6 'fun' ways professional cleaners put a Damp Duster to work around the house (spoiler alert – these handy sponges can do more than clear dust)

The Scrub Daddy Damp Duster might not seem like such a versatile tool. The name appears to limit it to one use, after all – damp dusting.

Looks – and names – can be deceiving, however. Professional cleaners have pushed this sponge to its limits around homes, and have discovered six ‘fun’ ways you can use a damp duster, besides beating dust.

Here’s why our panel of pros love the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster for a whole host of cleaning tips you can try in your own home.

All the ways you can use a Damp Duster

We love the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster for its ability to pick up dust, rather than simply move it around or sending it flying up into the air and helping us follow the dry/damp cleaning rule with ease. Here are all the other hacks we will be trying out next, as loved by our professional cleaners:

1. Removing hard water stains

Getting rid of hard water stains can feel like a but of a workout. All the scrubbing, rinsing and repeating really does a number on your arm. However, Ryan Knoll, professional cleaner and founder of Tidy Casa reveals the Damp Duster can shoulder some of the effort.

He shares, ‘Here in Phoenix and Tucson, hard water stains are a real problem. While the Damp Duster isn’t abrasive, which is a must for getting calcium off, it’s great for lifting that powdery residue off sinks and shower doors.’

Although you do not usually use any cleaning solutions with a Damp Duster, Ryan adds, ‘Clean with a little vinegar, and you can wipe away buildup without needing to scrub like crazy.’

2. Defogging mirrors

There are so many weird and wonderful hacks to stop condensation on your bathroom mirror (including cleaning a mirror with shaving foam), but Ryan Knoll recommends the Damp Duster, available in packs of eight at Amazon.

He continues, ‘Nobody likes stepping out of the shower and not being able to see anything. A quick wipe down with the Damp Duster and a bit of dish soap [such as Dawn, from Walmart] will keep steam from fogging up the mirror.’

3. Clearing countertops

Dust is not the only small particle the Damp Duster is perfect for grabbing onto. When cleaning a kitchen, Damp Dusters are ideal for picking up crumbs, and preventing them tumbling onto the floor.

Forrest Webber, cleaning expert and owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning assures, ‘The Damp Duster is perfect for gathering crumbs from countertops, tables, and other flat surfaces. Our cleaners primarily use it for this purpose.’

4. Picking up pet hair

Whether you are trying to get pet hair out of laundry or remove pet hair from fabric upholstery, the Damp Duster could be your saving grace.

Ryan Knoll says, ‘Time to throw out the lint roller. If you’ve ever rushed out the door and realized you’re covered in pet hair, this one’s for you. Thanks, Mr. Dizzle (my cat). The Damp Duster’s tacky texture makes it perfect for grabbing lint, fuzz, and pet hair off clothing without needing a sticky roller.

‘It’s also great for furniture and car seats too. I keep one in my car for fuzz emergencies’

It is certainly a cleaning essential people with pets need.

5. Cleaning car headlights

As the Damp Duster is good for cleaning windows without streaks, it is no surprise that it can be used on other glass too – including your car. Ryan Knoll adds, ‘For a quick car hack, try wiping down foggy headlights with the Damp Duster before polishing.

‘It’s great for lifting off the first layer of dust and grime, so your cleaning solution can work even better.’

Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved, also used a Damp Duster to clear off mud and grime from her car's rear reversing cameras. 'Once the mud dries, it can be a little hard to get off and I don't want anything abrasive scratching the camera lens covers so I use my Damp Duster.'

6. Cleaning tiny nooks

Our homes are filled with lots of little nooks and crates that quickly collect dust but are some of the hardest household cleaning tasks to tackle. Whether they are in small gaps or have lots of edges, they are dirty spots we can never unsee.

The Damp Duster's malleability makes it ideal for finally getting them clean, however. Forrest Webber, a cleaning expert, explains, ‘Cleaning baseboards is the next best use case for the Damp Duster. The design conforms to edges, removing dirt and dust.

‘The last way our cleaners use the Damp Duster is for cleaning blinds and shutters, just like the baseboards, it conforms to the slats and easily removes dust.’

FAQs

Is damp dusting better than dry dusting?

Damp dusting is better than dry dusting because it makes the dust stick to the cleaning tool, ensuring that you collect it for removal, rather than spread it around or disturb it up into the air, only for it to resettle elsewhere in your home. The Scrub Daddy Damp Duster is a great tool for this, with ridges to pick up dust with ease, but you can get similar results with a damp microfiber cloth.

Now, brush up on the signs it’s time to replace your Scrub Daddy Damp Duster to make sure you are getting the best results every cleaning day.