Translation of "Limpiaba" in English

Cuando limpiaba el desván, encontré unas fotos antiguas de mis abuelos.

When I was cleaning the attic, I found some old pictures of my grandparents.

"Sí", respondió Dima mientras limpiaba de su manga derecha un pedacito de pescado a medio comer. "Desearía adquirir aquello de allí"

"Yes," Dima replied, brushing off a piece of half-eaten fish that had gotten stuck to his right sleeve. "I'd like to buy that one there."