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Creating a Comfy Home

Mikkel Vang

A Guide to Cleaning the Bedroom

A few simple daily acts can maintain a sparkling sanctuary and give you peace of mind.

by Mikkel Vang

Make your bed right before or after your morning shower. A neat bed will inspire you to deal with other messes immediately. Although smoothing sheets and plumping pillows might not seem like a high priority as you're rushing to work, the payoff comes at the end of the day, when you slip back under the unruffled covers.

Supplies to Keep in the Bedroom

Pledge Grab-it Dry Dusting Mitts or Swiffer cloths: for dusting furniture, floors, electronics, and knickknacks. Keep them in a night-table drawer so they're ready when you are.
Unger Total Reach Duster (about $5, amazon.com): for tackling cobwebs and for behind the bed, the tops of furniture, and other hard-to-reach corners.
Microfiber cloths: the no-chemical alternative for dusting.
Clorox ReadyMop: for tile and wood floors.
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes: for spot-cleaning switch plates, phones, and doorjambs.
Windex Glass and Surface Wipes: for mirrors and windows.

Timesaving Tips and Techniques

Delete Dust

After you log off your computer, wipe hard-to-reach keyboard lint with the yellow felt Unger Mini Duster ($3, amazon.com).
Use an all-purpose wipe, such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, to clean and disinfect the keyboard and every part of your monitor except the screen. Remember to unplug the keyboard before cleaning.
Remove fingerprints and smudges from the screen with a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth. Do not use any chemical cleaners on the screen.

Chat and Clean
When you're on the phone with your mother-in-law and she is telling you one of her endless stories for the umpteenth time, pull out a wipe and clean your mirrors.

Ready When you are
Keep Pledge mitts, Swiffer cloths, or a microfiber cloth in a night-table drawer so you can quickly dust your bedside tables, dresser, and headboard.

Dust Gently
Use your blow-dryer to remove dust from lampshades and delicate curtains.