A Guide to Cleaning the Bedroom

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

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.