Disclosure: Any post may contain links to my shop or affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission from any purchase you make. All opinions about products I use are my own. Read the full disclosure and Privacy Policy HERE.
Growing up, when I’d offer to help clean the house, the chore my mom gave me was dusting. It was the chore she hated most and so I learned to love it. I’ve refined my dusting methods over the years, especially having my own home to maintain and no longer having time to dust out of boredom. š Dusting doesn’t need to be complicated or a dramatic chore. In fact, the simpler we make dusting, then it is easier to do more often, and so then easier to maintain!
A lot of people are sensitive to dust, especially people who also have asthma, seasonal allergies, and some inside pets. I’m allergic to dust, so keeping the house dusted helps me feel so much better.
If you want help making dusting part of a regular routine, you can see my Weekly Cleaning Schedule for tips on making a cleaning routine successful. None of this is “fun” but it’s just one of the parts of adulting we all need to figure out.
Helpful Dust Basics – Things to help that are NOT work
A lot of the dust in our homes is created from our dryers. Here’s what you can do about that:
- Clean your dryer vent regularly – at least annually! I recommend cleaning your dryer vent as a part of Spring Cleaning, but any time of year will work. I hire this out, so someone else does the work.
- Clean the lint trap every single time you use your dryer. Always.
- Close the door to your laundry room while the dryer is running.
- Setup an air purifier near your dryer.
Let’s talk air purifiers.
Air purifiers clean the dust out of the air – that’s what they do. Having air purifiers spread strategically throughout your home can help so much with dust. If dust is pulled out of the air, there is less dust to gather on surfaces!
There is one spot in particular in my home that used to collect dust an hour after I dusted. Probably not surprising that it is a dresser next to the doorway that faces the laundry room door. Placing an air purifier next to the dresser solved the problem completely. Now dusting that dresser every 1-2 weeks keeps it nicely maintained.
Dry Dusting
Dry dusting is so much easier than wet dusting! If done regularly, it can be 99% of your dusting. If a surface isn’t at least dry-dusted regularly, the dust will attach itself to the surface and will have to be wet dusted.
Dry dusting can be as simple as grabbing a Swiffer, your favorite dry duster, or even a dry rag, then walking around your home quickly swiping all the flat surfaces you see. It takes just slightly longer than the time it takes to walk around your home.
Tip for bathroom dust: if you use a disposable or washable dry duster, always finish it off by dusting around the bottom of the back of the toilet. You will thank yourself when it’s time to clean your bathroom! Simply throw away the Swiffer end or toss the washable dusters into the washing machine afterwards.
Tip for dusting with kids: have multiple dusters and make it a game by giving each kid their own duster. Set a timer and see who comes back with the dustiest duster! Kids love a good competition. They will probably dust the most random places, but that’s okay. If they get dust, it’s a win.
Wet Dusting
Wet dusting is using a polish or dust cleaning solution. You’ll want to find the polish that matches your surface! Use wood polish on wood, all-purpose solutions on vinyl or plastic type materials, and glass cleaner on glass and crystal items. Wet dusting gives such a satisfying shiny clean finish!
Tip for wet dusting properly: unless the directions on the polish specifically say otherwise, never spray the cleaning solution directly onto the furniture, light fixtures, decor, or whatever you’re dusting! Always spray the rag directly and then use the rag to polish.
Getting to the Random Dust
Don’t forget the random places dust collects. Occasionally –
- dust under and behind furniture
- vacuum mattresses and upholstery (dust mites live in these places, feeding on the dust … so you’re vacuuming them too)
- dust under, behind, and in between appliances
- dust tops of doorways and tall art work
- dust in the corners behind doors
What random place am I missing? Please comment and share where you’ve found random dust!
Happy Dusting! And remember, if you hate dusting, ask your kids to do it. š
From my home to yours,
Mary
See the Amazon list of Spring Cleaning Must Haves for the helpful dusting tools (and other cleaners) that I recommend!
Other random places: top of curtain rods, top of cupboards if not enclosed ( I use paper towels on top of mine, change them a couple of times a year).
Thanks for all your suggestions and of course the challenges.
Love these places! Thanks for sharing! And yes, swipe that duster in all those places.
I store flat food storage (Mylar bags) on top of my upper cabinets that is hidden by the trim. I lay old towels across the top so I can just wash and change out towels. I love your idea of paper towels – even easier!