How Clean Is Your House Season 5 Episode 8

On the outside of the house, Aggie says, "This doesn't look bad." Kim responds, "It is or we wouldn't have been called." In the lounge they found rubbish bags. In the kitchen, years of old food on the cooker, dark stinky water in the sink (Kim put her hand in the sink to pop the drain to let out the water. She smelled her bracelet that had gotten wet and she remarked how much it now stank.) In the bedroom, the carpet hadn't been vacuumed for two years and was covered in dog hair. Upon moving a pile of rubbish, they found a cleaning rota. Kim smelled a pillow and said, "My teeth are going to fall out!" In the bathroom, Aggie sneezes.. it is so bad.

In talking with Marylyn in the kitche, Kim & Aggie ask why she hasn't been cleaning. Marylyn responded, "I'm allergic to dust." Aggie points to the encrusted cooker and says, "That's not dust."

1. All purpose cleaner recipe for general cleaning such as countertops and cupboards: 2 spoons of bicarbonate of soda, 15 drops of lavender essential oil in one pint of hot water, place in sprayer and spritz on area to be cleaned.

2. Wall tiles: use a steamer machine and clean cloth to clean wall tiles. No chemicals needed!

3. Wooden floors: a cup of chamomile tea, six squirts of hand and face liquid soap and a quarter of a bottle of white vinegar to a bucket of hot water. Dip in clean mop and ring out to almost dry. Wipe floor with the grain. To finish, take a dry mop and buff floor.

4. Stained mugs: rub table salt onto the mug and rub with hot water on a cloth. Rinse thoroughly.

5. Air freshner: 10 parts of vodka and one part of bergamot essential oil, mixing in a small spray bottle. Kim says Vodka is better to use than water because the mixture will keep for a very long time. (Lensmaster note: I personally like the combination of bergamot and grapefruit oils!)

7. Mucky toilet: Pour lemonade in the toilet. Stick toilet paper in lemonade and then wallpaper the sides. Leave for 20 minutes. It's the citric acid that's the key ingredient. Take off paper and throw away (do not try to flush that amount of toilet paper!) Dip pumice stone in lemonade and scrape toilet. It is softer than most scrubbers so it won't scratch.

Earlier, Aggie had taken some swabs and an air sample to demonstrate the dangers of an unclean house to asthmatics. One swab test revealed what was on the sink drain board: the pathogen salmonella while another swab revealed campylobacter. The air sample showed a serious mold problem

Everything has been primped, preened, and polished!

Before, the living room was dark and dingy with no home comforts. Now it is the heart of the family's home.

Before, this stagnant mess of a kitchen was at rock bottom. Now, it is at the height of cleanliness. Marylyn says, "It looks like I got new appliances!"

The bathroom has gone from grimy to well... shiny.

Before, the dust in the bedroom kept Marylyn from having a good night's sleep in years. Now sweet dreams beckon!

The impact of such a change hits Marylyn and she says it is the best thing that has ever happened to her. The following week Marylyn is feeling like a whole new woman. "It has made me realize cleaning can be enjoyable. It has been a fantastic experience."

This lens is created purely for entertainment. If you choose to try any of the cleaning methods mentioned on the show by the lensmaster or by guests, you are on your own. Follow the product manufacturers' directions explicitly. Always use safe products and never ever anything that carries a warning on the MSDS. Wear masks, gloves, full body suits, armor, spacesuits, whatever ya got!