How to Dust Cleaning The Right Way

When it comes to dust cleaning it is important to know which tools you should and shouldn’t use.

No, you need more than just a stick of feathers to clean dust the right way. 

For instance, feather dusters are far from helpful, the owner of Clean Corp says “This tool simply spreads dust from one surface to another.” Instead, you can more successfully capture dust with a soft cloth dampened with water, a microfiber duster, or an electrostatic duster. Especially with pets in the house, a duster can spread pet hair from one corner of the room to the next. 

The reality of living with grime

Dust, like taxes, is no fun to deal with, but equally inevitable. And now there’s even more reason to stay on top of it: According to a recent study by the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, in Washington, D.C., dust isn’t made up of just lint, pollen, skin cells, and animal dander. That sniffle-inducing soot may also contain — hold onto your hand vac — 45 potentially toxic chemicals, including TDCIPP (a flame retardant found in some furniture), the phthalate DEHP (in certain plastics, vinyl floors, and electronics), and phenols (used in some cleaning products).

These are all chemicals that have been associated with health problems, including cancer and central nervous system damage. This is why minimizing your exposure to dust is critical, although it sounds very unimportant.” 

Now that you know more about dust and have the right tools in mind, here are targeted strategies for your home’s most hard-to-reach spots.

Walls

For ceiling-to-floor cleaning, a vacuum with multiple attachments is the most efficient tool. Work from the top down to capture the most dust without making a mess.

Baseboards

You can tackle dingy spots using a wet cloth. Lightly spray it with water or an all-purpose cleaning solution, like Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner Trigger and run it over baseboards to whisk debris away in a flash.

Cabinets and curios

To get at dust trapped in tiny nooks and intricate carvings, use a clean natural-bristle paint or makeup brush, then wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Electronics

Computers, TVs, DVD players, stereos, and printers are notorious dust magnets. Always unplug the equipment before cleaning. A gentle swipe with a microfiber cloth usually does the job, while a soft, long-handled brush ($3, amazon.com) will collect dust from crevices. Be sure to vacuum dust from around cords and vents because, along with pet hair, it can clog machines or outlets.

Soft toys

Put bean bags, critters, teddy bears, or fabric dolls into a large plastic bag with a cup of baking soda. Secure the top, then take the items outside and shake well. The baking soda and static will draw out the soil and dust. Remove items one at a time, shake off the clumps of baking soda, and vacuum the rest using a brush attachment.

Back of Appliances

Over time, crumbs, grease, and other debris accumulate behind your stove and refrigerator, providing a food source for insects and other pests. If possible, move the appliance out from the wall and unplug. Use a long-handled, slightly damp sponge mop to lift dust from the back of the appliance, then wipe the floor and walls with hot soapy water.

Vents

Remove heavy dust from ceiling, floor, or appliance vents with a soft-brush vacuum attachment or electrostatic mop, then dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe the surface. Rinse removable, washable air-conditioning filters well in hot soapy water and air-dry before reinstalling.

Ceiling fans

Place newspaper or a drop cloth under the ceiling fan. Turn off the power source, then get on a step stool. Use damp paper towels to wipe greasy dust from the casing and a soft-bristle brush dampened with a mild cleanser, like Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap to loosen the dust on the blades, then rinse with a damp paper towel.

The Practical Side of Cleaning Correctly

While it’s easy to just get on with the tools you, proper understanding on the process of cleaning can ensure a safe and economical approach to your living areas.

Here are some things you might want to consider:

1. Clean top bottom, left to right

If you start cleaning on the ground, you’ll stir up dust rather than get rid of it. That’s why the best way to blast it is by vacuuming your ceiling and walls once a month. Work your way toward the floor using the dust-brush tool.If you have ceiling fans, defuzz them with a tube sock: Stretch it over each blade and pull it off, then spritz the blades with a solution of three parts water and one part vinegar, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth, which will grab teensy particles a regular rag would miss. 

To kill dust mites, toss socks and clothes in a super-hot wash cycle with a few teaspoons of vinegar.

2. Follow a 7-Day Rule/ Cycle

Keep plenty of those microfiber cloths on hand, because they’re perfect for polishing dressers, tables, and picture frames once a week (more, if you have dust allergies). The same goes for carpets, another dust magnet:

Give them a pass at least weekly with your trusty vac — ideally one with a HEPA filter, so particles won’t escape back into the room.

The soft-brush attachment will whisk blinds and curtains clean, and the carpet hose can squeeze into tight spots, like under large beds and behind heavy furniture.

3. Go green!

A simple Lipton tea bag can help you gently condition dusty leather furniture. To renew shine, mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup plain brewed black tea and 1/4 cup white vinegar; shake well, then gently apply the mixture to leather couches and chairs with a microfiber cloth.

Once you’re done cleaning the entire house using the top to bottom approach, finish the dust cleaning with a particular attention to the flooring.

Mop weekly, and tackle low-to-the-ground details while you’re at it. Dryer sheets, which contain antistatic agents, are great for removing tenacious grime like pet hair from baseboards and corners. They also create a static barrier that prevents dust from building back up quickly — so the job will be even easier next time.

One of the many realities of life is that cleaning dust and cleaning in general is a big part of it if we want to remain healthy. We can certainly put off cleaning for another day, but the question is, how long can we stand the build-up of things that might harm us in our own home?

For this reason, there’s an easy and reliable solution like Clean Corp who can do the cleaning for you in professional manner. Try it out today by getting a quote and customizing a schedule that fits your needs.  Once you schedule your cleaning you can take a nice walk at piedmont park to get fresh air.