How to Dust a Full Bookcase

You don't have to remove all the books to dust a bookcase.

A full bookcase may seem like a daunting piece of furniture to dust. The thought of pulling out every single book and knickknack only to put them back can be overwhelming. But it's not necessary. You can quickly and effectively dust a full bookcase without removing everything first. Use the right tool, though. A microfiber or a duster with an electrostatic charge works best since they easily pick up and remove dust rather than pushing it around like other cloths and dusters.

Instructions

1. Dust the top and sides of the bookcase, then move to top shelf.

2. Pull out the books slightly, and at an angle, if possible. Dust the tops of the books. You can dust several books at one time. You do not have to dust them individually.

3. Push the books back into place and dust the spines. Then, dust the shelf area in front of the books.

4. Pick up any knickknacks and dust them and the entire surface area where they were sitting. To dust even more quickly, dust the knickknacks and area around them without picking them up.

5. Proceed to the shelf below and repeat. Continue to clean each shelf until you reach the bottom of the bookcase.

Tips & Warnings

• "Real Simple" magazine recommends placing a sheet on the floor and using a hair dryer set on coolest setting to blow the dust off of books as you dust the bookcase rather than using a dust rag or duster.

References

• “Good Housekeeping” Magazine; Wipe Out Dust; Heloise
• “Real Simple” Magazine: Speed-Clean a Big Bookcase
• Endust; Get Rid of Dust on Your Bookcases and Media Cabinets; D. Roth