13 Small Areas You Need to Clean First if You Want to Start from the Top

If you’re somebody like me who geeks out about cleaning, you’ve probably heard about the “top to bottom rule.” I’ve never liked that we colloquially call it a rule—there’s no authority that’s going to take away your duster if you clean the “wrong” way. It’s really less of a rule and more of a “helpful tip that’s going to save you lots of time and lots of stress”.

You see, when you clean things, you usually dislodge all manner of dust and dirt and debris from whatever you’re cleaning. And thanks to gravity, that debris will simply fall to the next available surface. So if you vacuum the floors before you clean the ceiling fan, you’re going to have to clean the floors again.

Even in our one-task-a-day Spring Cleaning program, starting at the top is as much a mental exercise as a practical one. Let’s clean from the top down so you can really visualize the impact you’re making.

The features above your head work hard to collect dust all year, even if you can’t see it. Today, grab a step stool or ladder and your favorite dusting tool and get to work. I use a long-reach microfiber duster tool, but you can use any old rag (drape it over the end of a broom handle if you can’t reach), or your vacuum, if that does a thorough enough job for you. In a pinch, a sock on the end of a broom handle makes a great extension-duster tool, too.

Work around your home (you can follow the wall from the front door if you’re concerned about losing track), and dust the molding and surfaces up high in your home, whatever’s usually above your head. Here are some things you might target:

• Intricate crown molding or other up-high architectural features
• Corners where walls meet
• Ceiling air vents
• Exposed ducts or pipes
• Light fixtures
• Ceiling fans
• Tops of wall-mounted cabinets, in the kitchen or elsewhere
• Tops of tall bookshelves
• On top of the refrigerator
• Pot racks or any similar storage solutions hanging from the ceiling or high on the wall
• Tops of door casings
• Tops of picture frames or mirrors
• Curtain rods and finials

Dry dusting is probably enough for you to feel like these spaces have been refreshed, but if you want to get really into it in certain places, or you notice spots with built-up grime you can’t ignore, follow up your dry round with a spot treatment of all-purpose cleaner on a rag (again, use that broom handle if you can’t reach!). If you don’t have all-purpose cleaner, try soapy water (using dish detergent or castile soap), or a half-and-half mix of white vinegar and water.

You’ll probably need to vacuum up after yourself today, if you leave any debris below you. But now you’ve seen first-hand how cleaning top to bottom can save time during a marathon clean.

• You can visit the 2020 Spring Cleaning page if you miss any assignments
• Download and save or print the Spring Cleaning Calendar
• Share your progress on Instagram or Twitter: #ATSpringCleaning
• Join the The Apartment Therapist Facebook group and catch up with fellow cleaners