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The 9 Best Dusting Tools of 2024

It’s time to spiff up your mantel and bookshelves

OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster collaged on a blue background

The Spruce / David Hattan

Dusting is a key part of keeping a clean and tidy home. It's also a lifesaver for those who suffer from allergies. First off, having the right dusting tools can make the job so much easier and faster. 

Angela Brown, host of the Ask a House Cleaner show and creator of a training program for cleaning professionals, says, “Ultimately, the best option depends on your specific cleaning needs and preferences,” pointing to popular options like microfiber, feather dusters, and handheld dusting tools.

Taking Brown’s advice in mind, we researched the best dusting tools on the market, evaluating by type, material, and versatility.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster

OXO-good-grips-microfiber-hand-duster

Amazon

What We Like
  • Doesn’t need cleaning solution

  • Machine-washable

  • Flexible head

  • Grip on handle

What We Don’t Like
  • Handle does not extend

Handheld dusting tools are some of the easiest to use and most versatile. The OXO Good Grips microfiber hand duster stands out for its great dust trapping power, flexible surface, and reusable features. The duster head is made of microfiber, a lint-free surface that traps dust and dirt without the need for cleaning chemicals. We love that it does a great job pulling dust particles off delicate surfaces. If you have items that shouldn’t be cleaned with harsh chemicals, this is the duster that you need.

The duster head is also flexible, allowing you to maneuver it into tight spaces and corners. Just know the handle does not extend. But it does have a comfortable, graspable material that will keep it from slipping as you reach up high to dust.

The duster head is also machine washable, a key feature that sets it apart from other handheld options. All you have to do is snap the microfiber portion off and throw it in your washing machine, letting it air dry once it’s done. This is a very budget-friendly duster, particularly when you consider its low price and that you can wash and reuse the microfiber cleaning head.

Dimensions: 0.9 x 4 x 18 inches | Weight: 0.31 pounds | Material: Microfiber | Maintenance Required: Wash microfiber head

Best Budget

O-Cedar Hardwood Floor ‘N Baseboards Dust Mop

O-cedar-dual-action-microfiber-sweeper-dust-mop

Amazon

What We Like
  • Two cleaning surfaces

  • Can be used to wet or dry mop

  • Flexible mop head

  • Machine washable

What We Don’t Like
  • Not great for small items

This long-handled duster mop works on large surfaces to trap dirt and dust in its looped chenille and microfiber mop head. It can be used with cleaning solution or water, but it's also effective when used dry. We especially love that the corners of the mop head are flexible. This creates a surface that is ideal for thoroughly cleaning floors and baseboards.

The cleaning pad can be removed from the mop and washed in the washing machine, and the mop head is larger than most options at over 18 inches long. While this is ideal for larger surfaces like floors, it can make cleaning smaller and delicate items more challenging. The long handle won't collapse or shorten, which means this mop is ideal for floors, but difficult to use for smaller jobs.

Dimensions: 9.25 x 2.75 x 18.25 inches | Weight: 1.25 pounds | Material: Chenille, microfiber | Maintenance Required: Wash microfiber head 

Best Vacuum

Shark Vertex Cordless Stick Vacuum

Shark Vertex IZ462H Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum

Amazon

What We Like
  • Lightweight

  • Folding wand

  • Easy to store

  • Long battery life

What We Don’t Like
  • Small canister

The Shark Vertex vacuum is cordless and lightweight, making it perfect for taking around the house for small messes and dust. It has up to 60 minutes of run time on one battery charge and also comes with a rechargeable battery that you can take out of the vacuum. It folds up for storage and also has a folding wand that lets you get under tables and furniture. What do we love about it most? It's effective at trapping particles larger than 0.3 microns, especially dust, dander, and other allergens.

While it's lightweight and easy to transport and use, the canister fills up quickly if you're using it to vacuum regularly. This smaller vacuum is great for tiny messes, on both carpet and hardwood. But it isn’t large enough to replace a full-size vacuum even though it requires a similar amount of storage.

Dimensions: 10.24 x 9.65 x 46.46 inches | Weight: 9.04 pounds | Material: Plastic | Maintenance Required: Charge battery

Best for Delicate Items

Ddzmz Ostrich Feather Duster

ddzmz Ostrich Feather Duster

Amazon

What We Like
  • Very soft surface

  • Pliable and moves around small items

  • Doesn’t conduct static electricity

What We Don’t Like
  • Need to hand wash

The ostrich feathers used in this duster are super soft and flexible. They pick up dust and particles without damaging even the most delicate surfaces. It comes in multiple lengths and has a wooden handle that will hold up well over time. These feathers do not conduct static electricity and are softer than other species. Maintaining your feather duster is also easy. You can shake off dust and dirt over the trash can or rinse the feathers in warm water. Just remember you should squeeze out any extra water and avoid soaking the duster to ensure that the feathers maintain their fluffiness.

This also isn’t a good option to use with cleaning solutions. Some strong chemicals can damage feathers and even reduce their ability to pick up dust and dirt. You should also avoid washing it with soap. Instead, use warm water and work any debris out with your hands before letting it air dry.

Dimensions: 15.39 x 2.56 x 1.46 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Wood, ostrich feathers | Maintenance Required: Wash by hand  

Best for Allergies

Scrub Daddy Damp Duster

Scrub Daddy Damp Duster

Walmart

What We Like
  • Ridged surface

  • Just needs water

  • Reusable

What We Don’t Like
  • Hard to use on high up surfaces

If you have allergies, you’ll want to remove every dust particle. The Scrub Daddy Damp Duster has a ridged surface that lifts dust off of just about every surface. You don’t need chemical cleaners to use it. Instead, just moisten it with water and rinse away the dust and dirt that you trap. It also has an integrated foaming cleanser, making dusting super easy. When you're done, just rinse it, let it dry, and put it away until the next time you need it.

This is a handheld dusting tool. If you want to use it to clean surfaces up high, you’ll need to be able to use a step stool or small ladder. Because it uses water to activate the cleaning foam, you’ll need to be careful and make sure that you only use it on surfaces that can get damp. Smaller places that are hard to get into, such as blinds and baseboards, are the best places to use this ridged cleaning sponge.

Dimensions: 5.91 x 2.36 x 1.57 inches | Weight: 56 grams | Material: Not listed | Maintenance Required: Rinsing        

Best for Floors

Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop

Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop

Amazon

What We Like
  • Adjustable handle

  • Mop head can pivot or lock

  • Comes with three mop pads

  • Mop pads are washable

What We Don’t Like
  • Map pads can become disconnected

To pick dust up from floors, the Microfiber Wholesale professional microfiber mop kit is a great choice. It has a telescoping handle that you can adjust to suit your needs. This allows you to use the mop on floors, furniture, walls, and other surfaces. It also works if multiple people of different heights plan to use the mop for cleaning. The mop head can pivot, but you can also lock it in place at different angles. 

It comes with three washable mop heads that attach to the bottom. Bonus: They can be removed and can withstand 300 washes each without any signs of wear. They use a hook and loop-style attachment that can come undone if you're really vigorous with your cleaning. But, the mop pads are 2 inches longer than the base, which helps them stay in position and reduces the chance that they'll catch on anything.

Dimensions: 41.2 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches | Weight: 3.75 pounds | Material: Plastic, microfiber | Maintenance Required: Washable mop heads   

Best Kit

Swiffer 360 Heavy Duty Dusters Starter Kit

Swiffer 360 Dusters Starter Kit

Amazon

What We Don’t Like
  • Everything is included

  • Reusable handle

  • Extendable handle

What We Don’t Like
  • Have to replace dusters after each use

This kit comes with everything that you need to get started dusting surfaces in your home. It has a handheld duster with an extendable handle. That means it goes up to 3 feet in length, enough to reach overhead surfaces like fan blades or high shelves. The duster head swivels a full 360 degrees. It's also soft and has a lot of feather pieces that pick up dust and dirt even in small and intricate spaces.

The handle is reusable, but you’ll need to purchase replacement duster heads from Swiffer. You can only use the Swiffer brand with the handle. So, this gets pricey, and it also creates more waste than a 100 percent reusable option. Fortunately, Swiffer has a recycling program to recycle used dusters.

Dimensions: 3 x 5 x 11 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Aluminum, feather | Maintenance Required: None

Best Cloths

Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Amazon Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Amazon

What We Like
  • Can be used on multiple surfaces

  • Wet or dry dusting

  • Multi-pack

  • Machine washable

What We Don’t Like
  • Not great for high up dusting

  • Can stick to other things in dryer

Microfiber is one of the best dusting materials out there, and this pack of 12 cloths can tackle just about any cleaning need on any surface. You can use cleaning solution for extra power, but they often trap dust and dirt when dry dusting. Microfiber is lint-free so you won’t need to worry about leaving anything behind other than a sparkling clean surface.

These cloths are washable, but are tricky to use on high surfaces and shelving. On the plus side, they come in multiple bright colors, which can be used to color code based on use or room. After using them, put the cloths right in the washer and dryer. They tend to stick to other clothing and linens in the dryer, so just make sure that you check your outfit before getting dressed.

Dimensions: 12.6 x 12.6 inches | Weight: 0.79 ounces | Material: Microfiber | Maintenance Required: Machine washable

Best Air Purifier

Blueair Auto Air Purifier

Blueair Blue Pure 311 Auto Air Purifier

Amazon

What We Like
  • Removes most pollutants from the air

  • Sleek design

  • Manual or auto mode

  • Energy star-certified

What We Don’t Like
  • Expensive

  • Will need to replace filters periodically

Removing dust and allergens from the air is a great way to keep your home clean. The Blueair Blue Pre 311 has a sleek look and a multi-stage filter that traps dirt, dust, allergens, pollen, mold, and even viruses and bacteria in the air. You can set it to auto, and it'll turn on and off as needed as it detects pollutants in the air. The manual setting is also available in three different modes.

This is more expensive than handheld or mop-style dusters. It also adds to your overall energy bill. But because it's Energy star-certified, the cost is minimal. You'll need to purchase replacement filters periodically. Blueair recommends replacing the filter every six months, but you can always rely on the filter replacement indicator light to let you know when its time. Our tester noted that even though this model is more expensive than other air filters, the auto feature makes it worth the higher cost.

Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 20.5 inches | Weight: 10.95 pounds | Material: Not listed | Maintenance Required: Filter replacement

Final Verdict

Our top pick, the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster, is easy to use and clean. It doesn’t require any cleaning solution, but is still effective on dust and dirt, which gets picked up by a soft microfiber surface. You can also wash the duster head in the washing machine when you’re done and never have to worry about replacement parts. For a budget-friendly option that works for larger surfaces, try the O-Cedar Dual-Action Microfiber Sweeper Dust Mop. It has a long handle and a large mop head, perfect for dusting and cleaning floors and furniture.

What to Look For in a Dusting Tool

Surface

The surface you plan to clean is one of the most important factors when it comes to dusting tools. Look for one that is made of a material that is designed to pick up and trap dust and dirt. Microfiber, like the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster and the Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, is a great option.

Type

Consider which type of dusting you will be doing to determine the best tool for the job. Handheld dusters, such as the Swiffer 360 Dusters Starter Kit, are great for shelving and knickknacks, although they aren’t very efficient to clean floors or high places. Vacuums like the Shark Vertex Ultra Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum are perfect for floors and thorough, but hard to use on small surfaces.

Size

The cleaning head should be large or small, as well as have flexibility to get into corners and other tight spaces. The O-Cedar Dual-Action Microfiber Sweeper Dust Mop and Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop are both large and well-equipped for floors and other big jobs. Smaller options like the Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths are more maneuverable for tight spots.

Maintenance

Your cleaning tools shouldn’t create a lot of extra work for you, so look for something that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Machine washable cleaning pads, like the Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloths or OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster, don’t need a lot of maintenance, but are still reusable. The Swiffer 360 Dusters Starter Kit requires the least amount of work, but you'll need to purchase refill dusters after each use.

FAQ
  • Should you dust or vacuum first?

    While there isn’t a set way to go about cleaning your room, Angela Brown, host of the Ask a House Cleaner show, recommends being methodical and taking time to see what needs to be cleaned. She likes to start by shining a flashlight on all surfaces to see where the dust is collecting.

    “Start at the top of the room and work your way down. Start in one place and move from left to right around the room as you clean. This will keep you from missing anything.”

  • Which is better, a feather duster or a microfiber duster?

    The better option really depends on what you plan to use it on. Brown recommends feather dusters for particularly delicate items or if you want an eco-friendly option. “Feather dusters are gentle on soft surfaces such as lampshades, picture frames, and fragile ornaments,” she says. “They are a sustainable option, as they do not require electricity or chemicals to create.”

    Microfiber, on the other hand, are more effective and can be less triggering for those with allergies.

  • How often should you dust?

    Most homes benefit from being dusted every week or two weeks. If you have pets, you may need to dust more often to ensure that your home remains dust and dander-free. Certain times of year can also trigger more frequent dusting. Early spring, when air is thick with pollen, can result in an increased need to dust.

  • Should you have a dusting strategy?

    You should! "Always start from the top and work down in a room to avoid having to re-clean surfaces that dust falls on," says Marilee Nelson, co-founder of Branch Basics. For example, vacuuming or dusting a ceiling fan will always result in some dust falling to the surfaces below. Hit ceilings, walls, furniture, then floors in that order. Then, vacuum to capture any remaining dust particles.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Melynn has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. While compiling this list, she looked at reviews and user experience as well as talked to Angela Brown, host of the Ask a House Cleaner show. She considered which tools were easy to use and effective as well as the various materials and surfaces that could be dusted. Additional input was provided by Marilee Nelson, co-founder of Branch Basics.

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