Knowing a few of these tricks will help when trying to avoid expensive chemical cleaners.

When you have kids around, the home tends to accumulate stains and marks quickly. Wallpaper particularly attracts smears which can be removed by using a piece of rolled up white bread in the same way that you would use an eraser, whilst crayon marks can be removed by dabbing with a small amount of mineral oil on a cloth. A non-aerosol hairspray can be used to remove ink stains.

Mineral oil also works to wipe away sticky marks left by stickers and tapes, and will also remove stains left by candle wax. Vinegar works well removing price stickers and labels when applied liberally to the sticker, then rubbed off after ten minutes. To remove stick on hooks from walls or doors, dab vinegar around the area with a sponge, so that it can spread behind the hook and loosen the adhesive.

To treat water stains on wooden surfaces, use a paste of salt and olive oil, wiping off with a dry cloth and buffing. An alternative method is to apply toothpaste to the stain, then wipe off with a cloth and buff once it has dried. Scratches on wooden surfaces can be masked by rubbing with the meat of a walnut.

Suede furniture with stains can be cleaned with an art-gum eraser, then an emery board to buff the area slightly.