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" Update your cleaning routine with these tips from Carolyn Fort\u00E9, director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products department. 1. Windows Don&amp;#039;t make the mistake of cleaning windows on a sunny day \u2014 they&amp;#039;ll dry too quickly and leave behind streaks. On a cloudy day, start by sweeping the window, frame, and screen with a brush; or, vacuum with the dusting attachment to eliminate dirt and avoid a mud pile-up. While some may suggest using newspaper as a cleaning tool, the GHRI doesn&amp;#039;t recommend that since it can be messy. Stick to microfiber cloths for the cleanest clean! 2. Dishes, glasses, and utensils Don&amp;#039;t fall into the habit of jamming items in the dishwasher like in a game of Tetris. Utensils nested together won&amp;#039;t get an even washing, so alternate placing spoons handles up and down, but keep forks tines up for best cleaning. In addition, make sure not to mix silver and stainless steel flatware, as the silver could get pitted if they touch. Never stack items, either, because the water spray won&amp;#039;t be able to reach the dishes on top. Place extra-dirty items on the bottom rack facing the center so they&amp;#039;re near the spray arm. And if you&amp;#039;re using a detergent pod, place it in the dispenser \u2014 if tossed in, it&amp;#039;ll dissolve too quickly. RELATED: The Best Way to Load Your Dishwasher \u00BB 3. Shower curtain liner There&amp;#039;s no need to throw away your shower curtain liner once it&amp;#039;s dirty, says Fort\u00E9. Simply toss it in your washing machine, set to hot water on a gentle cycle, along with some old towels and a dose of bleach to remove any mildew. Hang it up to dry, or put it in the dryer for a minute or two to speed up the process. 4. Carpet and upholstery stains Your instinct may be to spray cleaner right on the stain, but that can over-wet and damage the carpet or fabric and make it hard to rinse out. Instead, spray a cloth with the cleaner and gently dab the area until the stain is gone. Rinse the same way with a clean cloth dipped in cool water. RELATED: Banish Set-In Carpet Stains for Good \u00BB 5. Clothes A common mistake is generously pouring laundry detergent or fabric softener into the machine \u2014 excess liquids won&amp;#039;t help your clothes, appliance, or skin. Always measure carefully and follow the recommendations for the size and/or soil level on the load you are doing (most loads are medium to large), says Fort\u00E9. If the load is extra-large or dirty, add a little more detergent and/or softener. 6. Electronics Cell phones, iPods, and other handheld tech devices are bound to get sticky, but it&amp;#039;s never a good idea to spray them with a cleaner. A microfiber cloth is best for cleaning LCD screens. Fort\u00E9 suggests using a dry Swiffer cloth to dust them and remove smudges. Photo: Getty Images NEXT: 10 Things You&amp;#039;re Not Cleaning (But Should Be) \u00BB      "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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