We sweep the floors, dust the furniture, and scrub the counters, but oftentimes we forget to clean two important areas—the walls and doors. Whether they contain crayon masterpieces, splatters from yesterday’s spaghetti sauce, sticky hand prints, or clinging dust and cobwebs, walls and doors deserve as much attention as any other area of the house when it comes to cleaning. With this key advice from our housekeeping experts, you’ll be able to refresh the walls and doors in your home and ensure they are sparkling clean.
Put on gloves and safety glasses, and determine if a drop cloth is needed to protect the floor or nearby furniture from falling dust or debris. Dampen the dust mop and wring out to remove excess water. Use the mop to wipe down the wall—paying attention to the corners and edges along the ceiling—and remove any cobwebs or clinging dust. Mix one tablespoon mild dish soap with four parts water. Dampen a microfiber cloth in the mixture and test the solution in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure that it doesn’t have an adverse reaction to the surface you are cleaning. Spot clean with the solution or with a damp magic eraser. Repeat as needed. If you need to use a safety ladder to reach high areas, work with a partner for your safety.
Start by using the extension tool on the vacuum to remove cobwebs and dust from the corners and edges of the door. Using a damp cloth, wipe the full door frame, inside and out. At the base of the door, spray glass cleaner into the corners to remove excess grime buildup, then wipe off with a clean microfiber cloth. Using the same cloth, wipe all of the hardware including hinges, handles, and door knockers. If the hinges are dry, add lubricant as needed. If the door contains glass inserts, clean them using glass cleaner and a paper towel. Finally, wipe the door down from top to bottom with a damp cleaning cloth and mild soap. Dry thoroughly.