Windowsills and skirting boards, like every other object and surface inside your home, become dusty and dirty over time. Households should clean these areas of their home on a regular basis to prevent heavy buildup of dust. While you can always use traditional multi-surface sprays to keep your skirting boards and windowsills dust-free, there is another option that you most likely have access to.
Home improvement page Today’s Homeowner on Facebook recommends using fabric softener to keep these areas “clean for longer”. They wrote: “Tired of constantly dusting your windowsills and baseboards? Use this magic ingredient — fabric softener — to keep them cleaner longer! Its antistatic property helps remove the dirt and prevents static cling from attracting more dust.”
Designed to make your clothes, towels, and sheets soft and cosy, the common household substance can also double as a dust repellent, helping you keep your home clean for extended periods.
To use fabric softener as a dust-repellent, mix a cup of the liquid with a litre of water, then soak a cloth or sponge in the solution and wipe over the area.
Followers of the Facebook page took to the comments section to share their thoughts on this tip. Anita Petro commented: “Using fabric softener like that without any cleaner, it’s gonna take all that dust off, plus clean it.”
Lisa Farrelly said: “Fabric softener in a spray bottle with some water and a microfibre cloth will keep the dust away for days.”
Jade Rose wrote: “This really works on everything, except ceiling fans. It repels the dust. I’ve been using this for years and never had any dust on my skirting boards or window ledges.”
Vikki Evelyn claimed: “Fabric softener repels the dust for a while, reducing the amount of dust on your surfaces. Works really well on blinds too.”
Other followers noted that tumble dryer sheets work just as well. Joanna Ripple said: “A dryer sheet works perfectly every time too.”
Katie Blackard wrote: “A dryer sheet works just fine.” Jacki Stocker added: “Used fabric softener sheets work great as well.”
Tumble dryer sheets are designed to prevent static electricity in laundry to keep clothes separated in the dryer, and these antistatic properties can also prevent dust from settling on surfaces.