Old houses in a historic district
In Old Town, the Board of Architectural Review has a say in changes to the outside of your house that can be seen from the street. Indoors, the choices are yours, but the materials are often old: original wood floors, plaster walls and marble hearths. Each one cleans up well with a gentle hand. Never use vinegar or other acids on a marble hearth or sill, since they etch the stone. Plaster walls take a soft cloth, not a scrub pad. Working fireplaces leave fine soot on the mantel and nearby shelves, so dust those rooms more often in winter. Tall, narrow houses also hide dust in places you rarely look: the tops of door frames, stair spindles and the ledge along each landing. Put those on the list for a deep clean once or twice a year, and your regular visits stay quick.
