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t’s only a little dust, right?

Funny how those tiny specks multiply into a fine-film coating on your furniture, shelves, floors and even where you can’t see it, on carpets and upholstery. You’ve got to dust to keep your place fresh, clean and healthy. Complex tools aren’t needed here, but rather a soft microfiber electrostatic cloth or hand mitt, a damp cloth (which could be last year’s T-shirt or towel alternately enhanced with a dust treatment rather than dampened with water) or if you want to get fancy, you could purchase a duster.

 

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Your upholstery needs a good dusting, too, with your vacuum and attachments. Dust mites that encourage allergic reactions just love a nice, soft cushion that hasn’t been cleaned; many of today’s better vacuums do a superb job of dust collection without putting much back into the air. Don’t forget walls, ceilings or molding, for dust will settle anywhere eventually. What you can’t see could be accumulating, so check out the backs and areas under your furniture as well as next to the wall.

 

Vacuum and wipe under the refrigerator. Warning: pulling this appliance away could reveal less-than-beautiful sights, including mold, mildew, insects, peanuts from your last cocktail party and … we’ll let you use your imagination here. Cleaning the fridge this way should happen at least twice a year, if not more, to avoid surprises.

 

When cleaning cloths are filled with dust, wash and dry them for future use. Plan on using a few cloths each time you dust, so you don’t spread the fine particles around. Before using any specific products on your furniture, read instructions and warranties, so that your good intentions don’t backfire and ruin a treasured possession. Read more tips here at HousekeepingChannel.com.