Twenty-three of our most exceptional and intelligent cleaning techniques ever.
Over the years, we've shared our best guidance for dealing with household chores, and it's been heartening to hear from readers who've used these time-tested techniques to swiftly tackle tasks like cleaning windows, polishing furniture, and eliminating stains. Keeping your living space in top shape is an ongoing task that requires constant adaptation, and the strategies used to accomplish daily tasks are constantly evolving. We're sharing our top cleaning tips and suggestions to refresh the areas you use most at home.
1 of 23## Polishing Furniture
Many contemporary wooden furniture pieces are protected by a polyurethane coating, but for older items, nothing compares to wax for shielding against dust and moisture. Buy paste wax, the solid kind that's typically sold in tins. Clear (natural) wax works on any wood, but dark wood may benefit from colored wax (it will conceal minor scratches more effectively).
- Start by cleaning with a mild solvent, such as mineral spirits (test first in a hidden spot).
- Coat the piece with a thin, even layer of wax using a cotton rag or cheesecloth.
- Allow the wax to dry for 25 minutes before vigorously buffing.
2 of 23## Minimizing Dampness
Make sure surfaces are clean, improve air circulation if possible, and reduce humidity (for instance, don't leave wet towels bunching up). In inadequately ventilated basements, install open shelving, utilize a dehumidifier and fan, and store items in airtight plastic containers with desiccants (such as silica gel). In musty closets, leave an incandescent lightbulb on to dry the air or hang packets of desiccants.
3 of 23## Removing Wine Stains
Red wine stains can be a reminder of good times, but they can also be a hassle to remove. On delicate fabrics, soak the spot with denatured alcohol. Flush the area with white vinegar to remove any lingering stains.
On sturdy fabrics, however, sprinkle salt on the stain; let it sit for five minutes before pouring boiling water over the stain from a height of at least a foot.
4 of 23## Dusting Techniques
Think beyond the classic feather duster: The oils in a lambswool duster help attract and hold dust, while one with an extendable handle enables you to reach ceiling fans and other fixtures. A basic wide paintbrush (look for one with natural bristles) can reach into all sorts of nooks; use it to remove dust from a lampshade's pleats. Electrostatic mitts and cloths are excellent for a variety of jobs—the material clings to dust; try them on wooden furniture.
5 of 23## Removing Wax
Candles set a romantic atmosphere for a dinner party, but dripped wax is not charming. To remove it from tabletops, heat with a blow-dryer on the lowest setting for several seconds; then scoop up the residue using the edge of a credit card before buffing away the remains.
On fabrics, freeze the wax with ice, or place the item in the freezer; remove as much as you can, then use an oil solvent or mineral spirits to remove any remaining residue. Rinse with isopropyl alcohol, let dry, and use an enzyme detergent to wash.
6 of 23## Caring for Marble
For routine cleaning, sponge marble with warm water and a mild, neutral detergent. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Wipe up spills promptly; acids in alcohol and fruit juices are particularly damaging. Marble often comes with a protective sealer that helps prevent staining; reapply coating (available at hardware stores) once a year. For tough stains, try a poultice treatment (also available at hardware stores); reseal the stone afterward.
7 of 23## Washing Pillows, Blankets, and Down
Rather than hiring a professional cleaner, you can safely clean many down-filled items yourself. You'll need a low-sudsing, mild detergent. One method: Machine-wash in a large front-loading washer, or handwash in a tub of lukewarm water and detergent. You'll have to gently squeeze soapy water through the item; drain water. Rinse with cool water; repeat as needed.
To dry machine- or hand-washed items, first use a washer's spin cycle to release excess water, or press out water by hand. Then tumble-dry on low. Adding dry towels will speed up the drying process; tennis balls or commercial fluffing rings in cotton socks will help keep feather clusters fluffy.
8 of 23## Cleaning Your Refrigerator Deeply
You'll need to clean up spills right away to prevent staining—otherwise, every few months, wash the interior with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda for every quart of warm water. Wash removable shelves and drawers in the same solution (let glass shelves come to room temperature first so warm water won't crack them).
To loosen stubborn spills on areas that can't be removed, first wet the area using the baking soda solution, and allow the residue to soften. If it's hard to reach, try using a toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies. Twice a year, vacuum or brush the dust from the condenser coils to prevent overheating.
9 of 23## Vacuuming Tips
Many vacuums come with standard attachments, but they're often overlooked. Familiarize yourself with the tools you have access to, and learn how to use each for more effective cleaning. You'll also want to dust before you start vacuuming, and make sure to move furniture in order to reach all the dirt and dust.
09of 23## Arranging Bed Sheets for Storage
Employing this technique ensures that your fitted sheets lay flush in your linen cabinet. To do this, you can actually stack all your bed's sheets together, which is an excellent space-saving tip for those with limited closet space.
10of 23## Eliminating Tarnish
Just a simple chemical reaction causes tarnish to vanish on its own. Place silver items, whether sterling or plated, in an aluminum pan—only aluminum will work. Sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup baking soda over the silverware. Keep the pan in the sink to minimize splashes, then pour enough boiling water to cover the utensils. Once the tarnish disappears, remove the silverware and buff with a soft cotton cloth.
11of 23## Cleaning Bottles
The hassle of cleaning narrow-necked decanters and old-fashioned medicine bottles can be eliminated with ease. Fill the bottles with water, drop in a couple of denture cleaner tablets, such as Efferdent, let it sit overnight, then scrub with a slim nylon brush.
12of 23## Cleansing Cast Iron
This method ensures a thorough cleanse of your cast iron cookware: Scrub it with coarse salt and a soft sponge. The salt serves as a natural abrasive, absorbing oil and lifting away stuck-on bits while preserving the pan's seasoning. Rinse away salt and dry with a towel.
13of 23## Oven Clean-up
In the absence of a self-cleaning oven, this eco-friendly option can effectively eliminate grime and caked-on stains:
- Make a paste with baking soda and water.
- Sprinkle the paste over the oven interior.
- Leave it for at least an hour.
- Wipe clean with a damp sponge.
14of 23## Bathroom Tub Tribulations
Here's a non-toxic, yet effective method to clean your tub:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, some antibacterial essential oil (like tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, or peppermint), and 1 cup of baking soda.
- Add enough water to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the tub surface and scrub with a sponge or brush.
15of 23## Tackling Dirty Pots
Very little scrubbing is required to clean even the grimiest pots when you use baking soda—an environmentally friendly choice with non-abrasive properties.
- Fill the pot with 1 to 2 inches of water.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon.
16of 23## Cleaning Ceramic Tiles
To maintain the beauty of your ceramic tiles, avoid harsh chemical cleaners like bleach that may criticize the grout's color. Instead, create a baking soda paste and gently scrub the grout with it, then rinse. After that, use a damp microfiber cloth with mild dish soap to clean the tiles.
17of 23## Maintaining Finished Wood
Wood cleaners typically leave behind an oily residue that attracts dust. For daily cleaning, simply dust with a dry microfiber cloth. For stickier or dirtier surfaces, use a microfiber cloth soaked in a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap.
18of 23## Caring for Napkins
Regular use of fine linen napkins actually increases their durability. Take them out for special occasions—they will benefit from being washed, ironed, and refolded. To prevent stains from setting on table linens, attend to them promptly.
19of 23## Hair Management for Pets
It's not just love, but dealing with fur after pets is one of the main challenges of keeping a tidy home. In this section, we share tips and tricks for efficiently removing pet hair from a variety of surfaces, whether carpeting, furniture, or clothing.
20of 23## Organizing All Flooring Types
Caring for different floor types doesn't need to be complex—particularly in high-traffic areas such as your kitchen. Our suggestions and shortcuts ensure that whether your floor is wood or carpet, it stays looking its best.
21of 23## Leveraging your Dishwasher
Put your cleaning gloves aside and learn how to optimally load your dishwasher and utilize this appliance more efficiently. For those preferring to wash by hand, check out our tips for ensuring that sink-washed dishes are both clean and sanitized.
22of 23## Stain Remove Guide
To serve as a handy reference, we've put together a comprehensive stain removal guide, which covers the removal of various types of stains on a variety of surfaces. Print, laminate, and hang this in your home to effortlessly manage everyday stains.
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- To maintain the shine of your wooden furniture, it's important to regularly clean it using a mild solvent such as mineral spirits. After cleaning, apply a thin layer of paste wax using a cotton rag or cheesecloth, and allow it to dry before buffing.
- Keeping your home free from dampness can be achieved by cleaning surfaces, improving air circulation, and reducing humidity. Consider using a dehumidifier and fan in inadequately ventilated areas, and store items in airtight plastic containers with desiccants like silica gel.
