The Best Duster

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray
Published on
February 25th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Ben’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the ASD (Advanced Structural Drying), AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician),
WRT (Water restoration technician), CCT (Carpet Cleaning technician), and bio hazard cleanup, as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Ben has managed teams involved in cleaning projects around the United States. Ben’s passion for cleaning dates all the way back to keeping his rugby gear tidy while a young lad. Ben holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a mountain of hands on experience at the school of hard knocks.

The Cleaning Institute

Dusting your furniture and home decor is an important step to keeping the space clean and keeping particles or dirt from circulating in the air throughout the month. It’s important to use a quality duster that both attracts dust and prevents it from spreading during the cleaning process. Simply put, using a high quality duster helps you to achieve a much more thorough level of clean than you’d be able to get from just grabbing the cheapest duster you can find.

We reviewed the top dusters in the industry to determine which ones were most effective and convenient to use. After testing different products for a week, our top pick is the OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster due to its generous microfiber head that can trap dust without using harmful chemicals or toxic cleaning products. It’s also easy to clean because the microfiber unsnaps for convenient machine washing. Our honorable mention is the Swiffer 360 Dusters Extender Kit because the handle extends to three feet, which makes it easy to use in hard-to-reach places. The product features a rotating duster, which is lightweight and easy to lift while cleaning. The Full Circle Dust Whisperer Washable Microfiber Duster is our green pick because the microfiber head attracts dirt and is replaceable, which can help you to reduce the amount of waste you contribute to landfills. It also has a flexible handle that offers grip and can help with reaching small areas.

Testing Categories

Our testing categories allowed us to review each product with a high level of accuracy. We create categories to allow us to compare each product and how they stack up against each other. Our testing categories for the dusters include efficiency, application, and durability.

Efficiency: Efficiency was one of the top categories we used to rate the dusters to determine how well it worked on different types of surfaces. We observed whether any dust was left behind or if the dirt spread to other surfaces or into the air as we wiped everything down.

Application: We used the application category to measure how convenient it was to use each duster. We took a close look at the handle and the shape of the product to determine its ease of use and if it was capable of cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

Durability: For the durability category, we evaluated the quality of the materials each duster was made from, as well as if they held up well with frequent use. We also looked at the quality of the dusters’ cloth fibers. The durability of the duster contributes to its overall value and quality.

Top Pick

OXO Good
Grips Microfiber
Hand Duster

The OXO Good Grips Microfiber Hand Duster is our top pick because it effectively picks up dirt without the need for any cleaning chemicals, and covers a larger surface area than similar products.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The duster is easy to clean and replace; all it takes is unsnapping the microfiber cloth. The product can easily be thrown into the washing machine and dried without heat. The 18-inch duster is built with a flexible profile and a soft microfiber cloth that is safe to use on many different types of surfaces. The microfiber cloth included with this duster makes cleaning easier and quicker. It can also easily be taken outdoors to shake before continuing the dusting process. The product proves to be effective and useful, as it actually removes dust instead of just pushing it around. It’s an eco-friendly option that doesn’t contribute to waste like paper towels and is ideal to use in homes plagued with pet hair. The handle has a proper grip and is comfortable to hold.

Biggest downsides: The fibers on this duster are prone to falling out and can continually shed with frequent use. The fibers often catch on rough areas. It can pick up dust well but the dust becomes matted within the fibers. The dirt may also have difficulty sticking at times.

Honorable Mention

Swiffer 360
Dusters
Extender Kit

The Swiffer 360 Dusters Extender Kit extends up to three feet and can rotate to catch dust in hard-to-reach areas, making it easier to perform a thorough dusting job.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The handle of the Swiffer 360 duster is not only lightweight, but also easy to grip and hold whether you’re using it in low or high areas. The handle locks into place and extends to two different lengths, depending on what needs to be dusted. It includes a button on each extension that can be pushed in and slid closed. This duster comes with extra dusting cloths that are fluffy and durable, and are double-sided to ensure its ability to clean multiple surface areas. It’s most ideal to use on windows, crown molding, furniture items, ceiling fans, and doors. The duster even has a deft touch to ensure that you can dust without worrying about causing damage to valuables that are on display.

Biggest downsides: The wand is constructed out of cheap materials and isn’t as long as similar products on the market. The pads fall off easily while cleaning, which can be inconvenient and affect the efficiency of the product. The cloths are also flat and are not as thick, which can make it ideal for lighter dusting but won’t get the job done when it comes to deep cleaning.

Green Pick

Full Circle Dust
Whisperer Washable
Microfiber Duster

The Full Circle Dust Whisperer Washable Microfiber Duster is replaceable, machine washable, constructed from 100 percent polyester, and attracts dust like a magnet.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The duster is built with a flexible handle that makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach places or tight gaps. It’s ideal to use on bookshelves, ceiling fans, furniture, and baseboards. It’s bendable, which allows it more flexibility and ease of use with cleaning. The product is made without the use of harmful coatings, dyes, chemicals, and plastics. The cloth also stays secure on the duster via a button fastener. The cloth is also useful enough that it doesn’t need any liquid or cleaning product to remove dust thoroughly. The cloth also holds more dust compared to similar products. Dust stays glued to the cloth even if it\'s shaken out, which prevents it from recirculating.

Biggest downsides: The replacement heads are of lower quality. More specifically, they are not as durable as the original cloth material that is included with the product. The fibers are not as dense and are prone to falling out over time. The handle is constructed from toxic plastic materials. It is also prone to leaving streaks behind on different surfaces.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Dusting

Dust with a microfiber cloth to achieve the best results. This particular cleaning tool will grab the dust and prevent it from recirculating. Use a bendable duster on ceiling fans and light fixtures to ensure that you can clean on angled surfaces. Use a mop pole with an old sock or a microfiber cloth to dust corners, door frames, and moldings. A flat head mop with a microfiber cloth can also be used to dust walls. When it comes to dusting baseboards, it’s important to lightly spray a cleaning product before wiping it down. Delicate items like glassware or antique pieces can be dusted with a makeup brush or a paint brush to reduce the risk of damage to the items. Delicate items can also be wiped down with a moist cloth.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Dusters should be stored in a non-humid area to prevent excess moisture in the air from encouraging the growth of mold or mildew. Keep it in a sealed area where it won’t acquire dirt or dust, as accumulated dust can make the dusters less effective. It’s also important to keep the product out of reach from children and pets. By purchasing one of the dusters we’ve listed above and taking proper care of them, you can easily ensure they will last for as long as possible.

The Best Duster

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

OXO Good
Grips Microfiber
Hand Duster

Swiffer 360
Dusters
Extender Kit

Full Circle Dust
Whisperer Washable
Microfiber Duster

All Our Picks

OXO Good
Grips Microfiber
Hand Duster

Swiffer 360
Dusters
Extender Kit

Full Circle Dust
Whisperer Washable
Microfiber Duster

Tips for Effective Dusting

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Duster

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Ben Murray

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

OXO GoodGrips MicrofiberHand Duster

Swiffer 360DustersExtender Kit

Full Circle DustWhisperer Washable Microfiber Duster

All Our Picks

OXO GoodGrips MicrofiberHand Duster

Swiffer 360DustersExtender Kit

Full Circle DustWhisperer Washable Microfiber Duster

Tips for Effective Dusting

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

OXO Good
Grips Microfiber
Hand Duster

Swiffer 360
Dusters
Extender Kit

Full Circle Dust
Whisperer Washable
Microfiber Duster

OXO Good
Grips Microfiber
Hand Duster

Swiffer 360
Dusters
Extender Kit

Full Circle Dust
Whisperer Washable
Microfiber Duster