Furniture is usually placed in places susceptible to high-traffic levels and dust. Dust can lead to many health problems, including respiratory infections and allergies. Thus, it is essential to dust furniture on a regular basis. Dusting seems easy enough, doesn’t it? But the real truth is that many people don’t know how they should actually dust their furniture. Here are some guidelines for the right and wrong ways of dusting furniture.
When it Comes to the Wrong Ways to Dust, They Include:
1. Using a Dry Rag or Duster
Dry rags are naturally meant to absorb fluids or to be used with cleaning fluids. Unless you are combining your dry rag or duster with a suitable dusting spray such as Pledge or a similar product, dry rags tend to only spread the dust around, only capturing a little bit of the total dust that has accumulated. Many times, these dry rags just kick the dust up into the air, so you think you have dusted well, but then it will just settle onto the surfaces again after some time.
2. Using a Rag Wet with Water
Many people think you can just simply wet a paper towel or cleaning rag of your choosing with water and use it for dusting. While this may seem to work at first, the reality is that you are going to be making a bigger mess in the process. By just using a rag wetted with water, you could be unknowingly damaging the surface you are trying to dust, especially if it is wood. Wood is a very porous material that should not be dusted with water. Water can be used on surfaces such as glass, but you will find that it only makes a bigger mess than before and leaves the surface you are trying to clean ridden with streaks from the dust and water being combined. After that you will also have to use more cleaning products, such as Windex to remove the streaks on the glass surface which wastes time and money for cleaning excessive amounts of dirt.
3. Wiping Too Vigorously
You risk scratching or damaging the surface of your furniture if you wipe it too vigorously or with a rag that is made out of a material that is scratchy or not meant for the surface you are attempting to clean. If your furniture is made of delicate natural materials like certain woods, fabrics, or other delicate materials, it will sustain irreversible damage.
When it Comes to the Right Ways to Dust, They Include:
1. Using a Soft Cloth
One suitable way of dusting furniture is to use a soft cloth such as a microfiber cloth that has been previously washed with detergent and water. Many times, it is a good idea to purchase microfiber cloths that you will only use for dusting, so they do not come in contact with any particles or residues that may get stuck in them and damage your furniture in the future.
2. Using the Cleaning Products
You have to have the right cleaning products for dusting furniture. For example, purchasing products such as Pledge, Mineral Oils, or other cleaning products that are made specifically for the material your furniture is made of is always the best practice.
3. Using the Right Patterns
Wiping from top to down and from is the recommended way of dusting furniture. Don’t wipe in circular motions because you risk moving the dust from one place to another, where it may be harder to get rid of. It is best to fold your dusting rag into fourths, wipe in one direction a few times, and then refold the rag so a clean part of it is now exposed and can be used for the next few wipes. Keep doing this until all the dust is captured in the rag, making sure not to shake the rag too much when you are refolding. This saves time and effort as you don’t have to do several passes to get rid of all the dirt. Also, don’t forget to always make sure that you are dusting the top and bottom of the furniture as well.
Final Words
Many people do not take the time to dust their furniture because they don’t have a clue on how to do it, or they are doing it incorrectly thus making the dust build up faster after each attempt at dusting. Dusting is an excellent way of ensuring that your furniture stays in good condition and doesn’t get damaged over time. It’s not very expensive to buy dusting rags, or cleaning products for dusting, and you can use them repeatedly.
