25 surprising cleaning facts you probably won’t have heard of!

1. Cleaning gloves are unhygienic

We use cleaning gloves to protect ourselves from germs and dirt. But have you ever wondered what is harboured inside those gloves? It is a perfect place for bacteria to breed as it is warm and moist. Regularly, clean your gloves in hot water with some washing-up liquid and ensure they dry entirely before using them to ensure no little critters remain. Alternatively, you can buy Vinyl disposable gloves or Nitrile disposable gloves.

2. Clean with lemons (domestic use only!)

Lemons help disinfect surfaces as they have anti-bacterial properties. Rub half a lemon into the surface you would like to disinfect. Wait 30 seconds and use a damp cloth to remove the stickiness. Abracadabra, your surface is spotless and has a lemon aroma.

To re-vitalise your microwave, place a glass of clean water and lemon juice into your microwave, and microwave for five minutes to soften any dirt. Wipe with a damp cloth to clean the microwave and have the bonus of a lemony fragrance.

3. Clean your floors with mouthwash (domestic use only!)

Have you ever run out of floor cleaning products? Worry no more, because mouthwash can be used on clean floors as it is an antiseptic. Just add a capful of mouthwash to every gallon/4.5 litres of water and you are ready to spring clean.

4. Remove the permanent marker with toothpaste

Toothpaste is so versatile, so when it comes to removing permanent markers from walls or furniture use toothpaste as it is an abrasive substance that will erase those pesky marks.

5. Clean silver jewellery and cutlery with toothpaste

Ever wonder how to get rid of that tarnish on your silver jewellery or cutlery? Well look no more, rub toothpaste into your jewellery or cutlery and then place it in warm water. Your silver will sparkle brightly when the oxidised silver particles and toothpaste dissolve in the water.

6. Dust is mostly made up of dead skin cells and clothing fluff

About 70-80% of dust comes from dead human skin and dust mites. 20-30% of dust comes from fibres from clothes, towels and bedding that have been getting more threadbare over time as well as materials taken in with footwear. Grim but true.

7. Vacuums cleaners release dust, bacteria, and allergens into the air

Some dust, bacteria and allergens are released into the air by vacuum cleaners. To prevent this from happening you should ensure that your vacuum cleaner has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and that you regularly clean or change the filter. This will help control air pollution from the vacuum’s exhaust.

8. Improved air quality with dusting and vacuuming

As the average person spends 87% of their time indoors there must be high air quality. The quality of your indoor air can be enhanced by regularly dusting and vacuuming.

9. Kitchens are one of the filthiest rooms

Areas, where food is stored or prepared, have more bacteria and faecal contamination than any other place. Disgusting! The following items in the kitchen require to be cleaned frequently:

· Dish sponge and dishcloth.

· Chopping/Cutting board.

· Kitchen sink and work surface.

· Refrigerator, particularly areas with uncooked and unwashed food contact.

· Washing Machine.

· Coffee maker.

To keep these items clean use these tips:

· Use wipes on refrigerator and washing machine surfaces, work surfaces and taps.

· Change your dish towels, dish sponges and dishcloths regularly.

· Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food.

· And never forget that baking soda mixed with a dash of water is a very versatile scourer and cleaner.

10. Kitchen sinks contain more germs than toilets

In various studies, it has been proven that a kitchen sink contains more germs than a toilet bowl. It is important that you clean your sink properly to eradicate those nasty microbes.

11. Mould breeds in bins

Mould can breed in the bottom of your bin as it adores moist, damp conditions. You should use a sanitation cleanser or bleach to disinfect and deodorise your bin.

12. Clean that sponge

Your average washing-up sponge contains millions of bacteria. Regularly, clean your sponge in hot water and wash up liquid to keep those bacteria at bay.

13. Change that dishcloth

Your average dishcloth contains billions of living germs. Change your dishcloth each day to prevent those germs from spreading.

14. Self-cleaning blenders

Your blender can clean itself. Yes, it is true. Just add hot water and some washing-up liquid to your blender and turn it on for 10 seconds. Rinse again with some more hot water to maintain its shine.

15. Antibacterial cleaners should be left on surfaces for 30-60 seconds before wiping off

An antibacterial cleaner requires to be left on surfaces for 30 to 60 seconds to work properly, so don’t spray surfaces and wipe off immediately as you will be leaving those little germs behind to breed.

16. Germs may live on surfaces for up to 3 days

Germs can live as long as 3 days on moist surfaces, such as kitchen and bathroom sinks. On dry surfaces, such as toys and furniture, they can live for several hours. Indeed, Salmonella can live on dry surfaces for at least 24 hours. So, make sure you clean your surfaces rigorously to stop a germ from multiplying vigorously.

17. Dirty money

You will have heard of the term “dirty money” in relation to crime, but grime-wise over 3000 types of bacteria have been found on money. Shocking! These bacteria can cause food poisoning, skin infections, and many other complaints. So, a debit/credit is a healthy option.

18. Grimey doorknobs

Doorknobs contain a lot of germs as people do not wash their hands properly. Regularly, clean your doorknobs with sanitiser or wipes to keep those germs from multiplying.

19. Flush your germs away

When flushing the toilet, make sure you put the toilet seat down so that germs do not spray into the air as they can travel a fair distance and land on soap and the toothbrush, which you will subsequently use.

20. Over half of people don’t use soap when washing their hands at public toilets

It is hard to believe that over 50% of people do not use soap when washing their hands at public toilets. It is recommended that even though you wash your hands thoroughly with soap you should use a paper towel to turn off the tap and open the door, to mitigate your clean hand becoming contaminated with nasty germs.

By providing hand sanitiser (liquid soap) with a pleasant fragrance, you can encourage people to use it after they visit the toilet. To ensure good hand hygiene, proper handwashing is essential.

21. Most carpet stains can be removed if cleaned as soon as possible

When a carpet has been stained, you should remove the stain as quickly as possible as the longer the stain is present the tougher it will be to remove. 99% of carpet stains can be erased if they are cleaned before the stain dries in or within the first couple of days. So, get working fast.

22. Sparkling water removes stains in fabric and carpets

Sparkling water will remove stains in fabrics and carpets, as the carbon dioxide dissolves tannins and dyes from the fibres. More dirt will be removed from the fabric or carpet when the water bubbles profusely. Never rub the fabric or carpet after applying the sparkling water, instead use a cloth to absorb the liquid and always pat in one direction using a circular action. You will get a flawless finish.

23. Remove sticky residues with oil and salt

To remove sticky residues, you should mix olive oil with a little salt and apply the mix to the residue with a cloth. Rub the area and voilà the glue dissolves because of the fatty acids in the oil. Wipe the area with some hot water and wash up liquid, and sanitiser if necessary, to finish and hey presto the glue has disappeared.

24. Remove scratches from wood surfaces with walnuts

Walnuts can be used to remove scratches from wood surfaces, like flooring or antique furniture. You should follow the steps below to get first-class results:

· Take the walnut out of its shell and rub it forwards and backwards along the scratch.

· Press your finger on the scratch for about 30-45 seconds to allow the walnut’s oils to sink into it.

· Allow the oil to soak for about five minutes.

· Polish the area with a soft cloth.

25. Clean refrigerators without disinfectants or bleach

Using a disinfectant or bleach when cleaning refrigerators can taint the food giving it an unpleasant taste and odour. Instead, use warm soapy water to clean them as it is not harmful. If you do require to use disinfectants or bleach, leave the doors open for a few hours to air and then wipe the inside of the refrigerator with hot water to ensure harmful residues are not left behind.

So there you have it – how many did you know? Use the above house cleaning tips for your household cleaning.

Keeping your home clean and tidy can be a daunting task, especially when you lead a busy lifestyle. With so many other responsibilities vying for your attention, it's easy to sweep your cleaning under the rug, hoping that it will take care of itself.

However, there comes a point when you have to confront the dust and grime that has accumulated over time, and that's where our eco-cleaning services come in.