Are you guilty of any of these commonly made mistakes when doing the cleaning, ironing, laundry or tidying up? Banish them and speed up the whole process.
1. Using wet wipes for cleaning?
Be careful. Recent research from Cardiff University shows there is a huge variability in wet wipes' cleaning powers, depending on which type you choose. Not all wet wipes are capable of killing bacteria – and some can even spread them. If you are using a wipe to clean more than one surface, you risk spreading germs. They may seem convenient – but using washable cloths with a cleaning spray may do the job better and more safely.
2. Does your heart sink when you think about that big pile of ironing?
Make sure you are not making life more difficult by ironing fabrics that are simply too dry. Creases are easier to remove from clothes that are slightly damp; if they've dried too much, simply use the spray feature of your iron to mist and soften them. And tackle stubborn wrinkles with a blast of steam.
Clean the bottom of your iron with a product devised for this purpose to remove residue build up and help your iron glide smoothly along. And never store the iron with water in it, as this may seep through and damage the base – making life even more difficult!
3. Ever use paper towels to give furniture a quick dust?
Stop it right now! Dust is abrasive, paper towels are abrasive – so you risk scratching the surface of your furniture and damaging the finish. You should also avoid using paper towels to clean delicate items such as mobile phones, computer screens or your glasses, as you run the risk of scratching these fragile surfaces, which can be a costly mistake.
4. Are you using non-biological powder to do your laundry?
While non-bio powder is a good option for people with extremely sensitive skin (especially children), biological powder is a much more powerful option for removing stains and getting whites really white. It is safe for use for most people and should only be avoided on delicate fabrics such as silk.
Also, if you're mixing whites in with your colored wash, stop it right now! It might seem tedious to separate them but once you start to wash your whites separately, you will see a huge difference.
5. Drying clothes is a minefield of commonly made mistakes.
Using clothes pegs to hang stretchy cotton T-shirts or wool items can damage the fabric – always dry woollens flat.
Be careful using a tumble dryer as it can shrink delicate fabrics, but it's great for drying towels as it fluffs them up beautifully. However, if you're a fan of fabric softener, make sure you don't use it in every single wash as it will reduce your towels' absorbency.
Remember to clean your tumble dryer frequently to avoid fabric fluff building up, this is very important as it's a potential fire risk. Clean the filter after every use and empty the water if your machine has a condenser.
6. We know you clean your bathroom regularly – but do you remember to clean the toilet flush while you're at it?
It's a key place for bacteria and germs to build up but is often overlooked. Zap it easily with an anti-bacterial spray.
7. Cleaning under and down the side of your sofa
This place is not often a priority, but if you knew what is potentially building up there, you'd change your ways – particularly if you have pets. Remember to clean it regularly using the nozzle on your vacuum cleaner to reach all of those awkward areas.
8. Are you using your dishwasher to clean wooden items in your kitchen, such as cooking utensils and chopping boards?
Abandon the practice right now, as the hot water for washing and heat for drying is too harsh for wool and may warp it, causing it to lose shape.
Aluminium, cast-iron and copper items should also be kept out of the dishwasher, as well as hand-painted vintage plates.
9. Congratulating yourself on staying on top of de-cluttering by buying a multitude of storage containers and sets of boxes?
You're only adding to the 'stuff' pile – have a good old clear out instead.
10. And finally, do you still run for the salt to tackle a spill of red wine?
Stay right where you are, because while salt MAY absorb the wine it can also set it permanently. Use fizzy water instead.
More on prima.co.uk: How often should you wash your pillows, bras and sheets?