Take a Dusting Masterclass for a Beautifully Clean Home
Don’t let a poor dusting technique spoil your goal of a spotless home – discover the right way to approach this often unloved domestic task
It’s rarely anyone’s favourite job, but dusting will always sit at the top of any domestic cleaning to-do list. That’s because, with so much dust in the environment, it builds up on surfaces surprisingly quickly, demanding regular attention. The dust itself is a heady cocktail of tiny particles, including plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile and paper fibres, human skin cells and even burnt meteorite particles! No wonder we like to get rid of it.
A dust-free home is more pleasant to live in, especially for those with allergies, but there’s more to dusting than just flicking a cloth around. In fact, a poor dusting technique or the wrong equipment could actually sabotage your efforts to clear it. Read on for some general dusting advice and targeted tips, and enjoy a dust-free home for longer.
A dust-free home is more pleasant to live in, especially for those with allergies, but there’s more to dusting than just flicking a cloth around. In fact, a poor dusting technique or the wrong equipment could actually sabotage your efforts to clear it. Read on for some general dusting advice and targeted tips, and enjoy a dust-free home for longer.
Invest in the right kit
It’s important to use the right form of duster. A feather design will only move dust particles around, sending them into the air to land again right after you’ve finished cleaning. You want to trap your dust, not simply relocate it! So get hold of a microfibre or electrostatic duster, which holds onto the particles. Make sure you give it a wash or replace it once dirty.
It’s important to use the right form of duster. A feather design will only move dust particles around, sending them into the air to land again right after you’ve finished cleaning. You want to trap your dust, not simply relocate it! So get hold of a microfibre or electrostatic duster, which holds onto the particles. Make sure you give it a wash or replace it once dirty.
Don’t dry up
In addition to using a suitable cloth, avoid dusting dry. When dust is dry, it can easily become airborne, making it harder to trap. Spritz dusters and cloths with a dusting spray or polish, or even a fine mist of water, for more efficient cleaning and better results. Use sparingly, though, to avoid smear marks.
Always spray furniture polish onto the duster, too, rather than directly onto the furniture, as this can lead to thick and unevenly distributed build-ups of polish that are hard to wipe away.
In addition to using a suitable cloth, avoid dusting dry. When dust is dry, it can easily become airborne, making it harder to trap. Spritz dusters and cloths with a dusting spray or polish, or even a fine mist of water, for more efficient cleaning and better results. Use sparingly, though, to avoid smear marks.
Always spray furniture polish onto the duster, too, rather than directly onto the furniture, as this can lead to thick and unevenly distributed build-ups of polish that are hard to wipe away.
Valet your vacuum
The filter on your vacuum cleaner is designed to capture the fine dust and particles the machine sucks up. Filters that are clogged may fail to trap this dust and could even blast it back into the air. So aim to replace or wash any filters as often as your model’s manufacturer recommends.
The filter on your vacuum cleaner is designed to capture the fine dust and particles the machine sucks up. Filters that are clogged may fail to trap this dust and could even blast it back into the air. So aim to replace or wash any filters as often as your model’s manufacturer recommends.
Tackle displays
Displays of beautiful objects really enhance a room, but each individual piece will collect dust. From time to time, take the objects off their shelf, dust this down with a microfibre cloth and then carefully wipe down each piece. To get at dust trapped in tiny nooks and intricate corners, use a clean, natural-bristle paint- or make-up brush, then wipe.
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Displays of beautiful objects really enhance a room, but each individual piece will collect dust. From time to time, take the objects off their shelf, dust this down with a microfibre cloth and then carefully wipe down each piece. To get at dust trapped in tiny nooks and intricate corners, use a clean, natural-bristle paint- or make-up brush, then wipe.
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Sort out soft toys
Some teds and soft toys are machine-washable, but for those that aren’t, put them into a big plastic bag with a cup of baking soda. Secure the top, then take it outside and shake well. The baking soda and static will draw out the dust.
Take out each soft toy one by one. Shake it thoroughly so any baking soda clumps fall off, then vacuum any large soft toys that are not at risk of being sucked up the nozzle. Small toys might benefit from a brush with a medium-stiff brush.
See 10 more ecofriendly tips and tricks for cleaning your home
Some teds and soft toys are machine-washable, but for those that aren’t, put them into a big plastic bag with a cup of baking soda. Secure the top, then take it outside and shake well. The baking soda and static will draw out the dust.
Take out each soft toy one by one. Shake it thoroughly so any baking soda clumps fall off, then vacuum any large soft toys that are not at risk of being sucked up the nozzle. Small toys might benefit from a brush with a medium-stiff brush.
See 10 more ecofriendly tips and tricks for cleaning your home
Boost your blinds
Removing dust from the individual slats on a blind is a laborious task. Make it a little easier by using kitchen tongs. Fix a microfibre duster to each tip with rubber bands, then close the tongs, gripping a slat, and simply pull across. This way, both sides of the slat get a thorough clean.
For an even more lo-fi version, use an old sports sock as a kind of sock-puppet cleaning mitt, making sure you rinse it in a detergent solution as you go.
Removing dust from the individual slats on a blind is a laborious task. Make it a little easier by using kitchen tongs. Fix a microfibre duster to each tip with rubber bands, then close the tongs, gripping a slat, and simply pull across. This way, both sides of the slat get a thorough clean.
For an even more lo-fi version, use an old sports sock as a kind of sock-puppet cleaning mitt, making sure you rinse it in a detergent solution as you go.
Treat your tech well
TVs, Wi-Fi routers, DVD players, printers and computers are real dust magnets, but keeping them dust-free is crucial if they’re to run well.
Unplug the equipment before cleaning and then wipe down gently with a microfibre cloth. Next, be sure to vacuum dust and pet hair from around cords and vents, because it can clog machines.
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TVs, Wi-Fi routers, DVD players, printers and computers are real dust magnets, but keeping them dust-free is crucial if they’re to run well.
Unplug the equipment before cleaning and then wipe down gently with a microfibre cloth. Next, be sure to vacuum dust and pet hair from around cords and vents, because it can clog machines.
8 clever tips to steal from organised home offices
Reinvigorate your vents
Window vents and bathroom extractor fans can easily get dusty, too – and you don’t want them to be circulating fresh air mixed with dust. Avoid this by using a paintbrush to clean the vents. You might need to get into a deeper clean if your fan has become noisy, as there could be dust inside the motor.
After disconnecting it from the power supply, you can remove the cover and use cotton buds to remove deep-seated dust. If, however, the dust has begun to turn to greasy grime, use a damp cloth and a liquid or window cleaner to wipe the blades, then give the cover a good wash in soapy water.
Window vents and bathroom extractor fans can easily get dusty, too – and you don’t want them to be circulating fresh air mixed with dust. Avoid this by using a paintbrush to clean the vents. You might need to get into a deeper clean if your fan has become noisy, as there could be dust inside the motor.
After disconnecting it from the power supply, you can remove the cover and use cotton buds to remove deep-seated dust. If, however, the dust has begun to turn to greasy grime, use a damp cloth and a liquid or window cleaner to wipe the blades, then give the cover a good wash in soapy water.
Show a chandelier some love
If you have a glass or crystal chandelier, the easiest way to dust it is to buy a specialist spray cleaner designed for the job. Forget taking it down or teetering on a ladder with a cloth – with a specialist spray, you only have to spread a towel below, squirt the product up onto the chandelier, then watch as all the dust and dirt drips off.
When it comes to removing dust from other kinds of pendant lighting, sorry, but you’ll need that stepladder after all…
Do you have any savvy dusting tips? Please share them in the Comments below.
If you have a glass or crystal chandelier, the easiest way to dust it is to buy a specialist spray cleaner designed for the job. Forget taking it down or teetering on a ladder with a cloth – with a specialist spray, you only have to spread a towel below, squirt the product up onto the chandelier, then watch as all the dust and dirt drips off.
When it comes to removing dust from other kinds of pendant lighting, sorry, but you’ll need that stepladder after all…
Do you have any savvy dusting tips? Please share them in the Comments below.
First, remember you should work from the top down, so tackle the ceiling, picture rails and high shelves first, then work towards the floor. A vacuum cleaner with a long hose and multiple attachments is the most efficient tool, as it will suck up the dust before it can settle on the furniture below.
For really high spots, be prepared to get the stepladder out once in a while. Rather than dangerously balance a vacuum cleaner on it, track down a nifty flexible wand duster with a good reach. This will get to awkward and small spaces, trapping the dust on its high-pile sleeve.
Try the odd DIY hack, too. For example, if your vacuum cleaner’s nozzle doesn’t fit in narrow spaces, such as sliding door runners, try slotting on the cardboard inner tube from a kitchen roll, which you can crush, fold and mould to squidge into tricky spaces.