k n o w - h o w
in doors
such as the countertop, closet floor, and by
the back door. Set out a bin or basket for
collecting the mail, use a shoe rack on the floor
that you can move to vacuum (or a hanging
organizer you don’t have to move), and mount
hooks for backpacks, purses, keys, and coats.
Smallin suggests experimenting with
removable Command Hooks by 3M ($28
for six;
acehardw are.com )
until you get the
right placement.
■ Bundle computer and other electronics
cords with plastic sleeves. This not only
eliminates visual mess, but it keeps the snarl
from trapping dust. Look for the customizable
Belkin Hideaway Cord Concealer ($14.99;
qfficem ax.com ).
T O P -T O -B O T T O M CLEAN
Instead of single-task cleaning, you may prefer to thoroughly
clean one room at a time. Donna Smallin recom mends
a tiered system: Start in a far corner and clean your way
out of the room. “Also, w ork in one direction, such as
clockwise, so you know you’ve hit everything,” Smallin says.
Here’s the ideal order:
t o p Dust high bookcases, the tops of window treatments, light
fixtures, and fan blades. “Dusting gets things falling to the floor,
so you should always start with this chore,” Smallin says. She
prefers an extendable microfiber duster.
m id d l e Clean anything at waist height, which includes
bookcases, the fronts of cabinets, coffee tables, and dressers.
b o t t o m Vacuum carpeting and rugs and clean hard-surface
floors. Smallin recommends the Bissell PROlite Upright Vacuum
($
199
;
target.com),
which is designed for all surfaces.
f i n i s h Take one last look. Spots that are easy to overlook are
the upper corners of the room, where cobwebs lurk, and the
tops of lightbulbs. Hit those, then close the door.®
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS MAY 2010
1 0 5
FROM
THE MAKERS OF
M axwell
H ouse
Vanilla Caramel
Latte
NATURALLY
5
ARTIFICIALLY FLAVORED
COFFEEHOUSE
BEVERAGE
M
IX
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f r o m G e n e r a l F o o d s I n t e r n a t i o n a l .
C r e a m y . F r o t h y . D e l i c i o u s .
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'Based on national average weighted price. Price may vary by retailer.
