DEAR ANNIE: My wife and I are a retired elderly couple living in a ranch-style home. Over the last four years, my wife has had some health issues and is limited in what she can do. I have been more or less a caregiver, doing all the chores around the house, such as cleaning, washing clothes, cooking and shopping.

Her daughter, who is my stepdaughter and over 50 years old, has been asking to help us with the housework. So, this past week, we asked her to clean a dining room for us by dusting; washing windows; cleaning woodwork, a china closet, a buffet and a dining table; and sweeping the floor. I noticed this morning that the buffet looked unclean. I took a baby wipe and just went along the edges, and it was not clean, and the baby wipe was very dirty.

I asked my wife if her daughter had cleaned the buffet. She said yes and that she applied Pledge. Should I approach my stepdaughter, who has a temper? I paid $50 for her work. Should I ignore it or tell her about my finding? Maybe I should just do the work myself. — Dusty Buffet Table

Dear Dusty: It sounds like your stepdaughter might not be the best housekeeper in the world. At the same time, you sound very particular about how cleaning is done.

Don’t say anything to your stepdaughter. She obviously tried, and her mom is not doing well. Just don’t have her clean again.

“Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie” is out now. Annie Lane’s debut book — featuring favorite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette — is available as a paperback and e-book. Go to http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.