You’re Probably Dusting Wrong—The 6 Dusting Tips You Need, Straight From a Cleaning Pro

Made up of shed skin cells, pet dander, insect droppings, pollen, lint, and soil particles, dust is everywhere. Dust can cling to vertical surfaces, fabrics, and every imaginable surface. Unless you like your home to look like you're ready for a Halloween haunted house, dusting is key.

Take a look at the best ways to dust areas and surfaces in your home and tips to make dusting easier and more efficient.

Use the Best Duster

Using the right type of duster for the task will make dusting easier and more effective. The best dusting tool is one that will capture and trap the dust so it is not spread around as you work.

• Electrostatic disposable dusters do a great job and are available with extendable handles to reach high places (think Swiffer). Offered in different thicknesses to handle light to heavy loads of dust, even on floors, they can become expensive to use for every task.
• Microfiber dusters come in a variety of designs, from hand-mitts to slatted window blind dusters to floor dust mops. The fibers are made from nylon and polyester and create an electrostatic fabric that attracts and holds onto dust until the duster is washed with laundry detergent. These dusters can be reused hundreds of times.
• Feather and wool dusters can be reused for many years but can scatter dust unless they are cleaned after every use. If you want a natural fiber duster, opt for a lambswool duster that can be hand-washed with a gentle soap.
• Old cotton t-shirts are popular as dusters. They are soft, won't scratch surfaces, and can be washed and reused. However, they don't trap the dust as well as microfiber unless you use a dusting spray or dampen the cotton slightly.

The worst product to use for dusting is a paper towel. Some brands can scratch surfaces, and all paper towels leave lint behind.

Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest hacks, expert advice, and more!

Keep a Dusting Schedule

Every room in your home should be dusted at least once a week. This doesn't mean that you have to do the entire house in one day. Make a schedule and dust one or two rooms each day. It will take only a few minutes and prevent an excessively heavy buildup of dust that is more difficult to capture.

During your weekly dusting, don't forget vertical surfaces like mirrors and the tops of picture frames and bookshelves.

Regularly cleaning your dusting tools and vacuum is also a crucial part of your dusting schedule—dirty appliances never work as well.

Changing your HVAC system or unit filters often should also be a part of your dusting schedule, as they capture dust circulating in the air and don't work as well when.

Handle Heavy Dust With a Vacuum First

If you haven't kept up with your dusting, removing a thick layer of buildup can seem daunting. Rather than going through multiple disposable dusters or microfiber cloths, start with a vacuum that has a hose and an upholstery brush attachment.

Work slowly and keep the brush just slightly above the surface of the dusty area to prevent scratching. Empty the vacuum cup or bag often to maintain strong suction. Follow up with a microfiber cloth or disposable duster to trap the small particles that are left behind.

Embrace Different Tools for Different Areas

With the right tools, dusting high or low spots isn't difficult. If you have ceiling fans, invest in a microfiber or disposable duster with an extendable and bendable handle. Change the angle to fit the blades and dusting is simple. This tool works great for light fixtures, tops of cabinets, and door and window moldings, too.

To dust baseboards, use a clean microfiber mop or use a rubber band to secure a microfiber cloth to the end of a broom handle so there's no bending. Use the same technique to clean and dust the tracts of sliding doors and shower stall enclosures.

Dust Upholstered Furniture With a Vacuum

The simplest way to dust upholstered furniture is to use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment. However, if you don't have a vacuum with a hose, put on a pair of rubber dishwashing gloves.

Start at the top of the furniture and rub down in one direction. The gloves will attract pet hair and dust. Rinse off and dry the gloves and continue until the entire piece is cleaned.

Wipe Down Electronics Regularly

Dust is an enemy of electronics. It can cause them to overheat and malfunction, so keeping dust away is essential. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for your computer, television, or gaming system, but most can be cleaned with an electrostatic disposable duster or microfiber cloth. Just don't use any water or dusting sprays.