Merry Maids’ resident cleaning expert, Barbara Roberts has some top tips on keeping those domestic whites bright.

Plastic garden furniture
Barbara recommends that you; “spray the white patio furniture down with a garden hose. This will help to remove any loose debris and will get it wet enough to begin the cleaning process. Fill a bucket with warm water, and add four tablespoons of dishwasher powder. Use a scrubbing? brush to apply the solution to the white patio furniture. Scrub the furniture with the solution until it comes clean, giving it a final rinse with the hose. To remove mildew and/or tough stains that refuse to budge, use bathroom mildew cleaner that contains bleach. Spray the patio furniture with the mildew cleaner, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Use a plastic scourer? to remove the stains, followed by a rinse with the garden hose.

White towels
Barbara says; “mix together four tablespoons of powdered dishwasher detergent and 4.5L of hot water. Soak your whites for an hour then launder as normal. Always ensure you wash your white towels separately to other coloured towels.”

White net or voile curtains
Barbara advises to always check the washing instructions before you start laundering as voiles and nets tend to be hand-wash only. Wash in lukewarm water with a mild laundry detergent, avoid adding bleach, but try a specialist curtain whitener; Glo Care, Dylon and Dr Beckmann all have net curtain whitening products. Once you have washed them, hang them outside to dry. Do not use the tumble dryer as this can cause them to shrink and the sun is a great whitening agent. If you wish to iron them, do so on a low setting.

For more information or specific advice visit www.merrymaids.co.uk or call 0800 021 3072.