Professional cleaners and housekeeping experts universally recommend starting your cleaning routine by decluttering and working from the top down and from dry to wet areas. This means you should always clear away surface items first, then dust high fixtures like ceiling fans, light fixtures, and upper shelves before moving on to mid-level surfaces like tables and countertops. Cleaning in this specific direction ensures that any falling dust or debris is captured and wiped away during the final floor-cleaning stages, preventing you from having to re-clean areas you have already polished.