Cleaning is not a favourite activity, let alone subject. During a recent survey it was found that 50% of you 'dislike or detest' it and for the few that do 'manage' to enjoy cleaning, thanks for your tips and tricks!

Tricks first - I'm still laughing - share these with your girlfriends.

Trick One - use 'get well' cards for times when family/friends drop by - pop them on the mantle and they'll ask "who's unwell?" - you can use the line, "me, that's why the place is a mess"!!!!

Trick Two - keep a couple of large garbage bags in a drawer close to the front door. Very quickly you can work through the house and throw everything in that's in the wrong place and then throw the bags behind the sofa. I watched this being demonstrated on NBC at 4.30am (feeding Patrick days) - I've tried it ...it works, but, it is a trick!

Trick Three - consider cleaning as an exercise. Work fast, hold the tummy muscles in and time yourself!

Tips - with the first being the most popular.

1. Employ a Cleaner - it's that simple. Make them your friend and they'll look after your home. If you're a working women or can rationalise the cost, invest in a cleaner. (More on cleaners below.)
2. Multi purpose products carried around in a bucket with sponges, clothes etc and a mini-vacuum - visit one room once.
3. Open all windows once a week - this prevents mould and mildew.
4. Start training your kids - they can earn their pocket-money as they clean.
5. Visit Flylady.com - an interesting site that offers suggestions for that extra domesticity in you (or missing in you).

Popular products - An array of products were mentioned (some of you must have large cupboards). The following two were mentioned several times:

• Enjo - yellow glass cloth
• Pledge 'grab it cloths' - not sure where these are available, but I'll assume in supermarkets

I couldn't live without my Melaleuca:

• Glass cleaner (Clear Power) - spray and wipe with a clean cotton cloth and it dries with NO streaks (we have numerous glass tables, window and mirror doors and great for the car).
• Tub n' Tile - spray and wipe in the bathrooms (we have 3), laundry and kitchen with no deathly fumes!

I suppose the best thing about Melaleuca is the ability to return the items if they don't work! When you change to eco-sense (chemical free) products, we suggest putting every single product that is used for cleaning into a box in a cupboard for three months while testing out the new products. You'd be amazed when you look at all the cleaning products you've collected!

40% of you employ one or two Cleaners. Prices range from A$15 to A$40 per hour - that's a huge range (this includes contributions from the UK). Activities range from vacuuming and dusting to the other end of the continuum, changing beds, cleaning windows and ironing. Accessing good cleaners is extremely difficult and their product usage isn't a concern except for the requirement of Enjo use in one household!

Blissful thoughts ... Louise