How to clean a duster

Cleaning is a tough chore. After dusting, wiping, and polishing all your furniture and knick-knacks, all you’ll want to do is put up your feet and relax. But people often forget that tools also need some cleaning. Whether you are doing the cleaning yourself or hiring a service to do the dusting, you should never neglect your trusty dusters. 

Not all dusters are the same, so this guide walks you through how to clean the different kinds of dusters you may have at home. 

How to clean a feather duster

These dusters are best used for cleaning your small figurines or picture frames. When the feathers are barbed together, they are able to create static electricity to capture dust. 

Tools and materials you will need

• Dishwashing liquid

• Large bucket

• Bath towel

Cleaning instructions

1. Take your feather duster outside and remove any loose dirt and dust. You can do this by hitting its handle against the rail or shaking it slightly. 

2. Fill up a bucket of water. Add 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid into the bucket. Make the solution bubble by shaking your hand inside the water. 

3. Put the feather duster into the water. Swish it around in an up-and-down motion to remove any dirt lingering on the feathers. Do this for about 3 - 4 minutes. Don’t let the duster submerge in water for too long since this can cause the adhesive of the feathers to break apart. Drain the water.

4. Refill the bucket with clean water to rinse the feather duster. Swish the feather duster around the water to remove the soap. If you still notice soap in the feathers, you can run the duster under the sink faucet. 

5. Shake off the excess water in the feather duster. Do this by holding the handle between your palms and rolling your palms together. This will create a spinning motion that will effectively dry the feather duster. You can do this over a towel laid down on a table or outside to prevent mess. 

6. Allow the feather duster to drip dry by hanging it outside or in the shower. Don’t use it unless it has completely dried down. 

How to clean microfibre dusters

This is the most effective kind of duster on the market. The fibres create an electrostatic charge that makes them easily pick up and hold dust. It’s also one of the easiest dusters to clean. 

Tools and materials you will need

• Washing machine

• Laundry detergent

Cleaning instructions

1. Wash all your microfibre dusters and cloth on a gentle cycle in your washing machine. Be sure to not use any bleach or fabric softeners. These can damage the duster.

2. Hang up the duster to air dry. 

How to clean static dusters

These are dusters that are made to attract dust by using static electricity. Think of a magnet, but it’s for dust instead. 

You can usually clean a static duster by shaking it off a bit. If dust and dirt still linger, you can follow these steps to ensure the duster is free of any dust. All you will need is a large bucket of water. 

Cleaning instructions

1. Submerge the duster in water and swish it around until all dirt and dust fall out. 

2. Throw out the water and fill up the bucket with clean water. Swish the duster inside the clean water. 

3. Shake off the excess water from the duster.

4. Hang the duster to allow it to air dry. 

How to clean a wool duster

Most wool dusters are made from lambswool. They are made of natural fibres and lanolin, which are responsible for creating static electricity in this duster. It can clean different kinds of surfaces and furniture at home. 

Tools and materials you will need

• Large bucket

• Water

• Dishwashing liquid

• Glycerin

• Towel

Cleaning instructions

1. Shake off any loose dirt or dust from your duster. Doing this outside is best to prevent dirt from going on your furniture. 

2. Fill the bucket with water and add 1 - 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. Submerge the duster into the water and swish it in an up-and-down motion. 

3. Remove the duster from the bucket and refill it with clean water. Rinse the duster inside the clean water until all the soap is removed. Gently squeeze out the excess water from the duster. 

4. Restore the natural oils of the wool duster. Add one tablespoon of glycerin and work it into the duster using your hands. 

5. Hang the wool duster outside to let it air dry. You can take its handle between your palms and roll your hands together to fluff up the wool once again. 

Need help with cleaning? 

Busy schedules at work or school make it seem impossible to clean the house. During times like this, you can always turn to a professional cleaner for help. They will make sure that your home, furniture, and tools are clean. 

You can go through our cleaning cost guide to know how much it will cost to clean your house. In no time, your house and dusters will be squeaky clean!