Dust Your Home Like a Professional House Cleaner

I might be in the minority, but I enjoy dusting.

I crank up the tunes to help me get going and get in my “dusting zone”. Dusting doesn’t take very long and everything feels cleaner after I have removed that hazy film that covers all the flat surfaces.

If dusting is not one of your priorities, then consider this- the dust in your home is mostly dead skin cells (pet and human) which are constantly being sloughed off your skin, dead insects, pollen, lint and other substances can actually increase the chances that you or someone in your family will develop allergies.

Knowing that dust isn’t just “innocent” flying lint, but is actually dead skin gives me a whole opinion on an acceptable level of dust (none!). Just the thought of it makes me feel a little squeamish as I’m writing this…

So think of it this way: if you have an efficient technique, some great tunes and know all the benefits of a dust free home, then dusting doesn’t have to be such a dreaded task.

Let’s say goodbye to dust bunnies and start dusting our way to a cleaner home!

Dusting Supplies

Put all your dusting supplies in a small tote so it is easy to grab and contains all the supplies you need from start to finish.

In order to start dusting like a professional house cleaner, you will need these supplies:

Tools

• Dusting or cleaning rags (I use terry cloth): You can also use micro fiber cloths or mitts that are slightly dampened with a bit of water.
• Feather duster: This tool will help you get to the high or hard to reach areas and will conform to the shape of the item you are dusting. Look for one that has a larger surface area to it. If you use a feather duster, look for ostrich feathers. Or, consider real lamb’s wool dusters or even a Swiffer duster.
• Vacuum: A quality vacuum cleaner is essential. Look for one that has a HEPA filter, as this will keep the dust you collect inside and not on areas around you. If your vacuum does not have a HEPA filter, it just means you will have to dust more often.

Cleaning Supplies

• Furniture polish
• Window cleaner
• Disinfectant

You’ll be cleaning and wiping down areas in order to remove dust completely and thoroughly. If you prefer to make your own cleaning solutions, you can use the recipes I have listed below.

Homemade Furniture Polish

Make your furniture shine and repel dust with this all natural, inexpensive furniture polish recipe. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and you are ready to go:

• 2 tablespoons lemon oil
• 2 cups mineral oil

Homemade Window Cleaner

A great home made window cleaner that will make your windows shine and will not leave streaks. Mix these ingredients a spray bottle:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 cup non-sudsy ammonia
• 1 cup water

This window cleaning recipe is natural but toxic so make sure you label your spray bottle and keep it up and out of reach of children.

Homemade Disinfectant

This recipe is a great disinfectant, deodorizer, bleach-alternative and won’t discolor any surfaces. Borax is also less expensive than commercial disinfectants on the market.

Just mix:

• 1/2 cup borax
• 1 gallon of warm water

Borax is natural but can be toxic. Label your spray bottle and keep out of reach of children.

How to Dust Like a Professional Cleaner

1. Start with a tidy room: This means picking up clutter, shaking out your rugs (outside), fluff pillows, make your bed. Your job will be that much easier because there is less of a dusty mess to deal with.
2. Start from the top and work your way down: So this means that ceiling is first.
3. Hit the corners and light fixtures: Dust the cobwebs in the corners, the light figures and other things that are high up in the room.
4. Use your feather duster: Dust places that are intricate or hard to reach such as the walls and drawer fronts. Do not use it on the flat lower surfaces as this will scatter dust.
5. Vacuum the drapes or blinds: Vacuum your drapes or blinds by starting at the top and working your way down. I recommend vacuuming your drapes and blinds every couple of weeks to keep dust from building up.
6. Dust the lower areas: For low surfaces, use your homemade spray and dusting rag. Don’t forget the lower molding, pictures, stairs and wood furniture.
7. Pick items up, don’t just dust around them: Pick up and move objects to get under them. Dust each object as you move it.
8. Clean as you go: When it comes to things that you use regularly, wipe them down with disinfectant. This includes your telephone, light switches dining room tables and end tables. Make sure to use a spray bottle and spray your cloth NOT the item you are cleaning.
9. Glass, mirrors and windows: Clean any glass or windows, too. Use glass cleaner and a new, clean terry cloth. I do not recommend using paper towels as these will leave lint on the surface.
10. Polish wood: Polish all your wood furniture with furniture polish.
11. Clean all the corners: Using your crevice tool, go along the bottom of baseboards and trim and be sure to get into the corners. This is essential as pet hair and debris collect here.
12. Vacuum the floors: All the dust you have dislodged is now on the floor. After dusting and wiping everything down, you can use your vacuum to remove every last bit of dust. Start at the furthest point from the door and move from one side of the room until you exit the room.

How to Keep your Home Dust Free

Get Rid of Clutter

The more clutter laying around, the easier it is for dust to build up. Box up all unused items laying around and donate it or have a garage sale.

Replace your Air Filters

Keeping your air filters clean a must. After all, they are meant to trap dust that is circulating from the furnace fan or air conditioning system in your home.

Plugged up air filters do not do a good job at removing dust and make your fan work harder to circulate clean air. Cleaning air filters regularly will limit dust, allergens and irritants.

Change your Vacuum Bags

Change the bags in your vacuum cleaner frequently and keep new bags on hand. The fresh bag will help remove dust particles more efficiently.

Enjoy your Dust Free Home

All of this might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but after a couple of times you will know how to “work a room”. Just follow my tried-and-true dusting tips to get results you can both see and smell.