Cleaning agents such as detergents can smoothen the cleaning process by removing dirt and giving floors and furniture greater shine, without so much elbow grease from you.

However, do use them correctly. Just because a bleach solution works great on the cement floor outside, it does not mean that you can apply it to your marble surfaces inside without causing permanent damage.

Supermarket shelves are bursting with all kinds of specialised cleaning products. There’s no way to know all about everything available, so you must always read the label. Find out what kind of materials and surfaces the product is designed to clean or shine. Use only on those surfaces specified, and follow the usage instructions carefully.

If a new product interests you, but the directions seem vague, contact the manufacturer or check the company website for further details and contact numbers so that you can find out how best to use the product.

Most commercial brands do state clearly the types of flooring and surfaces they are meant for: wood, marble, ceramic, terrazzo and so on. Please let the labels guide you. Always test a new product on an inconspicuous corner of the floor or furniture first, so that any discoloration or damage that may occur is kept to an absolute minimum.

If you just want to clean with water, heed this general guideline: keep things as dry as possible; never flood an area with water unless it is specifically designed to cope with such wetness (eg shower floors, outdoor areas).

Most indoor flooring, particularly that made from wood, marble or other porous natural stone, will warp and stain if too much water gets on and stays on it.