Expert cleaning advice for spring

GH’s resident home care dynamo, Carolyn Forte, shares her best tips and favorite tricks to conquer your toughest trouble spots.

My wood floors look dull. What’s the best way to bring back the gleam? — Nancy O.

Winter grime can take a toll, but fortunately, floors that are sealed or polyurethane-finished can withstand damp (not wet) cleaning. Here’s how:

Choose a Proper Wood Cleanser

Start with a product formulated to clean wood, like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or GH Seal star Swiffer WetJet. These are safe for sealed (not waxed) wood floors and don’t require rinsing. (Avoid using vinegar, products mixed with water or those designed to clean vinyl or tile floors.) Use a mop with absorbent disposable or microfiber pads, and keep extra pads on hand to swap in when the initial ones get dirty or saturated.

Spray Sparingly

Lightly mist a 3-footsquare section. Clean the area with your mop, going first across the floorboards to loosen trapped dirt, then along them. For stubborn stains, spray a cloth with some cleanser and rub gently. Avoid saturating the wood, and if the floor doesn’t dry immediately, buff it with a dry towel to remove excess moisture. Clean one section at a time until the entire floor is done. If your floor still isn’t shiny after cleaning, it may need a professional re-coating.

My son’s stuffed animals are grimy. How can I spiff them up?

Even plush friends could use a bath! Before cleaning, repair rips or loose decorations. For surface-cleanonly toys, dip a cloth in a sudsy mix of dish liquid and warm water, and spot clean. Rinse with a damp cloth and blot with a towel. Air-dry or use a hairdryer on the Cool setting. For machine-washable toys, place the toy inside a pillowcase or mesh laundry bag and zip or knot closed. Use your machine’s most delicate cycle (one without an agitator is best) and a lowsudsing, gentle detergent. Add an extra rinse. Reshape and air-dry or tumble dry on low heat.

To rid toys of dust mites, put toys in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer for 24 hours. Then, vacuum with the upholstery tool.