Five Strategies to Enhance Your Dust-Removal Skills
I'm all about improvement, not complacency. The saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" doesn't sit well with me. If something works fine, that's great, but could it work better? For example, you know how to clean your house, right? But is it quick? Is it as efficient as it could be? Or is it a chore you put off until it's a nasty mess, then have to scrub like crazy? Your regular cleaning cloths and trusty duster can get the job done, but a few clever swaps and tricks can make it a breeze.
Dust your ceiling fan with a pillowcase
This is an oldie but goodie. It's tried, tested, and reliable. To easily dust your ceiling fan (and let's be real, it's one of the nastiest things to clean), turn off the fan, then slide a pillowcase over a blade. Firmly hold the opening and pull it towards you. You'll sweep up all the dirt and grime into the pillowcase instead of letting it fall to the floor. Then, throw the pillowcase into the washing machine. Easy peasy.
Use a paintbrush to dust
This tip comes from Clean Queen, a social media cleaning queen. She suggests using a paintbrush to dust small spaces, textured surfaces, and tricky spots like vents. The bristles are both firm and flexible, letting them get into crevices and tight spots, then yank the dirt right out. Just use the same brush strokes you would if you were painting, moving the brush back and forth to dislodge any debris.
Try tongs to dust your blinds
Don't fancy shoving a cloth or duster into every slat on your blinds? I get it. There's an easier way. Grab a pair of kitchen tongs and slide a sock or microfiber cloth onto each end. Then, grab a blind, slide the tongs across, and repeat until the job's done, shaking off the dust or switching out the socks or rags. You can even attachment dryer sheets to the tongs or use them to dust. They pick up dust like magic!
Keep the dust at bay
Usually, when you leave dusting until last minute, it piles up and creates a mess. What if you could spread out your cleaning sessions but still avoid a big mess? Try making a dust-repelling solution. Mix two cups of water, one cup of vinegar, two tablespoons of olive oil, and a drop of dish soap, and put it in a spray bottle. Coat your dust-prone surfaces and wipe them down. This will keep dust at bay. But it's not permanent—plan on an extra week or two of dust-free living.
Clean like a pro
In general, work from top to bottom. Dust the upper corners first, then move on to the fan, bookcases, and furniture, and finally, the baseboards. The last thing you want is dust falling on things you've already cleaned, forcing you to clean them again. Working from top to bottom means all the dust will eventually end up at floor level, so you can do a big vacuum once you're done.
Also, while a wet microfiber cloth pulls a lot of dust off your surfaces, you don't want to rely on it alone. You'll end up having to switch it out or rinse it way too often. Instead, use a duster tool, like the Swiffer Duster Heavy Duty, to trap the biggest pieces of dust before you go in with the wet cloth.
After recognizing that regular cleaning methods might not be the most efficient, you might consider implementing some of the best dusting tips. For instance, using a paintbrush to dust small spaces and textured surfaces can help reach tricky spots effectively. Additionally, dusting your home's ceilings with a pillowcase is a tried and tested method that can make the task less daunting and more manageable.
