They get greasy really quickly (and when oily drops start falling on the hob below, you know it’s time for action).

Most can go in the dishwasher on a hot wash, but if you don’t have one give them a good soak overnight in a hot strong washing soda solution – about a cup of crystals to 600ml hot water.

If they’re too big for the sink, stick them in the bath (line with a towel to stop scratches). If they’re still a bit greasy renew the solution and get the last of the gunk off with a nylon brush.

This is caused by water sitting there.

You need to rub the grooves with very fine grade wire wool dipped in white spirit.

Dry off and coat with a mix of one-third boiled linseed oil (from a DIY shop) mixed with two-thirds white spirit, using a soft cloth. Leave overnight then remove any excess.

Do this every six months or so to keep the wood looking good.

Condensation can be a big problem in cooler months, and this can lead to mould, which as well as being unsightly can be very bad for your health (the sprores given off can land in your lungs and cause respiratory problems).

Make sure your walls are as well insulated as possible. Keep the place warm and don’t allow the temperature to drop dramatically and turn the heating to low instead of off if nights are very cold.

Keep moisture production to a minimum by closing the kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking or running a bath.

If you’re drying clothes indoors try to leave a window open a little; if you use a tumble drier the door should be well sealed and the drier vented to the outside.

If you see holes appearing in items made of either wool or silk, it might not be moths to blame – it could be your detergent.

Biological powder, which contains enzymes, will attack wool and silk. It says on the box that you shouldn’t use it for those fabrics, but how many of us read detergent instructions?

Always wash those items in a gentle detergent specifically for delicate fabrics.

If you have woodlice inside your house, it’s because these (harmless) creatures are looking for shelter (but their presence does indicate damp).

Tackle the damp and remove items such as plants, leaf litter or stacks of logs from outside walls then fill in gaps between skirting boards and replace loose or damaged mortar.

There’s been a lot of talk in the past year about numbers of bedbugs increasing dramatically.

They’re the size of a match head, can be transported in luggage and live in such places as mattresses, joinery cracks and under wallpaper, coming out at night to feed on human blood…and bites can be nasty.

They’re nigh-on impossible to get rid of by yourself, so I’d advise contacting pest control experts.

Although silverfish are harmless, they give me the creeps.

They’re long, flat insects that lurk in damp corners during the day and at night dart about, laying their eggs in cracks.

To get rid of them, you need to use an insecticide and treat the damp. Check for leaks, fix dodgy plumbing and keep the place clean and clear of stacks of boxes and old papers.

Your bathroom and kitchen should also be well ventilated.

I can’t stand mice, and when I discovered they’re incontinent, weeing wherever they roam, that didn’t help. 

Any rodent expert will give you the same advice: leave not a crumb of food out, and that includes keeping floors well swept.

If they have no food, they’ll go elsewhere.

Also they can enter through the tiniest openings, and run up walls, so bung up all gaps with wire wool sprinkled with peppermint oil.

Apparently urine was commonly used in the past for cleaning metals such as brass (it’s said that soldiers used this method).

Good to know that even if you’re right out of vinegar or Brasso, you won’t be stuck!

The more recent models have removable plates you can put in the dishwasher, but if not, this is what you do.

While still warm, unplug the machine and spray cooking surfaces with plain water then wipe with scrunched-up kitchen roll.

Just keep spraying and wiping till all the grot is gone.

If you’ve left the grill to get cold, just reheat it before cleaning.