Keeping on top of the household chores is never easy, especially if you live in a larger house. Older homes are very prone to dust, meaning it’s a task that must be tackled all the time, and it can feel never-ending.
Certain surfaces throughout the home can persistently attract grime even after a good clean, but one simple household item could keep dust at bay for a lot longer. Air tends to circulate more freely during warmer weather as people frequently open windows to cool their homes, allowing dust to drift around and settle on surfaces with ease. Dust is especially drawn to window blinds and skirting boards, as these tend to feature broad surfaces crafted from wood, plastic or other materials that generate significant amounts of static electricity.
Static electricity causes dust and other grimy particles to stubbornly cling to surfaces and return again and again, unless a protective barrier is created to repel them.
Luckily, Kerry, a cleaning specialist and founder of Blissful Domestication, has shared an affordable yet highly effective method to eliminate static electricity: simply rub surfaces with dryer sheets.
Kerry said: “My top tip for a quick clean of venetian blinds? (I have them all over my house) Use a tumble dryer sheet for a quick dust.
“The sheet just picks up all the dust perfectly and smells amazing too. Also extremely useful for dusting the tops of your skirting board.”
It may sound unusual, but dryer sheets are specifically manufactured with an anti-static coating to prevent clothes from clinging together while tumble drying.
When a dryer sheet is wiped across blinds or skirting boards, it absorbs the static electricity, helping to stop dust from clinging to the surface.
Dryer sheets are also typically coated in fabric softener, which leaves behind a thin, waxy residue that acts as a protective layer to repel dust.
A simple dryer sheet is one of the best ways to repel dust (Image: Getty)
When tackling skirting boards, begin with a vacuum cleaner before mopping them down if needed.
After this, use a microfibre cloth to thoroughly dry all surfaces, ensuring no moisture remains, as dampness can actively attract dust.
Next, run the dryer sheets firmly across your blinds and skirting boards. Be sure to wipe them over any windowsills or bookcases within the room, as these are particularly dust-prone areas.
The room should remain dust-free for at least a month, though the duration will vary depending on the level of air circulation throughout the day.
However, this method should significantly reduce dust buildup on commonly neglected surfaces such as skirting boards and blinds, leaving any room feeling noticeably fresher with minimal effort required.
