Gabrielle has mastered many tricks of the trade. From using white vinegar as a cleaning product to rubbing a rubber glove over upholstery to remove pet hair, she has put together a collection of her favourite cleaning tips.

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Gabrielle has put these expert tips into categories, read the relevant tips and learn something new or get inspiration for tackling those tricky jobs around your home

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Windows

• When cleaning windows, wipe one side of the glass horizontally and the other side vertically. This way, when polishing out streaks, it will be easy to determine which side they are on

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Cobwebs

• A clean lightly dampened cloth, tied around the working end of your dust mop or broom, will take care of cobwebs.

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Cleaning Supplies

• Limit cleaning products to a quality window/glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, tile/grout cleaner and a toilet bowl cleaner.

• For your personal safety, never mix two cleaning products together.

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Electronics

• Remove dust from the front of stereo speakers with the vacuum hose and flat attachment.

• Always check the owner’s manual for instructions regarding the care and cleaning of your electronic equipment.

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Bathroom

• Use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas around soap holders, taps and drains.

• Add a fabric softener sheet to bins to avoid odours.

• Foggy mirrors can be restored, by rubbing a small amount of glycerin onto the surface.

• A small window squeegee used on tiled walls after each shower will slow the formation of water spots.

• To unclog lime scale from shower heads, remove and soak the head in boiling water and vinegar.

• It will be much easier and less time consuming to clean the bathroom if it is done on a regular basis as this will prevent the build-up of mildew and soap scum.

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Chrome Cleaning

• A dry, clean micro fibre cloth will polish chrome to an eye-catching gleam.

• To remove fingerprints from stainless steel appliances, add a small amount of baby oil to a clean, soft micro fibre cloth and wipe.

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Picture Frames

• To clean a picture, wipe the top of the frame first, down the sides and across the bottom. Always spray glass cleaner on your cloth, never directly on the glass, to prevent seepage that could damage the picture.

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Vacuuming

• Change the vacuum bag as recommended by the manufacturer to maintain maximum suction.

• If your vacuum has poor suction it might be the result of a blocked hose. To check for a blockage, disconnect the hose and drop a penny down it. If the penny falls out, it is unlikely that your hose is the problem.

• A small hand-held vacuum with a beater bar is useful for vacuuming upholstery and carpeted stairs.

• Check beneath furniture before vacuuming to ensure you do not vacuum up small items such as toys, jewellery, coins, etc.

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Spills

• Make it a habit to wipe up all spills immediately when they are much easier to clean. Once the spill has dried and hardened, it will be more difficult to remove.

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Kitchen

• To soften splatters inside the microwave, fill a cup with water and microwave on high for a few minutes. The steam will loosen any baked on food so you can easily wipe it clean.

• Allow burner rings from the hob to soak in a sink full of hot, soapy water. This will loosen the dirt and make them easier to clean.

• Spray oven racks in a plastic rubbish bag for easier cleaning.

• Dishcloths and sponges can be incubators for germs. Regularly put dishcloths in the washing machine, and microwave damp sponges on high for several minutes to kill bacteria.

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Floor Cleaning

• Sweep or vacuum floors first to collect crumbs and dirt before damp mopping. Start washing the floor in the farthest corner of the room and work your way towards the door.

• Use a cloth on the end of a mop handle to reach the narrow space between appliances.

• A plastic hairbrush will straighten the fringe on carpets. Comb the carpet fringe away from the centre of the carpet.

• Vacuum or sweep the bathroom floor to collect any loose hair, dust and dirt prior to washing it. Remove mats, bins and any other items on the floor that may get in the way.

• Ensure the correct vacuum attachment is used for the floor surface you are cleaning.

• To reduce the risk of accidents, place anti-slip backing under rugs.

• Place a mat inside and outside each entrance to your home to reduce the dirt brought in on shoes and boots.

• Protect your floors and furniture by preventing surface damage. Never set wet cloths, bottles, buckets, or damp mops on furniture, hardwood floors, carpet or marble.

• Look underneath the furniture before vacuuming to avoid picking up small items such as jewellery or coins.

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Removing Pet Hair

• A damp cloth or rubber glove will remove pet hair from upholstery.

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Dusting

• Always dust before vacuuming to ensure any dust/dirt which falls to the floor is vacuumed up.

• The best dust cloth is a damp, clean, micro fibre cloth. To dampen, hold the cloth by a corner and lightly mist with water from a spray bottle. The cloth should be just damp enough to pick up dust without leaving moisture streaks.

• When dusting wall units, lift and dust each object, then dust the shelf underneath and behind. Start from the top of the unit and move to the bottom.

• Never dust a warm or hot light bulb with a damp cloth, as it will shatter.

• Dampen a clean, soft paintbrush to remove dust from louvered doors, telephones and keyboard keys, carved furniture, etc.

• To clean Venetian blinds, close the slants, dust, close the slants the opposite way and dust again.

• Wipe wood surfaces with the grain to avoid streaks.

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Organisation

• Recruit your children to help with a basic house clean. This will help develop good organisational habits and reduce the stress caused by reminding children to tidy their room. Try to make it fun.

• A toy chest at the end of your child’s bed is an ideal place to store toys and games. Plastic bins or baskets can be placed in a closet or underneath the bed.

• Always tidy a room, before cleaning it. Take any dirty dishes to the kitchen, pick up toys from the floor, collect newspapers and place in the recycling bin.

• Make sure your house cleaning kit includes all the essential supplies and materials needed to clean each room. Store in a bucket or basket that can be carried from room to room.

• Make up a separate bathroom cleaning kit, to keep all the supplies together. Again store in a bucket or basket, but be sure to store it out of reach of small children.

• Place perfume and other personal care items in a decorative basket or on a tray, rather than sitting individually on your dressing table.

• Establish a house rule that if you take something out of a cupboard or toy box, you must put it away once you have finished with it. This will reduce the amount of time spent picking items up and putting them away before a clean.

• Take items that have not been used for a long time to a charity shop or car boot sale.

• Apply the GLEAMING CLEAN system of house cleaning from top to bottom and left to right, in whatever room you are cleaning. This is the quickest and most efficient way to clean.

• Re-evaluate magazine/newspaper subscriptions and cancel those you no longer read. This is an easy way to save money and time by de-cluttering your home.

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