Wipe away splatters of sun cream, toothpaste and moisturiser from your mirror with a little rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth. Then, use glass cleaner or plain water on a fine microfibre cloth, working from edge to edge and then top to bottom — don’t use a circular motion. For an extra sparkle, left-over smears can be buffed away with a little white vinegar on a paper towel.

Prevent plughole disasters

Keep dust at bay by giving the room a quick once-over with a hand-held vac every other day. Alternatively, use an antibacterial wipe to remove dust bunnies with ease but do not flush used wipes down your toilet. Avoid foamy floor cleaner in favour of spray, liquid cleaners (or an e-cloth mop) to prevent a residue that’ll dull the floor …

Try rinsing the bath straight after a soaking, as left-over bubble bath and oils are a menace to remove once dried on. To tackle tidemarks and built-up grime, spray liberally with bathroom cleaner, and walk away. Let the cleaning agent work for at least 15 minutes before wiping and rinsing.

If your tub is very dirty, fill it with warm water, add a couple of scoops of biological washing powder and leave it overnight. Rinse thoroughly before bathing.

Some cleaning challenges—like serious laundry stains and the right way to clean the (yuck!) toilet bowl—are best left to the professionals.