• Metalwork. While scroll work and other metal creations can add artistic flair or traditional charm to a home, they can also be dust magnets and can be difficult to clean. For a quick fix, try using a soft brush attachment on your household vacuum. For a deeper clean, treat the objects like you would your car. Wash thoroughly with a mild soap, rinse completely, and then dry with a soft cloth. For extra sheen and finish protection, you can even apply a coat of wax.

• Light covers. The best way to remove dirt from a light cover is to remove the cover and wash it whether at the kitchen sink or outside with a bucket and garden hose. Clean light covers spread light more evenly and pleasingly, so don’t neglect them as you spring clean. For intricate globes or sharp corners, try using a bottle or nipple brush, easily found in any baby department or at a bevy of yard sales.

• Furniture details. Whether your furnishings are modern and sleek or antique and hand-carved, those corners can gather dust and cleaning product residue over time, leaving even freshly dusted items looking a little worn. First vacuum off as much of the loose dirt as possible using a furniture friendly nonabrasive attachment. Next, use a soft cloth, preferably not a paper towel as they can scratch wood easily, and wrap a corner over a toothpick or the edge of a pair of tweezers. Use this new “tool” to pull every last bit of cleaner from the corners and grooves.

• Polishing wood. Removing dust from glossy surfaces is sometimes not enough because it can leave behind fingerprints and other traces that dull the finish. For wood surfaces that have become worn, it is doubly important to take measures to polish and protect. Begin with an appropriately colored scratch cover to bring life back to worn or damaged portions. Scratch cover comes in both liquid and marker form. For deeper groves, you may need to use wood filler or colored wood putty. Next use a wood polish, whether store bought or homemade (with a bit of olive oil and a little lemon juice). Be sure to buff the surface until it is completely dry and streak free.

• Waxing glass. All sorts of products are available these days to keep glass looking its best and clearest. Try using a defogging glass wax for bathroom mirrors to reduce or eliminate the accumulation of steam and condensation. For windows or mirrors in other parts of the home, try a simple glass wax. Glass wax can reduce the need to clean mirrors and other glass surfaces by repelling finger prints and dust and by allowing water to bead and roll off, much like it does on a freshly waxed car. Once your glass has been waxed, simply buff away any smudges and use a slightly damp cloth to take off toothpaste splatters as they occur.