1. Know Your Enemy
Dust is definitely not sugar and spice and everything nice. The microscopic particles are made up of all sorts of groovy things, but mostly it’s your dead skin that has fallen off. (More reason to moisturize.) Add to the mix pollen, animal dander, decomposing insects, lint, dust mites, and even mite poo. Virtually anything can contribute to the mix, like fibers from your new cashmere sweater or fuzzies from that snuggly wool blanket you love.
2. Make It Easy
Let's face it: Cleaning stinks. Make it easy on yourself by leaving a dust cloth in a cabinet in each room (living room, dining room, bedroom, etc.) that you need to dust frequently. Don’t be scared to buy disposable products, which will cut down on your time cleaning cloths after you dust. Try machine-washable dusters like Total-Reach Duster Plus ($15, shop.com).
3. Don’t Be Ashamed
Dust is a fact of life; you aren't dirty if your house is always dusty. It might just be your space. Older homes are often dustier than newer homes that have tighter seals around windows and doors. And different areas of the home often don’t gather dust at the same rate. How can you help yourself?
- Seal windows and doors with a sealing caulk so they're airtight. Look for concrete or mortar joints that haven’t been sealed -- they can produce little bits of dust.
- Keep the furnace clean and change the filters; the same goes for all AC units.
- Check your vacuum bags, filters, seals, and gaskets to prevent fine dust from being blown back into the air as you vacuum.
4. HEPA, You Need Somebody
A High Efficiency Particulate Absorption (HEPA) air purifier with allergen filters will reduce dust. And invest in a vacuum with the same type of filter. You should dust furniture with a rag lightly dampened with water. Microfiber cloths work best for dusting all surfaces.
6. Get a Mat
Placing a friendly floor mat inside and outside all doors will go a long way in limiting dust. Eighty percent of the dirt in a typical house is from what we track in on our shoes. Clean the mats periodically and let them dry before putting them back. Consider having indoor shoes to wear around the house and leave the street savvy pairs by the door -- and don’t be afraid to ask guests to do the same. Try a professional walk-off mat which helps trap a ton of dirt.
7. Clean Your Cloths
Machine wash your dust cloth once a week or whenever it looks heavily soiled. Dusting duty should always begin with a clean cloth to avoid spreading more dirt around.
8. Date With Dust
There's no right or wrong formula for how many times a week (or day!) you need to dust. It really depends on your place and what you have in it (more tchotchkes on the mantle = more things to collect dust). But since we love giving you rules of thumb, here’s what we would do:
Daily - Nothing -- we’re not that crazy!
Weekly - Furniture (coffee tables, etc.)
- Electronics (TV, DVD, computer)
- Tchotchkes
Monthly - Ceiling Fan
- Window treatments
- Ceiling
- Windowsills
- Wall coverings
- Doors
- Baseboards
- Bookshelves
Tip: Rotate monthly tasks weekly so you never have to spend the whole day dusting!
9. Start at the Top
It would be a real pain to clean the floor and then tackle the ceiling fan, which will only deposit dust right back onto the floor. Work from high to the middle to the ground.
10. Take It Slow
Generally, you don’t want to dust too fast because you’ll just wind up knocking the stuff around instead of picking it up. So use a slow, deliberate motion when you dust and be sure to switch when one side of your cloth or duster gets dirty. Also, when you do shake out your duster, remember to do it outside!
11. Get It All
Anything in your home that has a surface needs to be dusted. Even your curtains, bedspread, dust ruffle, pillows, and mattress need attention once in a while. Fabric items should be washed in 130-degree water or higher (it needs to be hot enough to kill mites) or dry-cleaned periodically. If you have allergies, look into encasing your box spring and mattress in zippered, dust-proof, or allergen-proof covers. Similar products can be found for pillows. Don’t forget the floor -- schedule an annual professional rug cleaning.
12. Use the Right Tools
Dusting cloths are great for general easy-to-reach use, while a vacuum with a dusting brush or an extension wand duster is better to get to unusual spaces like a valance. Feather dusters tend to move dust around, so you’ll end up swiping at the same particles over and over.
- Electrostatic or microfiber cloths and lambs wool dusters work more efficiently since they pick up dust instead of relocating it.
- If you like to use an anti-dust spray and a cloth, make sure the cloth is moist but not dripping wet.
- Get the most from cloths and mops by treating them the night before the big clean. Wrap them in a plastic bag so the spray or oil really seeps in evenly.
13. Hard to Treat Spots
Television and computer screens emit lots of static electricity. And The Office doesn't seem as funny when viewed through a fine veil of dust (well, maybe it’s only 1 percent less humorous). But remember that your appliances shouldn't be sprayed with any type of product. Stick to a microfiber cloth and settle in for a relaxing (and viewer-friendly) night of laughs.
14. Be Creative
Products you have around the house can do double duty when it comes to dusting. Here are some of our favorites:
- A lint roller on your lampshades, paint-brushes for hard-to-reach crevices, or a putty knife covered with a dusting cloth.
- A spray-treated sock worn on your hand makes cleaning mini-blinds a breeze.
- Dryer sheets help clean computer and television screens because they zap static electricity.
- A broom handle covered with a microfiber cloth or pretreated cloth to reach underbed and furniture dust bunnies.
- If you’re thinking of resurrecting your childhood teddy bear for your next generation, put it in the freezer overnight encased in a plastic bag to kill dust mites that may be embedded in the fur. Vacuum it after removing it from the freezer (sorry Teddy) for extra cleaning.
15. What’s a Dust Bunny?
Cute name, gross phenomenon. They're clumps of fluffy stuff that usually form where the sun -- and vacuum -- don’t shine. Static electricity and fibers (such as hair) hold the critters together. (Fun fact: They’re called "beggar’s velvet" in England.) Sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting regularly will keep the clumps from forming, but that only works if you actually remember to get to those places you don’t see. It’s there that dust really loves to accumulate and form entities, so always remember to dust under the bed, couch, and any other piece of furniture where dust can easily hide under and come to life.
-- Alonna Friedman
See More: Cleaning & Organizing