4 Things You Should Know About Dusting and Mopping, According to the People at Swiffer
If there’s any brand that revolutionized how we clean, it’s Swiffer. With tools like the Swiffer Sweeper and the WetJet mop, the company has created some of our most convenient cleaning tools. So we figured, who better to teach us a thing or three about dusting and mopping than the folks who make those revolutionary tools? Feeling curious, we chatted with Maria Striemer, Swiffer’s senior global scientific communications manager, about dust and debris. These are the four most important lessons she had to pass along.
1. Dust is actually pretty gross.
Common as it may be, dust is actually kinda gross. “Many people don’t realize dust is made up of dead skin cells, dust mite droppings, and dust mite body fragments,” says Striemer. The good news is, a regular dusting regimen can improve your indoor air quality (and the appearance of your home). Rather than a generic feather duster, which ultimately just moves dust around and launches it back into the air, choose a tool that actually removes dust. Of course, Striemer suggests Swiffer dusters but that’s because they really do work. They’re specifically designed to trap and lock up three times the dust compared to traditional feather dusters.
2. There’s a proper order to dusting.
No matter which room you’re working on, always start cleaning up high, where the wall meets the ceiling and the tops of the window frames and treatments. “This will dislodge dust and allow it to fall to the floor so you can collect it along with any crumbs or food particles when cleaning the floor at a later step,” says Striemer. Get into the air vents and give the light fixtures some cleaning love, removing cobwebs as you go. And don’t forget about hard-to-reach places such as the tops of cabinets and the refrigerator. Then, work your way down to countertops, behind the stove, and, finally, the floor.
3. Dirt on the kitchen floor is different than the dirt in the rest of your house.
The dirt on the kitchen floor is different from other areas of the house, according to Striemer. “The kitchen tends to have more small-to-medium particles from food prep and crumbs that can scratch floors, so it is important to use a dry sweeper to prevent buildup,” she says. With that in mind, she recommends daily sweeping in the kitchen.
4. Your kitchen floor is likely pretty greasy.
Another kitchen difference is that grease droplets from the stove end up on your floors, so once you’re done sweeping and dusting, don’t skip a quick wet-cleaning, Striemer says. For troublesome areas, try using a dedicated mop and a favorite degreaser, especially around the stove and oven.
What are your best sweeping and dusting tips? Tell us in the comments below.