Dust is one of the worst enemies of homeowners. Not so much because it could be hard to get rid of it, but because no matter how hard you try or how deep you clean your home, it always comes back. That alone can be a little upsetting, but don't let dust win the battle that easily!

With a little insight into dusty matters and a couple of tips on how to tackle it more efficiently, you can keep your home dust-free for longer than before—and here we'll share all about it with you!

The best tools to dust your home

Your trusty duster can tackle almost any dusting job without problems, but it has an important disadvantage compared to other tools: it doesn't trap dust as well. So, depending on the task, you may want to try other tools that work better—saving you time and effort!

For general dusting purposes, a microfiber cloth is the way to go. These fabrics are designed specifically to trap dirt with maximum efficiency, so it doesn't just spread while you clean. Besides, its versatility means you can tackle other problems like spills without losing time.

If you're dealing with cobwebs, there's nothing better than a vacuum cleaner, as it will quickly remove them without worrying about sticky issues. So, is your duster completely out of the picture? No, you can use it for light dusting or to clean delicate items!

Where does dust accumulate the most?

Not all the areas in your home get as dusty as the rest. Knowing the zones that could need more attention will help you to carry out a more efficient dusting session.

Electronics

Have you ever noticed how a balloon attracts hair? That's the effect of static electricity. Static electricity attracts particles due to its charge, and as electronics produce it, they tend to gather dust over time.

Books

A bookshelf filled with books is a dust magnet. As you'll hardly read all your books at the same time, they stay for extended periods on your shelves side by side, collecting dust on and between them.

Behind and under furniture

Due to how difficult it can be to clean these areas, many homeowners skip them regularly (or don't clean them as often as needed), which leads to higher dust accumulation than in other places in your home.

Window treatments

Whether the dust is coming from the outside or because particles are hitting the glass from the inside and falling, dirt tends to settle on window sills or blinds as they're the first things that it makes contact with.

Corners

If your ceiling corners have cobwebs, they can become a dusty zone if you neglect them. Also, due to its location, floor corners can gather lots of dirt, even more so if they're out of reach (like deep in your closet).

Tip #1. Dust from top to bottom

This is the quintessential tip when it comes to dusting, so even if it seems obvious, it doesn't do any harm to keep it in mind.

When you dust your home, you work with gravity. Imagine you clean low first, and then the dust from higher places resettles on the zones you already cleaned. Dusting your home from the top helps you avoid doing that extra work. 

Tip #2. Dry dust

From fabrics to dead skin cells and dirt, dust is made of many particles that cover surfaces with layers over layers. Then, when you try to wet those surfaces, you risk creating a muddy mess that could be even harder to take off.

Dry dusting spares you from all the grimy trouble. Even if you want to clean, always dust first and then use the cleaner over the surface.

Tip #3. Fold your microfiber rag

While you can just wipe surfaces with your microfiber cloth all extended, you can make the most out of it if you fold the rag a couple of times.

A microfiber cloth has ten more times the surface area than a cotton cloth. Folding your microfiber rag once or twice will hold dust as well (and better) than other fabrics, and keep the other quadrants clean if you need them later.

Tip #4. Pay attention to hard-to-reach areas

Slits, narrow zones, and high places are not always in the sight of homeowners when dusting throughout the house. However, skipping these zones can get dustier than any other zone in your house.

Even if they're not dusty yet, ensure that you include them in your dusting routine to avoid struggling with dirt later.

Tip #5. Vacuum at the end

There's a system called the "three-wave system." In this system, three steps are taken: tidy, dust, and vacuum. By vacuuming at the end, you can make sure any dust kicked up in the air during the dusting process is completely removed from your home.

After dusting, let a few minutes pass before vacuuming so the dust has time to fully settle and you can pick up as much as possible.

Tip #6. Finish with dryer sheets

Dryer sheets are the perfect final touch for your dusting session. These items are normally used to make your clothes feel softer, but can also work to protect your furniture from gathering dust.

You just need to wipe your closets, tables, shelves, sofas, or whatever surface you want with a dryer sheet. This will create a static layer over the surface, which will work as a dust repellent, making your belongings dirt-free for longer periods.

Pro-tip: You don't need new dryer sheets for the dust-repelling to take effect. Used dryer sheets work just as well!

Keep the dust at bay with Rain City Maids!

Maintaining your home free of dust requires constant effort, and you may not have the time to invest in it. Luckily, Rain City Maids has what you need! We have a recurring cleaning service that you can schedule on a weekly, bi-weekly, or four-week basis, depending on what you need.

Let our skilled team take over your chores and keep your home dust-free. Get an instant quote now!