How To Clean a Duster

A duster is a household item used to remove dust from blinds, fans, and furniture. Dusters are made from cotton with plastic or wire hooks attached at one end of the cloth. A duster can be washed by hand or in the machine using detergent.

There are several methods for cleaning a duster. The method that you should use depends on the material of your duster, the amount of dust built up in the cloth, and how dirty the duster is. To get rid of stubborn grime, consider using an additional step or two to ensure your duster stays clean.

Remove the Dust from the Duster

To remove the dust from the duster, hold the duster over a trash can and use your other hand to shake it. The dust will fall off of the duster and into the trash can. If the duster is still dusty, shake it over a trash can or garbage bag. Continue this process until all of the dust has been removed from the duster.

Remove and launder the Duster Cover

If the duster cover is removable, remove it from the duster. The dust can then be shaken or vacuumed out of the inside. To wash the cover, turn it inside-out and place it in a mesh bag before putting in a washing machine load with other launderable.

Use warm water and detergent when washing, and add one cup of white vinegar to help sanitize. Do not use bleach on cotton items because it can cause yellowing or pilling over time. Air dry any natural fiber blankets and clothing minutes after removing them from the washer and dryer to prevent mildew.

Line dry if possible to save energy and extend product life. Line drying also reduces shrinkage.

Soak the Duster

Soak the duster in a mixture of hot water and dish soap. Let the duster soak for a few minutes. Use your hand to agitate the duster. This will help the dish soap to remove the dust from the duster. Rinse the duster with cold water. Let the duster air dry

Do not Mix Dusters with Other Loads

Separate duster loads from other types of launderable, such as clothing or paper goods, to prevent the risk of tangling and damaging the items in the wash cycle. If a duster cover is worn out but the cleaner still has a good cloth part, cut off the old cover and keep it for dusting purposes only. It can be washed along with paint rollers or used to dust hard-to-reach places like narrow shelves or ceilings.

Dry Clean Only Items

Some delicate duster items should be dry cleaned if possible because laundering will cause them to fade faster than non-colorfast products. Dry clean any natural fiber blankets and clothing minutes after removing them from the washer and dryer to prevent mildew. Line dry if possible to save energy and extend product life. Line drying also reduces shrinkage.

Scrub Off Any Stubborn With a Toothbrush

If the duster has any stubborn dirt or stains, scrub them off with a toothbrush. You can also use an old toothbrush to clean dust out of the loops in the duster.

Dry The Cleaner Thoroughly Before Using it Again

After cleaning, place dry rags or paper towels inside the duster and press down on them with heavy objects overnight to absorb all moisture. Make sure that you remove any excess towels or rags after drying this step because they may leave lint on your blinds or furniture if left inside your duster. Store it away until next time.

Rinse the Duster Under Running Water

Rinse the duster under running water to remove any excess soap. Shake out the duster to remove any excess water. Let the duster air dry.

Store the Cleaner in a Dry Place

If you have any paper towels or rags leftover from the drying process, store them with your duster to help absorb moisture if it is stored away for a while. Store the cleaner in a dry place until next time.  Don’t use: Bleach Laundry detergents that contain fabric softener Dryer sheets Viscous cleaning solutions (e.g., window cleaners) on blinds and other painted surfaces; otherwise, they will leave a hazy film behind.

 Shake It Out To Remove Excess Water

Once you have rinsed the duster under running water, shake it out to remove any excess water. You can do this by either shaking it outside or over a garbage can. If the duster is wet, hang it to dry before shaking out the dust.

Hang or Lean The Duster To Dry

The best way to get all excess water out of the duster is by hanging it overnight. Lay the cleaner flat on a drying rack, and allow it to air dry overnight so that you can use it in your next cleaning session.  If you do not have a space for drying your duster, lean the cleaner against a wall and let it air dry until next time.

Inspect the cleaner for any remaining dust. If there is still dust, repeat steps two through five until all excess dust has been removed from the duster.

Clean your blinds regularly using these steps to get rid of the dust and keep them looking beautiful. Cleaning your blinds is a great way to save money on cleaning supplies and energy bills while making your home look fresh and clean. You can also use a dry q-tip or another small cloth to get into tight spaces depending on what you are trying to clean.

Final Thoughts

The best way to get all excess water out of the duster is by hanging it overnight. Lay the cleaner flat on a drying rack, and allow it to air-dry overnight so that you can use it in your next cleaning session.  If you do not have a space for drying your duster, lean the cleaner against a wall and let it air dry until next time. Inspect the cleaner for any remaining dust after cleaning; if there is still dust leftover from particles like pet hair or lint, repeat steps two through five until all excess dust has been removed from the duster before storing away again. Cleaning your blinds regularly with these steps will make them clean and beautiful while saving money on supplies and energy bills!