Dust can build up seemingly overnight, giving untouched surfaces an unsightly layer that’s not just gross but harmful to your health.

An accumulation of dust can degrade your air quality, potentially triggering respiratory issues, allergic reactions, asthma, and more. Regular dusting helps keep those pesky little particles at bay, but it’s not always enough. If you feel like you’re constantly reaching for the duster, there’s a DIY solution that can help you go longer in between cleanings.

How To Make DIY Dust-Repellent Spray

Believe it or not, there’s a cleaning spray that can keep surfaces dust-free for longer, and you can easily make it at home. Here’s how:

First, collect all of the supplies listed above. In a clean, empty spray bottle, combine 2 cups of water, 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 to 2 drops of liquid dish soap, and give it a good shake. Then, lightly spray the solution onto a nonabsorbent surface and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth to create a dust-repelling barrier.

The Magic Behind the Spray

These household ingredients might seem ordinary, but they pack a powerful cleaning punch when combined. Vinegar, a trusty DIY cleaning ingredient, disinfects surfaces and tackles tough grime. Olive oil, another versatile ingredient, polishes surfaces and adds a protective barrier that inhibits dust buildup. Lastly, dish soap acts as an emulsifier, helping the other ingredients mix and spread evenly across surfaces. 

While this DIY spray doesn’t completely get rid of dust, it does give you some breathing room in between cleanings. And who wouldn’t want that?

Say Goodbye to Dust

The style of your window will determine how much of the screen you’re able to access for cleaning. If you have a double-hung window, for example, you may need to open the bottom sash first, then lower the top sash.

Another option is to head outside and clean the window screen from the exterior without any obstructions. Of course, this isn’t always possible, especially for those who live in multistory buildings. Thankfully, cleaning from the inside is just as effective, so long as you can reach the screen.

Take the soft-bristle brush or a vacuum cleaner with a dust brush attachment and gently run it along the screen to remove loose debris. Next, spray the screen with your homemade cleaning solution and wipe it down with a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth — this will help dislodge stubborn dust and dirt. Finally, spray the screen with clean water to wash away any soapy residue, and then use another clean microfiber cloth to dab the screen dry. Give the windowsill an additional pass to catch drips or fallen debris.

Tip for Higher Windows

If you’re standing outside and can’t reach the second-floor window, here’s a handy tip: Take an extendable paint roller, and replace the roller head with a refillable lint roller. It should slide right on, making those hard-to-reach window screens much easier to clean.

Additional Benefits

In addition to maintaining a better view, there are various health and financial benefits to keeping window screens clean. Open windows allow dust and allergens to enter your home, but clean screens are better at trapping these particles before they meet your nostrils. If window screens are loaded with debris, they can easily be disturbed and release contaminants into the air.

Furthermore, acidic particles such as salt and pollen may get lodged in the screen, which can erode the material over time. This may shorten the screen’s lifespan and necessitate a costly replacement.

All of these issues can be avoided as long as you clean your window screens twice a year. We recommend cleaning once before spring to remove the salt and grime that accumulates during winter, and again before fall to clear away springtime dust and pollen.

Oven racks don’t need to be tended to terribly often — once or twice a year is sufficient — but when it’s time to deep-clean your oven, you’ll probably notice that the racks could use some love, too. Oven racks are easily removable, but unfortunately, they’re usually too bulky to clean in the sink.

How To Effectively Clean Oven Racks

Instead of struggling to fit oven racks into your kitchen sink, try scrubbing them in a bathtub. Start by laying down two old towels to protect the surface of the tub from scratches, then place the oven racks on top. Fill the bathtub with very hot water — the hottest it can get. When the racks are fully submerged, add ½ cup of powder or liquid dishwasher detergent to the bath water and stir to combine.

Allow the racks to soak in the tub for at least four hours, though overnight yields even better results. After soaking, drain the tub and remove any remaining gunk with a nonscratch sponge, microfiber cloth, or dish brush. Rinse with clean water, dry the racks thoroughly, and return them to the oven.

For stubborn stains, apply a thick paste of powdered Bar Keepers Friend and water (or use the liquid version), let it sit for a few minutes, and use a scrubbing sponge to make the racks spotless. You can also use the mildly abrasive cleaning powder to clean your bathtub afterward.

Your oven racks should remain clean for the next six months, unless, of course, a particularly saucy dish shortens that timeline.

We’ve Got Your Back

This helpful hack comes from content creator Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up. All you’ll need is a household broom, some cleaning solution, a microfiber cloth, and a rubber band.

Dip the microfiber cloth in your preferred cleaning solution so it’s damp without being sopping wet. We recommend using a gallon of hot water, a cup of distilled white vinegar, and a few squirts of dish soap (roughly ½ teaspoon).

Cover the broom bristles completely with the microfiber cloth, and secure it tightly with a rubber band. With the cloth fastened, use the broomstick to effortlessly clean your baseboards without bending over. The baseboards will look clean, and your back will thank you.

But Wait, There’s More!

More than just a back-saver, this hack is also a means of cleaning other hard-to-reach areas. Think crown molding, ceiling fans, light fixtures, air vents, or the tops of kitchen cabinets — essentially, any area you’d normally need a stepstool to reach. Be sure to replace the microfiber cloth after each cleaning task so you don’t spread around dust or dirt.

Mop Slippers — Fashionable and Practical

Back problems don’t just make it difficult to clean baseboards; they also present obstacles in keeping floors tidy. Well, here’s a fashionable and practical way to avoid bending your knees: mop slippers.

These soft, microfiber accessories fit over your shoes, socks, or bare feet and can be used to pick up debris without kneeling or bending. Just put on a pair and walk around to trap dust, dirt, and pet hair in the fibers. (They’ll also keep your feet nice and dry when you’re doing some actual mopping.)

Once you’ve scooted around the house in your mop slippers, shake any excess dirt into a trash can, and throw them into the washing machine so they’ll be ready to use again.

Rather than let dirt and grime pile up, try these methods to help you keep a tidy home without any extra stress on your body.

If there always seem to be cobwebs dangling from your ceilings, or their texture is a magnet for dust, there’s an easy hack to remove them without bringing out a ladder or standing on a chair, risking a tumble.

So, what’s the key to this hack? A paint roller.

While a long-handled duster can reach high spots in your home, such as ceilings, traditional dusters merely move dust around the room — redistributing it rather than trapping it. A paint roller is a simple household tool — one you might already own — that can give you better cleaning results.

The Paint Roller Hack

To thoroughly clean your ceilings with a paint roller, dampen a soft, thick-nap paint roller with a cleaning solution. This can be a simple mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Once the roller is damp, not dripping, roll it across the ceiling to remove dirt, grime, and cobwebs. (Sorry, spiders.)

Rinse the roller in clean, warm water, squeeze out any excess liquid, and repeat the cleaning process until you’re satisfied with the results. You can also purchase a paint roller kit, such as this one, which comes with two extra rollers so you can switch them out as you clean. Or, purchase a pack of roller cover refills on their own — just be sure to choose the right size for your existing roller.

It Saves You Money

The best part about using the paint roller hack to clean your ceilings is how cost-effective it is. You don’t have to pay someone else to do it for you, and you can skip the expensive cleaning supplies.

Forget fabric softeners, which are full of chemicals and leave behind a waxy coating. No need to throw down a paycheck on pricey bedding either. Instead, reach for two items that are likely already in your pantry: baking soda and distilled white vinegar.

These kitchen staples are a powerful cleaning combo, helping to deodorize your garbage disposal, deep clean your washing machine, or lift stains from wooden cutting boards. Turns out they’re just as effective as a natural fabric softener.

Why use baking soda and vinegar? Baking soda helps break down detergent buildup, while vinegar dissolves residues and relaxes fabric fibers. Together they’re a dynamic sheet-softening duo, all without chemicals or artificial fragrances. Don’t worry about your freshly laundered bedding smelling like vinegar either — the scent disappears once the sheets are dry.

How To Soften Sheets Naturally

1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the drum of your washing machine. Then add your sheets, and wash them on a hot water cycle without additional detergent. 

2. When the rinse cycle begins, pour ½ cup of distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment. For best results, switch to cold water during the rinse cycle.

3. Line dry the sheets, or dry them on low heat using wool dryer balls.

4. Repeat this process every few weeks to maintain softness.

Note: If your sheets are dirty, you’ll want to wash them with detergent first, then proceed to softening.

A Bonus Trick To Try

Salt is another kitchen staple that can double as a natural fabric softener. Since it’s mildly abrasive, salt helps break down stiffening agents (such as starch), relaxing the fibers, and making them feel softer over time. Add 1 cup of salt to a tub of cool water, then soak your sheets overnight. The next day, wash your bedding as usual.

Thankfully, a few inexpensive household items are all it takes to loosen microwave grime. Try this steam cleaning hack that will leave you with a spotless microwave in a matter of seconds.

Farewell, Microwave Mess

To remove stubborn stains, take advantage of the microwave’s heating function to soften them. Start by combining 1 cup of tap water, 1 to 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, and two or three lemon slices in a microwave-safe bowl. (For maximum cleaning power, squeeze some of the juice from the lemon slices into the water.) Leave the bowl uncovered and set your microwave to high. Run it for two to three minutes, or until the liquid mixture is steaming hot.

The next step is very important: When the microwave beeps, leave the door closed for five minutes. This allows all of that vinegar-rich steam to soften up the food particles, requiring no effort on your part. When everything has cooled, open the door and carefully remove the bowl. Dip a microfiber cloth in your cleaning solution, wring it out, and use it to wipe down the interior of the microwave.

Cleaning With Vinegar and Lemon

Steam makes quick work of wiping away all that grime and grit. Once you’re finished with this chore, don’t toss the remaining cleaning mix — put it to good use elsewhere. You can use the ingredients to gently and effectively clean other areas of your home. 

Both vinegar and lemons are acidic, making them great options for breaking down dirt and grime. Use the cleaning solution to wipe down the outside of your microwave, the inside and outside of your refrigerator, your cooktop, nonmarble countertops, or soap scum buildup in the bathroom.