Dusting without Chemicals

Several years ago, I decided that I wanted to make dusting significantly easier, quicker and chemical-free. I suffer from terrible allergies, so I dust several times a week (so I can breath) and I was tired of spending money on dustcloths, dusters (feather, synthetic, you name it, I tried it), vacuum attachments for dusters etc... Plus, I really didn't want to use chemical dusting agents, if I could help it. So. I went on a quest. And, in short order, I discovered the easiest, least expensive, chemical free dusting system ever. I give you....

THE DUST SOCK

The best part about the dust sock is that you already have it! Hooray! You don't have to spend any money!
Go to your husbands sock drawer. Find the holey pair of gym socks he insists on keeping "just in case" he runs out of his other socks and swipe them. Or, when a lonely sock comes out of the dryer, DON'T THROW IT AWAY. This is a gift from the Dust Sock Gods. The sock should be of the thick, athletic type, but doesn't have to be white. Now, how do you use the dust sock? 

Step 1: Turn the sock inside out

Step 2: Put the sock on your preferred hand like a glove

Step 3: Go to the bathroom and get the spray bottle you use to wet your hair or your daughter's hair when it has dried to resemble Medusa on a bad hair day.

Step 4: Lightly mist the sock. It should feel damp when you touch it, but not wet on the inside where your hand is.

Step 5: Proceed to dust. I dust a lot and rather thoroughly so about halfway through my dusting I rotate the sock so the dirty side is on top and the clean side is on my palm. You can get into tiny, tiny spaces using your fingers inside the dust sock glove.

I use this system for EVERY dustable surface in my house; television and computer included. If you are worried about the moisture on your TV or computer screen, you could just use the dry side to do those things.

If you try to polish your wood furniture while you dust but you don't want to buy Pledge or some other aerosol product, try to find wood polishing products that are mineral oil or plant oil (orange and lemon oil are popular). You'll want to read the label very, very carefully to be sure it is safe for your type of wood and finish. If mineral oil products are safe on your furniture, you can purchase pure mineral oil in a pharmacy and mix 1/2 cup with 4-5 tablespoons of lemon juice to make your own polish/dusting stuff. I wouldn't recommend putting this in a spray bottle, though. Just pour a little bit onto your dry dust sock and polish away.

Now! Go forth! Save and reuse your rejected socks! Dust!