What dust actually is

Steps

1. 1

   Dust is mostly dead skin, fabric fibres, hair, pet dander, soil and pollen carried in from outside.

2. 2

   It is heavier than air, so it always settles downwards — that is why you dust high first and do floors last.

3. 3

   It sticks to static-charged surfaces like screens and plastic, which is why dry microfibre works better there.

4. 4

   A dry duster throws dust into the air and it lands again in minutes. Damp microfibre traps it.

5. 5

   In pet homes there is far more of it — vacuum before and after dusting.