Home Cleaning FAQs

Blot (never rub) with a clean cloth to lift as much as you can. Sprinkle with salt or bicarb soda to draw out the wine, then dab with a mix of cold water and a little dishwashing liquid. On carpet, finish by blotting with cold water. Act quickly, as older stains are much harder to shift.

Blot up the spill, then apply a mix of white vinegar and water (1:1) and leave it for 10 minutes before blotting again. For stubborn marks on hard surfaces, a paste of bicarb soda and water works well.

Cover the stain with bicarb soda or cornflour and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb the oil. Brush it off, then work in a drop of dishwashing liquid with warm water and blot clean.

Always use cold water, as heat sets blood into the fibres. Blot with cold water and a little mild soap. For dried stains, a paste of bicarb soda and cold water left for 30 minutes can help.

Blot up as much as possible, then saturate the area with a white vinegar and water mix. Once dry, sprinkle with bicarb soda and vacuum. An enzyme-based cleaner is best for old stains, as it breaks down the source of the smell.

Often, yes. Crayon usually lifts with a damp microfibre cloth and a little bicarb paste. Ink and permanent marker are trickier and can mark some surfaces, so always spot test first in a hidden area.

Spray with a mould remover or a white vinegar solution, leave for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush and wipe clean. Open a window or run the exhaust fan while you work, and dry the area well afterwards.

Mould returns when moisture sticks around. Poor ventilation, steamy showers and wet towels are the usual culprits. Running the exhaust fan, wiping down wet surfaces and airing out rooms makes a big difference.

Bleach removes the colour on hard, non-porous surfaces like tiles, but it doesn't always get to the roots on porous materials. Vinegar is gentler and works well for light mould. Never mix bleach and vinegar, as it creates harmful fumes.

Apply a mould remover gel or bicarb paste to the silicone, leave it for an hour, then scrub and rinse. Fabric and plastic shower curtains can usually be washed in the machine with a cup of vinegar. If the silicone is badly blackened, it may need replacing.

If mould covers a large area (bigger than about a square metre), keeps returning, or comes with a damp smell and water damage, there may be a leak or structural moisture problem. That is a job for a specialist, not a regular clean.

Warm water with a good degreasing detergent cuts through most kitchen grease. Spray, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe with a microfibre cloth. Rinse with clean water so no residue is left behind.

Spread a paste of bicarb soda and water inside the oven and leave overnight. Wipe out the loosened grime, then spray with vinegar to remove the residue. For heavy build-up, a commercial oven cleaner works faster, but follow the directions carefully and ventilate well.

Soak metal filters in hot water with dishwashing liquid or a degreaser for 15 to 30 minutes, scrub gently with a soft brush, rinse and let them dry fully before refitting. Doing this every month or two stops grease building up.

Use a degreaser suited to the surface. Glass splashbacks are fine with a glass cleaner, while stainless steel should be wiped with the grain. Avoid abrasive scourers that can leave scratches.

Empty it out, wipe shelves with warm soapy water and a splash of vinegar, and check use-by dates. A small open container of bicarb soda helps to absorb odours between cleans.

Most homes benefit from a professional carpet clean every 12 months. If you have pets, children or allergy sufferers in the house, every 6 months is a better rule of thumb. Regular vacuuming in between helps carpet last longer.

Steam cleaning (hot water extraction) flushes water and solution deep into the carpet and sucks it out again, giving a deep clean. Dry cleaning uses very little moisture, so carpet dries quickly, which suits lighter maintenance cleans.

Usually 4 to 8 hours, depending on the weather and airflow. Opening windows and running fans speeds things up. Try to avoid walking on it with shoes until it's completely dry.

Sweep or vacuum first, then use a barely damp mop with a pH neutral cleaner. Too much water can cause boards to swell or warp. Avoid steam mops on timber floors.

Make a paste of bicarb soda and water, apply it to the grout, and scrub with a stiff brush. For stubborn discolouration, add a splash of vinegar or use a dedicated grout cleaner. Sealing clean grout helps keep it that way.

Warm white vinegar sprayed on and left for 10 to 15 minutes dissolves limescale and soap scum. Wipe off with a soft cloth. Use a squeegee after showers to prevent it building up again.

Not on natural stone such as marble, limestone or travertine, as the acid can etch the surface. Vinegar is fine for ceramic and porcelain tiles. If you're unsure, use a pH neutral cleaner.

Apply toilet cleaner under the rim and leave it for a few minutes, scrub the bowl, then flush. Wipe the seat, lid, base and handle with a separate disinfectant cloth. Keep toilet cloths separate from everything else.

Pour half a cup of bicarb soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. If the smell persists, it could be a plumbing issue.

We use quality, commonly available cleaning products chosen for the job, from gentle everyday cleaners to stronger degreasers for tougher areas. If you'd like something specific, just let us know.

Never mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar, as this creates toxic gases. Avoid combining different brands of drain or oven cleaners too. Use one product at a time, rinse between products and keep the room ventilated.

They're great for light cleaning, deodorising and limescale, but they're not a cure-all. Vinegar can damage natural stone, some grout and rubber seals, and neither is a true disinfectant. Use the right product for the surface.

Clean away the dirt first, then apply a disinfectant and leave it on the surface for the contact time listed on the label (often 5 to 10 minutes) before wiping. Disinfectant doesn't work well on dirty surfaces.

Look for an owner operated or well-reviewed local business, clear pricing, and people who respect your personal space and belongings. Ask what's included, how they handle any issues, and whether they're reliable and consistent from visit to visit.

Make the bed, wipe down the kitchen bench, do a quick bathroom wipe, and tackle dishes as you go. Ten to fifteen minutes a day stops mess building up and makes your professional clean far more effective.

Kitchens and bathrooms benefit from a weekly clean. Floors and dusting are best weekly or fortnightly. Ovens, windows, skirting boards and behind appliances are generally a monthly to quarterly job.

Dust with a damp microfibre cloth rather than a dry duster, vacuum with a HEPA filter if you can, wash bedding weekly in hot water, and keep clutter down so there are fewer places for dust to settle.