17 places you're forgetting to dust at home

17 places you’re forgetting to dust at home

Give your house a deep clean by targeting these trouble spots.

Photography: Martina Gemmola / Styling: Ruth Welsby

Let’s face it, dust doesn’t do anyone any favours. Not only does it look unsightly, collecting on almost every available horizontal surface of your home, it can also cause allergies by irritating the nose, throat and eyes. We get it, dusting is a drag, but if you think a quick swipe from a duster or microfibre cloth is doing to trick, if you’re forgetting one of these 17 zones, you may need to think again.

So grab your dusting equipment (including, but not limited to: vacuum cleaner with brush attachment, microfibre cloth, eucalyptus oil and your favourite surface spray) and take a look at all 17 of these spots that are often missed during dusting missions.

1. Inside drawers

Drawers can collect crumbs, dust and debris. Wipe them down with a damp cloth.

2. Plants

Use a damp cloth to gently wipe down leaves.

european farmhouse style build brisbane staircase black handrail — *(Credit: Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes)*

3. Pillows and blankets

Next time you’re washing your sheets, throw in the pillows and blankets too. They’re full of dead skin cells and dust mites.

4. Lampshades

Use a vacuum with a brush attachment or wipe down with a clean damp cloth.

hamptons inspired bungalow upper north shore study antique desk — *(Credit: Photography: Chris Warnes / Styling: Lucy Gough)*

5. Light switches

Wipe them down and remove fingerprints at the same time.

6. Bookshelves

Use a dust cloth to wipe along the front of the books, as well as along the top.

melbourne 1920s bungalow living room blue lounge — *(Credit: Photography: Martina Gemmola / Styling: Ruth Welsby)*

7. Blinds and curtains

Use a vacuum to clean blinds and curtains, or use a damp cloth to wipe down blinds.

8. Cushions

Vacuum them regularly.

melbourne 1920s bungalow window seat — *(Credit: Photography: Martina Gemmola / Styling: Ruth Welsby)*

9. TV

Use a damp cloth or microfibre cloth to wipe down the TV, running around the top, bottom and sides. Include speakers and remotes.

10. Underneath the table

Grab a dust cloth and wipe underneath the table for spider webs and other debris.

Vibrant coloured rug with red painted upholstered dining chair — Amy found the stain-resistant fabric on Etsy. “My son recently spilt hot chocolate all over it, and I just wiped it off,” says Clementine. *(Credit: Photography: Lisa Cohen / Styling: Amy Spargo)*

11. Air conditioning vents

Use a vacuum to clean them out

12. Sofa and armchairs

Use a vacuum and wipe down the arms and legs with a damp cloth.

modern farmhouse wooden coffee table — The formal living room is a quiet retreat for the couple. *(Credit: Photography: Hannah Puechmarin / Styling: Cheryl Carr)*

13. Picture frames

Tackle dust along the top of picture frames.

14. Ceiling corners

Use a stick vacuum to reach tricky spots.

european farmhouse style build brisbane living area brown lounge — *(Credit: Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes)*

15. Along the top of doors

Wipe down with a dust cloth or damp cloth.

16. Skirting boards

Wipe along the ledge with a damp cloth.

coastal bungalow hallway timber floors jute rug — *(Credit: Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes)*

17. Toilet

Use a damp cloth to wipe along the top of the cistern, as well as any exposed pipes at the back of the toilet.

Writer Rebecca Lowrey Boyd

Rebecca Lowrey Boyd is a former magazine editor and the founder of Wee Birdy, one of The Sunday Times’ Top 50 Blogs in the World. A design nerd and bird enthusiast, she can usually be found poring over Pinterest, knee-deep in Bunnings or sticky-beaking at modernist homes in Sydney’s bushburbia.