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Skirting boards can be frustrating to clean, as no matter how often you wipe them down, they seem to be dusty again within a few days. Homes tend to be dustier in summer since we have windows open more often, but skirting boards can be especially grimy because they generate static electricity.

Wooden or plastic skirting boards will build up static charge which will cause dust, pet dander and any other debris nearby to stick to the surface. However, you do not need to vacuum all the time as Lee Watkinson, a expert from Skirting World, has shared you can prevent dust with just a simple dryer sheet.

Lee said: "Tumble dryer sheets have anti-static properties that repel dust longer than regular cloths. Run one along your skirting boards after cleaning to keep them dust-free for weeks longer."

It might sound a little strange but dryer sheets are designed to reduce static cling in laundry to stop them sticking together while drying.

If you wipe dryer sheets on a surface, they will release a small amount of liquid, which will create a thin layer that neutralises the static charge.

This coating will prevent dust from entering a skirting board and prevent grime from building up, keeping a room clean for much longer.

Not only will dryer sheets repel dust, but they will also leave a fresh scent, so your room will smell lovely without needing an air freshener.

How to use dryer sheets to keep skirting boards clean

To begin, you need to clean skirting boards like you normally would to make sure they are completely free of dust before you try the dryer sheet method.

Simply vacuum around your skirting boards, and make sure to pay close attention to corners and any grooved areas.

Then, warm water and washing up liquid in a bucket, then use it wipe your skirting boards clean. Washing up liquid helps remove any of the sticky dust particles to help loosen and lift away the grime rather than just moving it around.

Use a clean cloth to completely dry your skirting boards, and only once they are completely dry should you use a dryer sheet.

Gently wipe a dryer sheet along the entire skirting board, but focus more on the edges, as they will attract more dust.

Simply rub a dryer sheet over a skirting board every two weeks to maintain the anti-static affect, and your home should stay dust-free all summer.

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