Your home suffers a lot of wear and tear each day. It’s normal to see hints of damage here and there – but wouldn’t it be nicer without them. What can you do to clear up after a minor domestic catastrophe?

Whether it’s damage that comes from repeated use, or a one-off accident that’s left a mark, little flaws around the home can detract from all your good intentions. Everything seems nicely decorated, and then your eyes drift to a horrible scratch or a stain in the carpet. It can be difficult to know how to fix these problems without making them worse.

Well, every blemish needs its own solution – but the solutions are out there. Did you know that petroleum jelly is ideal for getting rid of mug rings on tables? It’s just one of many surprising household uses this weird substance has!

Bigger disasters, like spilling wax on your carpet, can be dealt with using easy-to-find tools. With wax, the best thing to do is to cover the spillage with kitchen paper, and heat it up with a hairdryer. Once the towel is saturated with wax, replace it with it with a fresh one and do it again. Keep trying until the wax is all gone – it shouldn’t take long.

You never know where the next bit of damage is going to appear. We’ve put together a new infographic, with easy instructions on how to deal with a number of common mishaps around the home.

It might sometimes feel like your house has a life of its own. With these handy tips, you’ll be ready to give it a little tender loving care whenever required.