7 Creative Hacks To Make Cleaning Ceiling Cobwebs Easier

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Cobwebs that cling to your ceiling corners are unattractive and when they finally fall, they can stick to your plants, furniture, and even your bedding. Removing these annoying strings of silk can be difficult, especially if you have a tall ceiling. Instead of dragging out the ladder and whacking them away with a broom, you can try some creative hacks that will make the job easier. With the help of various adhesives, poles, and fabrics, you can snag those cobwebs and whisk them away for good. 

You may ask yourself what exactly is the difference between spider webs and cobwebs? Well, spider webs are new and active. They are meant for trapping prey. Cobwebs, on the other hand, are the remnants left behind when a spider leaves. They are no longer active and just collect dust and debris. Your ceiling space is an ideal spot for a spider to build its web because, up there, it's not likely to be disturbed and it's a great spot to catch insects. Some of the common spiders you may find in your home are even known for building webs in ceiling corners. But the good news is that those hard-to-reach cobwebs can be a thing of the past with these handy hacks using common items found around your home.

Don't let the spiders serve up their cobwebs. Banish them with a common sports item – a tennis ball. The cobwebs will easily attach to the felt surface of the ball, making for easier removal. It's the perfect way to repurpose tennis balls around the house after they've lost their bounce. You can carefully cut a notch into the ball with a razor blade, then place it on the end of a broomstick. Now all that's left to do is wipe away those webs.

A Swiffer duster, or any mop with a microfiber pad for that matter, can catch cobwebs from your ceiling. For the reach you need, use an extendable handle then simply swipe the duster or pad over the webs. If you don't have an extension pole handy, Amazon sells this Swiffer Duster Kit with a 6 ft. Super Extendable Handle for less than $25.

You likely have just what you need to get rid of cobwebs on the ceiling and it's stored in your bedroom dresser. Grab a sock and either stretch it over a broomstick handle or attach it with a rubber band. This clever hack makes it easy to get rid of cobwebs. Some people like to wet the sock with either water or fabric softener, though even a dry sock can get the job done. If you decide to use the fabric softener, be sure to dilute it at 50% water, 50% softener. Then mix and apply with a spray bottle.

A lint roller has more than one use around the house. Turns out, it's ideal for capturing cobwebs stubbornly stuck to textured surfaces. Depending on the height of your ceiling, you can either use it on its own or attach it to the end of a broom or extension pole. Press gently to grab the webs with the adhesive, changing sheets if it gets too full.

If you don't have a lint roller handy, another way to stick it to the cobwebs is by using duct tape and a paint roller, preferably one with a nice long handle. You would tear a strip of duct tape and wrap it securely around the paint roller head with the sticky side facing outward. Then, run the tape-covered roller over the cobwebs. When you're finished, carefully remove the tape and simply throw it away.

A good vacuum, either a traditional or wet/dry model, can be an easy tool to help you remove ceiling cobwebs. This hack requires an extension attachment, one that will easily reach as high as you need. If your vacuum lacks the sufficient tools, you can find an option that works for most vacuums, like a Universal Vacuum Extension Wand Tube with Crevice Tool. Once you can get your tube up to the ceiling, just turn your vacuum on and let it do all the work. 

Did you know that there's a tool made precisely for removing ceiling cobwebs and spiderwebs? It's called a cobweb duster, and it lets you remove the old silk strands with a fan-shaped bundle of stiff bristles made of nylon or horsehair. The soft yet sturdy bristles are designed to gently wipe the webs away without scratching the surface. Often sold with a telescopic pole that can extend up to 20 feet, it lets you easily reach the corners and crevices of your ceiling. If you already have an extension pole, you can opt for an attachable cobweb duster.