Dusting is the scourge of households around the world, yet it is one of those cleaning jobs we simply can’t put off. And it doesn’t matter how often we do it, there’s always more dust just around the corner.
But it might surprise you to know that many of us have been making crucial errors when we dust. There are some shortcuts and best practices that can make this most mundane of household chores just a little more bearable… and here are 10 of the best.
1. USE A SOCK TO DUST YOUR CEILINGS
Dust and spiderwebs can be a potent combination, and they have a tendency to accumulate on light fixtures in the corners of ceilings and on coving and cornices. The dust in these hard-to-reach areas often goes unnoticed – until some natural light floods into the area, that is. But you don’t need to worry about cleaning these tricky areas, as it’s actually quite easy. Simply turn a sock inside out, and place it over the end of a mop pole. Secure it in place with an elastic band, and your makeshift dusting tool is ready to use.
2. DUST ORNAMENTS AND FRAGILE FIXTURES WITH A PAINTBRUSH
There will be certain items in your home that are very tricky to dust effectively and safely, including small ornaments and trinkets. To dust them without causing damage, spray a little dusting polish over the bristles of a paintbrush, and get to work.
3. ACCOUNT FOR GRAVITY
Dust will always travel downwards when it has the chance, thanks to gravity. So it’s important to approach your dusting duties logically – starting from high places and working your way down. It’s therefore a good idea to start upstairs. Dust ceilings, lighting and anything at height first, and then gradually work your way down the room, finishing off by vacuuming or sweeping the floors. Once you’ve dusted upstairs, move downstairs and repeat the process.
4. ONLY USE MICROFIBRE CLOTHS
Dust is notoriously hard to remove. When it’s dislodged or sucked up, it can very easily disperse and settle somewhere else. But by using microfibre cloths to dust, an electrostatic charge is created, which attracts dust particles and holds them in place. Of course, you can’t use your cloths on carpet, but Shark vacuum cleaners trap 99.9 percent of dust and allergens, so you don’t have to worry about dust particles being blown to other areas of your home.
5. USE A BENDY DUSTER TO CLEAN LIGHT FIXTURES
There are some excellent bendable dusters on the market that can be bent into almost any shape. So regardless of the height of your rooms and the design of your light fixtures, removing dust can be a safe and easy process.
6. REPEL DUST WITH FABRIC SOFTENER
It can be hugely frustrating when new dust particles start to settle on electronic equipment within seconds of dusting it. But by adding just a touch of fabric softener to a microfibre dusting cloth, your efforts won’t be in vain. Tumble dryer sheets also make excellent dusters.
7. USE FABRIC GLOVES
Fragile ornaments – particularly those made from glass – can be very difficult to clean safely. They need to be handled firmly with one hand, and cleaned with the other. But by wearing some velvet gloves, you can do both at the same time.
8. USE OVEN MITTS
A pair of oven mitts can make very effective dusters when you need to clean in a hurry. Apply wax or polish with one side of a mitt, and buff it up with the clean side. This particular method works well on large surface areas, such as those on tables and bulky items of furniture.
9. USE COFFEE FILTERS ON YOUR CAR
The dashboard of a car is continually attracting dust, and cleaning it can be awkward. But before you invest in some over-priced dash wipes, check to see if you have a couple of coffee filters lying around. The paper that filters are made with is perfect for attracting dust particles and holding them into place.
10. CLEAN HORIZONTAL BLINDS WITH KITCHEN TONGS
Blinds can be extremely difficult to clean, as applying too much pressure in the wrong place can cause permanent damage. However, the next time your blinds need a dusting, reach for the kitchen tongs instead of the feather duster. Simply wrap both ends of the tongs in a microfibre cloth, and pinch each slat one by one. Run the tongs across the entire length of each slat just once, and they’ll be completely dust-free in no time.
Don’t let dust take over your home. With some organisation and these useful cleaning tips, the dusting you do so regularly will be easier, quicker and more effective.
