If you are sweeping floors and scrubbing paintings in OnSkull Games' Wand & Order: Tidy up the magic shop! (also known as Wand and Order), you will quickly encounter persistent spider webs clinging to the ceiling corners and windows. Hitting them with your broom or scrubbing them with a sponge does nothing.
To remove cobwebs in Wand & Order, you cannot use standard housekeeping equipment. Instead, you must locate a hidden key, unlock the zone's treasure chest, and acquire the specialized cobweb-clearing magic spell. Once unlocked, you simply aim at any web and click to vaporize it.
Why Brooms and Sponges Do Not Work on Cobwebs
A common stumbling block for new players on the Steam community forums is attempting to clean webs with the sponge or broom. In Wand & Order, cleaning tools have strict, non-overlapping functions:
- The Broom: Sweeps loose dirt piles and dust off the floor.
- The Sponge: Wipes grime off portrait frames and paintings.
- The Watering Can: Waters dried flower pots and mushroom patches (after filling it at a water fountain).
- The Cobweb Spell: Destroys spider webs from a distance.
The game does not give you this cleaning spell right away. Until you open the chest containing the spell potion, the cobwebs remain immune to all physical tools.
Step-by-Step: How to Unlock the Cobweb Ability in Zone 1
In Zone 1 (The Archives), where you sort scattered tarot decks, you must unlock the chest before you can complete the room's secondary cleaning tasks.
- Search Near the Foliage: Head toward the back area of the room near the desk and flower displays. Look behind the potted plants on the floor to find a small metallic key.
- Unlock the Chest: Carry the key over to the locked wooden treasure chest located in the room and interact with it to pop the lid open.
- Claim the Cobweb Ability: Collect the magical reward inside. The game will notify you that the cobweb ability is unlocked, humorously explaining that it cleans spider webs without harming spiders by teleporting them directly to a spider paradise.
- Target and Zap the Webs: Aim your reticle at any spider web hanging in the room and press your primary interaction button. A magical projectile will shoot forward, popping the web in a brief firework-style burst.
Destroying your very first spider web will also trigger the official Steam achievement NO COBWEBS ALLOWED.
Cleaning Tools and Objectives Overview
Cleaning tasks run parallel to sorting tarot decks, wands, and potion bottles. The table below outlines how each chore operates across the workshop:
| Cleaning Task | Required Tool or Ability | How to Obtain / Use | Objective Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobweb Removal | Cobweb Spell | Unlocked from the zone's locked chest via hidden key; click to cast | Hanging webs on walls, rafters, and windows |
| Floor Dirt | Broom | Pick up from the cleaning closet; sweep across stained floor tiles | Dark dirt piles and muddy footprints |
| Grimy Artwork | Sponge | Grab from the cleaning supplies shelf; scrub canvas surfaces | Cat and dog portrait frames |
| Plant Hydration | Watering Can | Fill at the flowing water fountain; pour over dry pots | Potted bushes, flowers, and speed-boost mushrooms |
Tips for Clearing Cobwebs Across Later Zones
As you advance into Zone 2 (The Wand Workshop) and Zone 3 (The Alchemy Lab), the layout expands into multi-floor environments with dozens of hidden chores.
Inspect High Windows and Rafters
In larger levels, cobwebs are placed well above eye level. Zone 2 features webs tucked high into upper window frames and near hidden ledges. If you unlocked mobility enhancements like the Double Jump from secret chests, use the extra height to get a clear line of sight.
Always Clear Cobwebs Before Searching for Missing Items
When aiming for time-sensitive runs or trying to unlock the exit portal, clear every web as soon as you spot it. Player playthroughs show that the level teleporter will remain inactive until every single objective on the left-hand task counter—including all cobwebs, dirt patches, and watered plants—reads complete. Overlooking a single web tucked behind an archway will prevent you from moving on to the next shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the key to the chest in Zone 1?
The key is located on the ground floor tucked behind potted plants near the back area of the archives. Pick it up and carry it directly to the chest to open it.
Do cobwebs respawn if you take a long time?
No. Once a spider web is destroyed with your spell, it is permanently cleared for that session.
Can you finish a level without removing all cobwebs?
No. While sorting items represents the bulk of your workload, completing all secondary cleaning objectives (cobwebs, floor stains, portraits, and plants) is strictly required to power the exit teleporter to the next zone.
