Danielle Mason's Traveller-Inspired Cleaning Hacks Revealed
Radio presenter Danielle Mason has unveiled a series of professional cleaning techniques passed down to her from the family of her former partner, cage fighter Tony Giles. The younger half-sister of EastEnders star Jessie Wallace was in an on-and-off relationship with Giles from 2010 to 2019, during which they welcomed two children, Rudy, 14, and Delilah, 12.
Throughout her romance with Tony, which included a wedding ceremony featured on My Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, and the two years she lived within the traveller community, Danielle refined her expertise in domestic cleaning. Mentored extensively by Tony's mother over many years, she learned what she describes as the 'tricks of the trade'. This cultural immersion involved rising at 7am daily to clean thoroughly while her partner was at work.
The cleaning regimen was exhaustive, encompassing not just the interior of the home but also external tasks such as hosing down the roof, cleaning outside windows every day, and scrubbing exterior porches. Danielle has since transformed this knowledge into a successful business, known to her Instagram followers as Miss Mason Cleaning, and has even undertaken presenting roles on QVC.
After years of polishing windows, removing water stains from showers, steam cleaning oven grease, and maintaining a strict no-shoes policy indoors, Danielle is now sharing the top-secret tips imparted by Tony's mother and the wider traveller community.
Danielle's Domestic Cleaning Tips
Streak-Free Windows: Danielle explained that while she cleaned windows on Mondays, they often required attention again by Tuesday due to children in the community leaving sticky fingerprints. Her solution is simple and economical: use a damp cloth dipped in a bucket of hot water mixed with washing-up liquid. 'Most women do the windows outside the chalet every day because the kids come along and stick their sticky fingers on it,' she noted.
Fluffy Towels: To ensure her family enjoyed hotel-quality comforts, Danielle maintained towels that were exceptionally fluffy. After use, she recommends filling the washing machine drum halfway, using half the normal detergent amount, adding a few drops of white vinegar, and running a cycle at 40°C. Following the wash, towels should be tumble-dried with fragrance balls for added freshness.
Hotel-Crisp Sheets: The secret to achieving crisp, hotel-standard bedding lies in the drying process rather than the washing. Danielle advises air-drying sheets first, smoothing out any creases while they are still damp. Just before they are completely dry, steam iron them and finish with a spritz of scented linen spray.
Couch Cleaning: Within the traveller community, having a messy home was considered embarrassing. With Tony's extended family living nearby in accompanying chalets, unexpected visits were common, necessitating immaculate living spaces. To keep sofas clean and plump, Danielle wipes the fabric with a mixture of perfumed cleaner and hot water. For longer-lasting freshness, she recommends wiping over the top and around cushions or wrapping them in plastic. For weathered sofas, use a fabric cleaner, followed by a steam cleaner, and finish with a wipe-down using fabric softener.
Red Wine Stains: Accidental spills can be tackled effectively with a cost-effective method. Blot the liquid with a thick cloth, cover the area with salt, and leave it overnight. The next day, hoover up the residue and wipe the spot with white vinegar.
Degreasing the Oven: Oven cleaning can be arduous, but Danielle's method reduces effort significantly. For a deep clean, make a paste from baking soda and water, spread it over the oven interior, and leave it overnight. In the morning, spray with white vinegar and use a steam cleaner to finish. For daily maintenance, chop lemons, place them in a dish with hot water, and steam the inside of the cooker. 'Lemons and white vinegar are the tricks of the trade,' she confirmed.
Watermarks on Shower Walls: Removing limescale from shower glass can be time-consuming and strenuous. Danielle swears by using Viakal limescale spray combined with white vinegar. Spray the mixture onto the glass panes, leave it overnight, and wipe away in the morning.
Pan Cleaning: Saucepans and frying pans often develop stubborn stains and a blackened base after months of use. Instead of vigorous scrubbing with steel wool, Danielle uses an old toothbrush to apply Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Paste, gently brushing away grime to restore pans to a like-new condition.
Danielle emphasised that white vinegar is a key, inexpensive product for addressing most domestic cleaning needs. She also highlighted that within the traveller community, cleaning skills are taught from a very young age, with toddlers playing at cleaning and girls often capable of cleaning an entire home properly by age 12. Her daughter continues to learn these techniques when visiting her grandmother.
Danielle first gained public attention on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and has worked as a glamour model, also appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2008. Her journey from traveller life to cleaning entrepreneur showcases how traditional methods can inspire modern domestic solutions.
