Home starting to feel filthy? These small tricks will help

Vacuuming can be done once every three days or so, depending on foot traffic, while once a week bathrooms and kitchens should be cleaned thoroughly, floors swept and mopped, and sheets and towels changed. Fortnightly, Fleming recommends a damp cloth be used to remove the dust that gathers over skirting boards and lavender oil for wiping down door jambs to give the home an inviting smell.

Vacuuming can be done once every three days or so, depending on foot traffic, while once a week bathrooms and kitchens should be cleaned thoroughly, floors swept and mopped, and sheets and towels changed.

For the more painful jobs, like cleaning the oven, Rachel Hallet of Mums Who Clean recommends making it easier with a dishwasher tablet. “Simply wrap one of your oven racks in foil and soak in a large tub of hot water,” she says. “Throw a few dishwasher tablets in the water, one per rack, and leave for at least two hours or overnight. All those baked-on spots will wipe off easily with a cloth or fine scourer.”

A sticky lint roller in the bedroom monthly will remove dust from fabric lamps and bed heads

Involve the family too, says Jessica Bragdon, the co-founder of eco-friendly, non-toxic products Koala Eco. “Get the kids to help with something every day,” she says. “I tell them if they argue, they get a task.

“There have also been studies that show the most germs enter our homes when we track them in on our shoes, so as soon as you come in, take them off and wash hands. That’s a huge win in keeping homes clean, and very easy to do.”

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Dusting should always be done from the top down, she adds, from ceiling fans to bookshelves, to tables, and then vacuuming upholstery and carpets afterwards. Cushions should be beaten by hand to get rid of dust.

But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by an out-of-control home, Rachel Hallet advises starting with one thing at a time. “You might like to fully clean one room to feel ‘instant’ gratification or, like me, you might prefer to go task by task, picking up all rubbish and then moving all dirty washing to launder then collecting dishes and washing a load,” she says.

“Just those basics can kick you into gear and overcome that cleaning anxiety.”