Everything about dust is a drag. It’s made from things you don’t even want to think about like hair, bacteria, fabric bits, pollution, pet dander, and dust mites. And flakes of skin shed by you and your roomies make up the number one ingredient in dust. If that doesn’t make you dive for a cloth and some dust spray nothing will. But it might seem that dust is piling up almost as soon as you’re done dusting. If that’s the case there are some tricks that will help you bust the dust without attracting more.
- Suck It Up: Vacuum first or dust first? That is the question, and one with no answer. Whatever order you prefer, vacuuming is important. A vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter permanently removes dust from the home. And make sure to keep the vacuum clean and change the bags often so the dust does not get blown back into the room.
- The Right Cloth for the Job: Don’t use old t-shirts or other linty cloths which leave more stuff than they remove. Instead use a microfiber or electrostatic cloth which attracts dust like bees to honey. The microfibers trap the dust and the cloths can be washed and reused.
- Softener and Screens: Television and computer screens constantly attract dust because they are electrically charged. But you can recycle those used dryer sheets and reduce dust at the same time. Dryer sheets work because they reduce static cling. If you dust your screens with the used sheets, dust will stay away for days.
- Spray and Wipe: While in the laundry room, grab some liquid fabric softener which also works to eliminate static cling. Mix 1 part softener to 4 parts water in a squirt bottle or empty dish soap bottle. Spray a little on you cloth, wipe away the dust on glass coffee tables and other surfaces, then polish with a dry cloth.
- Chuck the Tchotchkes: Shelves and tabletops filled with knickknacks and bric-a-brac provide plenty of places for dust to hide. Getting rid of clutter makes dusting faster and easier. If you insist on exhibiting your snow-globe collection, consider buying a display case.