Most cleaning and repair jobs take only a few minutes. The problem is getting around to them. If you tend to procrastinate, use your "putting off" time to plan what you're going to do about a problem when you finally get the urge to tackle it. When you notice a stain on the wall or a scratched wood panel, jot down what's wrong and where, along with any cleaning agents or tools you need. After several small jobs have accumulated, you can deal with them all at once, armed with the necessary aids.

A stock of "spare parts" saves time and effort. Extra paneling, wall covering, or paint purchased with your original order assures a good match for future repairs. Following are some guidelines for keeping your walls and ceilings shipshape.

Paneling:

Before applying anything other than a dust cloth, make sure the treatment is suited to the type of paneling. Most paneling is either made of plywood or processed wood fiber, overlaid with either genuine wood veneer, vinyl or paper that simulates wood grain, or in the case of water board, thin slices of real wood with no overlay. All of these can be cleaned with a cleaner manufactured for the specific type. Avoid abrasives, which can scratch or dull the finish. Do not try to spot-sand and re-finish because the repaired spot will not blend in, and with overlays, you'll be down to bare wood with no grain. Always test any solution in a small, unobtrusive spot before applying it to large surfaces.

Wall Coverings:

As with painting, tailor the care to the wall covering you have. Loose edges of most types can be re-glued with white paste. Use vinyl adhesive or white glue for vinyl wall coverings. Slit across bubbles and blisters with a sharp razor blade. Lift the corner, apply paste or glue, and press back in place. Sponge off extra adhesive before it dries. Large holes, tears, and stains can be patched with a scrap of matching wall covering. Tear the edges of the patch so it will be less noticeable, and glue over the damaged area.