Always clean from the top of the room down—or, you’re just creating more work for yourself. Start with the ceiling corners, walls, and move on to furniture, and then the floors. A kitchen sponge past its prime is just about the dirtiest thing in your house, short of a toilet brush. Toss the sponge in the microwave for a minute every day to kill any bacteria and throw it out after a week or two. Allow sponges, brushes, and any cleaning items to completely dry before you put them away because bacteria and germs just love a wet sponge or brush.