Why There Is Simply No Need For A Swiffer Duster Anymore

One of the things that makes Swiffer Dusters so tempting is that they can be thrown away after they've done the dirty work of cleaning your home; for any homeowner who is already up to their neck in chores, this convenience is hard to resist. It doesn't take much effort, however, to see that this benefit is also a huge weakness of the product: an overwhelming number of them winding up in landfills. It might be time to ditch the Swiffer and save a pretty penny by adopting a better dusting tool for your home, namely those made from items found in nature, like lambswool and ostrich feathers.

While Swiffer Dusters are undeniably convenient, they come with a number of cons that could merit you retiring them for good. For starters, Swiffer Dusters struggle when they are faced with textured surfaces, as the small synthetic fibers can get stuck on wooden splinters, for example. They are also less than ideal when you're faced with a huge dusting job; in these cases, large amounts of dust can render the small refills too laden-down with particles to be very effective. While some frugal individuals might be inclined to reuse their duster refills by washing, drying, and popping them back onto the dusting tool, there is a limit to this money-saving hack. Finally, there's the matter of cost, with a pack of refill dusters often costing close to a dollar per duster — which will not go away for as long as you rely on this cleaning tool's infrastructure. For all of these reasons, it could be well worth investing in an alternative dusting tool that works just as well — if not better — than a Swiffer.

While Swiffer Dusters are widely loved for their ease of use, a closer look shows a not-so-pretty picture. Fortunately, natural duster alternatives are here to save the day (or at least help you get rid of dust in your home). Lambswool dusters, for starters, naturally generate an electrostatic charge when it is pulled over a surface. This means that they are exceptionally good at collecting fine dust particles around the house; the electrostatic nature is aided by the presence of lanolin, which is a wax organically found in wool. A single lambswool duster can also last for years given the right care.

Another worthwhile natural duster is one made of ostrich feathers. These fluffy dusting tools are perfect for dusting delicate and easy-to-disrupt displays around your home. Since they have so many natural filaments in one dusting tool, they can collect large amounts of dust from around your home — simply put, they are essentially nature's Swiffer. Prior to purchasing an ostrich feather duster, however, it's important to do your research and select a brand that practices ethical feather harvesting.

Finally, while Swiffer has ingeniously marketed the convenience of simply throwing away their dusters when you're done, you'll want to avoid a common dusting mistake of never cleaning your natural duster. Further, if you pair your new duster with some of these affordable ways to reduce dust, you could make your home cleaner overall.