Hillcrest is full of beautifully maintained 1920s and 1930s bungalows. They're some of the most charming homes in Little Rock — and they're also some of the most particular to clean. The materials are different from a modern house, and a few habits that work in a new build will damage a bungalow.
The wood floors
Original hardwood in a Hillcrest bungalow is typically old oak with original finish. The finish is usually decades old. Modern wet-mopping will damage it, and steam mops will absolutely ruin it.
The right method: nearly-dry microfiber. Spray a tiny amount of pH-neutral floor cleaner directly onto the microfiber pad — never the floor — and dust-mop in the direction of the grain.
Plaster walls
Older bungalows have lath-and-plaster walls. Magic erasers can take the paint surface off in a single pass. For scuffs on plaster walls, use a barely-damp microfiber first. If that doesn't work, leave it for a touch-up paint repair.
Hexagonal tile bathrooms
The original 1" hex tile in many Hillcrest bathrooms is one of the most durable surfaces in the home. The grout between them is a different story — original grout is often porous and reactive. Avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar, lime removers, calcium dissolvers). Use a neutral pH bathroom cleaner.
Stained woodwork and trim
Original stained trim should be dust-only or barely-damp wiped. Lemon and orange oil polishes are okay occasionally but build up if used regularly. Skip the spray-on furniture polish entirely.
Built-ins and crown molding
The character details that make a Hillcrest bungalow worth living in are also the spots that collect the most dust. Built-in shelves, crown molding profiles, picture rails — these need hand-dusting attention that newer homes don't.
The boring truth
A Hillcrest bungalow is a low-and-slow cleaning project. Done right, it looks beautiful and lasts another hundred years. Done wrong, you damage materials that can't be cheaply replaced.
Want help with this? Learn more about Little Rock cleaning from River Trail Cleaning — flat-rate pricing across Greater Little Rock and Central Arkansas.