No matter how much time you set aside to keep the house looking clean and tidy, there are always a few rogue areas – or issues – that don’t seem to play ball. From hairs with superhuman staying power to bad smells that linger long after a deep clean, read on for your most common household hassles and what to do about them …
Dust everywhere
Ever cleaned a room to within an inch of its life only to walk back in and notice dust everywhere? As well as being a nightmare for anyone with allergies, it’s unsightly, so tackling it is a must. But how do you do it effectively?
Before dusting any surface, remove all the clutter and dust that too – it might sound obvious, but the more things you have, the more nooks and crannies dust can settle in, ready to be wafted around by draughts.
For most dusting jobs, including surfaces, your best friend is the microfibre cloth because it won’t redeposit dust as you wipe (use it damp for extra sticking power). Another option is the top Shark Stratos Cordless model, which comes with an anti-allergen brush – ideal for dusting surfaces and coffee tables. For furniture that needs a bit of spit and polish, a can of spray and a yellow duster will leave a satisfying shine.
Electrical items and cords are dust magnets so don’t overlook them, which can be a temptation as cords tend to be hard to get at either under the desk or behind the TV. But the longer you ignore them, the more grime they’ll accumulate, so go for it today.
Bed linen is a big culprit when it comes to collecting dust, which is then scattered around when you shake it. So try to wash it weekly if you can (we know changing it is everyone’s least favourite job but the reward is crisp, fresh smelling bedding to sink into). Pet bedding can be another dust trap so remember to wash it regularly, too. And don’t forget to wash duvets and pillows to get rid of the dust they collect. Experts recommend doing this twice a year.
Vacuuming should be your last task, collecting all the dust you’ve disturbed or wiped away but has escaped your cloth. It’s easy to ignore vac attachments but they can be incredibly useful for making light of dusting – the small wand for getting into edges and corners, the brush for running along the tops of skirting boards, doing bannisters or whisking away cobwebs. And don’t forget to vacuum often overlooked items such as sofas and mattresses to get rid of that dust that gets everywhere!
Unpleasant odours
We’ve all come across an unpleasant household smell that just won’t disappear, no matter how many fragranced candles we light. Pets are frequently the culprits, so – as well as washing pets and their beds regularly – pay special attention to cleaning the areas they spend time in. You’ll probably vacuum before you wash the floor, but you might not be aware that the vac you use can make a big difference to smell prevention. The Stratos range from Shark boasts Anti-Odour technology that helps keep your home smelling fresh. Its cartridge system transforms bad odours inside the vacuum which can be caused by hair, dust and grime. In effect, it transforms smells that the human nose normally finds unpleasant into ones we like the smell of.
Other tips for maintaining a sweet-smelling abode? Empty bins regularly (the same goes for wash baskets) and don’t forget to clean the bin itself. Opening windows to let air circulate is key, as is using ventilation methods such as extractor fans. And because fabrics absorb odours, shut doors when cooking and always use sealed food containers for anything pungent in the fridge. Likewise, giving appliances such as your microwave and dishwasher a monthly clean is a smart move, too …
A mouldy bathroom
Not only is mould unsightly, it’s not exactly good for our health. In serious cases, it’s worth calling in the experts – it could be caused by rising damp or leaking pipes that need sorting, for example.
Since mould is a fungus that grows in damp environments, it often appears in our bathrooms. Tackling it quickly is important, since it can discolour or damage surfaces. If you want to stick with natural remedies, start by spraying undiluted white vinegar on the area, leave for an hour and scrub away with an old toothbrush. If this doesn’t do the trick, bleach or a specialist mould remover should be your next step, but remember to wear gloves and ventilate the bathroom well.
Once the mould has been cleaned away, be sure to open windows after baths and showers to try to prevent its return, and consider buying a dehumidifier or installing a ventilation fan if you don’t already have one.
Pet hair on every surface
Forever picking up hairs on almost every surface despite grooming your four-legged friend daily? You have our sympathies. A powerful vacuum cleaner will save your sanity, and Stratos, Shark’s most advanced collection, also has Anti Hair Wrap Plus design, and hair pick-up technology.
As well as grabbing even the smallest of hairs, it removes hair from the brush-roll as you clean, so you don’t have to, helping to keep it tangle-free. Even better, it works on all floor types – one roller cleaning deep into carpets and drawing out embedded dirt and hair, the other pulling in debris and lifting stuck-on grime from hard floors. And if you let your pet sleep on the bed (no judgment here) it’ll remove pet hair in seconds from the mattress, too.
Unsightly carpet stains
The trick to stopping stains in their tracks? Dealing with them instantly, before they sink in. If you’ve spilled tea or coffee, soak up as much as you can using an old towel before spraying the area lightly with water and quickly blotting up any remnants with a clean, damp cloth.
When trying to soak up a stain, always work from the stain’s outer edge towards its centre to stop it spreading, and blot, don’t rub (this can damage fragile carpet fibres).
If water alone doesn’t work, try a DIY stain remover by mixing a quarter-teaspoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar and one small cup of warm water. Sponge the stain with the mixture, before blotting with a dry cloth and repeating until the stain has disappeared.
If you have no luck, move on to a specialist stain remover but always try on a small, inconspicuous area first in case any colour is lifted.
Find out more about the Shark Stratos range and see Shark’s advanced new technologies in action
