6 Small But Effective Spring-Cleaning Hacks

For streak-free glass inside and out, mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, dispense into a used spray bottle and arm yourself with newspaper, rather than paper towel which can cause streaking. And with a little bit of elbow grease, job done.

Even if there’s a layer of dust on the sideboard, if you polish silver photograph frames to a high shine, keep chrome switches and sockets shiny (and free of finger prints), along with cutlery and stainless steel ornaments, the eye will naturally be drawn to flashes of silver.

Whatever’s underfoot takes a beating, whether it’s carpet, wooden flooring, or rugs. So, do a good, proper hoover (as in moving furniture where possible out the way), give rugs a good shake and air them outside, mop wooden floors and dry buff them – all of which will make a good first impression and shouldn’t have to be done too often.

We love mirrors – they make rooms feel bigger, brighter and beam off natural light, but because they reflect everything, these looking glasses need to be kept spotless. The good news is, it won’t take long. A wet sponge, dash of washing up liquid and a microfibre cloth to shine and buff, will make everything they catch look fab.

It’s the hardest-working piece of kit in the kitchen, so no wonder all those dirty dishes and food stains take their toll. To remove limescale and keep the sink shiny, a fresh lemon and an old toothbrush will do the trick in no time. The acidity in lemons removes anything nasty, while the small bristles will get round the spout, tap and plug hole.

Upholstery, fabrics and cushions can be a magnet for fluff. And let’s not even go there when it comes to velvet. Once you’ve smoothed out the sofa, puffed up the cushions and realigned the curtains, take a lint brush (a sticky roller works best) and remove any dust and hair (pets included). Then, take a perfume that’s nearly at its end, or you’ve gone off, and spritz everything. You’ll be amazed how scent can penetrate fabric and give the room a new lease of life.