Ordinary house dust is made up of various, tiny particles – such as skin flakes and hair, lint and fabric or plant fibers or even house dust mites and their remains. For this reason, allergy sufferers in particular need to dust at regular intervals. But which tools actually work best and can the (unfortunately unavoidable) dust infestation be reduced somehow? We got to the bottom of the questions.
1. Cotton towels
With pure cotton you will catch almost all dust particles (for now). However, the cleaning cloth made of natural fibers should only be slightly moistened beforehand – otherwise you would smear the dust but not remove it. When dusting, you should also make sure to make circular movements to effectively collect the fine particles. It is also important to wash the cotton cloth every now and then.
2. Microfiber cloths
Microfiber cloths are particularly popular for dusting, as they can be used to dry things and have an electrostatic attraction to dust. However, you should use the cloths with caution as they have a rough structure and can scratch sensitive furniture. For this reason, these dust rags are not recommended for smooth or high-gloss surfaces.
3. Feather duster
A classic has always been the traditional feather duster, which – thanks to the integrated telescopic rod – can be used to clean areas that are difficult to reach. Thanks to the various attachments, radiators, car fittings, chests of drawers or picture frames can be easily dusted. Alternatively, there are also disposable feather dusters from Swiffer, which end up in the trash after use and are therefore not very sustainable.
To capture as much dust as possible, you should use the following techniques:
Even if dust deposits cannot generally be avoided, they can definitely be reduced. All you have to do is implement the following tips:
Ventilate properly If your windows are left open all day, not only does fresh air flow through the apartment – but also a lot of dust. To reduce the infestation, you should ventilate for a maximum of ten minutes in the morning and evening and then close the windows again. This technique also promotes optimal humidity, which helps bind dust better.
Extra tip: Houseplants also increase the humidity and thus help the dust to be bound better. Unfortunately, dust also collects on its leaves, which Sue should remove regularly.
Knock out dust collectors. Textiles such as duvets and carpets or pillows are real dust magnets. Since they don’t fit in a washing machine, they should be shaken or patted regularly – outdoors, of course. Unfortunately, simply vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner cannot remove deeper dust particles, unless you use a mattress attachment or dust mite vacuum.
Dusting the radiators A lot of dust usually accumulates between the radiators and there is a reason for this: the warm air transports the fine particles into the air – and sinks back down when the air is cold. To thoroughly clean the slats and grooves, it is best to use a classic feather duster or special radiator cleaner for hard-to-reach areas.
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