Libby Denney, 28, has been cleaning houses professionally for more than 10 years, so knows where dirt lingers. She has created a "dirty list" of things she says are either extremely unhygienic or require unnecessary maintenance - which she'd never have in her own home.

The list of no-go items includes any form of toilet brush, wooden toilet seats, "dust magnet" freestanding baths, "filthy" hallway carpets and even dishwashers. Libby also cautions against horizontal blinds and black taps saying without maintenance they can look "tatty" over time - also saying they are a "pain" to clean.

Libby, a mother-of-two from Malton, said: "I would advise against all these items - most are just plain unhygienic, and others require high maintenance - we have enough stress in our lives. I don't recommend a wooden kitchen work surface. There is just a lot of maintenance involved - you'll have to keep sanding it down.

"Also, water and bacteria can seep into it - it can even become mouldy if it is near a tap by sitting water; avoid at all costs."

Libby also suggests steering clear of wooden toilet seats saying they are "incredibly unhygienic".

Controversially, Libby also claims dishwashers can be a hassle too.

"I know it's controversial, but if it isn't cleaned or maintained properly, it starts to smell and build-up dirt around the sides - soap and water does it for me," she said.

Libby also advises staying away from free-standing baths and horizontal blinds as they "build- up immense amounts of dust" and require wiping down "once every couple of days".

"To keep your house clean, you need to be tough with yourself and keep getting rid of items you don't need," she said. "If it was not used in six months, it needs to go. This will all help stop build-up of dust saving you when you could be relaxing instead."

Libby started cleaning professionally aged 18. But after an unsuccessful career change to become a sales assistant, she realised her "passion" lay in cleaning.

Libby opened her business - The Clean Up Company - with her cousin Natasha Smith, 30, in March this year, saying it was "the best decision she had ever made."

Libby's "dirty list"

Wooden kitchen worktops - "Avoid at all cost - mouldy and dirty."

Black Taps - "They can chip and scratch - stick to stainless steel."

Hallway carpet - "It'll get filthy - stick to laminate or tiles."

Wooden toilet seat - "Replace, replace, replace, stick to plastic."

Dishwasher - "If you don't maintain it will just get disgusting - some soap and a bucket of water clean plates just fine."

Anything with a gloss finish - "I've made this mistake, require too much maintenance to keep tidy - you see every mark on the surface - stick to matte."

Toilet brush - "Bin it - just disgusting, let some bleach sit for a few minutes instead."

Freestanding bath - Build up dust, even worse if it is close to a wall, you can't clean behind it."

Horizontal blinds - "They need dusting too often - you don't need this hassle."

Yorkshire cleaning expert reveals the items she'd never have in her own home - including a dishwasher