The Clever Cleaner

Kate To Spend A Whole Working Week In Her Apron

2011-06-17T10:32:00.004+01:00

Here at Vileda, we’ve predicted that Kate Middleton can expect to spend an entire working week dusting and mopping in her first year as a princess at Kensington Palace.

The new Duchess of Cambridge has won plaudits since she announced she would do without a team of royal cleaners and tackle all cleaning duties at her home inside Kensington Palace herself.

However, we think that her decision will mean Kate is likely to spend a minimum of 124 hours – or 5.16 entire days - cleaning and dusting in the next 12 months.

Top Tips

2011-06-09T15:54:00.007+01:00

Clean the shower after it has been used - the steam loosens the dirt.

Salt is excellent for scouring pans and utensils as it acts as a mild abrasive and disinfectant.

Wash coffee grounds down the sink to unblock drains the natural way.

To cut grease and remove kitchen stains, use washing soda. It also softens water.

White vinegar is perfect for sparkling windows and also getting the best shine from chrome bath fittings including taps, shower rails, towel racks, doorknobs and mirrors.

Rub a freshly cut lemon around the sink to cut through any grease and make it easier to clean.

Room By Room Action Plan: Cleaning Tips For The Dining Room

2011-06-02T14:54:00.004+01:00

Wash tablecloths and wipe down placemats. Brush any crumbs or debris off the table, then polish it properly with a wood polishing product and soft dust cloth, if it is a wooden table.

Hint! Mixing beeswax, lavender oil and lemon oil on a cloth is a great wood cleaner, to take the elbow grease out of the job!

Dust dressers and clean the contents with a soft dusting cloth before moving to the floors. Don’t forget about the dining room chairs, which can become a haven for dust as well as stains and drips!

Tips For Living Solo

2011-05-26T16:52:00.007+01:00

Even if you live on your own, from time to time you may have other people to clean up after. Here are some great tips for clean living in your home.

You are most able to keep a clutter-free environment because there is only you there - so have a weekly dejunking session to keep the task of tidying easy. Also cleaning before you go to work will mean you have more time to spend relaxing in the evenings.

Take care to only buy as much food as you need when you shop - you're more likely to end up with out-of-date or gone-off foodstuffs that will add to the need for cleaning out the fridge.

Easy Cleaning Tips

2011-05-18T14:13:00.005+01:00

Beautiful Kitchens Magazine has caught on quick! They’re really excited by Vileda’s latest mop and who can blame them?

They’ve been trying out the new 1 2 Spray – and are very pleased with the results. The 1 2 Spray really does mean that everyone can enjoy a quick and easy mopping experience.

Click here to read the Beautiful Kitchens review of this new revolutionary mop.

As Easy As 1 2 Spray!

2011-05-16T11:13:00.004+01:00

Vileda is making mopping even easier thanks to the revolutionary 1 2 Spray, which provides a brand new mopping experience.

This all in one, ready to use system has its very own spray handle with a refillable liquid compartment, meaning you can use it without a bucket for an in-between clean or with a bucket and wringer for a thorough clean.

For a lighter clean, simply pour the cleaning liquid into the handle and squeeze the trigger to release a micro mist of spray – perfect for quickly mopping up sticky and greasy marks. For a deeper clean, use the 1 2 Spray with a bucket and wringer, ideal for use on all hard floor surfaces including wood and laminate.

The 1 2 Spray comes complete with a trial size of its very own Vileda 1 2 Spray liquid, leaving you with one less thing to worry about. Alternatively, dilute your usual multipurpose cleaner and fill the handle for a fantastic clean. This unique non-streak solution will leave your floor sparkling and smelling fresh too!

So, if you’re looking for an efficient cleaning product - look no further than the 1 2 Spray – for a cleaning experience with minimal effort!

How To Stay Healthy And Clean Your Home

2011-05-06T09:33:00.002+01:00

Q. Is there a ‘correct’ way to clean so it doesn’t hurt my back?

A. Posture is the answer! Try to remain as upright as possible when cleaning as the repetitive nature of the movement means it is easy to go into autopilot.

Make sure you stay aware of your posture and this awareness will help stop you falling into traps.

For example, when mopping use a mop with a telescopic handle, such as the Vileda SuperMocio.

The Ten Minute Speed Clean

2011-04-28T15:25:00.002+01:00

Ideal for the unexpected visit from the mother-in–law or visitors that send a quick text to tell you they’ll be over in a mo.

Keeping a box handy is a great way to quickly remove junk from sight in the living room. This can be hidden behind the sofa or put in a cupboard when you receive last minute visitors.

Have a cloth handy to remove any dust from surfaces or tea stains from the coffee table, and freshen the air with a blast of air freshener.

Adding New Strengths To Scrubbing

2011-04-21T11:54:00.005+01:00

Vileda is injecting a double dose of power into your cleaning with the launch of the fantastic new Power scourer range, making tough cleaning a thing of the past.

Vileda is coming out full force with the new ‘Extra Power’ scourer, for super tough dirt, and the ‘Non-Scratch Power’ scourer, designed to look after more delicate surfaces.

Carefully crafted with new cleaning innovation, the Power scourer range gives a more efficient cleaning performance, without the hard work.

The new 3D structure with scrubbing nodules provides a better cleaning performance whilst the smart abrasive sealed surface prevents dirt from getting trapped, allowing you to rinse the surface with ease.

With all this power, you’ll need to use less pressure to scrub off dirty marks and the easy-to-rinse surface means they’ll stay fresher for longer too. You’ll be able to clean at 100 miles an hour!

Vileda's Power scourers are currently available in Morrisons, SSP £1.19 for a 2 pack.

Refresh Your Fridge

2011-04-15T15:53:00.004+01:00

Most fridges are easy to clean but the trick is to be clever about keeping on top of the task.

Aim to clean your fridge once a month, just before a big shop is best as it will be relatively empty. Pull out all the shelves and drawers to wash in the sink.

Clean the interior sides of the fridge using one sponge soaked in bicarb and another soaked in white vinegar. Press the vinegar sponge together with the bicarb sponge when cleaning to combine the substances. Use the same technique on the rubber seal around the door.

To complete the task, wipe down the fridge exterior and replace the shelves. Then fill it with lots of lovely food.

Window Cleaning Weather

2011-04-08T13:12:00.005+01:00

The weather is finally warming up and the sun is shining - with temperatures expected to reach 21°C in the UK this weekend.

And with all this sun - it's the perfect time to clean your windows!

It is a myth that newspaper is the best thing to use, as the print can leave dirty marks and the sunshine will show up the smallest of smudges.

The Vileda Window Cloth is ideal for the task and will leave your windows gleaming. You'll be able to see all the streaks in the light - so use the sunny weather to your advantage!

A Q&A With Vileda

2011-03-31T17:22:00.002+01:00

Q. I have a bad back and find it difficult to get tough stains off my floor, is there anything to make it easier?

A. We recommend using the Vileda 3Action SuperMocio which has been modified to include a non-scratch scourer – perfect for tackling those tricky tough marks.

Plus, the telescopic handle means you won’t have to bend or twist yourself during cleaning. Now you can relax and enjoy getting your floor to sparkling best!

Insiders Hints & Tips

2011-03-22T12:35:00.007Z

To remove dust on a row of knick-knacks try gently running a hair dryer across them every couple of days.

Every time you change a light bulb, clean the other light bulbs with a cloth and they’ll shine brighter – simple but effective!

To remove water marks from wooden tables use beeswax applied with lemon peel – you’ll be amazed at how well it works!

Vileda Style Dish Cloth Review

2011-03-18T14:11:00.004Z

The McCaskie Clan blog recently reviewed one of our latest products, the Vileda Style Dish Cloth, and we were thrilled to learn that they loved it!

Not only did the McCaskies comment on the absorbency of this super stylish cloth, but they were pleased to learn that it could be washed and used again and again.

They even mentioned that the Style Dish Cloth’s tough and durable material withstood some serious family cleaning up - so don't just take our word for it, visit the McCaskie's page.

Have you tried our Style Dish Cloth yet? If so, it would be great to hear what you think.

Half of the UK Will Spring Clean on Saturday 12th March

2011-03-11T09:51:00.008Z

We expect that an incredible 52% of the UK will have a mop or duster in hand on Saturday (March 12th) as our research shows the national Spring Clean starts in earnest. And with the average Brit cleaning for just over 6 hours a week, we predict that this figure is set to rise.

According to research, pulled from six years of sales data, the weekend of March 12th is when the majority of the country finally blows away the winter cobwebs, literally, and starts the preparation for the longer days and lighter nights of Spring.

Our study also shows that both men and women say they are the biggest cleaners in the house. So, almost as many husbands will be mopping, sweeping and dusting as wives.

For more details check out The Express online

Fast Facts On Cleaning

2011-03-09T12:46:00.009Z

According to our nationwide study of domestic duties, the average British woman mops nearly 26 miles of floor each year. This equates to a staggering 1,150 miles of mopping in a lifetime!

The kitchen floor of an average student house contains six million bacteria – more than is found on a public toilet seat.

Women spend an average of 6.14 hours a week on domestic chores, compared to men who regularly spend 5.95 hours.

More than half of us (57%) are now regularly using eco-friendly cleaning products.

Step into Spring

2011-03-07T09:19:00.006Z

With Spring finally in our sights, there is nothing more invigorating than the lighter nights and brighter mornings. So, why not start preparing for that big Spring clean…starting with your dull and cluttered winter wardrobe. Now is the perfect time to take those old shirts and skirts to the charity shop and bring some fresh new colours into your cupboard!

And, it doesn’t need to stop there. Why not de-clutter the whole home – whether it’s clearing the kitchen cabinets or organising that all-important cupboard under the stairs - you can guarantee that you, and your home will feel cleansed and refreshed!

Bring Your Toilet Back To Its Best

2011-02-25T11:38:00.003Z

We all know the basics but if you want to give your toilet a really clever clean, follow these tips:

Flush the toilet to wet the bowl then use a detergent to cover the inside. Use a toilet brush to scrub the entire bowl, including up and around the rim.

Wipe down the top of the cistern, all over the lid and under the seat using a sponge.

Finally, rinse the sponge in hot water with detergent and wipe everything again – including the toilet rim.

Dial ‘B’ For Bacteria…

2011-02-21T12:13:00.005Z

A study recently revealed that one of the grubbiest objects you’ll find in your home – or handbag – is your telephone!

Often forgotten, your phone is used so frequently that bacteria can easily build up. So to avoid this germ infestation, regularly clean your phone by lightly moistening a Vileda Naturals Sponge Cloth with a little dishwashing liquid and wiping the telephone surface.

Top Tip!! For those hard to reach spaces between the numbers, try using a cotton bud.

How To Get Your Sink To Sparkle!

2011-02-10T14:11:00.005Z

We all like to think our homes are clean and tidy, but a lot of people fail to carry out basic cleaning tasks efficiently.

Having a clean sink makes a massive difference to your room as there is nothing worse than a build up of scum and dirt.

Most sinks are stainless steel or enamel so it’s best to avoid using a harsh abrasive scouring pad. Try a softer option such as a Vileda Active Wave instead.

One of our tried and tested cleaning combinations is bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar as this will remove any mildew and prevent the plughole from blocking.

Pet Peeves: How To Remove Pesky Pet Hair!

2011-02-04T15:09:00.008Z

Whether it’s man’s best friend, or a feline companion, these four legged family members both have something in common: pet hair.

If it’s not on your clothes, it’s on your cushions and your couch, but what’s the best way to remove these tricky tresses from your furniture?

Sticky tape is a fine to get off small areas such as your clothes when you have sat down somewhere, but to get it off furniture there is an easier way. Put your rubber gloves on and rub the furniture in a circular motion to lift pet hair. The fluff ball can then easily be picked up and popped in the bin. Simple!

Do you have any clever cleaning tricks? If so, let us know!

Freshen Up Your Home The Natural Way!

2011-01-27T16:24:00.003Z

Did you know that having just a couple of plants in your home can significantly reduce the level of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in your living space?

Some of the products in our homes release harmful VOCs in the air. So ditch the dizziness and headaches by investing in a few pot plants to help clean the air - they will brighten up your home too!

5 Top Tips To A Clutter Free Home This 2011

2011-01-14T12:24:00.004Z

With the New Year comes a new you, but what about your home? Start 2011 as you mean to go on and ensure that you’re equipped with the right tools to make your job around the home easier! After all, no one wants to spend hours mopping, dusting and scrubbing when you could be spending time on the new you.

So why not follow our top tips to domestic bliss this 2011.

TOP TIP 1

Firstly, deal with clutter. This will make cleaning quicker and more straightforward.

TOP TIP 2

Be effective and efficient by mopping in the correct way. The best way to mop tiled floors (with a strip mop) is by using a figure of 8 motion. Why not try our new 3Action SuperMocio; the lemon shaped head can get right into those difficult corners, and the mop head can even be popped in the washing machine!

TOP TIP 3

Cut dusting time in half by using a microfibre duster such as our Soft Dust Cloth. These microfibres attract and attach dust to the cloth rather than spreading it around.

TOP TIP 4

As it’s a new year, why not create a fresh perspective by rearranging the furniture? Moving the furniture around can give you the motivation you need to clean the room out and get it looking like new.

TOP TIP 5

Spray surfaces first, allow the cleaning product to do its job for a couple of minutes and then wipe. Simple! Our great value All Purpose Cloths are ideal as they can be machine washed and used again, and again. And, with an RSP of only 99p they’re a bargain.

New Year, New Home

2011-01-07T15:52:00.002Z

After a busy festive season entertaining guests the home can start to look a bit tired and in need of a deep clean. Well, no time like the present!

After you’ve cleaned from top to bottom, make a New Year’s resolution: keep the house sparkling for the rest of the year!

The best way to do this is to make a weekly cleaning schedule and stick to it. And here’s one we made earlier:

Monday – Kitchen
Tuesday – Bathroom
Wednesday – Lounge/dining
Thursday – Bedrooms
Friday – Family/study
Saturday – Entrance/hall/outside
Sunday – Relax from the comfort of your beautifully clean home.

So happy cleaning for 2011!

12 Days of Cleaning Christmas

2010-12-23T14:08:00.002Z

Well Christmas is nearly upon us, so we’d thought we’d share with you an alternative Christmas Carol – the ‘Vileda 12 Days of Christmas’…

On twelfth Day of Christmas,

My true love gave to me

Twelve Active Waves

Eleven Multi Purpose,

Ten Long Handled Dustpans,

Nine Naturals Sponge Cloths,

Eight Micro & Power,

Seven Super Mocios,

Six Naturals Flat Mops,

Five Window Cloths

Four Naturals Brooms,

Three DuActivas,

Two Active Max

And a Micro Fibre Dust Cloth!

We hope you all have a great Christmas and we’ll be back in the New Year with tonnes more great cleaning tips!

Get Your Wardrobe Ready For Christmas!

2010-12-17T17:12:00.004Z

It's nearly Christmas now, a perfect time to get rid of clutter and make room for all those new presents.

Did you know that 80% of people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time?! We think judging by this statistic it’s probably time to have a festive wardrobe clear out!

So make a start and create some room for any new clothes you may be treated to. You might even stumble across a forgotten glittery party dress – perfect for the party season!

Monthly Cleaning Calendar: December

2010-12-10T17:05:00.003Z

Air the guest bedrooms if you are expecting friends and family and make the beds. The cleaning this month will be mainly reactive, you just need to keep on top of the bathroom and kitchen and then sit back and enjoy the festive fun!

Start the pre-Christmas Clean

2010-12-03T16:07:00.002Z

Christmas time is nearly upon is, which means the festivities will shortly begin. But before they do, here are a few preparations to get your home ready.

Freshen up – Before all the additional decorations come out of storage, now’s the time to de-clutter your house. Clear the surfaces of items that are normally on display – you can replace them with something more festive.

Prepare Guest Rooms – If you have friends and relatives over to stay during Christmas, make sure they have a nice clean room to stay in. Thoroughly wash down all surfaces, clean the windows and change the bed sheets. Make sure you give the floor a good going over too.

Make your Glasses Sparkle – There’s nothing more embarrassing than serving a drink in a dusty glass, or worse still discovering lipstick smears around the rim. Get all your fancy glassware out of the cupboards and give them a deep clean and polish to a shine.

But don’t put your feet up yet, there’s still lots of fun Christmas preparations to do… putting up the tree, hanging your cards, even cooking the Christmas day dinner!

Mop the Halls with Smells so Jolly

2010-11-26T15:32:00.004Z

We all like our homes to smell of fresh and fragrant, thanks to Zoflora, your home can! It can smell of lavender, hyacinth, citrus or even sweetpea!

Zoflora has been making our homes smell nice since 1922 with a range of antibacterial fragrances to suit any home. They’ve now teamed up with Vileda to give you the chance to win a selection of Zoflora antibacterial sprays, including their limited edition Winter Spice fragrance, along with the latest 3Action SuperMocio and Power Press bucket and wringer.

Click here to answer the question and enter the competition.

The Post Party Clean-Up

2010-11-23T15:27:00.002Z

So it’s getting to that time of year when you’re most likely to have a party. We all know how painful it can be when you’re left with all the cleaning up.

So we’ve put together our ‘Seven Steps to Cleanliness’ to help you with the post party clean up. You can either do this straight after the party has finished, or if you prefer, first thing in the morning.

1. Don’t do it alone – call on friends and family to help out.

2. Using a large bin bag collect all the rubbish that can’t be recycled such as disposable plates and cups.

3. Secondly, collect everything that can be recycled such as cans, bottles and plastics – separate and put into the recycle bin.

4. Next you can then bring all the plates, cutlery and glasses to the kitchen.

5. Now that all the clutter’s been removed – address any urgent matters such as stained carpets or furniture spills.

6. Then head back to the kitchen to wash all the cutlery, crockery and glassware. You can do this manually or by dishwasher if you have one.

7. Finally whip round the house, disinfect all surfaces and if you’re not feeling too tired, give the floor the once over with a vacuum cleaner.

Now sit back, and rest… You’ll probably need a break!

The Apprentice stars get their hands dirty!

2010-11-11T17:23:00.003Z

Love it or loathe it, cleaning is an essential part of day to day life. Something that The Apprentice candidates failed to realise in their latest task - where they definitely didn’t clean up in the boardroom!

The task set was to take a cleaning product – then brand it and produce an advert – so the teams donned their rubber gloves and got straight to work!

Both groups didn’t fare too well and failed to please Lord Sugar, who, after a tough boardroom battle eventually gave team leader Alex Epstein the chop.

As the cleaning experts, we certainly don’t need advice form The Apprentice stars on cleaning! In fact, we’ve put together six fun, clever cleaning tips to show that you don’t need to be an octopus to get the housework done!

1. Prepare your cleaning tools beforehand – to include your SuperMocio and bucket, cloths, sponges and disinfectant spray.

2. Have a cleaning schedule in mind. Perhaps begin in the bedrooms and work your way around the house.

3. Clear away any unnecessary clutter – collect it into one box before the cleaning begins so there’s nothing to stop you!

4. Empty the bins in every room – this will get rid of any nasty smells - an easy job that makes a big visual difference

5. Dust your room regularly to reduce the build up of dust and the effort involved – try the Vileda Soft Dust Cloth for great dust pick-up!

6. Finally, put some cleaning music on and get the family involved! Cleaning needn’t be boring so convert a chore into a fun filled activity!

Top Exercise Tip

2010-11-08T16:25:00.002Z

We all like to keep fit and healthy!

If you are keen to use housework as an exercise, leave things at the bottom of the stairs so you need to run up and down to double the amount of calories you'll burn!

It may not be a marathon, but every little helps!

CLEANING TIP FOR NOVEMBER

2010-11-05T14:59:00.002Z

Time to freshen up!

It’s the time of year when you need to keep on top of all your jobs so that the house doesn’t need another major clean before Christmas.

If you have a dining room, this is the time to open the door, dust and vacuum. Don’t waste time by doing more than is needed. Freshen up with some flowers and ensure it is aired and smelling fresh.

Say Goodbye to Back Pain

2010-10-29T13:53:00.005+01:00

Did you know that if you clean with an incorrect posture you could cause yourself back pain.

To avoid this try to remain as upright as possible when cleaning as the repetitive nature of the movements mean it is easy to go into autopilot.

Make sure you stay aware of your posture and this awareness will help you stop falling in to traps. For example, when mopping use a cleaning product with a telescopic handle, such as the Vileda SuperMocio.

Top Cleaning Tip

2010-10-21T15:21:00.003+01:00

Did you know that salt is excellent for scouring pans and utensils?

It acts as a mild abrasive and disinfectant!

Cleaning Q & A

2010-10-15T15:29:00.002+01:00

Q: What is the best way to get rid of pet hair? I have been trying to pull it off my sofa using sticky tape.

A: Sticky tape is fine to get off small areas, such as your clothes when you have sat down somewhere, but to get it off furniture there is an easier way.

Put your rubber gloves on and rub the furniture in a circular motion to lift pet hair. The fluff ball can then easily be picked up and popped in the bin.

Mrs Mop Does a Marathon Clean Every Year

2010-10-07T15:34:00.003+01:00

British women do so much cleaning that over the course of a year they cover the same distance as a full-length marathon with their mop.

According to a nationwide study of domestic duties by cleaning expert Vileda, the average British woman mops nearly 26 miles of floor each year. This equates to a staggering 1,150 miles with a mop in a lifetime – the equivalent to jogging from Brighton to Glasgow – and back again.

Their male counterparts aren’t going quite the same distance, coming in at just over 20 miles a year.

The survey, which polled 3,000 people from all across the UK*, also reveals that the average time women spend mopping is 11 minutes and 45 seconds per session compared to a shorter time of just over 10 minutes for men.

The Northern Irish mop the furthest – mopping more than 2,000 miles each year. And it’s the South East who spend’s the least time mopping, with 27% admitting to spending only up to 5 minutes mopping each time.

It was revealed that Londoners like to spend lots of time scrubbing the floor, with 63% of those polled admitting to getting down on their hands and knees regularly to tackle those tough stains.

Lindsey Taylor, spokesperson for Vileda, said: “British women really are going the distance when it comes to mopping.

“Interestingly, the most regular moppers are people with grey hair – mopping at least twice a week.

“Cleaning doesn’t need to be a massive chore – little and often is the best way - there really is no excuse for those who don’t mop regularly.”

Finger Mop gets the Thumbs Up

2010-10-01T10:37:00.003+01:00

We love the new Finger Mop – the dry mop with specially designed flexible fingers . So much so that we sent one of our favourite and most honest of bloggers, Carol Muskoron from All About You, one to test.

The great thing about bloggers is that they’re always honest. So you’re never surprised to read the words “it’s a funny looking thing - large and unwieldy”

Fortunately, these sentence was quickly followed by “But you know what? It gave me a wonderful mopping experience...”

If you’d like to read the full review of the Vileda Finger Mop, check out Carol’s blog.

Cleaning Takes an Evolutionary Step

2010-09-23T12:07:00.004+01:00

Cleaning has been made even easier thanks to the latest innovation from Vileda.

Vileda’s new FingerMop is the first dry mop in the world with specially designed flexible fingers that reach up to nine inches around table legs, under furniture and even under doors.

The looped fluffy electrostatic Microfibre textile pad is ideal for picking up fine dust and hairs, and is attached to the fingers using MicroVelcro so that it can be easily removed and machine washed.

The Finger Mop comes with a telescopic handle which means it’s great for cleaning those hard to reach areas – even the ceiling!

You use the FingerMop dry to collect dust and dirt from all types of surfaces including wood, laminate, tiles and lino.

Dirty Students Should Clean up their Act

2010-09-16T14:07:00.004+01:00

A new study has revealed that the kitchen floor of an average student house contains more bacteria than is found on a public toilet seat.

Pretty disgusting eh?

The research, carried out by a team of scientists from Leeds Metropolitan University for Vileda, and shows that the kitchen floor in student accommodation commonly contains more harmful bacteria than anywhere else in the home.

The team examined the kitchen floors of seven different groups – student houses, retired couples, single professionals, married couples with no children and married couples with children (some with pets, some without pets) – which hadn’t been mopped for a week.

Alan Edmondson, Leeds Met’s Faculty of Health spokesman, said: “The levels of bacteria on the student kitchen floor after one week were higher than those you would find on average on pub toilet seats.”

“Over a whole kitchen floor of average size this would equate to roughly six million bacteria.”

There were large variations in the amount of bacteria found on all the sample kitchen floors prior to cleaning but, apart from the student accommodation, the most bacteria were found on the floors of the households with pets – occupied by retired couples and the married couples with children.
Bacteria were found in high numbers on the mop used in the student accommodation too. The bacteria were typically those found in soil, dust and skin but there was also evidence of faecal matter present too.

In fact, it had been so long since mops in the student accommodation had been cleaned that the floor was actually more infested with bacteria after it had been mopped. The mop head tested was found to contain more than eight million bacteria per 100cm2.

The households with pets had the highest bacteria counts - even more than in the student home – prior to cleaning. But the married couple without pets had by far the cleanest kitchen floor.

"The results highlight the importance of good cleaning technique particularly involving the use of a clean mop. This was especially marked in the cases of the married couple with children (and pets), where there was a 10,000-fold reduction in bacterial contamination after using a clean mop, compared to the student house, where there was no reduction at all.” Dr Edmondson concluded.

Vileda spokesman Lindsey Taylor said: “We all know that students are often too busy concentrating on their studies to spend time on housework but the amount of bacteria found on their kitchen floor after mopping was shocking.

“It just proves that people need to wash their mops and clean their floors regularly, especially if they have pets, to avoid an infestation of potentially harmful bacteria.”

Our advice would be to clean your floor regularly, and make sure you use a clean mop head to do it. The 3Action SuperMocio can be machine washed to ensure that it’s totally clean every time you use it!

CLEANING TIP FOR SEPTEMBER

2010-09-10T14:40:00.004+01:00

Back to School Sort Out

With children back at school it gives you the chance to clear up after the summer.

Now’s the time to give their bedrooms a clean – even if they usually do it themselves it will benefit from a spruce up!

A Quarter of All Brits Now Grow Their Own

2010-09-03T16:37:00.002+01:00

MORE than one in four Brits now grow their own fruit and vegetables, shunning supermarkets and green grocers a new national study has revealed.

Dubbed ‘The Good Lifers’ after the hit 1970s TV show, a massive 26% of UK householders now say they prefer to grow their own fruit and vegetables in their own back-garden or allotment in order to save money and help the environment.

‘The Good Lifers’ want to know that their vegetables and fruit are eco-friendly. They require knowledge of where their fruit and veg has come from, how it is grown and want to be safe in the knowledge that there are not thousands of road-miles required to get them to their table.

In a survey commissioned by home-cleaning giants Vileda, 3,000 Brits* set out their ‘eco-friendly’ contribution to the UK green effort.

In addition to growing your own, Brits are now doing more at home to help the environment with 87% of Brits turning lights off as they leave a room and 63% making sure TV’s aren’t left on standby.

The revelation comes in the same month that the campaign for a national Good Life gathered pace as Landshare was listed as one of the top-selling apps on the Apple appstore. Landshare allows users to connect with people who have land to share with home-growers and is being seen as the new technology-fuelled dawn for the home-grown movement.

Vileda has recently launched a range of eco-friendly cleaning products called ‘Naturals’, and company spokesperson Lindsey Taylor believes growing your own fruit and veg is just the tip of the iceberg.

She said: “Our survey reveals people are very aware of their need to become more eco-friendly in pretty much everything they do. They realise the health of future generations depends on it.

“From buying cleaning products which are more eco-friendly, through growing your own fruit and veg, to turning out the light when you leave a room – every action counts.

“We have discovered that a product’s green credentials can be an essential element of whether it is a success or not. The UK is very serious about the ecological impact of everyday life and everyone, from small grocers to multinational supermarket groups, are having to sit up and listen and take action.

“It’s very encouraging to see.”

Naturals Review

2010-08-27T12:10:00.004+01:00

The Green Familia blog recently reviewed our Naturals cloths, giving us a 5/5 rating!

We were delighted that they found the Vileda Kitchen Cloth absorbent as well as ideal for dealing with everything from potty training accidents to drying wet cats!

They even mentioned that you can wash your cloths by popping them in the washing machine – which we know people find really handy.

We’ve just launched an extension to the Naturals range – so it now includes floorcare too.

So, there really is no excuse not to make all your cleaning green!

Josie Cleans Up Big Brother

2010-08-25T11:46:00.005+01:00

Last night Josie Gibson, 25, from Bristol won the last ever series of Big Brother.

Scooping up an impressive £100,000 the bookie’s favourite has gone back in to the house for a few more weeks as ‘Ultimate Big Brother’ commences with some of our all-time favourite housemates.

As you may have seen, Vileda provided all the cleaning products for this year’s Big Brother, so here are some of our favourite moments from the house (featuring Vileda products of course!)

Eco Fashion Takes on a Whole New Level

2010-08-20T13:49:00.003+01:00

Hannah Sandling, author and stylist to the stars is usually more at home in this season’s Cavalli but she has recently donned a dress made from…cloths!

And this ‘cloth couture’ is all in the name of the environment as it’s truly the UK’s greenest dress. It’s made entirely from cleaning giant Vileda’s new Naturals range of products. It showcases everything from kitchen cloths to mop tassles!

Lindsey Taylor, one of Vileda’s Clever Cleaning Experts, said: “Fashion can be green too! I think the dress looks fantastic. It’s a great way to celebrate the launch of our new Naturals products.”

The dress was made by Sarah Gallagher – a graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University an ‘up and coming’ fashion designer who said: “I thought it would be great to create a garment that reflects the growing trend for being environmentally friendly.

“You don’t need expensive new textiles to make something beautiful, as you can craft a great looking outfit simply from dishcloths. It was wonderful using Vileda for all the materials as its premium products mean that my dress won’t fall to pieces!”

Top Tip

2010-08-13T16:49:00.002+01:00

We love sharing tips and tricks to help you keep your home clean - here's a kitchen conundrum that we have hopefully solved!

Q: Is there a natural way to ensure my fridge stays smelling fresh? I don't like using chemicals in there next to food.

A: To deodorise a fridge, open a box of bicarbonate of soda, leave it inside and change every few months. This absorbs all smells and ensures that it does not get too whiffy. Use a Vileda microfibre cloth to wipe inside your fridge as you don't need to use any cleaning solutions on them.

CLEANING TIP FOR AUGUST

2010-08-06T13:43:00.003+01:00

The kids have broken up from school and will be running in and out of the home, so make sure the floors are swept regularly and carpets vacuumed. This will help prevent the dirt getting trodden in and becoming more difficult to clean.

Go Flat Out Cleaning, with Your Natural Flat Mop

2010-07-30T14:58:00.002+01:00

Sadly we've come to the end of our product run down from the extended Vileda Naturals Range and we're finishing off today with the Naturals Flat Mop.

We pride ourselves as the experts in cleaning and we have an abundance of research and leading technology under our belt - we're the perfect people to tell you all the tricks of the trade!

The Vileda Naturals Flat Mop is the ideal shape for getting into those hard to reach corners around the home. As well as this, the pad fibres are made from organic cotton and recycled materials so it is perfect for picking up crumbs. It is particularly ideal for wood, laminate and tiled floors.

And if preserving the environment wasn't incentive enough to get mopping, then the fact that you can burn 238 calories might be! So you can get clean and get fit at the same time!

2 in 1 Broom Wipes the Floor with other Brushes

2010-07-23T16:55:00.003+01:00

Here's what you've been waiting for... our product of the week from the newly extended Vileda Naturals range.

Today we're focusing on the Vileda Naturals 2 in 1 Broom which is made from recycled materials and has two different bristle types - both made from recycled bottles! One side picks up small particles whilst the other is perfect for large fibres and hairs.

The broom also has specially designed bumpers to protect furniture from any bumps and scrapes.

As it's the school holidays, this broom is a necessity as the kids will be running in and out of the house non-stop and keeping the floors swept is a full time job! Sweeping regularly ensures the dirt isn't trodden in, becoming difficult to remove later.

Multi-Purpose Cloths Clean Up

2010-07-14T15:31:00.004+01:00

It's a new week and that means we're discussing a new product from our extended Vileda Naturals range!

It's the turn of the new Vileda Naturals Multi Purpose Cloths which are the latest cloths to join the range.

They're fantastic for tackling a wide range of tasks around the whole home including wiping down surfaces and washing up.

The Multi Purpose Cloths are made from completely renewable resources and are 100% biodegradable.

If cleaning isn't your favourite activity, this may change your mind- Psychologist Donna Dawson says: "An activity like cleaning, done for 20 minutes a day at a moderate level, can actually increase the level of the 'feelgood' chemical serotonin in our brains - which in turn makes us feel better about ourselves"

Let's all get the 'feelgood' factor - cleaning itself is cheering and not only that but if you're using anything from the Vileda Naturals collection, you'll feel great about the environment too!

Clever Cleaning Tips – Cleaning the Dining Room!

2010-07-06T17:25:00.001+01:00

Wash tablecloths and wipe down placemats. Brush any crumbs or debris off the table, then polish it properly with a wood polishing product and Vileda Soft Dust Cloth if it is a wooden table.

Dust the dressers and clean the contents with a soft dusting cloth before moving to the floors. Don’t forget about the dining room chairs, which can become a haven for dust as well as stains and drips.

HINT: Mixing beeswax, lavender oil and lemon oil on a cloth is a great wood cleaner to take the elbow grease out of the job!

Vileda Gets Greener

2010-07-02T11:41:00.006+01:00

The Vileda Naturals range has been extended to include even more products that are kinder for the environment, The range now includes floor care as well as cloths to help cater for over 50% of Brits who regularly use eco friendly products.

Each week we’ll be looking at a different product from the new range and this week it’s the SuperMocio - a natural reinvention of Vileda’s revolutionary mop.

The Naturals range is made from renewable resources and recycled materials wherever possible so you can feel safe in the knowledge that you’re cleaning as green as possible.

The inner strips of the SuperMocio are made from special renewable materials, giving fantastic absorption whilst the outer strips have the Vileda 3D collectex material, which is ideal for picking up hair and particles on the floor.

Even the telescopic handle is made from 100% recycled steel!

So not only can you expect cutting edge technology from Vileda but you can also help to protect the environment and contribute towards long-term sustainability of the planet by cleaning your home with the Naturals range!

Big Brother Cleans Up

2010-06-16T15:50:00.006+01:00

As you’re probably aware, this year is the very last Big Brother on Channel 4. After 11 years of keeping us entertained throughout the summer, we’ll be waving goodbye to Davina and all the contestants that we love to hate.

If you don’t know any of the housemates in this series, fear not, you’ll probably spot a friendly face or two… This year Vileda has donated a lots of cleaning equipment for the house, and if you’ve been watching closely you’ll have already spotted the NEW 3Action SuperMocio making several appearances – including being ironically used to make a mess by housemate mole Mario.

Corin has also been spotted today cleaning the kitchen and bathroom – we think it’ll be spotless in no time if she keeps using the SuperMocio!

Stay tuned for more Big Brother cleaning highlights!

Housetohome Webchat with Hannah Sandling

2010-06-15T15:44:00.002+01:00

Stylist, author and presenter (not to mention eco–warrior!) Hannah Sandling has teamed up with Vileda to help launch the extension to the Naturals range of products made from renewable resources.

Hannah has taken part in a webchat on the Housetohome.co.uk to share some eco-friendly tips with everyone. Whether you want to know about recycling, green cleaning or eco living it’s worth a watch!

To watch the webchat visit Housetohome.co.uk

CLEVER CLEANING TIP FOR JUNE

2010-06-11T16:15:00.003+01:00

June has arrived and it’s time for another all important cleaning tip…

We recommend that you dust the cobwebs from the ceiling this month. With the evenings getting lighter, this is when the dirt will be starting to show in areas that are cleaned less frequently. Use the Vileda's Attractive Plus to reach those high spots.

With a telescopic handle, it means no more balancing on chairs or rickety ladders!

Glowing Review for Sunsplash

2010-06-04T16:07:00.002+01:00

Vileda’s Sunsplash has been voted Top of the Cloths by a panel of testers for Your Home magazine.

The Sunsplash scored an impressive 9 out 10 with the reviewer stating “I used them to clean kitchen worktops and cupboards as well as the windows and they were good at picking up dirt and were very absorbent. They were also very robust and were still so after being washed.”

Three other multi-purpose cloths were scrutinised by the tried and tested panel, but the Sunsplash was proclaimed the winner.

America Goes Green

2010-06-03T16:23:00.004+01:00

In the UK, we’ve been cleaning green for sometime, and it turns out the US are finally catching on!

It has been revealed recently that environmentally friendly household cleaning products are on the up in the US with sales and revenue ringing in a whopping $557 million over the past year.

Americans are infected with the green bug and according to Don Montuori, publisher of Packaged Facts, it will only continue to get bigger and could gross as much as $2 billion by 2014.

Despite these green cleaning figures only relating to 3% of overall cleaning products, the huge increase in sales for green products of 229% over the last four years still leaves us on an eco high!

Let’s hope the green clean continues to grow in popularity!

Lady Gaga Cleans Up

2010-05-26T11:33:00.005+01:00

The new Princess of Pop, Lady Gaga has topped the charts yet again, but rather than for her music sales, this time it’s for cleaning!

The controversial figure has not only inspired a legion of music fans but also gained herself an army of housewives as her single “Bad Romance” has been voted the nation’s favourite music to clean to.

A survey by Vileda of 3012 people found that Brits love nothing more than to switch on a track from the pop icon, to go gaga with when cleaning. In fact, 82% of those polled said they always put their favourite track on to tackle the weekly clean.

Gaga was the number one choice in the ultimate cleaning compilation, which gives an insight into how Brits motivate themselves to tackle those household chores.

Bad Romance was followed closely by Take That, Michael Jackson and Madonna, and Scottish warbler Susan Boyle all making the top ten.

Check out the full list at of songs at www.vileda-music.com

Share the Housework for a Happier Marriage

2010-05-20T11:35:00.003+01:00

A new study has revealed that divorce rates are lower in families where the husband helps out with the housework, shopping and childcare.

3,500 British couples took part in the study by the London School of Economics (LSE). The findings have shattered the theory popular in the 1960s that in functional marriages men focused on paid work and women were responsible for housework.

Researcher Wendy Sigle-Rushton said that economists have a great deal of time examining and trying to explain the link between women going to work and divorce rates.

“However, in doing so, they have paid very little attention to the behaviour of men. This research suggests that fathers' contribution to unpaid work at home stabilises marriage regardless of mothers' employment status.

"The results suggest that the risk of divorce among working mothers, while greater, is substantially reduced when fathers contribute more to housework and childcare."

So make sure you're husband is pulling his weight around the home!

Cleaning Myths

2010-05-14T15:00:00.001+01:00

A lot of people believe that chlorine bleach makes the best household cleaner, but the truth is that chlorine bleach is a disinfectant, not a cleaner. Use it only to disinfect (follow the label on the bottle) and make sure you dilute.

Brush Away the Cobwebs in time for Summer

2010-05-07T14:23:00.005+01:00

We’re hoping that this summer is going to be a scorcher, so we’ve started our preparations to make sure that our gardens are a little piece of paradise.

If you’re hoping to bring out the sunloungers, invite friends over for a BBQ or want a clean, safe place for the kids to play, then you need to make sure your garden is looking neat and tidy too!

There’s no better way to sweep away the winter debris from your driveway or patio than with Vileda’s Outdoor Broom.

The tough bristles are great for removing dust and debris and the tightly compact bristles ensure that no dirt gets away. The broom also has a wide brush head which makes light work of sweeping large areas, without reducing maneuverability.

Did you know that sweeping the floor burns 60 calories per hour? This means you can get in to shape while getting your garden in to shape at the same time!

The Ten Minute Speed Clean

2010-05-06T15:04:00.011+01:00

Ideal for the unexpected visit from the mother-in-law or visitors that send a quick text and tell you they’ll be over in a mo.

Keeping a box handy is a great way to quickly remove your junk from sight in the living room. This can then be hidden behind the sofa or put in a cupboard when you receive last minute visitors.

Have a cloth handy (something like the Vileda Soft Dust Cloth would be perfect) to remove any dust from the coffee table and freshen the air with a blast of air freshener.

Clever Cleaning Tip - The Bedroom

2010-04-29T15:55:00.008+01:00

As your inner sanctum and sleeping area, the bedroom should be your clean and restful haven. But, out of sight from public viewing, it can become one of the most neglected rooms in the house.

Depending on your mattress type, turn it regularly and after stripping the bed, vacuum the mattress to reduce dust mites before putting fresh linen on the bed.

HINT: Use machine washable mattress protectors to keep the need for cleaning your mattress to a minimum!

Will My Old Bucket Not Do The Same Job?

2010-04-20T10:29:00.012+01:00

Q. Why do you recommend using the Vileda bucket & wringer with the 3Action SuperMocio? Will my old bucket not do the same job?

A. We always advise that our products should be used together as they have been designed to work in harmony. Too much water on the floor means you could be waiting for a long time for the floor to dry. The wringer twists around the mop head in a special way so that more water is squeezed out whilst using less effort. The water remaining on the mop is the perfect amount to use.

Add Some Sunshine to Your Cleaning

2010-04-15T15:23:00.003+01:00

Now that spring is officially here and summer is just around the corner, we can expect to see the colourful blooms of Daffodils, Crocuses and Rhododendrons.

But if you’re thinking that your cleaning products are lacking that spring feeling, add a touch of sun with the Sunsplash All Purpose Cloth – It’s not only practical, but looks great too.

Sunsplash All Purpose Cloth is great around the home and can be used for most cleaning tasks. It’s super absorbant so it’s great for cleaning up spills and wiping surfaces.

The Vileda Sunplash APC is also very durable so scrubbing dried-on tough marks is no problem. It’s also really easy to clean the cloth - it can be washed by hand or by machine at up to 40 degrees!

You can buy the Sunsplash All Purpose Cloth from most supermarkets and it costs just £0.99.

CLEVER CLEANING TIP FOR APRIL

2010-04-09T10:55:00.005+01:00

It’s time for the big spring clean!

Try splitting tasks over each weekend so that the whole house will be sparkling by the end of the month. Remember that it is easier to do little and often than leave everything to be cleaned at one time.

Dirty Men Clean up Their Act

2010-04-08T13:49:00.005+01:00

For a long time men have been criticised for not helping out enough around the house. Even with the wave of metro-sexuals and new age men, cleaning seemed to be the one area where they refused to change.

Well new research by Vileda has shown that men are finally picking up those mops and dusters to become house proud cleaning fanatics. In fact, men now spend on average 5.95 hours per week cleaning, just 20 minutes less than women!

The survey also found that men enjoy listening to Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle while they clean!

We were interested to see that eight out of ten women would get rid of a man whose house was unclean and untidy.

So… How does your man compare??

Stars Start the Spring Clean

2010-03-31T15:52:00.006+01:00

So it turns out that even celebrities aren’t too scared to get stuck in to the spring cleaning.

Kelly Brook claimed today that she's already started hers!

Speaking to the Daily Star she said: “I’ve just done some spring cleaning and my hands feel all grainy, like old lady hands”.

Whatever next... Brad Pitt mopping the kitchen floor?

SuperMocio Rises to Stardom

2010-03-26T10:45:00.004Z

The 3Action SuperMocio is the star of a new TV commercial currently being broadcast on ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5, E4, Living and other popular channels.

The 20-second advert demonstrates the SuperMocio’s amazing ability to pick up dirt as well as showing off the new red scourer that is specially designed to remove dried-on stubborn stains.

Make sure you look out for it!

Vileda Crowns Cleanest Woman in Britain

2010-03-23T11:40:00.005Z

Kate Graham, a housewife from Scotland, has been crowned "Britain's Cleanest Woman" by Vileda.

The 47 year old part-time shop worker said "Some of my friends joke about how obsessed I am with keeping things clean and tidy."

Check out this article from The Scottish Sun to read more.

The New SuperMocio Gets Floor-less Review

2010-03-16T10:47:00.005Z

At Vileda we’re all very enthusiastic about cleaning, so every now and then it’s nice to see someone else getting excited about a cleaning product!

Kitchen expert, Majjie, recently got her hands on 3Action SuperMocio and loved it so much she decided to write a blog post all about it!

Check out her website www.advancedkd.co.uk for more great blogs and kitchen design information.

The Day to Celebrate Women

2010-03-12T14:24:00.005Z

This week millions of women celebrated International Women’s Day.

It’s hard to believe that in 1910 working class girls who attended state elementary schools were taught domestic subjects such as needle work, house management, cookery, laundry and childcare.

Women were taught to sweep, dust, polish, make beds and even bathe a life sized-doll!

But times have changed and now most people take an interest in cleaning – men, women, teenagers, adults. But where do we go to learn how to clean now?

Fortunately, there are lots of great websites dedicated to home-making… Check out two of our favourites:

www.housetohome.co.uk

www.allaboutyou.com

For more information on International Women’s Day visit www.internationalwomensday.com

CLEVER CLEANING TIP FOR MARCH

2010-03-03T13:14:00.004Z

Use this month to prepare yourself for the Spring Clean in April.

De-clutter the whole house so the home feels cleansed and refreshed.

Clear out the family’s wardrobes and send clothes to the charity shop if you can’t remember when they were last worn.

How To Be Green

2010-03-01T17:23:00.003Z

We spotted an article in the Sunday Telegraph this weekend which talked about using eco products in the home.

Our eco range of cloths, Naturals, was mentioned, with the the Naturals Sponge Cloth being recommended as an efficient and easy-to-use alternative to other non-eco cloths. But interestingly, the journalist posed the question: 'Why should I use you rather than torn up old pyjamas?'

Here are our thoughts...

Take the Naturals Sponge Cloth. It's 100% biodegradable so is capable of being broken down naturally over time by bacteria and fungi. It's made from natural cellulose and cotton and the packaging it comes in can be recycled after use - eco friendly all round.

But how do old clothes compare? Well, lots of clothing is not even biodegradable - synthetic clothing for example doesn't decompose - and will be piling up in some landfill site long after we are gone. We also think you're far more likely to have an efficient and effective clean by using specially designed products for the job - such as a durable cloth (which can be popped into the washing machine and used again!) - not by using old pyjamas. Plus - if you're as fanatical about cleaning as we are - you're sure to run out of old clothes rather quickly!

We do believe that you should be environmentally friendly wherever possible - so if you do have old PJs lying around we are certainly not suggesting you throw them out! Why not use them to stuff a soft toy you might be making, make a comfort blanket for your children, or pad out the dog basket - and if they are particularly funky PJs use them to customise your other clothes!

Please let us know your thoughts and any experiences you have had!

‘Pan-tastic’ New Scourer

2010-02-26T10:57:00.003Z

We all know that keeping your favourite non-stick pans clean can be a minefield. Fortunately, cleaning expert Vileda has come up with the perfect solution – The Active Wave Scourer.

The Active Wave Scourer can be used to gently but effectively clean non-stick pans. Two scourers are available in the range, each with a different backing material. There’s a foam back for general washing up tasks and a super absorbent cellulose backing which cleans and wipes dry.

Now you can clean your pans with peace of mind.

CLEVER CLEANER: TOP TIP
To clean a burnt pan, sprinkle with bi-carb of soda then add white wine vinegar. Scrub with an Active Wave Scourer while it’s fizzing to remove burnt bits. Repeat if necessary.

Clever Cleaner Top TIp

2010-02-19T14:38:00.004Z

Rub a freshly cut lemon around the sink to cut through any grease and make it easier to clean.

Try using a Vileda Naturals Kitchen Cloth (SSP £2.49). The cloth is made from environmentally friendly organic cotton, grown by farmers without using pesticides. The pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used for conventional cotton can contaminate ground water and pollute drinking water, so these cloths are very eco friendly.

The Vileda Naturals Kitchen Cloth is an adaptable, long lasting cloth that can clean kitchen surfaces and dishes and is an essential item for general kitchen wiping and even dusting. It absorbs moisture efficiently and wipes dry.

Technology Top of the De-Clutter List

2010-02-18T11:17:00.003Z

A survey has revealed that one in five Brits will be having a bigger clear-out this year because it’s the start of a new decade.

It was revealed that unwanted technology was top of the de-clutter list with 34% saying that they will be throwing away old CDs and DVDs.

The long cold winter is also believed to have contributed to the clear out surge, as Changing Room's Anna Ryder Richardson explains: "This year will definitely see a huge homes overhaul, being stuck indoors for a prolonged period due to the cold weather has certainly made people think about how they can improve their homes and the environment that they live in."

Clearing out old clutter from cupboards is the perfect opportunity to give them a deep clean. Use a damp Vileda Naturals All Purpose Cloth to remove any dirt from shelves. Make sure you clean the tops of cupboards as this is where most dust settles and can easily spread around the rest of the room - the Vileda Soft Dust Cloth is perfect for this.

You Spend Two Years of your Life Cleaning!

2010-02-12T12:53:00.008Z

Our recent research has found that HOUSEPROUD Brits spend almost TWO YEARS of their lifetime cleaning their homes

The survey, conducted to support the launch of 3Action SuperMocio, revealed that the average Brit spends an astonishing 658 days cleaning and tidying up around the typical UK home between the ages of 15 and 65.

That’s a whopping 15,782 hours with dusters, mops and vacuum cleaners in our hands by the time we reach retirement age – an average of 6.07 hours every week!

And the people behind the incredible push for domestic cleanliness are the country’s teenagers, who have proven to be cleaner than their parents. Teenagers clean for 6.62 hours a week compared to the 5.93 hours dedicated to domestic chores by their parents every seven days.

You find out more about the Vileda survey on The Move Channel

Clean Up for the One You Love

2010-02-11T17:07:00.004Z

Why not treat your wife or girlfriend this Valentine’s Day by giving them one of the best gifts of all… a clean house.

You won’t have to spend much money, just give a little bit of time and energy to get the home spick and span for the one you love.

We’ve put together these top tips to help men tackle the cleaning:

1. Listen to music to keep you motivated.

2. Keep all your equipment and cleaning products together so you don’t have to keep running back and forth.

3. Don’t waste time scrubbing – just use the right tools for the right job. Vileda’s 3Action SuperMocio is great for removing difficult marks from the floor.

4. If you encounter a tough spot, pre-treat it then return to it later.

5. Keep your cloths clean! Vileda’s All Purpose Cloth can be machine washed and used over and over again

CLEVER CLEANING TIP FOR FEBRUARY

2010-02-04T11:10:00.004Z

Make sure you keep the house clutter-free as it can collect lots of dust. This is the month for light, surface cleaning such as dusting with the Soft Dust Cloth, so leave the intensive clean to the spring. Split tasks with your partner and children to make it more fun. Give children light jobs (to earn some pocket money) like dusting and make sure they are responsible for their own bedrooms as soon as they are old enough.

Lindsey Taylor - Vileda Clever Clean Team

Mother's Bug-Bears Revealed

2010-02-03T10:09:00.006Z

Today a survey revealed that dirty clothes dumped next to the washing basket and wet towels on the bathroom floor are a mother’s worst bug-bears.

An over flowing bin, wee on the toilet seat or tissues left in trousers pockets in the washing machine were also said to drive Mum’s crazy.

One of our biggest bug-bears has always been clumps of dust on the hard floor that seem to appear from nowhere! Fortunately, Vileda’s DuActiva Broom makes light work of sweeping the floor and the unique foam layer ensures that nothing is left behind. It even has bumper guards to help protect furniture from bangs and scrapes – perfect if you’re having a quick run-around.

If you’re really in a hurry then a dust pan is great for picking up the random ‘tumble-weeds’ that you find around the home.

Gary Neville Turns to the Green Side

2010-01-29T11:36:00.006Z

Manchester United player Gary Neville announced this week his plans to build an 8,000 sq ft carbon zero eco home in Bolton.

The £8m development will have its own wind turbine and a ground source heat pump. The home will be divided into six separate areas called ‘eat’, ‘relax’, ‘entertain’, ‘work’, ‘sleep’ and ‘play.’

It’s great that football stars are starting to think more about the environment and Gary should consider cleaning his new home with Vileda’s latest range of eco cleaning cloths. The ‘Naturals’ range comprises three cloths that not only have the quality and durability that you’d expect from Vileda, but also offer a greener clean.

A Vileda Naturals All Purpose Cloth, made from renewable sources, would be perfect for cleaning Neville’s home. It can be used for wet or dry cleaning tasks on all surfaces and is a super absorbent cloth that can be used time and time again.

Big Brother Sees no Streaks

2010-01-25T16:44:00.003Z

Like me, I’m sure you’re gripped with this year’s Celebrity Big Brother. One of the regular tasks for the housemates is to keep the mirrors nice and clean so that the cameras get a good, clean un-obscured view of their actions.

I think the best way to keep glass clean is to use a Vileda Window Cloth, which is like a leather chamois, but can be put into the washing machine after use so you can use it again and again. They’re perfect for cleaning windows without leaving streaks and can also be used for cleaning the car, mirrors and glass shower doors.

CLEVER CLEANING TIP

2010-01-14T14:46:00.010Z

Q. What is the best way to get soap scum off my glass shower door?

A. Dip the Vileda Window Cloth in white wine vinegar and wipe the doors with this. The acidity of the vinegar cuts straight through the soap scum and will leave your shower door gleaming like new.

Forget the Wii Fit - dust instead!

2010-01-11T15:35:00.003Z

We were pleased today when we spotted an article in the Daily Mail which said: 'Forget your Wii workout - just do a bit of dusting'.

A consumer watchdog investigation into the benefits of the Nintendo Wii Fit found that the virtual gym game only burnt off 25 calories in 10 minutes - whilst cleaning the bathroom would clock up a total calorie loss of 34 calories.

More than 22.5 million copies of the Wii Fit have been sold - and at £230 it seems a pricey way to exercise!

We believe housework is definitely the best January workout - it will help shed the post-Christmas pounds as well as getting rid of the cutter that has accumulated over the festive season!

Read the full article here Daily Mail article

It's s-no-w Problem

2010-01-06T16:06:00.006Z

Not only does heavy snow cause chaos on the roads, but it can reek havoc in the home too.

One of the best ways to keep your home clean and dry is to make sure you take your shoes off at the door. However, if you’ve got children, this isn’t always possible, especially with all the excitement that the snow brings.

Wet carpets can become stained, and liquids on tiled floors are particularly hazardous as they can be very slippery.

If your tiled floor gets wet, Vileda’s SuperMocio will quickly soak up any water. The darker blue material contains Pick Up Pockets which are much more absorbent than flat materials.

My top tip is don’t just have a mat outside the door, but have one inside too. If you have carpet, the mat could be made from a matching carpet square - use a rubber mesh underneath to stop it from slipping!

New Year, New Cleaning Schedule

2010-01-04T15:49:00.005Z

If you make a resolution this year, it should be to keep your home clean and tidy. So, why not set up a new weekly cleaning schedule…

With this freezing cold weather, what better way to keep warm than some invigorating cleaning!

Here’s an example of a great rota to keep your house in shape for 2010. Remember, the trick is to clean little and often… And always be a clever cleaner!

Monday – Make the kitchen sparkle. Vileda’s SuperMocio will get that floor spotlessly clean.

Tuesday – Time to tackle the bathroom. Wipe down the sink, shower/bath and don’t forget the floor.

Wednesday – De-clutter the living room. Clean all the surfaces and a quick run around with the vacuum will have this room looking great.

Thursday – Make sure the dining room is ready for guests by dusting the table. Try using Vileda’s Soft Dust Cloth, which has 40% greater dust pick up than standard dust cloths.

Friday – An easy room for Friday. Simply vacuum the floor and any stairs.

Saturday – Since you’ve got a bit more time on your hands, tackle the bedrooms and change the bedsheets.

Sunday – Simply relax and enjoy your lovely clean home.

Oh Come All Ye Recyclers

2009-12-23T11:12:00.005Z

Don’t be a waster this Christmas – there are plenty of opportunities to do your bit for the environment over the festive period by recycling your waste.

Remember:

Once you’ve opened your presents, recycle the wrapping paper.

Recycle the Christmas tree - check with you local council to see if they offer a free tree-recycling service.

If you’ve been entertaining guests, recycle all the empty glass bottles.

When you take down your Christmas cards, these can be recycled too.

Use Vileda’s Naturals range of cloths for a greener clean as they are made from 100% renewable resources.

Did you know that you can put all Vileda cloths in the washing machine and wash at up to 60 degrees? This means you don’t have to throw them away!

Christmas Cleaning

2009-12-14T17:52:00.005Z

When we're all so busy sipping mulled wine and Christmas shopping it feels like there isn't much time left to do the housework. Unfortunately though, it's the time of year when you need your home to look its best as everyone drops by with seasonal greetings!

Here are some tips for Christmas cleaning:

Air the guest bedrooms if you are expecting family and friends and make the beds. A nice idea is to add a pretty poinsettia to the bedrooms - to add that festive touch! The cleaning for this month will be mainly reactive, you just need to keep on top of the bathroom and kitchen and then sit back and enjoy the festive fun!

We'd love to know your December cleaning secrets - please drop us an email: vileda@brazenpr.com

Keeping the Fridge Fresh

2009-12-07T17:32:00.005Z

Q – Is there a natural way to ensure my fridge stays smelling fresh? I don’t like using chemicals in there next to the food.

A – To deodorise a fridge, open a box of bicarbonate of soda, leave it inside and change every few months. This absorbs all smells and ensures that it does not get too whiffy. Use a microfibre cloth to wipe the inside of your fridge as you don’t need to use any cleaning solutions on them. The microfibre material is so effective at cleaning that it reaches down into the microscopic cracks in surfaces and picks up dirt and germs, locking them into the cloth to be rinsed out. You could try the Vileda Micro and Power.

Keep the Living Room Crumb Free

2009-11-19T15:19:00.002Z

Our recent research has shown that 50% of children eat in front of the TV - you can only imagine all the crumbs! You need to give extra special attention to this area of your home to keep it from becoming drab and dirty!

Smart cleaners will ensure that there is a place for everything - magazine and letter racks, sideboards and drawers, CD and DVD cases, and whatever else you need to contain your everyday items. Tidy up and put everything in place before you start to clean!

CLEVER CLEANING TIP : Try the Vileda Soft Dust Cloth - to quickly and efficiently remove dust from your coffee table!

A Very Clever Cleaner

2009-11-13T14:11:00.004Z

We have found our number one DuActiva fan!

Mrs Audrey Scott from Cheshire sent us this picture in of her sweeping her kitchen with the DuActiva brush.

She said: "I love this brush as it now takes about a tenth of the time to sweep the floor. The spongey side picks up even the smallest crumbs and it all goes into the dustpan with just one sweep."

This brush is suitable for all indoor floor surfaces and gathers all dirt up in one sweep. The bristles are made from 100% recycled PET so is a more eco-friendly product to use.

We've discovered a new eco blog!

2009-11-12T13:49:00.004Z

Since the launch of the Clever Cleaner we've always been on the look out for new blogs that we think people would be interested in.

We've come across a blog we love called Eco Washing lines - it's full of hints and tips on washing lines, caring for and storing your clothes! It's got some great product ideas on there such as the Vileda Viva Air Eco Rotary Outdoor Dryer!

Why not take a look - Eco washing line blog

The cost of grime

2009-11-06T11:52:00.004Z

In an article in today's Daily Express, property expert Sarah Beeny is quoted as saying "If you spend a bit of time cleaning, you can reap monetary rewards."

When did you ever need a better excuse to pick up a mop?

This is in response to new research which claims that a clean house is guaranteed to sell quicker and for a higher price than an untidy one.

The Daily Express claims that up to £10, 000 could be knocked off the price of a house by dirty bathrooms, grubby kitchens and sticky carpets.

A survey of 200 estate agents and 2,000 house hunters claimed that the biggest turn offs are pungent smells, unhygienic bathrooms and messy kitchens.

TOP TIP - to combat smells in the fridge leave a pot of bicarbonate of soda in there and it will absorb all odours.

TOP TIP - light a scented candle in a bathroom to get rid of smells. They burn off all nasty air bourne molecules and leave a homely scent.

Is cleanliness next to godliness?

2009-10-27T10:12:00.006Z

We've always known that cleaning makes you happier..but it seems that it also makes people fairer and more generous.

According to a new university study, those who live in clean homes are more moral then messy people. The research even found that with a few sprays of a lemon scented cleaner there was a massive improvement in ethical behaviour.

Apparently, morality and cleanliness can go hand in hand.

You can make up your own mind - all we know is that 98% of you feel happier when you have a clean, clutter free home - so get cleaning!

Check out the full article here Daily Mail online

Living with Children

2009-10-23T10:09:00.008+01:00

Family homes can be the messiest and hardest to clean. No, Vileda can't help you live like the Waltons or the Brady Bunch, but they can help you keep the household workload to a minimum.

A great way to do this is to rope the kids into doing their bit - and you can make the chores fun! Most young children love to 'play mum' and do a little bit dusting. Older children can organise their own rooms, put toys in boxes and even make their own beds!

Cleaning is a great way to help them learn about independence! I found this online article which has plenty of tips ivillage parenting

Lindsey Taylor - Clever Clean Team

2009-10-21T17:53:00.000+01:00

Sharing information about green cleaning

2009-10-21T16:51:00.003+01:00

As dedicated followers of all eco-news we found a great blog and website that we just had to share, which contains hundreds of green cleaning tips for all areas of the home.

It offers great ideas about how to clean your fridge or carpet in an eco friendly way, using products you would have at home already.

A Naturals kitchen cloth would be perfect to use to wipe the inside of the fridge with baking soda, this also removes stains and bad odours.

Have a look for this and other great tips at Eco friendly cleaning.

ECO TIPS!

2009-10-14T16:41:00.003+01:00

Using non-toxic cleaning fluids will help give you a greener clean. Lemon juice is a domestic lifesaver for really stubborn stains - when combined with vinegar it can make a fantastic cleaning paste or put lemon juice in some water and microwave for 10 mins to reduce microwave smells!

Another great tip is to buy high quality, durable cleaning cloths that will last longer and can be washed over and over again - reducing the need to buy new ones. Try the Vileda Naturals range..when they get dirty just pop them in the washing machine!

The Heart of the Home.....

2009-10-08T11:59:00.008+01:00

The heart of the home is the kitchen and it requires thorough cleaning to keep it hygienic for food preparation. Wash dishes using an eco friendly washing-up liquid and don’t forget to protect hands with gloves such as Vileda’s Comfort & Care.

Hint! An icy freezer uses more energy. Defrost regularly to be more energy efﬁcient and save on
electricity bills.