Self Help

First, check the top corners and light fixtures in your home. Use an extension pole or climb a ladder to remove any cobwebs. Use a rag and furniture polish to dust wooden fan blades and the tops of high furniture such as media centers, and bookcases. If you have plastic surfaces - such as mounted speakers or smoke alarms - use an all-purpose cleaner on those.

For glass light fixtures and windows, use glass cleaner. Do you have tall plants? Wipe their leaves with a damp cloth. Dust molding, tops of door frames, and tops of doors. Silk plants can be placed in the shower for a quick rinse.

Use the brush attachment of your vacuum to tackle the tops of window treatments. Curtains and valances trap of dirt, and every time they’re opened or brushed against, some of the dust swirls into the air. Once a year, send draperies out for a thorough cleaning.

If you have miniblinds or shutters, the best trick is to put on cotton gloves, spray them with the appropriate cleaner, and wipe the blades down. Lamp shades can also be cleaned with the brush attachment on your vacuum, or with a regular paint brush. Wipe the bulbs with a damp cloth. For picture frames and breakables, I use an ostrich feather duster or a blow dryer set on low, directing dust to the floor. If your pictures hang crooked, press a tiny dot of teacher’s putty onto the backs of the corners, then onto the wall. They will stay put.

Next, use the upholstery attachment to vacuum the fronts of your curtains and your furniture. Don’t forget to clean behind cushions, and clean any throw pillows. Now set the vacuum aside, as you’ll need it for the carpet in a few minutes. If there are spots on your upholstery, test an inconspicuous area before you spot clean. There are terrific upholstery cleaning products on the market, but sometimes a dab of shaving cream will do the trick.

Spray or apply dusting wax to your rag, rather than spraying it right onto wood furniture, where it can accumulate in crevices, drip down legs, or over-spray onto the rug. Now polish the wood in circular motions, so you won’t get streaks. Don’t polish around a book or lamp; move it and polish underneath, then replace the object.

If you have white rings on wood furniture, rub plain white toothpaste into the mark, then wipe it off with a moist towel. (Add baking soda if the white marks are especially stubborn.) If there are small nicks or imperfections in your pieces, try the crayons and markers available for concealing wood scratches; they come in oak, walnut, and so on. Or rub a piece of that wood’s nut right into the scratch, such as the meat of a walnut on walnut wood.

Last, look down at the baseboards and the hearth, if you have one. Brush or wipe them clean, and you’re all done. Just toss the dirty rags and brushes into the washing machine, and you’re ready to vacuum.