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Share your cleaning pearls of wisdom with Mr Muscle and you could win a £250 John Lewis voucher. NOW CLOSED

144 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 02/09/2013 16:23

MNers have been testing the brand new Mr Muscle Touch-Up Cleaner. You can see what they thought of it here.

Here's what Mr Muscle say about the product: "Mr Muscle® Touch-Up Cleaner offers a fast and convenient solution to kill 99.99% of bacteria* and to clean the most frequently used surfaces in the home. The inventive new design makes it easy to clean surfaces and kill bacteria; simply push down on the pump to apply the formula onto a cleaning material such as a paper towel, cleaning cloth or sponge. Then, just wipe the surface clean."

As such, Mr Muscle would like to hear about Mumsnetters' top household cleaning tips and thoughts on alternative cleaning products.

So, what cleaning advice would you like to pass on to fellow MNers? Who takes responsibility for cleaning in your home? Do you have a secret to making taps shine like new? Or perhaps you have a fool-proof formula for streak free windows?

How do you/ your DP try to make cleaning more enjoyable/ less tiresome? Maybe you've developed an efficient time-saving routine? Do you take turns doing the most boring chores? Maybe you've even perfected some good tactics to avoid cleaning all together?

What features do you look for when buying a new cleaning product? Do you take into account how sustainable the product is?

Whatever your cleaning tips are, Mr Muscle would love to hear about them. Everyone who adds a comment to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 John Lewis voucher.

Please note your comments may be used (anonymously of course) by Mr Muscle in PR and marketing materials, their website and possibly elsewhere so please only comment if you're happy with this.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

(* When used as directed on the pack)

OP posts:
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HeySoulSister · 02/09/2013 18:29

I use glass wipes on any crome,china and shiny surfaces.....gives back the shine and removes annoying fingermarks and water streaks...

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CatAmongThePigeons · 02/09/2013 18:36

Damp microfibre cloths can clean practically any surface including glass and wood. It's resuable and keeps flying dust particles to a minimum which is great for those with allergies.

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Theimpossiblegirl · 02/09/2013 18:41

I use wet wipes with added shea butter to clean my leather sodas. Actually I use wet wipes to clean a lot of things. We share the chores in this house, with the children doing their rooms and other jobs.

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manfalou · 02/09/2013 22:29

A steam cleaner is great for SO many things... we've used it on the floors, worktops, bathroom, windows (stuck on bird poop for example), leather sofa, pram, babes rocker chair, clothing.... The best thing about it is that no nasties are involved.

A fool proof mixture my mum taught me for window cleaning is a small bowl of warm water, a quick squirt of washing up liquid and a good glug of white vinegar. Not the best measurements but when youve done it a few times you know the amounts as you're pouring.

I like products that can do more than one job to keep costs to a minimal and space to a maximum, I like things that are aimed at killing bacteria and are safe around children including a child safety cap. Smell is important, Dettol apple antibacterial spray gives me the biggest headache because its too strong for example. Double concentrate products are also a bonus to save money and space, plus you can make them stronger/weaker without adding more of the product but taking away...usually..water

Me and my partner have our own little 'jobs'... I do the kitchen, he does the bathroom, I sort out the washing and ironing, he cleans the sofa. I hoover and dust, he does the windows, I change the bedding, he takes the bins out.... Im onto a winner in my opinion! the kids don't help out as they're too young but maybe i'll get them doing chores for pocket money in a few years.

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Patilla · 02/09/2013 22:41

I keep and old toothbrush available in the bathroom and when I spot a bit of dirt lurking somewhere I can scrub it quickly to stop it getting worse.

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Bubbles85 · 02/09/2013 22:52

Try using newspaper to get rid of streaks and watermarks from windows. I use this on my car windscreen too and it works a treat!

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ChaosTrulyReigns · 02/09/2013 23:02

Do all the messy work in the kitchen on the surfaec above the dishwasher - swoop all the small crumbs/flour/suagr in when you've finished.

Clean the bathroom when it's steamy - half the work.

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ShatnersBassoon · 02/09/2013 23:05

Soda crystals are excellent for dissolving grease and soap/dead skin scum and cost pence. I wouldn't be without them.

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dahville · 03/09/2013 11:10

I've found having two children a real eye opener in terms of time I have to get things down so the most important tip from me is to stay organised.

I find spending a little time in the morning and then in the evening each day lets me get all the jobs done. There are things that need to be done each day, e.g. laundry, running/emptying the dishwasher, sweeping the kitchen floor and then I try to loosely schedule tasks for each day - changing bed linens, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming X room, dusting.

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MadMonkeys · 03/09/2013 14:22

I do the vast majority of the cleaning. I find any basic cream cleaner does the job on sinks, baths, tiles etc. The harpic toilet cleaner in the black bottle is the only things that effectively cleans the loos including removing limescale. bsr keepers friend is great on stubborn marks in all sorts of places. Other than that it is amazing what water can do - leave things to soak and the job is much easier.

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craftynclothy · 03/09/2013 14:28

We share the cleaning, though I do a bit more being at home more than him.

Keep a pack of disposable cleaning wipes in the bathroom and give the sink & toilet a quick wipe each morning (right after brushing teeth, etc.) as it makes a big difference.

Get rid of as much clutter as you can. It just makes it harder to tidy up.

For laundry we have a double basket so darks in one side, lights in the other. Kids stuff goes in a different laundry bag because dd1 has to use different detergent to me.

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WholeLottaRosie · 03/09/2013 22:26

This reply has been deleted

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 03/09/2013 22:31

The flushable toilet cleaner wipes are great - not only because I no longer find DH washing the sink with the same cloth that he's just cleaned the loo with Envy

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RubyRR · 03/09/2013 23:19

WD40 for polishing metal hob and shiny metal containers, I love the smell and it looks so shiny afterwards it's my favourite job to do even when I've forgotten to clean glass hood above first and I have to repolish.

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Iwaswatchingthat · 03/09/2013 23:26

I am not keen on cleaning so try and make the chore go faster by using he kitchen timer. E.g I will allow myself ten minutes to whip round the bathroom. When the beeper goes my time is up!!!

It is like I am racing against the clock and helps me stay focused. Also means it is over with fast - plus it combines as a pretty good workout! Speed hoovering anyone???!!!!

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rootypig · 03/09/2013 23:34

Sorry Mr Muscle. My top tip is to step away from the horrid chemicals. Soap and hot water for me, in most circumstances. I like Method non toxic cleaners too.

Oh, and sterilising tablets down the loo to remove stains.

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worldgonecrazy · 04/09/2013 10:06

If you have anything that you want to sparkle, wash as normal and then rinse with very cold water. It works on drinking glasses too.

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wheretoyougonow · 04/09/2013 10:08

My top tip is always play music when cleaning. For me it seems to make it just slightly more bearable and the rhythm will get you cleaning a bit faster (no Adele!)Smile

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LaVitaBellissima · 04/09/2013 10:26

If you live in a hard water area and have glass shower doors or wet room walls. Keep a plastic window scraper in the bathroom and wipe down after every shower, it stops all the horrible white water marks.

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Turnipvontrapp · 04/09/2013 10:26

Don't do too much of it as its a pointless task and will look messy and unclean as soon as the kids get home!

If you really have to, then do a bit every day and get the kids to help.

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blondieminx · 04/09/2013 10:29

The best cleaning tip I ever got was "clean while" - so clear away dishes/wipe surfaces while the kettle boils.

Put dishes into soak straight away so they are quicker to do

Tumble dryer sheets are v good on bathroom chrome.

FLYlady keeps me on the straight and narrow!

I do the majority of the domestic work in our house (bathrooms, most kitchen stuff, all laundry, general housekeeping incl shopping, menu planning and cooking) DH washes up and puts the bins out and runs the Hoover round at weekends. He works 5 days per week but I do just 3 (and I'm a lot quicker and more efficient).

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ImFineThankYou · 04/09/2013 10:44

Never leave a room empty handed, that way things stay tidy.
Have a place for everything then you feel organised.
Baby wipes on taps then rinse off and dried take off so much grime, toothpaste, watermarks.
Clean the shower while your conditioner is working.
Clean the bathroom while kids are in the bath.
Doing a little bit often is better than doing a whole lot once in a while.

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asuwere · 04/09/2013 10:49

My only tip is little and often and never put something off - if you see something that needs cleaned, just do it then otherwise it will be forgotten.
I have slightly lower standards than I did before I had DC but I try to make sure I maintain a certain level of cleanliness. As already said, I try to do jobs while I'm doing something else - clean the toilet/sink while kids are in the bath, clean microwave while waiting for last child to finish meal so I can do their dishes!
I do pretty much all the cleaning just now but I return to work in a couple of weeks and DH will be home for 3 days a week so we'll see if he starts taking over anything (not holding my breath for that though!)

wholelottarosie Love the tip about the dishwashing doo-dah in the bathroom, think I'll be using that one :)

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CheeryCherry · 04/09/2013 11:18

I do most of the housework as I work part time, but DH does the bins, hangs out washing etc. My main top tip is to do little but often. When my Dcs were little, I would clean the bathroom during bathtime or potty training. When I'm on the phone, or waiting for the kettle to boil etc, I will tidy, wipe down, sort recycling.
My Dcs also do household jobs, I will list 3 things that need doing and they choose one and do it. As they're all being asked, at the same time, I don't get complaints. Team work is the way to go!
I like trying new products, and do so if they're on offer. I do like disposable but eco friendly products, but also like a good scent.

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ILoveAFullFridge · 04/09/2013 11:32

Sorry, Mr Muscle, but my tip is "A woman needs a Mr Muscle like a fish needs a bicycle."

I do virtually all my household cleaning with diluted liquid soap, vinegar, vodka, and the occasional drop of Miltons.

Nothing like an allergy to teach you that we really do not need most of the stuff in the household cleaning aisle.

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