We’ve all learnt a few things over the last three months: a food shop doesn’t last as long as you first hoped it would, dust picks up very quickly and plates and cups build up quicker than you’d think within a day.

With more of us spending more time at home during the day, it is easy to see how quickly mess can build up. We’ve got some top tips to not only keep your apartment tidy, but fresh and clean too.

Our number one tip for cleaning is to do it little and often. A quick tidy up can transform a space and prevents mess and dirt from building up.

If you really don’t feel like cleaning (but definitely need to) put some music on and set yourself a cleaning challenge with a time limit. Set a timer for 15 minutes and see how much you can get done in that time. Keep cleaning everything you can until your timer ends, and then write a list of the things you did not get time to do. The next time you set a timer, you can get straight to those jobs. It is surprising the amount you can do in 15 minutes, and how quickly the time goes.

Top tip: Cleaning baskets!

It’s a good idea to have all of your products handy for the room you are cleaning. Having a kitchen basket and a bathroom basket keeps your products on hand when you need them. Here are some recommended products:

Kitchen must haves

All purpose cleaner is great for wiping down worktops and cupboard doors. Look for an anti-bacterial spray to keep germs away.

Dishmatic brushes are great for washing the dishes, fill the dispensing handle with washing up liquid and away you go. It makes light work of your pots and pans.

Soda Crystals are great to have around. They can be used to clean and remove stains from chopping boards, great as they do not leave any smell or taste once rinsed away. Clean stains from cups and remove bad smells from your fridge by leaving a small cup full of Soda Crystals in there. Always remember to use carefully and follow dilution instructions. You can pick up a bag at any large supermarket.

Bathroom must haves

Flash Bathroom with Febreze is our absolute bathroom must have. It prevents water marks as well as soap residue from building up. Even more importantly, it is scented with Febreze so your bathroom will sparkle AND smell amazing.

Antibacterial surface wipes are always handy to have around. Look out for plastic free wipes as they’re much better for the environment.

Dettol disinfectant sprays are also a must have cleaning essential. They can be used on door handles, rubbish bins, taps, shower bases and even upholstery and car seats. It helps to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses - killing 99.9% of bacteria on both hard and soft surfaces, whist fragrancing the air.

This might seem like a strange one, but don’t throw away your old toothbrush! Toothbrushes are amazing at cleaning grout in the bathroom and getting rid of any soap residue.

Clean in a clockwise motion

Instagram sensation (and serious cleaning motivator) Mrs Hinch taught us the clockwise clean. Start by the door of your room and work in a clockwise motion. Doing this will ensure that everything has been taken care of. Save hoovering for last as you will be knocking dust onto the floor.

Clean as you go

Another tip is to clean as you go – washing your dishes as you are cooking means you should have minimal wishing-up once you have finished eating.

Clean your mirrors

An often-overlooked task but can make a huge difference to your space. Clean mirrors make rooms look bigger and brighter. Our best tip is to use white vinegar on your mirrors along with a microfibre cloth. White vinegar leaves a streak free finish, a microfibre cloth will not leave any small fragments of cloth on your mirror.

We hope these tips have given you some inspiration to get cleaning! A menial task but we can all agree, it is well worth doing. Show us your gleaming apartments by tagging us in your pictures!