A professional cleaner with nearly a decade of experience maintaining a historic 640-year-old UK castle has shared a remarkably simple trick to stop dust from flying everywhere when you sweep.
The Castle-Proven Dust Busting Secret
The expert advice comes from Caroline Connor, the conservation and preservation cleaning team leader at Hever Castle in Kent. Her method, revealed in an October article for Good Housekeeping by Ella Duggan, involves a common household item most people already own.
Caroline's recommendation is straightforward: spray a small amount of glass cleaner onto the bristles of your broom or brush before you start sweeping. This simple act transforms the cleaning process, causing dust to clump together into manageable piles instead of dispersing into the air.
Why This Hack is a Game-Changer
This tip was born from the challenge of maintaining the castle's many grand wooden staircases, where dust can be particularly pervasive. However, its application is perfectly suited to any domestic setting.
Ella Duggan noted this is also a "great tip" for people who suffer from allergies, as it prevents dust particles from being stirred into the air and subsequently inhaled. By keeping dust settled, it creates a healthier cleaning environment.
The hack was uncovered as part of a wider project where Good Housekeeping gathered cleaning insights from teams responsible for iconic UK landmarks, including St Paul's Cathedral and the Greenwich Observatory.
More Expert Tips for a Dust-Free Home
In related cleaning advice from December 2025, lifestyle resource The Spruce highlighted an effective method for dusting that also tackles bacteria. They recommend using a damp, clean microfiber cloth, which effectively removes dust and germs without leaving lint. A crucial warning accompanies this: avoid over-saturating the cloth to prevent streaking.
For a more fragrant approach to dust prevention, a technique shared on TikTok in December 2025 suggested using fabric softener on skirting boards. The user, @mumscleaninglockdownlife, filled a handled cleaning sponge with diluted fabric softener to wipe down skirting. She explained that the conditioner leaves an amazing scent and helps repel dust. The final step is to buff the area dry with a clean cloth to avoid any sticky residue.
Ultimately, whether adopting the castle-approved broom spray or other expert methods, the goal is the same: a cleaner, healthier home with far less airborne dust.
