Probably the easiest room to get — and to keep — clean. Yet this lightly trafficked, memento-laden area presents one big problem: dust. The room is a breeding ground for the stuff (think under-the-bed dust bunnies and powdery picture frames).

If You Have 15 Minutes:

Freshen the bed. Shaking out or changing sheets kicks up dust, so do those tasks first. To further freshen, spray sheets with linen spray before making the bed.

Damp-dust surfaces. Spritz an electrostatic or microfiber cloth with dusting spray and make your way around the room in a clockwise circle. “Otherwise you’ll bounce from corner to corner having no idea what you’ve cleaned and what you haven’t,” says San Francisco Chronicle cleaning columnist Tara Aronson. Start with the perimeter, then hit the interior.

If You Have 30 Minutes, Add the Following:

Tackle the floor. If it’s wood, run a damp (not wet) microfiber mop around the edges of the bed and all other exposed areas. (Remember — don’t wet-mop hardwood floors, as they could warp.) Vacuum the same zones if you have carpeting.

If You Have 1 Hour, Add the Following:

Get under the bed. And behind it, too. Use the Dusterator (below) or a similar electrostatic dusting tool. It will clean hardwood floors and also pick up some dust and hair from carpeting, cutting down on those times you need to push aside the whole bed.

If You Have Half a Day, Add the Following:

Do the windows, walls, and lights. Use a microfiber or electrostatic cloth and a glass or all-purpose surface cleaner to clean panes, frames, and windowsills in one fell swoop. Wipe down light switches and fixtures. Use an eraser pad to take any scuffs and stains off the walls.

Hit the closets. Why? Because dirt and dust are in there and will eventually find their way out. “Dust is microscopic and can aggravate allergies and asthma,” says Sarah Smock of the Memphis-based cleaning service Merry Maids. “Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it can’t do some harm.” Vacuum or mop the floor. Also, dust the shelves and wipe down the doors with a damp microfiber cloth.

The Goods

Caldrea Linen Spray.

Formulated with essential oils and purified water, these scented spritzers won’t stain or leave water marks on even the most delicate linens. (So you can rest easy, 400-thread-count devotees.) The fragrances — citrus-mint ylang-ylang, green-tea patchouli, basil–blue sage, and six others — are subtle and clean, not perfumy or antiseptic.
To Buy: $12 for 32 ounces, www.caldrea.com to buy and for national retailers.

Starfiber Dusterator.

With a 26-inch-long dusting sleeve and a telescoping handle that measures 59 inches when extended, the Dusterator is ideal for sweeping hardwood floors under beds (dust clings to its static-charged head). The head can also be bent at any point along its length, so it can be used to clean the tops of armoires and closet shelves.
To Buy: $15 for pole and dust sleeve; $6 for one refill sleeve, www.starfibers.com.

Windex Clean and Shine Dry Microfiber Cloths.

For spotless windows, swap run-of-the-mill paper towels for these specialty cloths. They work even more efficiently with glass spray—and either way, they won’t leave streaks and lint behind.
To Buy: $3.50 for 12 cloths, at drugstores.