25 GENIUS Spring Cleaning SHORTCUTS

Sure you know when it's time to wash the windows and clean the floors, but what about the not-so-obvious spots that are easy to miss? Use these simple tips to give overlooked areas of your home a quick refresh!

- CAROLYN FORTÉ

Living Areas

1 Vacuum in reverse.

Give your entire carpet a once-over by going first against the pile, then across it. This will fluff it up to remove more dirt with each pass.

SOFAS & RUGS

2 Deep-clean the sofa. Remove the couch cushions and thoroughly vacuum all the folds and crevices. Flip and reposition the cushions if possible. For a sofa bed, unfold the mattress and vacuum it too.

3 Tend to area rugs and mats. Shake out or vacuum washable rugs and mats, then launder in cold on a gentle cycle and air-dry. (Never machine-wash rugs with dry or peeling rubber backs.)

4 Freshen up covers. Wash removable throw pillow covers on a gentle machine cycle or by hand. For ones without separate covers or with fancy trim, use a garment steamer or your dryer's steam cycle on low heat to freshen.

SCUFFS & SCRAPES

5 Wipe out wall scuffs. Try a cleaning paste to easily rub out blemishes on painted walls and baseboards. Apply it with a damp cloth, then rinse with a cloth and wipe dry. GH Lab pick: Norwex Cleaning Paste, $37, shopus.norwex.biz

6 Fill in wood flaws. Give new life to wood by camouflaging nicks and dings with a furniture marker pen. Dab (don't color) along the line to fill it in, then wipe excess away with a soft cloth.

7 Renew your floors. Dip a damp paper towel (or your finger) into baking soda and rub out floor scuffs. Wipe with a damp cloth and buff dry.

WINDOW COVERINGS

8 Revive curtains. Use your vacuum's upholstery tool to "dust" fabric drapes and valances. Be sure to hit all the folds and pleats.