How to Rid Your Entire Home of Dust

Wooden ceiling fan wiped from dust with purple microfiber cloth

The Spruce / Almar Creative

In This Article
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 15 mins - 2 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $15 to $150

Dust can plague your home year-round but you can make your space sparkle using the right tools and methods. You can't prevent dust, so we recommend dusting easy-to-reach areas, like ceiling fans and upholstery, at least once a month. Tackle more difficult spots, like high windows and ceilings, and small items like frames and shelves, every three to six months. Read on to learn how to get rid of dust in your home for a speck-free space.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Dusting Tools

  • Microfiber cloths
  • Microfiber towels for glass
  • Flexible microfiber duster and pole
  • Lightweight vacuum with a round brush attachment
  • Paper towels (optional)

Materials

Cleaning Products

  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Glass cleaner
  • Melamine foam sponge (optional)

Instructions

Materials and tools to remove dust throughout the home

The Spruce / Almar Creative

How to Rid Your Home of Dust

  1. Gather the Right Dusting Tools

    Use microfiber cloths to dust rather than a feather duster. Microfiber fabric catches and picks up dust and can be cleaned in the laundry after use.

    Choose a flexible microfiber duster with a pole to reach high places; it is safer than climbing on step stools and ladders.

    Purple microfiber cloth held up over dusting materials

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  2. Work from Ceiling to Floor

    Put the flexible microfiber duster on a pole and bend it to dust around the ceiling fan blades and hard-to-reach light fixtures.

    Dampen your microfiber cloth with your favorite all-purpose cleaner, and gently wipe the high surfaces to clean them off.

    All-purpose cleaner sprayed on microfiber cloth

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  3. Use a Vacuum When Possible

    Use a lightweight vacuum with attachments or a hand-held vacuum to dust shelves, the tops of cabinets, and molding.

    Ensure the vacuum is HEPA-rated with a true built-in HEPA filter. HEPA-rated vacuums are more effective for trapping dust and pet dander.

    Lightweight canister vacuum with brush attachment cleaning wall corners

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  4. Use Microfiber on Glass Surfaces As Well

    Use microfiber towels made specifically for glass to ensure streak-free shine. These towels are denser and smoother so they won't scratch glass.

    Purple microfiber cloth wiping glass tabletop to remove dust

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

  5. Dust the Baseboards

    Dust your baseboards after the top and middle of the room is dusted.

    Start by vacuuming the surface of the baseboards with a round brush attachment.

    Grab a microfiber cloth (or paper towels as a substitute), spray with an all-purpose cleaner, and wipe down the baseboards to finish. If your baseboards are neglected and scuffed, use a melamine foam sponge or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to bring marked baseboards back to life.

    Purple microfiber cloth wiping baseboards of dust

    The Spruce / Almar Creative

FAQ
  • What's the best method for dusting my home?

    The best way to dust is to commit to a schedule for cleaning, gather the right supplies and tools, and dust from the top of a room to the bottom using a general-purpose spray cleaner.

  • Should I dust with a wet or dry cloth?

    You should dust with a slightly wet microfiber cloth or microfiber duster. Dampen your cloth with an all-purpose cleaner or a few drops of water. Don't saturate the cloth because you don't want to leave streaks of moisture on your surfaces.

  • What's the best way to get dust up?

    The best way to get dust up off the floors and fabric surfaces is to use a HEPA-rated vacuum with a true HEPA filter.

  • How can I dust like a professional?

    Professional cleaners use microfiber cloths and microfiber dusters to properly dust a house.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. What is a HEPA Filter? EPA.