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These 23 cleaning tips cover furniture, fabrics, appliances, cookware, floors and everyday dust. The methods come from Alexandra Churchill’s Martha Stewart collection, displayed as updated March 4, 2026, with material-specific cautions added where a finish, textile or appliance can be damaged. Start with the surface, not the recipe: read its care label or manufacturer instructions, test an inconspicuous area when appropriate, and use the least aggressive method that works.
Furniture, wood and household surfaces
1. Wax older wood furniture carefully
For an older wood piece, clean first with a mild solvent and test it in a hidden spot. Apply paste wax in a thin coat, allow it to dry, then buff. Do not treat furniture with a protective polyurethane coating as though it were unwaxed older wood; the finishes require different care.
2. Keep mildew from taking hold
Clean surfaces regularly, improve air circulation and reduce dampness. In closets or other persistently humid spaces, the source recommends dehumidification or desiccants. An incandescent-bulb suggestion in the original tip is only a source-specific measure; it does not replace fixing leaks, condensation or inadequate ventilation.
3. Dust high and detailed areas with the right tool
Use an extendable duster for high fixtures, a lambswool or electrostatic duster for broad surfaces, and a natural-bristle brush for pleats, trim and crevices. A microfiber mitt or cloth can capture dust on reachable surfaces without scattering it.
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4. Remove candle wax from a tabletop
Warm the wax gently with a hair dryer, then lift it with the edge of a plastic card. Keep the dryer moving and use low heat so you do not soften a finish or scorch the surface. Avoid metal blades that can scratch.
5. Dust and wash finished wood correctly
For routine dusting, use a dry microfiber cloth. For sticky grime, use a well-wrung microfiber cloth with warm water and a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid, then wipe away residue and dry the surface. Do not saturate joints or leave standing water.
6. Clean marble without etching it
Wipe marble with warm water and a mild, neutral detergent, then rinse and dry. Blot spills promptly, especially acidic liquids, which can etch the stone. Sealing can help protect the surface; tougher stains may require a poultice suited to the particular stone and stain.
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7. Refresh ceramic tile and grout
Work a baking-soda-and-water paste into grout, then wipe the tile with mild dishwashing liquid. Rinse away residue and dry. Test first on colored grout or a delicate glaze, and avoid treating all tile types as interchangeable.
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8. Clean a bathtub
Spread a paste of baking soda and liquid soap over the tub, then work it with a sponge or brush and rinse thoroughly. Essential oil is optional, not required, and may be unsuitable for some people, pets or finishes; omit it unless the product and surface guidance support its use.
Fabrics, bedding and stains
9. Treat a wine stain according to the fabric
| Fabric situation | Source’s approach | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Delicate fabric | Use the described denatured-alcohol/vinegar treatment cautiously. | Read the care label and test an inconspicuous area before applying any solvent. |
| Sturdy, washable fabric | Cover the fresh stain with salt, then flush with boiling water as described. | Use hot water only when the care label permits it; heat can set or damage some textiles. |
Act promptly, blot rather than rub, and launder according to the garment or textile instructions after treatment.
10. Remove wax from fabric
Freeze the wax, scrape off the brittle residue, then treat the remaining mark with an appropriate solvent-based product and launder. Check the care label first, ventilate when using solvent, and test a hidden area. Never put solvent-treated fabric in a dryer until the label and product directions say it is safe.
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11. Wash pillows, blankets and down items
Use a mild, low-sudsing detergent and follow the item’s care label to choose machine or handwashing. Remove water gently rather than twisting. Tumble dry on low heat when permitted, making sure the filling is completely dry so it does not stay damp inside.
12. Keep linen napkins usable
Wash linen napkins, iron them while appropriate for the fabric, and address food or drink stains promptly. Follow the laundering temperature and bleaching instructions on the label.
13. Store a complete bed-linen set together
Fold the fitted sheet, flat sheet and matching pillowcases as one set so the pieces stay together and occupy less closet space. Use the folding method that fits your shelf depth and keeps frequently used sets accessible.
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14. Use a stain chart as a household reference
The source recommends printing and laminating a stain-removal chart. Keep it near the laundry area, but still verify each fabric’s care label before applying a treatment.
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15. Deep-clean a refrigerator
- Remove food and shelves, and use a baking-soda solution on the interior.
- Let glass shelves reach room temperature before washing; sudden temperature changes can break them.
- Soften stuck-on spills before wiping instead of forcing a scraper against the liner.
- Clean and vacuum condenser coils twice a year, following the appliance manual for access and safety.
16. Remove tarnish from sterling or plated silver
Place the silver in an aluminum pan with baking soda and boiling water as described, then buff with a soft cloth. Confirm that the item is sterling or silver-plated and avoid this process on pieces with intentional patina, glued components, gemstones or a manufacturer’s special-care warning.
17. Wash narrow-necked bottles
Soak small-necked bottles with denture-cleanser tablets, rinse thoroughly, then scrub the interior with a narrow nylon brush. Check that the bottle material tolerates the tablets and that no cleaning residue remains before reuse.
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18. Maintain cast iron
Scrub cast iron with coarse salt and a soft sponge, rinse, and dry immediately. To maintain seasoning, wipe on a very thin layer of vegetable oil and heat briefly as described. Do not leave the pan soaking, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for enameled cast iron instead.
19. Loosen residue from dirty pots
Simmer water with baking soda in the pot, then loosen remaining residue with a wooden spoon. Let the vessel cool enough to handle, wash normally and check the cookware maker’s guidance before using an alkaline treatment on specialty finishes.
20. Clean an oven without a self-cleaning function
The source points to a baking-soda-based DIY method for ovens that lack a self-cleaning cycle. Check the oven manual first, remove racks as directed, ventilate, and keep any paste or moisture away from heating elements, controls and door seals.
21. Load and use a dishwasher effectively
The source directs readers to separate instructions for loading and operating a dishwasher, with a separate handwashing reference. Use your appliance manual for rack placement, detergent type, cycle selection and items that must be washed by hand; do not assume one loading pattern suits every model.
Floors, vacuuming and pet hair
22. Vacuum in an order that captures more dirt
Learn what each attachment is designed to do, dust surfaces before vacuuming, and move furniture so dirt is not left around legs and edges. Use the floor setting recommended for the specific flooring and keep cords, filters and brush rolls maintained according to the vacuum manual.
23. Match floor and pet-hair methods to the material
The source points to separate guides for removing pet hair from carpet, upholstery and clothing, and for cleaning different flooring types. It does not provide one universal method. Identify the floor or textile first, then follow its manufacturer or care guidance; a method safe for carpet may damage finished wood, stone or delicate upholstery.
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