An old-fashioned feather duster collects dust electrostatically.
Dust is everywhere. It rides into our homes on our shoes, sifts under door and window sills and is compounded by pet fur and dander as well as food crumbs and other household substances. Products abound for dust removal, but most dusting jobs can be done with recycled fabric or moderately priced items from your supermarket. The primary purpose of a good duster is to remove the dust rather than just push it around and redistribute it.
Soft Cloths
Mine your worn-out clothing for cleaning cloths.
One of the best dusting tools is a soft cloth. It needs to be moist to pick up the dust. This can be done by rinsing it frequently in a bowl of warm water or by spritzing it lightly with water or a cleaning solution. Sources for good dusting cloths include old t-shirts, old sweatshirts, cloth baby diapers, old receiving blankets, flannel clothing or old socks.
Feather Dusters
Feather dusters can clean areas where using a cloth would be tedious or damaging.
Feather dusters do not merely move the dust around. They have a natural electrostatic charge that attracts dust particles. Take the duster outside, or place it inside a large plastic bag with the neck held closed to shake it out.
Dusters on a Stick
Feather dusters, fuzzy bundles of micro filaments and replaceable cloths that slide into or onto a holder that are attached to a telescoping handle are a house cleaner's best friend. They let the user dust in tall corners and clean fans, lights and other hard-to-reach areas. The micro filaments and feathers naturally attract the dust. Pads and cloths need a cleaning solution to keep from causing the dust to become airborne.
Vacuum Cleaners
Vaccuum cleaners make short work of cleaning dust from under furniture.
Hand-held vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaners with a tube attachment make quick work of tasks such as dusting book shelves and under the couch. A crevice tool makes quick work of vacuuming up dust bunnies from behind couch cushions and along the tops of mop boards.
Air Dusters
Occasionally, there is a need to move the air around before wiping it up. This is especially true if one is dealing with electronics. Air dusters can come in the form of an spray can with air under pressure and a propellant, or they can be mini air compressors. These can be used to blow across the fan inlet on a computer or to blow stubborn dust out of keyboards or from other areas where a cloth or even a feather duster might damage components.
Micro Fiber Cloths
Micro fiber cloths are relatively new on the cleaning scene. They, like feather dusters and microfiber bundle dusters, have an electrostatic charge which attracts dust rather than repelling it.
Care of Cleaning Tools
Soft cloths should be washed with soap and water and hung to dry in the sun or run through a dryer. Sunshine and heat from the dryer help sanitize the object. Feather dusters should be shaken out thoroughly, as should all microfiber cleaners. Change the disposable cleaning pads on the ends of extension pole dusters often. Empty vacuum cleaners immediately after use. If you are concerned about the cost of bags, invest in a canister vac that does not require a bag. Store canned air out of reach of children, and dispose of the cans correctly.
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