Ensuring your merchandise looks its best greatly impacts the success of your garage sale. A filthy item is not very appealing and indicates that it has not been well taken care of. Clean items not only look better but can also bring a better price. Below are some cleaning tips.

Appliances - Wipe clean with a damp cloth then spritz with a vinyl protectant and rub with a clean dry cloth to shine.

Baking Pans - Spray the pan thoroughly with oven cleaner and seal in a heavy plastic bag for 24 hours. Rinse and wipe clean, repeat if needed.

Brass - Dip a cut lemon in salt and rub on brass surface, rinse thoroughly. Brasso is also a fine product to shine brass.

Cast Iron Skillet - Heat pan to 200 degrees to loosen grime. When cool enough to handle, pour a generous amount of salt into pan, scrub with a plastic scrubber or sponge. Discard used salt and scrub again with new salt. Repeat until the salt remains fairly clean after scrubbing. Rinse pan, dry thoroughly over a low burner or place upside down in a warm oven.

Clothing - Wash using a mild laundry detergent.

Copper - To polish copper rub an ample amount of catsup on the copper and let it stand for 5 minutes. Rinse with hot water and dry to shine.

Crayon on Fabrics - Spray both sides of fabric with WD-40, let sit for 15 minutes. Work-in undiluted dishwashing liquid, rinse in hot water, launder as usual.

Crayon on Hard Surfaces - Spray with WD-40 and wipe off. Wash in 1-quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.

Dishes - Hand wash or run dishes through the dishwasher.

Dolls (plastic, rubber, vinyl) - Wet the doll with warm water, apply a mild dishwashing liquid. Let set for 5 minutes, scrub gently with a toothbrush or cotton ball, avoiding the face. Rinse thoroughly or wipe clean with a damp cloth, repeat if needed. Use a Q-tip soaked in soapy warm water to gently clean the doll's face.

Dull Finishes - Bring back luster to dull finishes by spraying surface with furniture polish and rubbing dry with a clean cloth. Works great on ceramics, plastics, and wood.

Figurines - Dust piece with a soft dry paint brush. A hairdryer can be used blow dust out of crevices. Wipe gently with a damp cloth and let air dry. DO NOT submerge into water.

Furniture, Scratches - Rub with a wax crayon pencil or a Brazil nut to disguise light scratches.

Furniture, Water Ring - Mix equal parts of baking soda and regular (not gel) white toothpaste. Lightly dampen corner of a clean soft white cloth with water and dip into the paste. Gently buff area using a small circular motion. Wipe clean and buff to a shine. Follow with furniture polish.

Glasses, Cloudy - Soak drinking glasses for one or more hours in warm white vinegar. Wash with a nylon-net or plastic dish scrubber to remove film. If glasses are still cloudy they are permanently etched.

Gold - Dip gold jewelry in a solution of dish soap and water. Brush lightly with a toothbrush and rinse.

Golf Clubs - Scrape dirt out of grooves using a tee. Wipe club head with a rag dipped in mild detergent and warm water. Scrub with a medium bristle brush to remove any dirt and grass stains. Dry the entire head and shaft with a clean cotton rag.

Ink, Clothing - Before washing garment put rubbing alcohol or hair spray on the stain, it will disappear.

Ink, Glass/Tin - Remove ink by spraying surface with a household dust spray or hair spray.

Ink, Surfaces - Remove ink by washing with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda.

Linens - Machine or hand wash using a mild laundry detergent.

Plants, Indoor - Clean dust off small plants by running under cool water in the kitchen sink. Clean larger plants by running under water in the shower.

Plants, Silk - Spray with Dow bathroom cleaner and let them dry.

Plastic, Stains - Rub stain with a paste made of baking soda and water. Rinse with vinegar (optional) and wash normally. Placing the container outside in the sun will also bleach out most stains.

Purses/Wallets - Wipe clean with a damp cloth then spritz with a vinyl protectant and rub with a clean dry cloth to shine.

Rust - Use cider vinegar to remove rust from pots and pans.

Silverware - Wash silverware in warm sudsy water, rinse and then rub dry immediately and completely. Silverware may also be washed in a dishwasher but the rubbing that occurs when washing and drying by hand enhances the patina on fine silver.

Stickers, Decals, and Glue - Rub sticker area with a liberal amount of vegetable oil or WD-40. Adhesive will break down without damaging the surface.

Stuffed Animals - Sprinkle heavily with baking soda or cornstarch and rub or brush well into pile. Place stuffed toy in a plastic bag and leave overnight. The next day remove from bag and brush thoroughly.

Tin - Remove rust or corrosion from tin or aluminum by scrubbing with steel wool and naval jelly (available at hardware stores).