Dusting Your House Properly
Dusting your house is a tedious but necessary exercise. Sabrina Fierman, vice president of New York-based cleaning company, New York's Little Elves, says the build-up of dust can lead to allergies, respiratory problems and asthma. Though it may seem like a simple task, many of us still get it wrong. What might look like cleaning, may actually be spreading dust around, allowing it resettle elsewhere in the room. Here's the proper way to dust your house from top to bottom.
Remove everything In order to perform a thorough dusting, you'll need to "de-clutter" the room of any smaller and unnecessary items, says Fierman. This should allow you dust even the most hard-to-reach places without having to strain yourself. If your household items (picture frames, wall clocks) have accumulated dust, don't forget to clean them before putting them back. To dust the room entirely, closets should also be cleared and items should be removed from drawers. Any rugs or other floor accessories should also be brought outside.
Start dusting Now that your room is bare, you can begin dusting. Dampen a dust cloth and begin dusting at the highest points in the room first. This is crucial, as any dust that falls down to a lower surface will be swept up later if you keep working downwards. Choose one direction - either clockwise or counterclockwise - and stick to it as you move throughout the room to ensure that you don't skip any areas. When you notice your dust cloth beginning to accumulate excess dust, be sure to shake it off outside before continuing.
Clean even the out-of-reach places Encountering a difficult-to-reach spot or two is inevitable in almost every room. Whether it's behind the television, under the couch or on top of the cabinet, it's important not to overlook these problematic areas. If you can't move some of the larger pieces of furniture, a small clean paintbrush is perfect for reaching into the surrounding nooks. Vacuum cleaner attachments can also help when tackling hard-to-reach spots, says Fierman. If you encounter any dust or cobwebs on the ceilings or walls, try using a damp mop or brush to clean it off.
Furniture and floors To keep dust from resettling quickly, it's important not to forget the furniture. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the upholstery of the couch and any other fabric furniture. Once everything else has been dusted, you can begin cleaning the floor. Use a mop for hard floors and a vacuum cleaner for carpets and make sure that you don't miss any out-of-the-way spots in the corner or under the furniture.
Tips for bathrooms Bathrooms usually generate more encrusted dirt, so be sure to use a sponge of chamois to clean off tiles and other surfaces. Don't forget about the little nooks under and behind the toilet and sink. If you encounter any particularly tough dirt, try tackling it with an old toothbrush.
Tips for kitchens When dusting a kitchen, you'll need to remove everything from your cabinets and clean them from top to bottom with a duster or damp cloth. Clean all counter tops with a cloth or sponge and don't forget to dust on the underside if necessary. Tables and chairs should also be dusted or vacuumed thoroughly.
