Am I just super slow?

I still use bicarbonate of soda in a pint of water for cleaning the fridge because it doesn't smell and in fact gets rid of any odours.
Washing up liquid or any other cleaner could leave a scent behind.

I do keep mentioning to DH that my father always cleaned the oven but it falls on deaf ears.
However, he does do other household jobs

I don't know whether it's the same one but I saw an ad with 2 women talking about cleaning. Er - where are the men? Why is it assumed it's always women; though of course it often is. However younger generations seem to share it out more. I found this ad really irritating. I think it was someone from Good Housekeeping giving the advice but I could be wrong.

Bicarbonate of soda was always used for cleaning the 'fridge when I was young and also for gargling sore throats with (yuk) I always refused to attempt the gargling!

Ooh, lovely, cheers!

here you are Jalima I'm better at making this!

Yes, not the soda that comes in crystals, the kind that comes in little tubs - bicarbonate of soda - I think baking powder contains it anyway.
I think my link shows it, along with plastering it on your face (no!!). I used it instead of toothpaste a couple of times as recommended and all I got was sore gums.

You'd better throw it on the mattress then Chewbacca, what a pity, I was looking forward to

Yes, maybe it's baking soda, not baking powder but I'm still perplexed how to use that I mattress and sofa.

I promise you Jalima you really wouldn't want one of my cakes!

Chewbacca if it is baking powder you could make us all

I wonder if they mean bicarbonate of soda?
www.popsugar.co.uk/smart-living/How-Deep-Clean-Your-Mattress-42400500

I know that bicarb in water will get rid of stains or smells from little accidents by toddlers, dogs or cats and gets rid of the smell of sick.

But what does the baking powder do? I've got boxes of the stuff and could finally have found a use for it?

I don't always move furniture! (can't, it's too heavy). We don't have animals but it is surprising the little bits of Lego etc you find when you do move the furniture - and other missing things like a set of coasters which disappeared and which remained a mystery for a while .

I probably do the fridge every other week before I put the shopping away in it.

Oh come on Ana please tell all ! My house is in desperate need of a makeover and if it can be done in 5 mins I might just get round to it.

What's with the baking soda on mattresses and sofas? How does that work and what's it supposed to do exactly? Have I been a slovenly householder this past 50 years?

Ha, ha! I've just had an email telling me how to achieve a Spring Makeover for my home in 5 minutes...

(I haven't actually read the content yet - the very idea's ridiculous enough!)

Yes I do my fridge every 10 days or so. I always think the same thing about vacuuming your house in 40 minutes (GTech) they obviously don't have to move any furniture or have children or animals. Or could it just be that I am painfully slow.

ps I do some of those jobs more often than they recommend - clean out the fridge every 3-6 months? Surely it needs doing more often than that!

I must go and get rid of that long, hanging cobweb that keeps annoying me in the conservatory.

Windows could take a whole morning or even a day (we have a conservatory) and that's just the inside.
The oven could take quite a long time too but perhaps if I did it more often it wouldn't take so long

I was puzzled about sprinkling the mattress as I thought you meant with water and that would need to be dried out!
My friend says she strips her bed regularly and sprays it with an insecticide to kill any bed bugs etc and was astonished that I didn't do the same.

There was something in the press the other day about how frequently to do jobs:

www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/institute/household-advice/cleaning-tips/how-often-you-should-clean-everything

I received it too Nandalot and am exhausted just reading it. Takes me the best part of an hour to vacuum the house and dust never mind changing the beds, cleaning the fridge, freezer and ovens (I have 3). Windows take me well over an hour - I challenge anyone to do it faster, and what about the bathrooms and lavatories. No mention of those! As for the baking soda......what the heck is that for?

I have just reread my opening post and realised I omitted the baking soda from sprinkling the mattress! Just sprinkling the mattress seems like making more work.
Have previewed this time.

I think I've just had the same email, Nandalot and I am equally bemused.

I didn't know the tip about using foil to clean oven shelves, though, so that's handy!

I agree with you nandalot it would take me longer than an hour just to clean our windows and we only live in a 2 bedroom flat. ?

I feel tired just reading the words!

In an hour? More like a day, in my case...