User guide
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Spring cleaning
Getting rid of bathroom mould or deep-cleaning a hardworking oven will make your home feel fresher in no time.
When it comes to cleaning, keeping the bathroom and kitchen smelling fresh – and free of mould – are high priorities. The damp, warm conditions – especially if these rooms are poorly ventilated – suit mould growth all too well. But if you can prevent it taking hold with a daily wipe over, or by getting minor leaks fixed quickly, you’ll save yourself a lot of work in the long run. These are tasks to keep on top of which benefit from early and consistent attention.
Bathroom
Keep clean and dry, especially the floor Avoid having carpet in the bathroom, as moisture will get into and underneath it, allowing mould to thrive.
Prevent mould Ventilation is the number one way to banish moisture and discourage mould. Open windows or use an extractor fan while showering and for 10 minutes after. Wipe down the glass and tiles after each shower and check regularly for signs of mould. Avoid leaving damp towels in the bathroom.
Fix leaks as soon as you see them These can cause serious damage to your home, as well as being an expensive waste of water.
Check the extractor fan If it seems less effective than it used to be at sucking up moisture, or has stopped working completely, get it fixed promptly, especially if your bathroom has no windows. Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a local qualified electrician to repair or replace it.
Clean grout This quickly gets stained and mouldy, which may lead to flaking and cracking. Once cracked, grout needs replacing. Stop the unsightly stuff from settling by giving the grout a good scrub every couple of weeks – an old toothbrush and a paste made from bicarbonate of soda with a little water will do for this. Grout renewal products will add a layer of protection and colour, so this is an option to remove unsightly discolouration.
Just because there isn’t a pool of water on the floor doesn’t mean your toilet isn’t leaking. If you notice water trickling into the toilet bowl after the flush is finished, something is wrong – and you may also be losing hundreds of litres of water a day. Head to the Bathroom Association’s guide to identify the problem.
Kitchen
Cleaning your fridge
It’s not just smells and the spillage stains, but also the presence of harmful bacteria, that make frequent fridge cleaning a must-do task. We’ve analysed swabs from refrigerators and found that around 40% had worrying levels of bacteria, including types associated with respiratory and urinary infections.
A fridge clean should include emptying it completely of food, removing shelves and drawers, wiping the inside from top to bottom with warm soapy water and drying it thoroughly before replacing the shelves, drawers and contents. Before you start, watch our video on how to clean a smelly fridge.
Cleaning your oven
Cleaning the internal cavity, the metal shelves and the glass door all require different techniques. You can get the lowdown on what to do – and what not to do – with our guide to cleaning an oven.
Alternatively, you can call in a professional, which will likely set you back at least £50, or possibly more, depending on the condition of your oven.
If you want to buy a new kitchen appliance, it makes financial sense to know how much it might cost to run. This is why we now include at-a-glance annual running cost data for some of the products we’ve tested. If you’re buying a new fridge freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, built-in oven, kettle or air fryer, you can check how much energy a specific model uses, and see how much running these appliances will add to your bills.
Cleaning your dishwasher
If your dishwasher isn’t well maintained, the time will come when your dishes emerge streaked or the machine gives off unpleasant odours. The good news is that a few simple jobs should stop that happening.
Every week:
- Clean out the filter. This will prevent trapped food waste ending up on your dishes.
- Wipe the door seals, as stuck-on food can compromise them and cause the dishwasher to leak.
Monthly/when indicated:
- Top up with dishwasher salt – this prevents limescale building up and softens the water.
- Add rinse aid – this helps dishes to dry without streaking.
Six-monthly:
- Run the dishwasher on a hot setting while empty with dishwasher cleaner – this removes food residue and prevents bad smells.
Watch our 60-second video on how to keep your dishwasher clean:
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