No matter how often you clean your home, it’s never fun. But that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. Here are our tips for best way to tackle stains on any household surface.

Carpet stains.

Add a splash of vinegar to the stain and dampen a cleaning cloth. Gently pat at the stain and rinse the cloth at regular intervals. Repeat this process until the stain lifts. Then sprinkle bicarb on the damp area and work it into the carpet. Once the bicarb dries, use a vacuum to clean it up.

Tile and hardwood flooring.

Add vinegar to a bucket of water and use it to mop up as much of the stain as possible. Apply more vinegar directly to the stain. Combine with bicarb and wait a few minutes for a chemical reaction. You will notice some bubbling and frothing. Gently scrub at any marks with a brush until clean. Finally, use clean water to either wipe or mop the area again.

Bathroom surfaces.

Tackle mould and mildew by combining 1½ cups bi-carb soda, one cup of liquid soap, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup of vinegar in a bucket. Use this to clean shower screens, remove mildew and scrub tile grout. For maximum effect use a coarse sponge or hard bristled brush.

Kitchen benchtops.

Maintain a hygienic kitchen by using a cleaning cloth and vinegar to keep benchtops sanitised. You can use bicarb anytime if something more abrasive is needed. This could be useful for things like dried cereal or food stains.

Concrete and garage floors.

To clean oil or scuff stains from concrete and other robust surfaces, add one cup of vinegar to a few teaspoons of bicarb, along with a drop or two of liquid soap in a spray bottle and fill to the top with warm water. Shake to combine the ingredients. Use this to apply the mixture to any stubborn stain. For best results, apply liberally and wait several minutes before scrubbing with a hard bristled brush. If you have one available, you might also wish to use a pressure washer.