Take a look at the best ways to dust areas and surfaces in your home and tips to make dusting easier and more efficient.
Electrostatic disposable dusters do a great job and are available with extendable handles to reach high places. Offered in different thicknesses to handle light to heavy loads of dust, even on floors, they can become expensive to use for every task.Microfiber dusters come in a variety of designs, from hand-mitts to slatted window blind dusters to floor dust mops. The fibers are made from nylon and polyester and create an electrostatic fabric that attracts and holds onto dust until the duster is washed with laundry detergent. These dusters can be reused hundreds of times.Feather and wool dusters can be reused for many years but can scatter dust unless they are cleaned after every use. If you want a natural fiber duster, opt for a lambswool duster that can be hand-washed with a gentle soap.Many people swear by old cotton t-shirts for dusters. They are soft, won’t scratch surfaces, and can be washed and reused. However, they don’t trap the dust as well as microfiber unless you use a dusting spray or dampen the cotton slightly.The worst product to use for dusting is a paper towel. Some brands can scratch surfaces, and all paper towels leave lint behind.
During your weekly dusting, don’t forget vertical surfaces like mirrors and the tops of picture frames and bookshelves. Work slowly and keep the brush just slightly above the surface of the dusty area to prevent scratching. Empty the vacuum cup or bag often to maintain strong suction. Follow up with a microfiber cloth or disposable duster to trap the small particles that are left behind. To dust baseboards, use a clean microfiber mop or use a rubber band to secure a microfiber cloth to the end of a broom handle so there’s no bending. Use the same technique to clean and dust the tracts of sliding doors and shower stall enclosures.
