I’ve tried everything to get rid of dust – now I swear by one single tool that has changed my life for the better

As a Solved editor, I spend a lot of time cleaning my home. Whether it is because an expert has just mentioned an area I usually forget or I am testing out a new cleaning method my household chores take up a lot of my time. One task that usually takes longer than the rest, however, is dusting.

Dusting is one of my least favorite tasks. Not only is it everywhere, but it also seems to build up ridiculously quickly meaning it is a task I usually put off, unsatisfied that the results are worth the time and effort. That is, however, until I found Scrub Daddy’s Damp Duster, available at Walmart.

At first, I was skeptical about the true power of this viral sponge, however, after just a few uses I am truly hooked, so much so that I am willing to name it one of the only ways to remove dust properly. But what makes it so great? Well, just about everything.

Why we love the Damp Duster

So far as the best viral decluttering and cleaning hacks go, the Damp Duster is up there with the best, although it certainly took a little bit of getting used to.

Upon opening the package it was quite a shock to feel that it was already ‘damp’, and far from the spongy texture I was expecting. Instead, it almost felt like a strange mix of rubber and foam. Its half-cylinder design with deep grooves was also a far cry from the folded-up microfiber cloths I was used to using.

Without much further thought, I ran it along the edge of my bathtub, trusting in the sponge's promise that it would be ready for use as soon as I opened it. I wasn't expecting much – years of trying to get rid of dust in the bathroom with a microfiber cloth and simply moving it around instead seriously lowered my expectations. However, it picked up every little spec and hair, trapping all of it in those deep grooves. Now that was satisfying.

Better yet, rather than having to shake my cloth out of the window like a madman to remove any dust from the fibers, the Damp Duster just needed a quick rinse with water, a good ring out, and it was ready to go again.

How the Damp Duster works

You might be mistaken for thinking that this is magic – I was certainly tempted to think it was. But no, its efficiency lies in its clever design.

The dampness means the dust is drawn to the sponge, while the deep ridges ensure that it stays there as you move the duster around. This is a huge step up from a microfiber cloth that seems to spread the dust around instead, and even from the effective dry/damp cleaning rule, making it easier to avoid some of the major dusting mistakes making your home dirtier.

If, like me, you are also on a green cleaning kick, then the Damp Duster is a fantastic investment. Given that it only requires water, I could say goodbye to the furniture polish and multi-purpose cleaner I previously needed to assist my cloths. As someone who struggles with allergies, this was a massive plus to me not to mention that it will significantly lower my cleaning bills, helping me to save money at home. Remember that the damp duster only removes dust, and doesn't kill bacteria. I still go back in with my trusty Method Pink Grapefruit Anti-Bacterial Cleaner, from Walmart, once the dust has been removed, but it helps to limit the number of cleaning solutions I have to haul around the house with me.

My verdict

The difference in the amount of dust around my home speaks for itself. The Damp Duster not only makes cleaning dust up easier, but it also helps me to get motivated to clean. As a result, my home has never looked better. It might seem silly, but having a fun little colorful doo-dad is a great way to make cleaning fun.

The design of the duster also means that little to no dust is thrown up into the air – and my air purifier can attest to that. Usually, when dusting around it, it will kick up a notch as it works to filter out the extra particles in the air. With the Damp Duster? It is as quiet as a mouse.

That being said, there are always a few drawbacks. The damp duster does get dirty quickly, and frequent trips to the sink are a must. When dusting a bathroom or cleaning a kitchen, this is pretty simple. However, when trying to clean a bedroom it can get tedious. One solution could be to carry a small tub of water around to help wash the dust off and remove the sponge, but I have yet to try this approach.

It is also worth noting that rinsing the sponge in the sink means you are washing all that dust and hair down your drain. I have a good hair catcher drain cover, from Amazon, to help stop clogs, but it is something you might want to consider if you want to avoid having to unclog a bathroom drain later down the line.

My final gripe is that it is not the best on rougher surfaces such as my wooden plant stand in the bathroom. The rough edges and grooves beat out the ridges on the Duster and cling to the dust. That being said, the results with the Damp Duster are still better than with a microfiber cloth (where lint and threads from the cloth are often left behind as well as all the dust). For smooth surfaces such as my tub, sink, and the top of my fridge, however, it gets a 10/10.

Storing the duster is simple. The first few times, I allowed it to dry out before storing it in my cleaning cabinet but this required soaking it for a few minutes whenever I needed it again. Now, I have taken to cleaning it, writing it out, and storing it in a Ziploc bag to keep it moist so that it is always ready to go whenever I need to panic clean before guests arrive.

One thing to note is that it's important to keep an eye out for signs its time to replace your Damp Duster, which may range from bad odors to mold forming. If you spot any of these, swiftly bin yours and purchase a new one ready for use.

Other Scrub Daddy Favourites

All in all, I would confidently say that the pros of the Damp Duster far outweigh the minimal cons and it is easily one of the essential cleaning tools everyone needs to maintain a spotless home, especially given all the ways you can use a Damp Duster. Given the wide array of colors available, I might even buy more for some pleasing yet practical color-coded cleaning.

Next, discover why your home gets dusty so quickly, and what you can do to limit its impact.