Always, always, always start at the top and work your way down so you don’t push schmutz onto something you just cleaned. If you have ceiling fans or overhead lights, hit those first. Next, dust the tops of window frames and treatments. Then progress downward to the floor. Here’s a little more on how.

Ceiling Fans

Slip an old pillowcase over a blade to catch dust as you carefully wipe it with the fabric. Repeat!

Light Fixtures

Make sure they’re switched off, then rub them down gently with a dry microfiber cloth.

Window Treatments

Lint rollers work wonders on curtains. Once a season, give ’em a pass with your vacuum’s upholstery attachment on the lowest suction mode. For blinds, use a microfiber cloth and wipe slat by slat.

Furniture and Shelves

Go over surfaces with your handy-dandy microfiber cloth. Next, wet dust with an all-purpose formula, like Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner.

TV Screens

Gently swipe every inch with a microfiber or soft cloth.

Radiators and Heating Ducts

A can of compressed air can help force out even the most stubborn dust bunnies.

Toilet Tanks and Tub Ledges

Use a disposable cloth or Swiffer Duster to grab dust, then hit surfaces with your all-purpose cleaner.

Baseboards

Dry dust with a microfiber cloth. Swipe with a Scrub Daddy Damp Duster. For thick layers of dust, try this DIY formula: Mix half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid into two quarts of warm water. Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the solution and wipe the baseboards again.

Floors

Vacuum loose dirt, then turn to something like Swiffer’s PowerMop. For carpets, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.