Q&A: A Smarter Way to Clean Your Home

Not necessary at all! It's a tough, sloggy chore, too, so if the relative state of your walls isn't bothering you, skip it. If you do want to wash the walls, I devoted a recent episode of my podcast to the subject.

There are LOADS of ways to remove blood stains, but hydrogen peroxide is an old standard. Test first to make sure it doesn't cause color loss, dab at the stains until they're gone, then launder. For older blood stains, try making a paste of unseasoned meat tenderizer and water, apply it to the stain, allow it to sit for 30 or so minutes then rinse with cool running water and launder. That's also a great way to deal with blood stains on mattresses, but instead of rinsing, wipe the paste away with a damp rag. For more on the subject, check out this podcast episode I did on blood stains with horror novelist Caroline Kepnes!

Get up on a tall ladder if that's safe for you, and use an old pillowcase to dust, so that the dust falls into the pillowcase. Or hire a professional for the job!

Give it a thorough scraping after use by heating the grill up and going over the grates with your grill brush. Deep clean at least twice a year, usually at the start and end of grilling season. If you grill year-round, deep clean every 1-3 months. Lots more on that subject in my Esquire column!

Use a vacuum for as much as you can, and consider wearing a mask to avoid breathing in the dust. Treated dusting cloths and microfiber are also great, because they grab the dust rather than send it flying everywhere the way feather dusters will.

Oh yes, I surely do!

Have you talked to your roommates about chipping in to hire a regular cleaning service? Or perhaps reducing your share of the rent to account for the extra labor you perform?

I make my bed every single day. Always! Dishes get done and counters get wiped after I cook. Laundry is folded and put away as soon as it's done. The bathroom counter gets wiped off with a microfiber sponge after I'm done primping in the morning and evening. I vacuum almost every day.

Don't hate me :)

Pick one or two tasks that are crucial to you to get done, such as making the bed every day (a good, easy habit to adopt! You'll feel so accomplished coming home to that made bed!) and putting the clothes away or making sure the dishes get done. Cleaning habits build on themselves, but try not to be too hard on yourself. Start small and use small successes to motivate you to do more!

Four words: A place for everything. Also, consider digitizing your paper files!

Not really, because my friends know that I'm weird and so in love with my job that they can ask me anything and I'll be DELIGHTED with them. Like, right now there's an email from a friend and former colleague with photos of her stained couch sitting in my inbox waiting for me to be done with this chat. The best thing my friends can do for me is to tell me their barf stories!

Try an enzymatic stain remover like Zout, which is great on all manner of protein stains!

Hi Ally!!!

You can machine wash those cushions — a laundromat may be good for this operation since they have oversized machines. Air dry. Or, you can head outdoors (maybe this weekend? It's gonna be hot in Boston!) with a bucket of liquid laundry detergent diluted with water and a scrub brush. Give everything a good scouring with the brush, then hose the cushions down and let them air dry in the sun.

The best way to keep dust to a minimum is to check your window and door seals and make sure they're as tight as can be.

Sure thing, beach is safe to use on wood, just don't soak it.

Dusting baseboards with dryer sheets will pick up dirt and leave behind a light coating that repels dust a little longer than you'd get from just using paper towels or microfiber. Spiders are our friends, introduce yourself to them and tell them to make themselves at home.

Try using microfiber cloths in place of polishes and waxes! If you need to polish the wood to a shine, a tiny amount of olive oil is a great choice.

Check out the list of supplies at the end of the cleaning guide, which will give you a really good baseline of products and tools you need!

The Sweethome loves the O-Cedar mop — I've used it while visiting their office and it's pretty great. And I'm a person who HATES mops!

Oh yeah, stay away from mothballs, they're super toxic, in addition to stinking. Try cedar, and also look for moth traps as well.

I have a complicated relationship to my robots [disclosure: they are press samples provided for testing]. I appreciate the convenience, but they simply don't yet perform as well as standard vacuums, especially in corners. But man, they are SO convenient. I especially love the Roomba for vacuuming under the bed!

Sure thing — try getting a pumice stick, which you can find at hardware or home improvement stores, or on Amazon. A company called U.S. Pumice makes them. To use, wet it and rub it along the stain, and it will take it right out.

Gosh, I think you're doing everything right! You may also want to look into the iRobot mop, the Braava, which offers both wet and dry mopping options. I have one [disclosure, it was provided by iRobot for testing purposes] and, while it doesn't compare to handsies and kneesies (and I know you're one of my people because you used that term, Meg!!!) it's so darn convenient. Good price point too, unlike the Roomba. The Braava costs about $200.

Oh Rebecca, don't give up! There is hope! Get a portable upholstery cleaner — The Sweethome likes the Bissell SpotClean Pro. With kids, you'll probably get a lot of use out of it over the years!

You need a good leather conditioner — I use Cadillac Leather Conditioner on the recommendation of the people who make Cuyana bags (I'm obsessed) and it's great. Spread a thin layer on the leather using a soft cloth, like an old t-shirt, working in a circular motion. Then, switch to a clean part of the cloth and buff it out, again in a circular motion. If the couch is already cracking, it's almost to the point of no return, but if you're willing to give it some TLC and then keep up with its care, I bet you can get it looking great again!

Get a suede care kit like the one Kiwi makes, which comes with a suede brush and eraser. Use the brush to remove street grit and grime, and the eraser for stains and more serious soiling. I just wrote a column for Esquire on the subject, so def. check that out!

With granite, marble and other natural stones, it's actually more important to know what not to use than what to use: Steer clear of vinegar and any cleaners that contain acids, which can cause pitting.

The Sweethome likes Puracy Natural Multi-Purpose Cleaner, which is safe for and quite good on granite.

Definitely microfiber. Such great stuff, especially on glass.

Vinegar is perfect for the job — fill a measuring cup with vinegar and place it in the top rack of an otherwise empty dishwasher and run it. Before you do, however, you should remove the bottom rack and check to see if the drain is clogged, which may be affecting the performance. Any debris in there can be removed with your hand, but you may want to wear gloves to manage the squick factor!

You'll want to remove that rust, probably using steel wool and maybe a chemical rust remover. That veers more into handyperson territory than Clean Person territory, so ask for advice at your local hardware store!

I love ammonia (diluted with water) for the job, but it's a harsh chemical and must be used with gloves and good ventilation. If you want something less harsh, Simple Green is a great choice. Pair it with a Dobie Pad for extra scrubbing power.

I hate oven cleaner because it's so dangerous, but honestly, it's the best thing to use to do a deep clean. I use the Easy-Off cold oven stuff. Be super careful to wear gloves and long sleeves, and open the windows because even the odor-free kind is definitely super smelly. I did a recent podcast episode on the topic if you want to hear more about the process!

Try sprinkling baking soda over the surface and then spritzing it with white vinegar (decant it into a spray bottle) and then scrubbing with a Dobie Pad, which is a non-scratch sponge that's very excellent at adding extra sloughing power.

Ahhh I love this question so much!! WASHING THE DISH TOWELS! Oh my God, almost nothing can make me crazier than the sight of a filthy dish rag. Those need to be washed super regularly, because of the way in which we use them. I always tell people to think of the number of dish towels they need and then buy double that amount. Clean your dish rags, my loves!

Back to front!

Spot cleaning is a great way to stave off the need for a deeper cleaning! Stick with what you're doing. For more on the subject, you may want to check out a recent podcast episode I did on deep cleaning kitchens, including the fridge.

Oh yay, I'm so glad someone asked about this so I can share one of my weirdest tricks! This comes from my mother and grandmother, too, so it's personal: Use ashes mixed with butter to make a paste that will remove those heat and water stains. I KNOW! So weird. Lots more here, with photos!

Don't kill me for this, but when I had glass shower doors I kept a squeegee hanging from the shower head and squeegeed every single day. I know! But it's truly a 15-second operation and it becomes second nature. For bad water spots, try scrubbing with a wet dryer sheet. Weird but it really works!

I'm obsessed with a product called x-14 for mildew-y grout. It stinks to high heaven but it basically does all the work for you, plus it sounds like an X-Men character!

Sure thing, mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water. It's even more effective if you use it in concert with a squeegee, as wet walls will encourage mildew growth. If you hate the smell of white vinegar, or just prefer a lovelier scent, add a few drops of an essential oil like lavender or lemon.

Oh you need some DampRid in your life, for sure! It's a desiccant that you can find at the hardware or home improvement store, and it's amazing — it will really help the mustiness in that bathroom. For dust and grime accumulation, regular weekly cleaning will keep it at bay.

Hi Carrie, thanks so much for the kind words! I would try soaking the stained clothes for a few hours up to overnight (the longer the better) in cool water and a big scoop of OxiClean, then laundering in cold water and air drying. Hopefully those stains will come out!

Pillows and blankets can, for the most part, be machine washed. Check the care tag for specifics. Mattresses can be vacuumed!

Yes! Rubber gloves are amazing at quickly removing hair from upholstery — put it on, run your hand over the furniture and clumps of hair will come up. Another idea is to get a hand held vac and leave it near the furniture your pets most often sit on, so it's easy to grab and do a quick once over.

I can't tell people what to prioritize, but I can suggest that you take a look at your tasks and determine which one or two will make your life better and/or easier. Is something really bothering you, like a filthy couch or too-stuffed dresser? Take care of those, and consider them a gift to yourself.

Try to see the purging of things as a regular, ongoing task, rather than something that's tackled only once or twice a year in a big push for organization. It helps to take the stress out of letting go of things, and teaches kids that things are just things, and not items to attach too much emotion to. Maybe institute a once a week review of stuff, say, on Sunday evening? Another philosophy that works well is a loose one-in-one-out rule, especially with items like toys. Got a new toy? Great, an old one has to go to make room for it. I know a lot of parents for whom that works very well.

Use a vacuum for most of your pet hair pickup needs to cut back on the sneezing. Also, try donning a rubber glove and running your hand over hairy surfaces to pick up hair.

Try Nature's Miracle, which is truly miraculous stuff.

Start by taking an inventory, either by jotting notes on paper or your phone. Then, create a game plan for tackling items by type. Don't buy any storage or organizing pieces until you've cleaned out the garage and determined what you have (and what you're getting rid of). It's really common to go out to get organizing supplies, get them home and realize that they don't at all work for the stuff you actually have.

Also put on music or a good podcast to make the job less heinous!