Superfast tips for getting on top of summer chores

While I’m typing this the sun is in the sky, and I’m not planning on doing household chores any time soon.

But... the forecast says a few grey days are on the way. Here’s how to beat the housework, quick, before the sun comes out again.

• If you’re planning on cleaning your windows, pick a cloudy day. Strong sun will dry them too quickly and leave them covered in smears.
• Clean your car, and amuse the kids. The bad news is that your car harbours lots of hidden germs, especially if you have children or dogs. Throw open the doors and get busy with a vacuum or one of those chargeable hand-held dust zappers. Wipe down surfaces and crevices with anti-bacterial wipes. Then close all the windows and doors and get everyone to help you hose it down. Ok, you may make a bit of a foamy mess, but it’s way more calorie burning and more fun than sitting in a car wash.
• Give the racks and grill trays in your oven a once-over, in the Great Outdoors. Remove, take them outside, apply oven cleaner, according to the instructions, or a paste made with a little water and lots of bicarbonate of soda. Wrap them in bin bags and leave outside for several hours. Unwrap and wash down with your garden hose (watch out for your prize lawn). They will be sparkling and can air dry in the breeze, before you slot them back into place.
• Cheat and use your dishwasher on a low temperature to clean things like children’s toys and the washing-up brush from your sink. You can even put fridge shelves and boxes for a quick clean. Use New Fairy Ultra Caps with Plastic Protectors for unbeatable cleaning power.
• Use a fabric conditioner sheet to wipe down your TV and other appliances which attract dust. It will help reduce static.
• Deal with a smelly bin. Wash it out and leave to drip dry, tilted up on a brick outside. To keep it smelling of roses on warm summer days pop in a fridge deodoriser before you put in another bin liner.
• Re-organise your plastics shelf. (Can anybody tell me where all those lids disappear to?) If you have a problem with orange stains from tomatoey sauces and soups, try New Fairy Ultra Caps. They get plastics clean and grease-free: the only dishwasher detergent to prevent annoying orange stains, and keep plastics clear.
• Choose a windy day to sort out your linen cupboard, and wash forgotten covers and sheets to freshen them. To reduce ironing, dry them on a line outside, if you can. It’s best not to keep linens in a warm airing cupboard, because it can age them and turn them yellow. Transfer them to somewhere cool and well ventilated and tuck lavender bags or cedar balls, which help deter moths and keep them smelling sweet.