Types of Dusters Used for Home Cleaning

Nothing beats waking up to new, clean linens that smell like meadows, coffee brewing in the morning, or a house that smells like a warm seaside breeze. Living in a well-organized home, where every object has a defined place, and you can access whatever you need quickly, is convenient and pleasant. All of these encapsulate the feeling of having a clean, dust-free house.

However, keeping the house dust-free may be an arduous effort among errands, work, parenthood, and the stress of everyday life, causing the chore to suffer. Still, once you make it a habit to clean and dust, you’ll be surprised at how easy and relaxing the job becomes.

Dust particles vary in composition but are mostly a combination of dead human skin cells, hair, and pet dander if you have one. Dust can harbor even more dangerous threats, such as bugs. Dusting is necessary because it reduces your risk of illness and allergies. While most dust is harmless, it can cause minor allergies and infections.

You might wonder where and how to begin your “dust-busting” journey in your house. Before you do anything else, you need to learn about the “dusters” that will assist you in your cleaning expedition. Fortunately, there are several types of dusters to pick from that might be your most excellent cleaning companion!

Feather dusters

A woman cleaning a television using feather duster

A feather duster is a cleaning tool often composed of a wooden dowel handle wrapped in wire with ostrich feathers. Feather dusters are similar to soft brooms or brushes in that they clean loose superficial dust off sensitive surfaces like your favorite hanging paintings or around fragile things like your glassware. They help clean tight spaces or regions with many bits and pieces. Individual feathers are elastic and can extend into gaps and cracks without disrupting the environment. In contrast, the feathers include tiny barbules that function as “fingers” to catch and remove dust particles. 

Choose an ostrich down feather duster for a genuinely efficient feather duster. The barbules on a chicken’s feathers are straight and smooth, making it difficult for dust to collect and retain. Synthetic dusters comprised of soft plastic filaments are even less effective. 

Feather dusters should be cleaned gently in soapy water and then rinsed thoroughly under running water. Allow them to air dry after brushing off excess water. Dish soap is an excellent cleaning agent for feather dusters.

Air dusters

Cleaning keyboard using pressurized air duster

When electronics, particularly computer keyboards, are involved, typical feather dusting may not be as effective. When the calling to clean your electronics occurs, air dusters may become your new dust-busting companion. 

An air duster, sometimes known as “canned air,” “compressed air,” or “dusting gas,” is a pressurized blast that knocks free dust and grime. This item may be used to clean computer vents and blow biscuit crumbs out of a keyboard. 

After you’ve removed the dust, you may complete the work using different types of dusters. Spray a quick three-to-five-second burst at room temperature to get the most force out of a can of a duster. When an aerosol duster is repeatedly sprayed, it functions as an effective heat sink and cools down. The lower the temperature of the can, the lower the internal pressure of the can, and the smaller the produced force. You should also turn off and unplug any electronic devices before cleaning and direct your attention to the area you want to dust. It is also a good idea to wear goggles and a mask to keep dust from getting into your eyes and nose.

Microfiber clothes

A pile of microfiber cleaning towels

Microfiber clothes are super effective dust-busting tools that catch and hold dust and debris for dry and wet cleaning, making them supreme among all other types of dusters. Instead of using feather dusters or cotton cloths to move dust from one location to another, microfiber aids in the removal of dust from your house. Each filament’s structure has deep grooves or chambers that collect not just dust but also moist droplets. 

Microfiber not only helps with dusting, but it also helps to eliminate streaks on chrome and glass. Because microfiber is composed of polyester rather than cotton, it leaves less residue on surfaces. Microfiber dusters are incredibly long-lasting, and you can wash them hundreds of times with warm water and mild detergent without losing their capacity to take up dust and filth.

Cleaning gloves

A pair of green rubber cleaning gloves

Cleaning gloves may be the handiest alternative for your dust-busting adventure if you do not want to hold anything while cleaning those pesky crumbs. Cleaning gloves are specifically designed for dusting and are particularly effective in wiping dusty surfaces with a single swift sweep. One example is rubber cleaning gloves that trap dust from the surface with their rubbery texture, removing the possibility of transferring it back onto the cleansed surface. These gloves are the perfect surface duster for the job if you want to clean wooden surfaces like your picture frames, wooden cabinets, and such. Rubber cleaning gloves are useful for dusting and washing dishes and other furniture without exposing your hands to chemicals that might harm them. Other duster cleaning gloves are made of microfiber clothes that also work if you are uncomfortable with the rubber ones.

Vacuum dusters

A man using a handheld vacuum duster to clean floor

Regarding cleaning and dusting, vacuum cleaners such as vacuum dusters are increasingly popular owing to their optimum efficiency when cleaning large areas of the house. Every vacuum cleaner comes with several attachments and equipment, including a dusting attachment, where this attachment is used to clean particular areas of a house or workplace. 

Because it is difficult and time-consuming to set up the vacuum and duster accessory correctly, it is often reserved for dusting big, concentrated regions of dust or nearly impossible to access or clean areas. Unlike other dusting tools, which collect dust on the duster, the vacuum duster sucks dust into the vacuum bag. If your deep-seated, dusty problem entails dust-busting carpets, upholstery, and linens, vacuum dusters are the ideal answer for the task.

Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and dust, resulting in improved indoor air quality and a fresh scent. Whatever is going on in your house resonates in your living space and directly influences your health and your family. As a result, despite your hectic schedule, house cleaning should be one of your top priorities. Cleaning regularly can help you avoid being sick and having allergies and asthma problems. You may enhance your cleaning routine at home and work by using the correct type of duster. Remember the types of dusters listed above, and choosing the right dust-buster companion in the right dusty situation will be an easy task for you.

You may also check out our Guide to Making Natural Home Cleaning Products for more tips and recommendations when it comes to cleaning your home.