At Home with Bounty

A large wood staircase often serves as the focal point in old homes. The decorative banister, the two landings, and the graceful twists the structure makes as it reaches the second floor make the stairs beautiful. However, when the steps are covered in dust, it's time to add them to the house cleaning list.

What You'll Need:

• A dust mop
• A 1-gallon bucket
• White vinegar
• Measuring cups
• Lemon or orange peels
• A soft cloth
• Wood polish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by using a dust mop on the staircase. Go to the top step and work your way down so the dust and dirt flows away from the cleaned areas. Wipe the top of each step with a small rectangular dust mop. This removes fine dust and pet hair.
2. Now, prepare a cleanser to sanitize and remove dirt from the steps. Add 1/2 a cup of white vinegar to a 1-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket half full with warm water. Toss a few lemon, orange, or other citrus peels into the bucket. This adds a fresh scent to the cleanser. This solution can also be used for other house cleaning tasks such as window washing and mopping vinyl flooring.
3. Go to the top of the staircase. Dip a soft cloth into the bucket of cleaning solution. Wipe the top and front of each step with the cleanser. If the sides of the steps are also exposed, clean them too.
4. Next, clean around the base of the banister. This is where dirt likes to linger. Since this may involve very narrow spaces, place the soft cloth over a fingertip and carefully wipe away the dirt. After all the steps have been wiped by hand, let the staircase air-dry. Do not put furniture polish on the steps.
5. Finish the staircase cleaning by wiping down the banister. Use the same cleanser to sanitize the hand rail and all decorative areas. After the banister dries, use a wood polish, if desired.