There's a Wrong Way to Dust? And 5 Other Cleaning Mistakes
The quickest, most efficient strategies to get streak-free windows, remove stains from a white sofa and more.
By Lynn Andriani
Mistake No. 4: Spraying Furniture Polish All Over a Table
Statistics are hard to come by, but we're pretty sure 99 percent of people who set out to dust their wood furniture do the spritz-and-wipe. However, if you spray your cloth instead, you'll have to buff less, you'll waste less product and you'll avoid the sticky buildup that can come from using too much polish. (Hint: Ones with citrus oil will bring out the wood's natural shine, and the oil tends to repel dust and dirt for a while.) And if your aim is simply to remove dust, you don't have to use any cleaner at all—Smallin is a huge fan of microfiber dusters, since they pick up dust on their own and don't need spray.
Published 01/30/2012