I find that dusting is nearly at the top of the list of the most disliked chore when it comes to house cleaning by my customers. It’s time-consuming and sometimes a very dirty job. But dusting is really rather important as it reduces the risk of sickness and allergies.

In my cleaning business, to quickly and efficiently accomplish this task, I use five different types of dusters:

• Microfiber cloths
• South African ostrich feather dusters
• Retractable feather dusters
• Microfiber dusters
• Dome Shaped Cobweb Dusters

You didn’t know there were so many kinds, did you? I’ll explain how I use each one.

1. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘀 are used for heavier dust in large areas. You can even use them with a product like ‘Endust,’ but be sure to spray it on the cloth, not directly on the furniture.

2. 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, with large feather plumes, are used for large areas but for more delicate things like statues or pictures. These kinds of dusters need to be shaken outdoors to be rid of the dust, or dust particles will land right back on the object you’re dusting.

I have a caveat caution though for using ostrich feather dusters; KEEP THEM AWAY FROM DOGS! I used one of these in a home with a dog, who ended up ripping it apart, thinking it was a bird. 😀

And for those concerned about the ostrich’s safety, ostrich feathers are taken from them without suffering to the bird. Ostriches have many layers of feathers for insulation that range in size from very short to extravagantly long. The method of removing their feathers does not kill the ostrich.

3. 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 (𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲) 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 comes in a plastic tube and is easy to carry around. Use them for small areas and small delicates.

4. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 are used for dusting ceilings, walls, areas where there is sawdust from construction work, and in homes that have not been cleaned in a long time.

5. 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗯𝘄𝗲𝗯 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 are great for getting into corners of ceilings and walls.

Try some of these, and see how they work for you.