The smart person’s guide to spring cleaning

Tool

Where to use it

Helpful hint(s)

All-purpose brush with handle grip

Floors

Let the cleaning solution do most of the work, by letting it sit for a few minutes before you start scrubbing.

Test it in an inconspicuous spot to make sure the stiff bristles don’t scratch.

Angled broom

Floors

Hold to one side and use short strokes to sweep away from you.

Use a hand vac to pick up the dust behind where the lip of the dustpan meets the floor.

Angled, soft-bristle toilet bowl brush

Bathrooms

Use a twisting motion to swab the bowl, under the rim and as much of the trapway as you can.

Spray or sprinkle cleaner directly onto brush, and don’t rush to flush. Toilet bowl cleaners take time to work.

Grout brush

Grout lines

Spray cleaner on grout, let it sit, and then scrub using a back and forth motion.

Also use the brush to clean the grunge in the tracks of a shower door and around the base of the toilet, and to eliminate mineral stains that collect near sink drains.

Lambswool duster

Large surfaces, including walls

Use it instead of a feather duster.

Vacuum your duster after each use to get rid of debris trapped in the fibers.

Microfiber cloth

Dusting and polishing surfaces and furniture

Soft, fluffy cloths hold dust, minimizing the potential to scratch surfaces. Use less absorbent flat-weave ones for cleaning and polishing glass and hard surfaces.

Don’t drench your cloth with a cleaning solution— only slightly dampen it.

Sponge mop and bucket

Hardwood or tile floors

Mop with a double-pail bucket or two buckets so you don’t dirty the water you’re trying to clean with.

Always use hot water so dirt will dissolve.

Squeegee

Windows and mirrors

Work top to bottom, and never use a squeegee on a dry surface.

A squeegee is best if you want lint- and streak-free windows.

Toilet plunger

Bathroom

If needed, add some water to the bowl to loosen a slow or clogged toilet.

Plungers work best when totally submerged.

Out-of-the-ordinary tools

Cloth diaper

Surfaces

Use it as a dusting cloth that won’t scratch surfacess

Credit card (expired, of course)

This is an ideal way to scrape off baked-on messes in the oven or microwave.

Damp socks

All over

These serve as inexpensive wipes to gently get dust off houseplants.

Rain-X

Bathroom

An unusual treatment for shower doors, this product helps repel water and keeps the surface cleaner longer

Sticky lint stick

Family room, living room, etc.

A readymade removal tool for pet fur, say from the couch or other furniture

White-cotton gloves (look for lint-free white inspection gloves)

All over

The gloves are a fast way to dust window blinds and chandeliers.