Why is dry dusting counterproductive compared to damp cleaning surfaces?
Answer
Dry dusting throws particles back into the air to resettle later.
Dry dusting is actively discouraged as a control strategy because it is ineffective at actual removal; instead, it aerosolizes settled particles. When a dry cloth or feather duster is used, fine dust particles are suspended back into the air column, where they will eventually settle again on surfaces elsewhere in the room or be recirculated by HVAC systems. The superior method involves using a damp cloth or a specially designed microfiber cloth. These materials physically trap and hold onto the particles, effectively removing them from the immediate environment rather than merely relocating them temporarily.
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