Hairbrush: Every time you run your brush through your hair, it picks up dead skin, grease, dust particles and hair product residue. Remove hair strands and gently scrub using a toothbrush with a few drops of shampoo on it. Rinse in a bowl of hot water, taking care not to submerge any part of the soft cushion as this may cause mould. Leave your brush, bristles down, to air dry.

Reusable jars: How many times do you refill the cookie/cereal/sugar/flour jar before you think to wash it out? They are known to carry salmonella, yeast and mould, so make sure you thoroughly wash with detergent and hot water between each use. Take care to clean the rubber seals and allow to air dry.

Remote controls and game controllers: Remove the batteries from the back, then wipe clean with a cotton cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Next, use a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol to carefully clean around the buttons. If there’s grime underneath, use a toothpick to get in the crannies. Dry using a microfibre cloth.

Dish drying rack: The water that drips from your cutlery and plates can cause mould and mildew. Scrub each part with a sponge, detergent and hot water. Make sure you reach deep inside the utensil holder, using a toothbrush to get into every corner. Then, soak each part in a sink of hot water and a tablespoon of bleach. Leave for two minutes, rinse, then leave to air dry.

Fridge drawers: The drawers in your fridge are a hot spot for salmonella, listeria and other nasties. Take out the drawers and wash with a clean sponge and hot water mixed with detergent. Rinse and wipe dry with a clean towel. Also, separate meat from vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.

Can openers: Since most people tend to wipe their can openers clean, they can become hot spots for disease-causing bacteria. If you can, throw into the dishwasher or wash in hot soapy water and allow to air dry. 

Reusable grocery bags: You should be cleaning yours at least once a week. Launder using a cool setting and leave to dry in the sun. Use separate bags for meat, fish or poultry to avoid cross-contamination.

Couch cushions: First, remove the cover and wash separately from the pillow. Pre-treat any stains then machine wash on a delicate wash cycle, along with the pillow itself. Tumble dry or leave to dry in the sun – taking care to fluff back into shape. If the pillow’s foam, rinse clean by hand and gently press out the water before leaving to dry.