Sep 24

Sep 24 The cleaning game-changers I'm loving right now

Ready (if not entirely appropriately dressed) for cleaning action

First world problems ‘n all, but when I said goodbye to my lovely cleaner back in March, I admit to more than a slight frisson of concern that I’d be able to keep my little house anything like as clean as she did. Not least, in all honesty, because I find it so bloody boring to do.

Give me a pile of ironing and I’m as happy as a pig in - freshly washed - shit. But I struggle to find any semblance of satisfaction in dusting, and I can’t say I’m a big fan of cleaning loos all that much either.

Cleaning challenge

But needs must, and after six months of being in sole charge of my household cleanliness, I thought I’d share with you some of the products and gadgets that have made the challenge more manageable, and in some cases even surprisingly enjoyable.

Joint top of the list are these two

game-changing electronic appliances

First, and most pricey, is my Dyson cordless hover. Having researched the cordless options, and having a ringing endorsement from my daughter, who has the same model, I plumped for the Dyson V8. I’m certainly not claiming it’s the best on the market, not least because I have nothing to compare it to. I’m sure there are plenty of equally good, if not better (and more expensive), models and makes.

The Dyson V8 with all it’s multiple attachments

What I can confirm is that having a cordless hoover of any description is - and I do not say this lightly or jokingly - truly life-changing. Not having to cart around a cumbersome machine and constantly be plugging, unplugging, tripping over, or running out of, cable, transforms the experience and ease of hoovering into something positively pleasurable (BC - before cordless - I always enjoyed the results of hoovering but not the process.)

Why have one when you can have two?

Although I know it sounds like vacuuming overkill, I do have a second revelatory cordless purchase to recommend to you all. The Shark Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner does exactly what it says on the tin. A lightweight, powerful, re-chargable vacuum that turns out to have dozens of oh-that-needs-a quick-hoover uses in both your house and your car.

The Shark Handheld vacuum cleaner on its charging base

When breaking out even a machine as portable and manageable as the cordless hoover seems too much of an effort (see how spoiled I’ve become), or overkill just for a few crumbs on the kitchen floor, the Shark is the perfect - and brilliantly efficient - tool for the job.

On a cost-per-use basis, both of these are well on the way to paying me.

Mrs Mop

Considerably less high tech, but every bit as pleasurably and regularly used (at least once a day, in case you were wondering. And even if you weren’t) is my Vileda 1-2 Spray Microfibre Mop. In the same vein as the simplifying ease-of-use offered by my duo of dustbusters, this is a mop that holds the cleaning fluid in its long stem (I’m pretty sure that’s not what its referred to as), and releases it in a spray directly onto the floor in front of the mop via a trigger in the handle. No more buckets, squeezy mechanisms or other ephemera required. Marvellous.

The Vileda 1-2 Spray mop in spraying mode. The cleaning pad is removable and can be machine washed

Alongside using and enjoying these great gadgets, I’ve been trying to make my household cleaning as environmentally friendly as possible and to that end have become a devoted disciple of the peerless eco-goddess, Nancy Birtwhistle.

Eco-friendly cleaning

A former winner of The Great British Bake Off, whilst Nancy’s website is a mine of marvellous, easy to follow, recipes, her self-published book Sizzle and Drizzle, and her Instagram and Facebook pages are equally packed with sustainable household tips and home-made cleaners.

Her all purpose cleaner made from 150ml water, 60ml white vinegar, 40ml surgical spirit and 20 drops of lemon essential oil, has become a firm favourite of mine (pipped only to the top slot by her brilliant, fail-safe baking tin lining paste, made from equal amounts of vegetable shortening, plain flour and vegetable paste. But I digress). I’ve tried various of her other more specifically targeted home-made cleaners and can report they’re as efficient as they are kind to the planet.

I hope this little tour through my cleaning discoveries has been helpful. I’d love to know what gadgets, products and tips you recommend, so please do add them in the comments.