Cleaning tips from Katherine Dewhurst

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1001 and Tiscali have recently joined forces with Katherine Dewhurst, ex-Buckingham Palace housekeeper and owner of Abbey Rise B&B in Bath, to share some of her top tips to help you maintain a clean home.

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1) For those who don't have much spare time, what would you consider your quickest, most efficient tips to ensure their home remains clean?

Katherine says: "The quickest and easiest way is to use a squidgey mop with an all-purpose cleaner in the water. If you don't have a mini mop an old towel or duster tied around a boom head, dampened with an all purpose cleaner will work just as well."

2) How would you suggest cleaning old, worn and slightly stained rugs?

Katherine says: "Use a gentle stain remover spray that is sensitive to specialised wools and fabrics such as 1001 carpet spot remover. The 1001 No Vac would also be useful as the foam penetrates down into the fibres which helps neutralise odours, and is woolsafe approved too so sensitive to older rugs."

3) What's the best way to clean chrome fixtures?

Katherine says: "The most gentle way to clean chrome fixtures without discolouring them is a solution of diluted vinegar and water and then buff up with a soft dry cloth. Works wonders."

4) How can one mask the smell of mothballs? I've tried adding little lavender pouches but after a while their smell fades.

Katherine says: "Tumble dryer sheets i.e. Bounce, placed in drawers and wardrobes where the mothballs have been. Not only are they long lasting but they should eliminate smell with a fresh linen odour."

5) What's an effective way to remove pet stains from carpets and pet fur from fabric?

Katherine says: "Pet stains should be removed as soon as possible to be most effective and successful! 1001 Pet Stain Remover is great for this job and easy to use.
Pet fur is best removed initially with the hoover, a powerful hand hoover is often best for this. Then a one-way hand brush for clothes or a slightly damp cloth to tackle the stragglers!"

6) Is there a non-abrasive way to remove tea/coffee mug ring stains from a white lacquer/polished wood table?

Katherine says: "To remove stains from a wood table use a light wire wool on the white stain and colour as appropriate with shoe polish and then a layer of clear wax polish over the top."

7) What's the best way to clean and air a mattress?

Katherine says: "Mattresses should be hoovered on a regular basis. Best aired standing on end near an open window or door then hoover with high suction hand attachment and leave for air to circulate for as long as possible."

8) I've heard bicarbonate of soda and vinegar are both useful cleaning aids - when/how would I use them?

Katherine says: "Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda have numerous uses in the home some everyday ones are;
- Mixture of salt and vinegar will remove tannin stains from inside china cups
- Small bowl of vinegar left in a room will remove unpleasant odours including tobacco
- Vinegar is great for making glass sparkle
- Hot white vinegar is great for removing little traces of glue on a flat surface
- Bicarbonate of Soda is great for cleaning sinks as a paste solution made with water; wipe around sink and then rinse well
- For blocked drains, pour Bicarbonate of Soda down the sink followed by distilled vinegar, put in the plug for a few minutes and then it will fizz. Rinse with boiling water.
- To clean the toilet bowl, sprinkle in soda, add white wine vinegar and scour with a loo brush.
- A paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water with an old toothbrush does wonders on tile grout to clean and whiten"

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9) How do I make my glass chandelier sparkle as new?

Katherine says: "Glass Chandeliers are best cleaned with a mild solution of vinegar and water."

10) Could you recommend an easy way to clean heavy upholstery fabrics like curtains and sofa covers without having to take them down / remove them?

Katherine says: "A hand-held steam cleaner is great for curtains and sofa covers."

1001 Carpet Care

With over 50 years of carpet care experience, 1001 provides the most effective range of solutions for tackling everyday stains and spills, cleaning large carpeted areas and floors and everyday freshening of carpets and upholstery.

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