed with Scotchgard. You can spray just at the entrance or the whole hallway - wherever there is a high dirt rate - which is particularly useful when it's raining and there's mud around.

Did you know? Black mud can be cleaned with detergent and cold water, but if you have red mud, use soap and cold water. Detergent reacts with the iron and manganese oxide in red mud and leaves a rusty or black mark. Soap won't do this because it's saponin-based. Never allow moisture to penetrate the carpet or you'll create further staining from the back of the carpet.

Quick tip: To freshen dingy carpets, make up a spray bottle containing 1 part bicarb and 3 parts vinegar and 5 parts water. If you like fragrance, add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil, but avoid fruit oils because the brain associates them with the kitchen. Lightly spray the carpet, don't go overboard and soak it, then sweep it with a T-shirt-covered broom. Sprinkling bicarb on the carpet before vacuuming is a good general carpet freshener, but won't necessarily clean stains. These will have to be spot cleaned.

Water any pot plans, arrange flowers, spray fragrance, if you like using it, or add any froufrou, such as doilies. Empty the clutter bucket, put away the clean kit and update the master list.