Barbara Allred was the head housekeeper who oversaw the Sandringham House, Queen Elizabeth's privately owned estate, for 10 years. The royal staff shared some secrets used to make sure the Queen's home was orderly and in accordance to the standards, and here are some of the tips:
In making up the bed and bedroom: "The open end of pillowcases should be inward-facing on the bed - two pillows per person, ideally, for aesthetic purposes. We smooth the duvet, plump the pillows by punching them and carefully fold the bedcover into thirds, concertina-style, so if you're cold at night, you can pull it up easily," she told Daily Mail.
If the cushions are in stripes, these should be arranged in the same direction. The lamps should be symmetrical and both bedside tables should be spaced "identically" next to the bed. Bed-making takes at least 20 minutes to meet the standards.
In cleaning the bathroom: To remove and clean fixture with lime scale buildups, create a paste using salt (2 tablespoons) and white vinegar (one teaspoon). Apply and leave it for 10 minutes before scrubbing off. Use toothbrush or cotton buds for areas like plugholes.
Mildew can be cleaned with a lemon juice and baking powder paste mixed in equal parts. Leave it there for two hours before rinsing everything.
Keep a separate bathroom sponge and gloves specifically for use in this area.
Towels should be folded lengthwise into three and hung on the rail or a cupboard.
Also read: Bathroom Cleaning: 7 Easy Steps To Deep Clean The Bathroom
In cleaning wood furniture: Never ever spray cleaning products directly on the surface. Use a soft cloth instead and follow the same principle for cleaning glass tops and windows.
Dusting surfaces is always better with a damp cloth, so that fine particles are not redistributed, per Glamour.
Other cleaning essentials:
- use cobweb brush for the ceiling
- use hogs hair brush for dusting picture frames
- use cotton balls for silver pieces, not toothbrush
- use toothbrush for cleaning grouts
- use a squeezed out sponge for washing walls
- unscrew light bulbs for dead insects
