A professional cleaner with nearly a decade of experience at a 640-year-old UK castle has shared a simple trick to prevent dust from flying around during cleaning. Caroline Connor, conservation and preservation cleaning team leader at Hever Castle in Kent, suggests spraying your broom with a common household cleaner to create easy-to-collect piles of dust.
Caroline advised Good Housekeeping: “Put a bit of glass cleaner on the end of your broom or brush. When you sweep, the dust doesn’t fly everywhere. Instead, it clumps together in easy-to-collect piles.” The tip is particularly useful for those with allergies, as it stops dust from being stirred into the air and into your airways.
The hack was revealed during a visit to Hever Castle, where Caroline’s team cares for the historic property. The advice was included in an October article by Good Housekeeping’s Ella Duggan, who compiled cleaning tips from teams responsible for UK landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Greenwich Observatory.
In related advice, a December 2025 article from lifestyle blog The Spruce recommended using a damp, clean microfiber cloth for dusting, as it is effective at removing bacteria without leaving lint. However, users should avoid over-saturating the cloth to prevent moisture streaks. Better Homes and Gardens suggests weekly dusting for best results.
