Kim Woodburn's top cleaning tips - including '10 minutes a day'

Daily Mirror

19-06-2025

TV star sadly died following a short illness aged 83, with the cleaning legend sharing her top tips on the Channel 4 show 'How Clean is Your House?'
TV's tough-talking queen of clean, Kim Woodburn, famed for her role on Channel 4's 'How Clean is Your House?', has died aged 83 after a short illness.
Alongside Aggie MacKenzie, she became well-known for scolding the proprietors of grubby residences with sharp wit and tough love.
‌
With her trademark plaited bun and no-nonsense attitude, Kim garnered legions of fans and shared invaluable cleaning advice for keeping homes spotless.
‌
Kim passed away following a brief illness, an announcement by her representative confirmed, and together with MacKenzie, she brought order to chaotic homes on their hit show, dispensing nuggets of wisdom throughout, reports the Express.
Her former co-host reflected: "Kim was a tormented soul, but now she's finally at peace. We clashed often. Behind the fierce persona was deep pain and incredible strength. She survived because she had to. I hope she's resting now. She was an unforgettable woman."
'How Clean is Your House', which aired from 2003 to 2009, opened doors to literary and endorsement deals, and saw Kim appear in various reality TV series.
In 2017, Woodburn entered the Celebrity Big Brother house and recently featured in E4's 'Celebrity Cooking School' in 2022.
Confirming her passing, her manager said: "It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness.
‌
Five cleaning tips in memory of the scrubbing sensation:
Opt for the natural approach.
She championed natural cleaning methods, and instead of using harsh chemicals she uses kitchen staples like baking soda and white vinegar. These items became synonymous with her advice over the years, thanks to their skin-friendly properties and less abrasive nature for domestic cleaning.
Just 10 minutes every day.
In a 2022 interview, the Queen of Clean emphasised the importance of daily maintenance to prevent your home from ending up like the ones on the telly: "10 minutes every day and you can keep everything manageable".
‌
She advocated for a 'little and often' routine, urging folk to dedicate just ten minutes a day or alternatively to "clean as you go".
Focus on the kitchen.
Woodburn stated that instant attention to messes and regular wiping of appliances is crucial in the kitchen. She particularly stressed wiping down the inside of your fridge every two months using a rag moistened with warm water and bicarb soda.
"When you start going over that timeframe, by God, you're asking for trouble," she stated. Besides disposing of leftover food, it's crucial to carry out these cleaning tasks to prevent drawing flies or even worse – attracting the attention of pets.
‌
Opt for a damp duster.
This technique captures dust effectively and prevents it from scattering throughout your dwelling. Once finished, let it air dry and then give it a good shake outside or toss any collected debris into the rubbish bin.
Lay down the rules when having a party.
In regards to throwing a house party, Woodburn's advice was succinct: simply don't have one. To her, a gathering signified nothing but dirty troublemakers causing chaos in her cleansed space.
Nonetheless, if you chose to overlook her cautionary words and proceeded with your plans, her directive remained straightforward.
Before the festivities commence, declare: "This is what's going to happen. I love you, but if you're not willing to adhere to these rules, mate, you can't come."