Most cleaning mistakes in a nice home come from one product used on everything. Here is what we use on the surfaces we see most.

Marble and stone

A pH-neutral soap, warm water and a soft cloth, dried by hand. Never vinegar or lemon: acid etches marble and leaves dull rings.

Oak and sealed wood

A cloth that is barely damp, never a bucket. Water standing on oak lifts the grain.

Brass

A dry soft cloth for the everyday, and a proper brass cream only when you ask for it. Some people like the patina.