10 cleaning tips: vital know-how

Remove heavy limescale deposits from a ceramic loo by rubbing gently with a pumice stone

* Remove dust and debris from your computer keyboard by vacuuming carefully, using the crevice tool or dusting brush attachment. Get rid of sticky marks on the keys with a cleansing wipe.

* To remove a bad smell from a carpet, sprinkle it all over with bicarbonate of soda. Leave it on for a few hours, then vacuum off.

* Give your kettle a longer life by descaling it regularly. Cover the element and the removable filter from the spout with a half-and-half solution of white vinegar and cold water and leave overnight. Rinse well in the morning before use.

* To make your own wood polish, put two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice into a pump spray bottle. Shake well before using.

* Wash clothes inside out to help prevent fading and stop dark denim developing white crease lines. If your wardrobe is full of dark garments, use a specialist detergent to help keep those colours true.

* If you're using tablet washing detergent, put the tablets in the drum, rather than the dispenser drawer.

* Grass stains on white leather sports shoes? Spray with a few drops of WD-40, then wipe with a clean cloth.

* Ballpoint pen stains? To remove the mark from cotton, dissolve it with a spritz of hairspray or a dab of methylated spirit or washing up liquid. Use a cotton bud to pick up the ink that has bled out, then wash as normal in biological detergent.

*Curry stains? Act fast using white paper towels to absorb as much of the stain as possible. Try applying methylated spirit to the stained area and leave for a short time. The mark will turn red. Blot again, moving to a clean piece of paper regularly until no more stain comes through. Flush with cold water and leave to soak in a mild detergent solution for a few minutes. Machine wash as normal. If there's still a stubborn mark remaining, expose the item to sunlight for a few days.