The right cloth can make all the difference when it comes to cleaning, polishing, and dusting

Not all cleaning cloths are alike. Depending on the task, a terry-cloth towel, a chamois, or even a plain old T-shirt might be the best rag for the job. Here are eight common household chores and the cloths best suited to them.

Cloth of choice: Terry-cloth kitchen towels The thousands of woven loops that form the surface of these towels are designed to hold a lot of liquid. On surfaces that stain, such as carpet, gently blot -- don't rub -- the liquid.

Paper towels

Use these for minor messes, since puddle-size spills can require up to half a roll. Keep paper towels on hand for liquids that stain -- red wine, for example -- or contain bacteria, such as poultry juices. If germs are a concern, spray the dried area with a disinfectant and then wipe again.

Electrostatic mitts or cloths

These products don't just pick up surface dust, they attract and hold tiny airborne particles, so dust won't recirculate in the room. This makes the cloths especially useful in the homes of people who have dust allergies.

Microfiber cloths

Save these delicate cloths ( woven from superfine synthetic fibers) for surfaces that are prone to scratching, such as stainless steel appliances. Use a dry one to rub out smudges, or a damp one for more stubborn marks, such as fingerprints.

Polishing cloths

Look for untreated, 100-percent-cotton flannel, which is softer than plain cotton and distributes polishing products more evenly. Be careful not to polish silver-plated items too aggressively or too frequently, as this can wear away their coating; once a year is sufficient.

Old T-shirts torn into rags

Abundant in any household and made soft from years of wear, T-shirts are perfect for this task. Apply polish with one rag, and buff shoes with another. Dispose of scraps immediately, since shoe polish fumes can be toxic.

Chamois (sometimes spelled "shammy")

Chamois cloth can absorb a lot of water and then be wrung virtually dry, so it's ideal for bigger jobs, such as drying wet lawn furniture. The material is also very soft, so it can safely be used on chrome .

Lint-free linen or cotton kitchen towels

Even the tiniest specks of lint show up on fine glassware, so choose lint-free cloths that are made from linen or cotton. Use a mild detergent to eliminate water spots on wine glasses, and avoid leaving fingerprints by holding the stems.

Your cleaning cloths will inevitably become old and ragged, but you can take measures to extend their lives. Sort and launder cleaning cloths by material. This way, fibers from terry-cloth towels don't cling to lint-free ones.

Wash them right after using them, with hot water, detergent, and a bit of chlorine bleach, unless the manufacturer instructs otherwise. If you can't clean the cloths right away, let them dry on a rack before throwing them into the laundry .

While multiuse rags are more economical, disposable cloths do come in handy. Disinfecting wipes presoaked with cleaning solutions score low on economy (one use is all you get), but they're great for dealing with bacteria -- for instance, when you're cleaning the bathroom counter or wiping oft-handled objects, such as a telephone, doorknob , or faucet handle.

They are commonly sold in cylindrical containers, or you can find portable travel packets in bulk and stash them in convenient spots, such as the car, instead of storing them with the rest of your cleaning supplies.

Adapted from Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036. Questions may also be sent by electronic mail to: mslletters@marthastewart.com. Please include your name, address and daytime telephone number. Questions of general interest will be answered in this column; Martha Stewart regrets that unpublished letters cannot be answered individually. For more information on the topics covered in the Ask Martha column, visit marthastewart.com.