I'm a big fan of BBC America's 'How Clean Is Your House?'.  People write in and nominate their friend's, relatives or neighbors who have very dirty homes, and Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie go pay them a visit and help them clean the place up.

There have been some FILTHY homes on that show.  Nasty, dirty, smelly, moldy....people who have had poo and pee smeared all over their toilet bowls and walls, mildew in all the wondows, laundry piled up 6' high, pee stained couches and carpets and mattresses.....there have been some homes on that show that have literally put me off my supper.

I've got some very good cleaning tips from them.  I think that the best one was using what the Brits call 'biological' laundry detergent on burnt-on stovetop burners.  I found that Oxydol - which is a pretty cheap detergent - works well; it has an enzyme in it that eats up any grease or burnt-on food.  I use it on the burner grates and covers when the kids have let something boil over and have continued cooking without cleaning it up.  I put a half a measure in a sink of very hot water, immerse the grates or whatever needs cleaned in it, and leave it for half an hour (or longer, depending on how much time I have).  It never fails; the burnt-on mess literally wipes right off with very little to no scrubbing involved (and thereby less damage to your stove).  You can also make a paste out of the detergent powder and some water and apply it right to your stovetop if necessary. 

So, that's my best cleaning tip.  What's yours?