The Right Way to Dust Your Home

Dust buildup is inevitable no matter how frequently you clean your home. While it may be considered a tedious household chore, dusting is essential as it improves air quality and reduces allergens in the home. A combination of skin cells, hair, clothing fibers, pollen, dirt, and other substances, dust can be managed when it’s cleaned properly. To help you keep dust buildup to a minimum, we’re sharing our tips for how to dust the right way.

Maintain a Dusting Schedule

How often you dust depends on a few factors, like how many people live in your home, if you have any pets, and how sensitive you are to dust buildup. As a general rule, dusting once a week is effective at keeping the particles to a minimum. You can feel free to adjust this cadence to more or less frequently depending on your specific circumstances. 

Dust From Top to Bottom

Dusting from top to bottom is the most effective way to dust. “Let’s say you are dusting a dresser and starting with the bottom drawer,” says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids. “By the time you get to the top, you will have to redo all the lower surfaces from dust falling downward.” If you’re cleaning your entire home, start with your ceiling fans and work your way down to the floor. 

Know Where Dust Accumulates

Some areas of your home are more susceptible to dust than others. Knowing where these areas are will help you manage dust buildup more effectively. 

Electronics

Electronics collect dust easily due to the static charges, which can affect how well these devices function. “The best way to properly dust these items is to power them off first, and then use either canned air or a microfiber cloth,” says Cohoon. 

Books

Books are often displayed alongside one another on shelves, which can be a hub for dust collection. “Run a dry microfiber towel over your books regularly, starting at the spine and working towards the front of the covers,” says Jennifer Parnell, the co-founder of Humble Suds.

Under Furniture

Areas that aren’t visible—think under the bed or the couch—are typically neglected in the weekly or even monthly cleaning routine. Because these areas can be overlooked, they tend to be hotspots for accumulated dust. Make it a habit to dust under furniture more frequently using a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool, says Cohoon. 

Household Appliances

Household appliances like ovens and vents collect dust because of air circulation, says Cohoon. While each appliance will have its own set of cleaning standards, you can remove dust by wiping appliances clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

Window Treatments

Windows trap dust from the air, causing your window treatments to accumulate with the particles. "Drag the dusting or upholstery attachment of your vacuum (whichever seems to work best for your item) from top to bottom for curtains or across upholstery," says Parnell. "You can also use a damp microfiber towel to wipe any leftover areas."

Use the Right Tools for Dusting

Choosing the right tools when dusting is a crucial aspect of getting the job done correctly. "You want a tool that dust will stick to and not be recirculated," says Parnell.

Microfiber Towel

One of the best dusting tools is a damp microfiber towel. "Dust clings to it and, once the towel is covered, you can rinse it clean and start again," says Parnell.

Paint Brushes

Turn to your supply of arts and crafts when dusting. "Paint brushes are great to use for hard-to-reach places, and the soft bristles are less likely to cause damage," says Cohoon.

Vacuum With Dust Attachment

Vacuuming is a great tool if yours has a HEPA filter and is powerful enough to suck up dust. "If your vacuum comes with a dusting attachment, it can work well on blinds, bookshelves, staircases, and hard-to-reach areas," says Parnell.

Tape

Use tape or a lint brush to remove dust from lamp shades and other household fabrics, like upholstery, window treatments, furniture, and chairs, says Parnell.

Canned Air

Canned air is a great option for blasting dust and crumbs from electronics, such as your keyboard. "You’ll still need to vacuum or wipe the crumbs away after using it," says Parnell.

Avoid Using the Wrong Cleaning Supplies

Stay away from cleaning supplies that push dust elsewhere. "It is just redistributing the dust into the air, which can be even more harmful than undisturbed dust sitting on a surface," says Parnell. One cleaning item to avoid when dusting is paper towels. "Paper towels are one of the most commonly used tools for dusting, but they create more work because they tend to push dust around rather than capturing it," says Cohoon.

Don’t Neglect Hard-to-Reach Areas 

While some areas of your home may be hard to reach when dusting, avoiding these nooks and crannies will lead to more dust buildup in the future. "Hard-to-reach areas like ceiling fans or super high shelves can be properly cleaned using extension tools like microfiber cloths with long handles or vacuum attachments with extensions," says Cohoon.