If it needs to be cleaned, you’ll find it on this list.
First, turn off the power and pop off the front panel.
Use the vacuum’s crevice attachment on the coils.
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Once a season, unscrew the vent covers and clean the slats on both sides with a damp cloth.
Fill the pan with warm water and let soak overnight.
Rub clean with a sponge, then rinse well.
David Prince
Don’t use steel wool on stainless pans; it will leave scratches.
Otherwise use the vacuum’s brush attachment and follow with a cloth dampened with diluted dishwashing liquid.
For extra credit, wipe out scuffs with aMr.
Ellen Silverman
Blinds:Take matters into your own hands.
Run your fingers through the slats, redipping into the solution now and then.
Use the other hand to wipe dry.
Anna Williams
Replenish the formula when it looks dirty.
When you’re done, swipe the blinds with a dryer sheet (a used one is fine).
Never use a tissue or a paper towel; they’re too abrasive.
Rick Lew
Finish by gently wiping all over with a fresh microfiber cloth.
Ceiling fan:For safety, first tape down the fan’s switch.
Fill a spray bottle with water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar and spritz generously into an old pillowcase.
Alexandra Rowley
Dirt will fall into the pouch, not on your head.
For a ladderless method, use a ceiling fan duster.
This adjustable tool cups each blade to clean both sides simultaneously.
James Baigrie
(Be sure to cover your hair, though!)
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Doorknobs:Fast, weekly cleanings with antibacterial wipes are the best way to degerm knobs.
Stash canisters around the house, and stick to one wipe per room to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Ngoc Minh Ngo
Wipe dry with a soft cotton cloth or, for a lint-free finish, a coffee filter.
Run it for a few seconds, then rinse and wipe dry.
Insert the metal blades or tines of tools, plunging them in and out a few times.
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The sand will act as an abrasive, and the oil will condition the metal.
To prevent rust during the off-season, store tools in a bucket of fresh sand and oil.
Put a trowel and a scrub brush in one bucket and climb the ladder.
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Hook a bucket to each side of the ladder.
Have your helper hand you the hose to flush out finer material.
Use the scrub brush to dislodge stuck-on dirt as the water flows.
Wendell Webber
Loosen debris by poking the hose up through the blockage.
(No need to turn on the water.)
First dust with a dry mop.
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Shine by buffing with a soft cloth.
(Cloth diapers work well.)
(Don’t submerge pearlsthe string could stretch.)
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To remove tarnish from a silver piece, wipe with a silver-polishing cloth.
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Kettle:Those bluish-green flecks you sometimes see inside?
Rinse, then heat plain water to get rid of the traces of vinegar.
William Abranowicz
Instead, hand wash with hot, soapy water and towel-dry.
Never soak knives; this can cause handles to shrink and blades to rust.
To remove stains on blades, dip a clean wine cork in mild dishwashing liquid and rub.
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For rust marks, useBar Keepers Friend.
It can react with the ammonia that naturally occurs in urine and potentially create toxic fumes.
Rub in circles and follow with a fresh cloth to dry.
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Be careful not to saturate the mirror.
If liquid seeps into the silver coating, it can leave behind black tarnish marks.
Skip fabric softener, which can make table linens less absorbent.
Wendell T. Webber
Fold and store right out of the dryer to prevent wrinkles.
(Unless the fabric is dry-clean only; check the labels.)
Combine 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon Borax in a bucket.
Jonny Valiant
Dip a sponge in and scrub all sides of the cushion.
Let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with a hose and air-dry.
Patio umbrellas can also get mildewy.
Gregor Halenda
Open them up after rainstorms so moisture isn’t trapped in the folds.
Rinse, put back on the frame, and leave open to air-dry.
Then wrap the brush in newspaper and squeeze to release excess paint; repeat a few times.
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Dip in a fresh container of mineral spirits to rinse.
(Powder can leave residue.)
Dry on low instead of high heat, which can cause clumping.
Andrew McCaul
(Read the care label.)
For cotton or poly quilts, use the gentle cycle and a mild detergent and hang to dry.
Drain, sprinkle the insides with baking soda, and wipe clean with a sponge.
Alexandra Rowley
For soap scum on stainless steel or porcelain, use white vinegar.
(On marble or limestone, use stone cleaner instead; the acid in vinegar can erode stone.)
After cleaning faucets with a microfiber cloth dampened with warm water and dishwashing liquid, buff dry.
Monica Buck
Cover a flat screwdriver with a rag dampened with an all-purpose cleaner to get into crevices.
Finish with a few squirts of WD-40 for a smoother glide.
If the speakers have cloth coverings, pop them off and rinse in the sink.
Ngoc Minh Ngo
Then set them aside to air-dry.
Before replacing the coverings, gently dust the mesh grille with a microfiber cloth.
(see to it it’s dryno moisture allowed here!)
Roland Bello
Toothbrushes:Every other week, swirl each toothbrush in 14 cup warm water and 14 cup baking soda.
Let soak overnight, then rinse.
Toss and replace every three months.
Monica Buck
Because everyday cleaning products can damage delicate LCD and plasma screens, a specialized kit is best.
Apply the pretreated polishing cloth in a light, circular motion.
Don’t use a vacuum cleaner to dust the TV; it can create static and affect the picture.
Eduardo Jose Bernardino/Getty Images
(Leave silk or wool to the pros.)
If the stains are older and machine washing hasn’t removed them, create an enzyme paste.
(Enzymes break down food proteins and help to remove stains triggered by sweat.)
Apply to stains with a soft cloth and let sit for an hour before washing as usual.
For wooden, metal, or bamboo utensil organizers, wipe down with a damp, soapy cloth instead.
Last, wipe the casing, hoses, and attachments with a clean, dry cloth.
Then scrub with a soft toothbrush and rinse well.
Clean the exterior with a soft, damp cloth, not an abrasive sponge.
Scrub the inside of the can and the spout with a flexible bottle brush; rinse with clean water.
After every use, store upside down to drain the water.
(It’s fine to run dishes in the same cycle.)
(If in doubt, check with the manufacturer first.)
Once a month, toss in your mat and use mild detergent and cold water.
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Zebra rug and other animal skins:Regular-strength vacuuming can be harsh on hides.
Instead, give these rugs a hearty shake outside.
To brighten the fur, sprinkle cornmeal over the surface and let sit for a couple of hours.
Then vacuum on low using the upholstery attachment with a piece of pantyhose over the nozzle.
