What is the easiest way to clean painted wood shutters? Is there something you can do to keep the dirt off afterward?

-- Charla Upton, San Diego
Oh, how I wish there were. It is a fact of life that dirt and dust just come back! But there's an easy way to clean wood shutters: with a vacuum cleaner. Using the soft-brush head attachment, tilt the slats up and gently vacuum; then turn them down and run the brush over the slats as well as along the tops and bottoms of the shutters. Manufacturers advise against using water to clean wood because it could cause warping or discoloring. Wipe the slats regularly with a soft, dry cloth to prevent dirt buildup, which makes cleaning more time-consuming.