Households urged to pour one 35p kitchen staple in dishwashers to get them sparkling

If you’ve ever returned from a holiday to find an army of ants transporting cake crumbs across your kitchen worktops, the whiff of stinky bins, pongy plug-holes or just a general sense of mustiness and mess, you’ll know it’s not the best welcome home. The good news? All it takes is a small amount of easy pre-departure prep to ensure you open the door to a house that feels fresh, tidy and inviting - so you feel happy to be home.

CLEAN UP CRUMBS

Cleaning influencer Anna Louisa (@anna_louisa_at_home), who has 1.2 million followers on TikTok and 4.2 million followers on Instagram, says it’s vital you clear away crumbs and food debris from floors and surfaces before heading off on your hols.

“Give the house a quick vacuum or sweep, especially around the kitchen and dining areas to remove any food remnants, or you risk returning to a trail of ants,” says Anna, author of new book, The 5 Minute Clean Routine. “Wipe down worktops, too, to ensure there are no food remnants left behind. Even small crumbs or sticky spots can attract pests or start to smell if left for several days.”

READ MORE: ‘I’m a cleaning influencer - a simple everyday product has transformed my home'

DON’T LEAVE A DIRTY DISHWASHER

“Run a hot dishwashercycle to make sure there’s no trapped food in your appliance,” advises Anna. “Leave the door slightly open to prevent a stale smell from developing."

It also doesn't need to cost much to make sure the dishwasher is free of grease, residue and old food - in fact, buying one five litre canister of white vinegar (£6.99 from B&Q), will last a long time. Anna suggests: "For a deeper clean, use a dishwasher tablet or place a mug of white vinegar on the top rack during an empty cycle.”

TREAT THE TOILET

“For fresh toilets, clean as usual with toilet cleaner, including under the rim and around the seat and cistern,” says Kerry Hale, cleaning expert at Mira Showers. “Drop in a toilet cleaning tablet before you leave. If you’re away for a long break, seal the toilet bowl with clingfilm and close the lid.” This can prevent water in the plumbing trap of your toilet from evaporating, which can allow sewer gases and unpleasant smells to escape into the home.

LOCATE DIRTY DISHES

“Collect any dirty mugs, glasses or plates from around the house and wash them - don’t forget to check in bedrooms and living areas where you might have snacked,” she says. “Leaving dishes unwashed can lead to mould and unpleasant smells which can attract insects.”

BLITZ BINS

“Empty all household bins, particularly the kitchen bin,” says Anna. “It’s a good idea to rinse that out with hot soapy water and leave the lid open to air out. A sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda at the bottom can help absorb lingering smells.”

RAID THE FRIDGE

“Check the fridge for any perishables that might go off while you’re away such as things like soft fruit, dairy, and leftovers,” says Anna. Eat, bin or donate anything that won’t be good by the time you get back. “Wipe down the shelves with a mild cleaner like diluted washing up liquid. Leaving a small bowl of bicarbonate of soda inside can help keep odours at bay too.”

AIR THE WASHING MACHINE

Try to do as much laundry as you can before you leave, especially if you have gym gear waiting to be washed. Leave sweaty clothes crammed in the laundry basket and they’ll retain moisture, which provides a breeding ground for mildew, mould and smelly bacteria. “After doing a wash, leave your washing machine door slightly open to allow air to circulate, and water to evaporate,” says Anna. “It helps prevent mould, bacteria and musty smells from developing. If there’s time, wipe the rubber seal and detergent drawer clean.”

SHINE THE SHOWER

“Rinse and wipe down your shower before your holiday to prevent soap scum from building up and hardening when you’re on holiday,” says Kerry. “Chemicals can harm your shower and fittings, so to protect against limescale while you’re away, simply spray warm soapy water on the showerhead, leave for 10 minutes and rinse clean. Leave the shower door slightly ajar to keep air flowing through and prevent musty smells.”

PURIFY YOUR PLUGHOLE

Any leftover food scraps that accumulate in the kitchen sink or plughole can cause a stink as they decompose. The same goes for grease, hair and soap scum in your bathroom sink, so make sure you clear away all debris from sinks and plugholes, says Anna. “Pouring some bicarbonate of soda followed by white vinegar down the drain can freshen things up while you’re away,” she says. Kerry also advises pouring a few drops of essential oil down the drain before you leave.

LET YOUR BED BREATHE

House dust mites, known to worsen asthma, eczema and various allergies, thrive in the warm, humid environment of our beds. They feed off our shed skin cells and absorb moisture from our perspiration. By stripping the bed and exposing the mattress to light and air while you’re away, you can help remove moisture, meaning that any dust mites present will dehydrate and eventually die. Just make sure you have freshly-washed, clean sheets ready and waiting to make up the bed when you get home.

Alternatively, if you’re returning home super late from holiday and will just want to go straight to sleep, make up your bed with clean bedlinen before you go and tuck a couple of scented tumble dryer sheets between the sheet and mattress protector to maintain a fresh scent for when you return.

FLOWER POWER

Change out old flower water for fresh in any vases of cut blooms you plan to leave behind while you’re away. Make sure you trim away any leaves and other foliage below the water line to prevent bacterial growth. This will not only shorten the life of your flowers, but also make the water smell foul, rather than floral.

KEEP FRUIT FRESH

Store leftover fruit from a fruit bowl in the fridge or freezer. If you leave fruit out in the open at room temperature, it can quickly ripen and become mouldy. Ripe, fermenting fruit attracts pests such as fruit flies that feed on the fruit and lay their eggs on it. If you do decide to leave the fruit in a bowl, add some basil leaves - they act as a natural fruit fly deterrent.