For most people, household chores are a drag, dusting especially. But fortunately, there are plenty of ways to minimize it. Here are nine of the best dusting ideas to help you have a happy apartment.
- Have the right tools. The goal of dusting is to get rid of the unsightly particles that can make you sneeze. So, be sure to select a material that picks up dust, rather than just pushes it around. Microfiber cloths and dusters are great for of this.
- Set up a routine. The best way to reduce the amount of dust in your apartment is to clean it on a regular basis. Set aside the same time each week to dust every room. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to take on every room in one day, designate a room for each day of the week.
- Use solutions. Invest in a good dust spray, or create an inexpensive, eco-friendly one yourself with using water, Dr. Bronner’s soap, vinegar, and olive oil (drops of essential oil is optional).
- Use air. Use a compressed air duster to help blow out debris from those hard-to-reach places. Alternatively, pull the trigger on an empty, non-aerosol spray bottle to clear out crevices and other small spaces. When combined with the right dust-grabbing material, this can be the one-two punch you need to quickly and efficiently get rid of dust.
- Dust downward. When dusting, always start at the top of a room. This means dusting fans and the topmost shelves first, then moving to the curtains, blinds, and walls, and working down to the ground. After dusting everywhere else, finish the room by vacuuming.
- Wipe down things coming from outside. Dust can come in from outside via your clothes, shoes, and virtually anything else that has been outdoors for more than a few moments. Therefore, take your shoes off when coming in, and wipe off any packages or other things when you bring them inside.
- Groom pets properly. Besides being a part of keeping your pet healthy, grooming them on a regular basis helps to minimize shedding, which in turn minimizes the amount of dust they contribute to your place. When doing this, make sure it happens before you clean your apartment, that way you aren’t inadvertently making things dustier.
- Get behind your appliances. It isn’t enough just to dust the visible areas of the room. Pull out your refrigerator, microwave, and other major moveable pieces to remove “dust bunnies,” which can be a major source of dust.
- Get help. “Many hands make light work,” or so the adage goes. If you have a family, enlist your children in the weekly routine of dusting. It can help them learn how to keep a clean apartment, and can be good for their work ethic.