Windowsills, just like most surfaces in your home, accumulate dust and dirt as time goes by. It’s important for households to regularly clean these areas to avoid a significant buildup of dust, particularly now as homes tend to become a lot dustier at this time of year since we are spending more time indoors. Although traditional multi-surface sprays can help keep your windowsills free from dust, there’s another alternative that you may have at your disposal.
Taking to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, Annie Warriner shared that she loves to use peppermint oil to repel dust, and it also works to keep bugs and spiders away. She wrote: “I wiped down my windowsills with a few drops of peppermint oil, and it was an absolute game-changer for repelling the dust.
“The dust stayed well away for over a month. I even stopped finding spiders in my house after doing this. It’s fantastic.”
Fellow group members in the comments section shared their thoughts on this. Wendy Fenton wrote: “I spray peppermint oil around windowsills, doors and skirting boards all the time. It helps with the dust and creepy crawlies.”
Lynne Alderson replied: “I use peppermint oil neat on a cloth for doors etc keeps ants away as they hate it
Mary Stephenson commented: “I do all the time and no spiders, oh, and when we had rats in our gardens, we got rid of them with the help of peppermint oil down their hole.”
Hannah Farrell wrote: “Peppermint oil in a spray bottle with some water and a microfibre cloth will keep the dust away for days.”
For those just looking to keep the dust at bay, cleaning fans have recommended using tumble dryer sheets. Sarah Hill said, “A dryer sheet works perfectly every time for dust.”
Tracey Clarke wrote: “A dryer sheet works just fine.” Jackie Reader 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.

