This post was written in partnership with Kärcher

I’m the last one to give cleaning tips. I have a brilliant helper at home, plus sometimes my idea of cleaning is taking a wet wipe and getting rid of marks and dirt on floors and surfaces. What I could probably give great advice on is washing dishes – this is truly a task I like, and I sometimes get upset when I see my husband loading the dishwasher when we have guests instead of leaving them to me.

If there is a company who can expertly advise on cleaning, it’s Kärcher, makers of high-quality cleaning equipments such as steam cleaners, vacuums and high-pressure cleaners. What’s more is that their steam cleaners aren’t only eco-friendly as you don’t need chemicals or detergents alongside them, but they also don’t use a lot of water, which is brilliant for the current drought and consequent water restrictions. (PS: I’ll be giving away a Kärcher vacuum next week!)

Their steam cleaners take the place of mops, buckets and lots of water, so if you’re serious about limiting your water consumption now and long term, then consider a steam cleaner.

Here are some sparkling cleaning hacks:

– Even if you’re not using a steam cleaner, you can save water by cleaning in the correct order. As a rule, you should always dust first, then vacuum, then mop. This is a logical order for the most effective cleaning, and the vacuuming removes any coarse dirt so that it does not end up in the wiping water, meaning it can be used for longer. Start in the cleanest room and work your way to the more frequently used areas. The balcony should be cleaned last, since slightly dirtier water can be used here.

Note: A vacuum cleaner can be effective than a brush, for example, as it can pick up more dust and crumbs, for example.

Always clean tables, shelves and window sills first, and from top to bottom, to prevent dirt from falling onto already cleaned surfaces.

When cleaning, always wipe in one direction to avoid distributing the dirt to more than one area.

To get crumbs, dust and fluff off car seats, try to clean regularly. A multi-purpose vacuum cleaner is best for this, and some of Kärcher’s models, like the WD 3 and WD 4 have accessories such as a flat car nozzle, suction brush and crevice nozzle for cleaning seats and the surrounding grooves and crevices.

If you suffer from allergies, wipe furniture with a moist or an antistatic cloth so that dust adheres to the cloth. Also, keep rooms adequately ventilated while cleaning and fold bed covers and hang pillows outside after washing.

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