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9 tips for a gleaming home

If you despair at unsightly smears on your windows and glass surfaces, or can't quite get that stainless steel to shine like it once did; fret not, iVillagers come to the rescue with their tried and tested (and sometimes rather quirky) tips for a spotless home

Have just watched my weekly dose of How Clean is Your House? Aggie used a weak tea solution to clean glass and mirrors. Apparently the tannic acid cuts through grease and, best of all doesn't smear! Tartymuffin

For anyone who washes epaulettes, try putting them in a wash net, the sort you get with soap tablets. I wash, dry and store them in one of these. It saves them getting lost or ending up in the filter. Fiona

Before cleaning the microwave get a small glass or bowl of cold water, add a few drops of lemon juice and microwave on full heat for about five minutes. The steam helps loosen dried food and lemon juice helps cut through grease. Tartymuffin

Another tip for mirrors is to use shaving foam on them. Apparently it leaves a bit of residue on the glass and makes it easier to clean. manf78

Cleaning stainless steel draining boards with lemon juice brings back the lovely gleaming shine! Tartymuffin

For windows and mirrors you cannot beat a mixture of half water, half white vinegar, rubbed down with newspaper. It does pong for a while though! Tartymuffin

One thing I have done is the old trick of putting clear car wax onto tiles (not floor obviously). We had some horrid old textured tiles and they were loads easier to clean when I'd put the wax on. It took a while but was worth it. manf78

Glass cleaner works a treat on stainless steel! I use it on my kitchen bin - no smears at all. Tartymuffin

Rub a little fabric softener on light bulbs around the house. When you use them and they warm up you get a lovely aroma! Tartymuffin

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