9 Dusting Mistakes That Just Lead to More Dust

If the minuscule particles of dirt, dead skin cells, mites, plastic, and other moderately gross ingredients that make up the dust in your home seem to multiply no matter how frequently you clean your home, you may be making one (or more!) of these common dusting mistakes.

Using the wrong tools or techniques, skipping spots where dust accumulates, and forgetting unseen high and low areas can all counteract even your most dedicated cleaning efforts. The dust that sits in your home can turn into tumbleweed-like dust bunnies and wreak havoc on allergies and indoor air quality. Avoid these common dusting blunders suggested by Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, and Jena Touray of Boston-based cleaning service The Maids.

You're not dusting in the right order

When you're cleaning any room, the best approach is from top to bottom. This allows the dirt you disrupt from higher spaces to fall to the ground, where you can remove it with the vacuum, says Mock. Touray also works from left to right. "We recommend starting at the left of the doorway," she says. "Cleaning top to bottom and left to right will ensure a really thorough job."

You're using the wrong tools

If you want to prevent dust from re-accumulating, you need the right tools. Use a clean microfiber cloth, misted with water from a spray bottle until damp, says Mock. "The cloth should be just damp enough to pick up dust without leaving moisture streaks," she says. "A damp microfiber cloth almost never leaves lint or dust behind like many other dusting cloths, so it goes a long way to prevent more dust after you've cleaned.”

Use the same application technique for a dusting spray, says Touray. "If you're going to use a furniture polish or spray we recommend spraying or applying the chemical directly to a cloth," she says. "This avoids overuse and makes the clean-up easier."

Mock also recommends a dust mop with a synthetic or cotton cover for tight spaces. "Dust mops are able to remove dust and debris from spaces a vacuum can't reach," she says (like the gap under your bookshelf that's not high enough to accommodate your vacuum attachments). Another key tool in your dusting arsenal: a small paintbrush. "The bristles are excellent for getting into intricate grooves," says Touray.

You're using the wrong technique

If your dust cloth is crumpled or wrinkled, you won't catch all the dust. "Folding your cloth neatly and keeping it flat will make the cloth easier to control and will provide the best clean," says Touray. "Clear the surface and work in horizontal strokes."

Keep the cloth touching the surface as you move it smoothly across each piece of furniture; then gently lift it before moving on to the next area. "Don't flick the cloth, or dust will merely be released back into the air before settling on the floor, instead of getting trapped by your cloth," says Mock.                                                                       

You're focusing on dust at eye level only

While the dust accumulation you can see on your piano, bookshelves, and side tables may be the trigger you need to start dusting, lowering the overall amount of dust in your home requires a careful look at higher spaces, too. "Areas such as room corners, ceiling fans, cathedral ceilings, and tops of doorways collect a ton of dust simply because they all are spots that are hard to reach and inconvenient to tackle in one's daily cleaning routine," says Mock. Take your cloth to doorframes, light switches, baseboards, and light fixtures for a thorough dusting.

You forget small spaces

Individually, small areas may not collect as much dust as larger pieces of furniture, but every particle left behind increases the overall accumulation in your home. "Dampen a clean, soft paintbrush to remove dust from slatted doors or windows, telephone and keyboard keys, and any carved furniture," says Mock. When dusting shelves or collections, wipe each object—and the area underneath it. Use dryer sheets to dust screens, and tackle lampshades with a lint roller.

You're not moving large items

Tackle the dust that gathers underneath furniture and large appliances. "Dust likes to collect under, around, and behind most appliances," says Mock. "When possible, it helps to pull larger appliances out from their spots to sweep the area clean." The same is true for the space under your bed, under your piano, and under your sofas.

You're not dusting often enough.

While you don’t need to get out your dustcloth every day, creating a steady schedule will allow you to keep dust under control. "If you have a regular cleaning routine that includes vacuuming and wiping down surfaces, that goes a long way to prevent dust," says Mock. "Dryer sheets repel static and they are great at helping ensure dust doesn't settle on window blinds and baseboards!"

You're not tending to your windows

It's easy to forget to dust your window frames, blinds, and curtain rods—all of which can collect dust which then drifts throughout your home. "To remove dust from Venetian blinds, close the slants, dust, close the slants the opposite way, and dust again," says Mock. But windows and doors that are poorly insulated can also allow dirt and dust to invade your space. "One of the leading causes of dust in the house is leaky windows and doors that let the tiny particles inside," says Mock. “If you are experiencing more dust than usual, it's a good idea to check all the doors and windows in your home as a first step."

You forget to clean air filters and blankets

 Two other regular chores can help keep dust levels down: cleaning your bedding and changing your air filters. "You can reduce dust by changing furnace and air conditioning air filters every three to six months in a pet-free home," says Mock. "If you have pets or if members of your household suffer from allergies, change them every two months and you’ll see a huge impact."

Another unexpected dust-fighter: cleaning your sheets and comforter. "Bedding can be a leading source of dust in the home," says Mock. "Washing your bedding once a week can help prevent this."