The A-Z of household hacks - and why ketchup is a cleaning hero (2024)

When our to-do list seem endless, keeping a clean and organised home often feels like an impossible task. But what if a few clever tricks could make it all so much easier?

From everyday food items that double as cleaning tools, to genius tricks for banishing clutter, these expert hacks from the likes of home expert Lynsey Crombie and professional declutterers Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen, will transform your home into a well-oiled machine – as well as saving you time and money.

A is for always make your bed

“Starting with this simple task provides an immediate sense of accomplishment, creating a feeling of order and control, which can be particularly grounding when life feels busy or overwhelming. This habit also encourages mental clarity, as a tidy space often promotes a more focused mind, and sets the tone for a day, creating momentum for other positive habits.” Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic

B is for banish dust

“Dust can accumulate behind and inside radiators, making them less effective at heating your home and aggravating allergies. To give your radiators a proper clean, place newspaper on the floor beneath them, then use a hair dryer to blow the dust out. The newspaper will catch the dust, which you can easily discard. Alternatively, an old towel works well and can be washed afterwards. I’d also advise dusting your light bulbs using an old make-up brush or paintbrush, as dust often settles on top and makes them less productive.” Lynsey Crombie, founder of Queen of Clean and author of The 15 Minute Clean

C is for clutter

“Clutter is never just about the stuff; it’s tied to the emotions and habits we associate with them. But a calm home is a clutter-free one. If you’re unsure where to start, the kitchen is a great place – if you haven’t used that ice cream maker/rice cooker/juicer in five years, it’s time to let them go. The same goes for mismatched Tupperware and chipped mugs or glasses. In the living areas, resist the urge to fill every available space – an empty corner is better than a cluttered one. In the bedroom, tackle your ‘floordrobe’ by setting aside five minutes each day to hang up clothes. If it no longer serves a purpose, get rid of it, donate it or sell it.” Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen, founders of The Declutter Hub and authors of Reset Your Home: Unpack your emotions and your clutter, step by step

D is for dishwasher tablets

“Don’t bother splashing out on expensive dishwasher tablets, instead opt for the basic supermarket options. There’s little difference in effectiveness between branded and own-brand dishwasher tablets, so swapping to own-brands is well worth it if you’re looking to save money on your weekly shop. For the biggest saving, pick Tesco All-in-One dishwasher – they cost just 8.2 pence each.” Blossom Boothroyd, home testing manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute

E is for energy saving

“There are plenty of small ways to make your home more energy efficient. For example, save around £45 annually by remembering to switch your appliances off standby mode, while turning off lights when you’re not using them can save £7 – and replacing the lights in your home with LED bulbs could help you save even more in the long run. Other ways to save money include swapping baths for showers, running your washing machine on a 30° cycle, draught-proofing your doors and windows, and making sure to only fill the kettle as much as you need instead of all the way.” Energy Saving Trust

F is for Feng Shui

“Feng Shui is a practice that prioritises the energy of our surroundings in specific ways. Under its influence, we attract and hold onto chi that supports our happiness and wellbeing. The front door is where all energy (opportunities, possibilities and luck) enters your home. If this space feels more like an obstacle course of shoes, coats, umbrellas and bags, consider that might be blocking opportunities from coming ‘into’ your life. Allow for more positive energy by creating space and cleaning the entrance regularly, keeping the door free from dust or cobwebs. A sparkling clean entrance signifies respect for the energy that enters.” Amanda Gibby Peters, founder of Simple Shui

G is for gardening

“It’s never too early to get your garden ready for spring. Now is a great time to prune fruit trees, fruit bushes and roses, repair raised beds in your vegetable garden, and turn the contents of your compost heap.

If soil is not freezing or too saturated you can also divide and replant tough perennial plants which have outgrown their space, or move small deciduous shrubs which are growing in the wrong place. Remember to not disturb piles of garden waste or other debris which might have hedgehogs sheltering inside.” Rebecca Bevan, author of The National Trust School of Gardening

H is for hangers and hooks

“Maximise your wardrobe space by using velvet or flocked hangers. They not only save space due to their thin construction, but they stop clothes slipping off and give your wardrobe a streamlined look, making it easier to put together outfits. Adhesive hooks are also useful for popping inside cupboards to keep towels and microfibre clothes neat and within reach.” Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen

I is for insects

“Dust mites are common in all UK homes, but you can reduce their numbers by washing bedding in hot water with a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil is a natural antibacterial that not only helps eliminate dust mites, but also kills germs. Try using it to clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, office desks and remote controls. To keep spiders atbay, place cinnamon sticks around your home. Cinnamon contains compounds that spiders find irritating, making it an effective and natural deterrent. Ants, cockroaches, moths and silverfish can also be deterred using this method.” Cleaning influencer Anna Louisa

J is for jewellery

“We often spend so much time cleaning our homes and clothes, but forget to clean jewellery. In addition to maintaining the appearance of your jewellery, regular cleaning and maintenance can also help prevent damage to your pieces and bacteria growth. Soak them in a bowl of warm water with some added bicarbonate of soda, then dry off and buff with a jewellery polishing cloth.” Lynsey Crombie

K is for ketchup

“Ketchup is great for getting rid of rust as it contains acetic acid (from vinegar) and citric acid (from tomatoes). These acids are mild enough not to damage most surfaces, such as garden furniture, heated towel racks and pipes, but are strong enough to dissolve iron oxide (rust). A cheap brand will do the job – rub it into the rust patch with an old toothbrush, leave it for 15 minutes, then wipe off with a damp microfibre cloth and buff up.” Lynsey Crombie

L is for lemons

“Lemons are endlessly handy for cleaning and deodorising your home. Start by cutting a lemon in half, removing the seeds and squeezing a swirl of toothpaste on both sides, before throwing them in the washingmachine on a quick cycle for a sparklingdrum. You can descale your kettle by cuttingalemon into quarters, adding to a half-filled kettle and boiling. Once boiled, pour away the water and repeat the process with the same lemons if necessary. Lemon juice, when combined with salt, can alsohelp remove stains and odours from cuttings boards.” Anna Louisa

M is for make your own

“There’s no need to buy pricey products. Make your own all-purpose kitchen and bathroom spray by mixing ¼ cup of washing liquid, 1 cup white vinegar, ½ cup lemon juice and 1 ¼ cups of water to a spray bottle and shake. This will leave your home clean and smelling fresh.” Anna Louisa

N is for neutralising odours

“For an easy, natural scent boost, add a few drops of essential oil to Epsom salt or dry rice, then place it in an organza bag to tuck inside cushions, drawers, or wardrobes for freshness. You can add a few drops of essential oil to bicarbonate of soda at the base of your bin to absorb odors. For carpets and rugs, sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda, let it sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum for an instant refresh. If you have pets, research which essential oils are non-toxic.” Anna Louisa

O is for organising your fridge

“According to the latest data from the Waste and Resources Action programme (WRAP), we waste around 16 per cent of the food we buy. By adjusting how we store food, we can help it last longer. The top shelf of the fridge is typically the warmest, ideal for items like cheese, yogurt, houmous and desserts. Middle shelves are for cooked meats, eggs, butter and leftovers (these should be cooled to room temperature before being refrigerated).

“The bottom shelf is the coldest, making it best for raw meat, poultry and fish. Make sure to store ethylene-producing fruits, like apples and melon, away from vegetables to stop them going off quicker. Tomatoes, garlic, onions and cucumber are best kept out of the fridge. The fridge door is the warmest area due to temperature fluctuations from frequent opening. Use it for low-risk items like condiments, jams, pickles, juice, and wine – but keep milk on the middle shelf for optimal freshness.” Shefalee Loth, principal researcher at Which?

P is for polishing mirrors

“A quick and easy way to polish mirrors and prevent fogging is to use shaving foam. Simply lather a squirt of shaving foam onto your mirrors, leave for a minute and then wipe down with a clean, dry towel. You can also use shaving foam to clean your bath, basin and around the toilet.” Lynsey Crombie

Q is for quality not quantity

“Be intentional with what enters your home – one good quality jumper is better than two or three cheaper ones. Having fewer things can reduce clutter and make your life less complicated.” Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen

R is for Recycling

Make your recycling habits more effective by screwing plastic lids back on to bottles, flattening cardboard and tearing off sticky labels before recycling. Wash leftover food from empty containers – while they don’t need to be sparkling clean, items such as
half-full yogurt pots or baked bean tins can contaminate porous materials like paper and cardboard in the same recycling load. And remember: never place items with batteries in your recycling bin. Additionally, did you know that Specsavers recycles
contact lenses and their packaging, turning them into construction materials? And Boots stores accept items such as mascara, lipstick, make-up palettes and travel-size toiletries, regardless of the brand, for recycling.

S is for salt

“Salt is an affordable household essential and an unexpected cleaning hero. For a simple drain clear-out, pour a generous amount of salt down the drain followed by boiling water to help break down any blockages. To extend the life of your flowers, add a pinch of salt to the water in your vase. (For extra longevity, lightly spritz the underside of the leaves with hairspray to prevent wilting.) When doing a dark wash, add a scoop of table salt to your machine to help prevent colours fading. Don’t forget to wash dark clothes inside out and use a cooler temperature for best results.” Lynsey Crombie

T is for temperature

The NHS recommends that you heat your home to at least 18°C (20°C for the old, young, or unwell), but at night you can allow the temperature to drop to 16-18°C for ideal sleeping conditions. And don’t forget to check your fridge temperature as the best way to prolong the shelf life of your perishables is to make sure it’s set between 0°C and 5°C. A warmer fridge (above 8°C) increases the risk of harmful bacteria growing and speeding up the spoiling of your food.

U is for use your freezer

“Frozen fruits and vegetables are often more affordable and nutritious as they are harvested at their peak and frozen immediately, locking in all the goodness. I like to keep a variety of frozen produce in the house – such as berries, mango, spinach, peas, avocado chunks and even fish fillets – so I can throw together a nutritious meal or snack when needed. You can also freeze fresh herbs in an ice cube tray with olive oil before they have a chance to wilt. These pre-made herb cubes are easy to use and perfect for adding a burst of flavor to sops and sauces.” Annabel Karmel, author and founder of Annabel’s recipe app

V is for ventilate

“Proper ventilation helps control humidity, remove odors and prevent the growth of microorganisms and mould. One effective method is ‘purge ventilation,’ which involves ventilating rooms at a high rate (at least four air changes per hour) to quickly dilute pollutants and moisture. This can be done for short periods, such as 10 minutes, after activities like showering or cooking that release moisture and odors into the air. You should also open the windows in your bedroom each morning, as two people sleeping in a closed room can cause CO2 levels to rise above 2000 ppm. While this isn’t dangerous, it can lead to headaches and difficulty concentrating.” Dr Tara Hipwood, senior lecturer in sustainable and environmental design at Northumbria University

W is for water marks

“Candle wax won’t remove existing water stains, but it will do a good job of creating a barrier that will prevent them in the first place. First clean your taps, then rub candle wax (ideally unscented beeswax) on top for a stain-free shine.” Anna Lousia

X is for xeriscaping indoors

Xeriscaping is the process of landscaping, or gardening, that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation. Research suggests that indoor plants increase our mood and productivity, as well as reducing stress and fatigue. If your green fingers aren’t up to standard, then opt for low-water, low-maintenance plants such as succulents and cacti, which can thrive indoors without much care, but still provide wellbeing benefits.

Y is for yellowing stains

“To remove yellow armpit stains from T-shirts, turn the garment inside out and spray generously with hydrogen peroxide – a natural, toxin-free bleaching agent. Let it sit for about five minutes before washing as usual with similar colors. For stains and general cleaning, use 3 per cent or 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide. This method is best suited for lighter-colored clothing.

“For dark garments, substitute hydrogen peroxide with white vinegar, letting it sit for 30 minutes before washing. And if you’re dealing with limescale build-up in your toilet, drop a couple of denture tablets into the bowl and let them dissolve for 30 minutes before flushing. Denture tablets contain natural bleaching agents, making them useful not only for toilet cleaning but also for stubborn mug stains.” Lynsey Crombie

Z is for zoning

“No one can keep their home spotless around the clock, so we suggest creating designated zones. Have a dedicated spot for items you plan to donate, and place a catch-all basket in the hallway or at the bottom of the stairs. Chuck anything you need to put away in this basket. It’s also a lifesaver if guests arrive unexpectedly – just pop the basket out of sight to quickly declutter, then organise them later.” Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen