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Dust will never stick to skirting boards if you wipe them with simple household item
Reach Daily Express | April 23, 2026 9:40 PM CST

Spring is a glorious time of year as the sun finally emerges after a long winter, but it can often leave your home looking dirty as it quickly becomes coated in dust. Flowers are just beginning to blossom, which can often result in pollen combining with dust, and when windows are left open, the debris spreads throughout the house.

It can be frustrating attempting to wipe dust from awkward spots such as skirting boards and window blinds, but there is a way to make tackling them a lot simpler. Grace Micere, from Bare Kind, has recommended wiping down surfaces with old socks, as they are highly effective at trapping dust and preventing it from spreading. She said: "Simply slip one over your hand and use it as a dusting mitt. They work great for cleaning furniture, blinds, baseboards and much more."

How do old socks keep dust out of your home?

Dust clings to surfaces because static electricity often builds up on materials such as wood and plastic. Blinds, skirting boards and even wooden floors tend to be the worst affected by dust, as they're close to windows or lower surfaces where dust naturally settles.

Rubbing these surfaces with an old sock generates friction and produces a static charge that attracts dust. This simultaneously reduces more static build-up on these surfaces, helping to repel dust for longer and maintaining a cleaner home throughout the season.

It's best to try this cleaning method with fluffy or textured socks, as dust is more likely to cling to synthetic fibres since they generate more static electricity.

How to clean dust using old socks

To start, place the sock on your hand like a glove and lightly dampen it. A small amount of water will help dust stick better to the sock fibres and make it simpler to clean.

Next, run your hand along the top and edges of dusty surfaces. This works particularly well on skirting boards, radiators, and window blinds.

Once you are finished, give the sock a thorough shake over a rubbish bin to remove the dust, and then pop it in the washing machine.

Wipe down surfaces once a week in spring to reduce static build-up and help keep dust out of your home. How long the dust stays away will depend on how often you open your windows and also your local weather forecast, as wind can carry more dust and pollen indoors.


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