Dust: the eternal nemesis of the clean home.

It appears out of nowhere, settling on every surface and returning with a vengeance just as soon as you've wiped it away.

The saying goes that 'nothing in this life is certain except death and taxes', but dust could easily be a strong contender for the third certainty. It's a never-ending cycle that can feel frustrating and futile.


But fear not, for professional cleaner Olivia Byrne from cleaning business Spot on Cleaning Sydney has a simple, affordable trick that could revolutionise your dusting routine.

Byrne, who has partnered with Bunnings to celebrate the launch of its new cleaning range, suggests a dusting method that might not have crossed your mind.

'My preferred technique is to trap the dust in the cloth if able to. This reduces the amount of dust that spreads around and of course to work from top to bottom,' she said.


The beauty of this method is its simplicity. You don't need any fancy sprays or expensive cloth, just a good quality microfibre cloth and a DIY spray are all you need.

'My personal favourite is my own multipurpose cleaner using the Fairy dishwashing liquid diluted with water in a spray bottle,' Byrne said.

Byrne's choice of whether to dry dust surfaces before wiping with a damp cloth or just use a damp cloth will depend on the amount of dust accumulated on the surface. The key is to dust from the top down so the dust doesn't fall on previously cleaned surfaces.


But dusting is just one part of the equation. You'll also need to vacuum to banish dust from your home.

'Begin by dusting to remove as much dust as possible, followed by wet/damp wiping to catch any remaining dust and to give that final clean finish off with vacuuming once all the dirt has been moved onto the floor, which is the last task involved in a house clean,' she advised.

While a quick wipe around to dust surfaces might be sufficient for a last-minute touch-up before guests arrive, it won't be enough to significantly reduce the level of dust inside your home.

'To reduce the build-up of dust in your home, regularly dust all surfaces, moving objects and getting into and behind all the corners and small spaces, remove any unnecessary clutter that is collecting dust, clean your air filters, fans, blinds/shutters, vacuum regularly and even consider an air purifier,' Byrne explains.


However, don't feel pressured to dust every day. Byrne suggests incorporating dusting into your weekly cleaning schedule instead to ensure a tidy home.

So, the next time you're faced with a dusty surface, remember Byrne's advice: trap the dust in the cloth, work from top to bottom, and follow up with a good vacuum.


Have you tried this dusting method? Do you have any other dust-busting tips to share? Let us know in the comments below.