Sometimes, using a vacuum cleaner is impractical or impossible. There’s still a place in the home for the traditional dustpan and brush! This guide suggests which situations might require the specialist attentions of a dustpan and brush, as well as explaining how to get rid of dust quickly and effectively with these trusty tools. You’ll also learn our top five tips for getting the most out of your dustpan and brush!
How to Clean Dust with a Dustpan and Brush
In which situations would you opt for a dustpan and brush instead of a vacuum cleaner? we can think of a quite a few instances:
- For reaching out-of-the-way places: The tops of shelving units and wardrobes, window ledges, underneath tables, behind bookcases: these are all spaces that are hard to access with a vacuum cleaner, even with extensions or a handheld vacuum. Instead, with a long handled dustpan and brush, you can reach those out-of-the-way places and clear them of dust. Before dusting ensure that you remove any items from the shelving units, window ledges etc.
- For cleaning up larger items that might damage your vacuum cleaner: Vacuum cleaners are great at picking up hair and dust — but larger items like spilled crisps, chunks of broken glass, or dried pasta can either damage your vacuum cleaner or cause a messy blockage inside them. A dustpan and brush set is easier to use, and less susceptible to damage.
- When you don’t want the hassle of setting up the vacuum cleaner: For all their speed at sucking up dust, vacuum cleaners are still clunky devices that need to be wheeled out, plugged in, and set up. If you only have a small area to clean, it’s often a lot easier to rely on the dustpan and brush.
- When you don’t want the noise of a vacuum cleaner: Say you’ve spilled some cereal in the middle of the night and you don’t want to wake your family or your pets. Or someone’s upended a bowl of crisps and you don’t want to interrupt your party. Using a dustpan and brush is a lot quieter and less disruptive than a vacuum cleaner, and still does the job.
- When you want to be eco-friendly: A vacuum cleaner uses electricity, a dustpan and brush set doesn’t. Every time you opt for a dustpan and brush instead of the vacuum, you’re doing your bit to help the planet!
Our Top 5 Tips for Cleaning with a Dustpan and Brush
- Clearing broken glass safely: When something made of glass is broken, use a long handled dustpan and brush if possible to keep your distance from the glass fragments. Alternatively, carefully crouch down with a standard set to sweep up the larger pieces. For the smaller pieces, you can use a vacuum cleaner, but only a brush will reach those out-of-the-way crevices and corners. If the floor is hard, rather than carpet, you can pour a little bit of water and sweep this along carefully to shift any remaining glass shards into your dustpan! This also makes it possible for you to mop the floor effectively. Ensure that you wear shoes while sweeping and take care not to step on the broken glass.
- Use a long handled dustpan and brush once a week on your kitchen floor: This will sweep up any leftover crumbs and dust, and cut down on the number of times you need to wheel out the vacuum cleaner!
- Once every two weeks, sweep the bathroom floors: A long handled dustpan and brush can easily do the job of sweeping up hairs and dust from your tiled bathroom floor.
- Wash your dustpan and brush every few months: Keep them hygienic by washing them every few months – just follow the directions on the label (including any safety guidelines) and test the cleaning product in a small inconspicuous area first. After cleaning them, let them air-dry fully before storing.
- Only use your dustpan and brush to clean up dry messes: Anything wet, gloopy, or sticky will get caught in your brush fibres and create a further mess. So, use a rag or kitchen towel to clean these up, and then a mop and floor cleaner like Cif Direct to Floor Cleaner where necessary. Whatever cleaning product you use, follow the instructions on the label for the best results.
Now that you know when, where, and how to use your dustpan and brush – go out and keep your household dust-free the natural and eco-friendly way!