Introduction: Natural Lemon Dusting Cloths

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An easy homemade and chemical free way to clean and dust your home. 

Dust is everywhere, sometimes most noticeably in our own homes. This can be especially tricky for people with allergies or respiratory problems. The cleaning product market is saturated with sprays, soaps, and tools to help you clean dust from your home in a jiffy. However, those same products often have a long list of chemicals that you may not want to bring into your home or into your lungs. This Instructable contains an easy method for creating your own natural and effective dusting cloths at home. Thankfully, they are made with simple and natural ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen. 

Step 1: Materials

You'll need the following for your DIY Dusting Cloths:
  • Glass Jar with a Lid
  • Old cotton T-shirt
  • Scissors
  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 1 Cup Warm Water
  • 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
  • Juice from 1 Lemon
  • Rinds from 1 Lemon

Step 2: Cut Cloths

Using your scissors cut your old cotton t-shirt into your desired dusting cloth size. I usually like to cut them into 6" x 8" rectangles but your size can vary by preference or by the original size of your t-shirt. You'll only want to make a couple, or just enough to get your dusting done. Remember they also don't have to be perfect, they're for cleaning. 

NOTE: I prefer 100% cotton t-shirts for this project since they seem to absorb the cleaning/dusting solution really well and and they tend to be fairly cheap. If you don't have an old t-shirt to donate, try purchasing one at your local thrift store.Old cotton rags will also work if you have those laying around. 

Step 3: Water & Vinegar

Pour 1 cup of warm water (from your tap is fine) into your glass jar. Next, add 1 cup of white vinegar to your water and jar. 

Step 4: Oil

Add 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil to your liquid mixture. 

Step 5: Lemons

Cut your lemon in half and squeeze the juice from your lemon halves into your cleaning mixture.

Cut your juiced lemon halves into slices. Add them to your cleaning mixture as well. I've also seen people wrap the lemon slices in their dusting cloths before soaking them, but I prefer them to be loose in the solution. 

Step 6: Soak

Add your desired number of precut cotton dusting cloths to your mixture. Screw on your jar lid and shake vigorously to mix. Let your dust cloths sit for at least two hours.

Step 7: Dry

Wring your dust cloths. You'll want to make sure you remove as much moisture as possible as it will result in a faster drying time. They should be just damp.

Hang your damp dust cloths out and allow them to dry. 

You can save your cleaning solution and use it to clean other surfaces in your house, or save it to make another batch of fresh dusting cloths.

Step 8: Start Dusting

Once dry your can start dusting! Your living space will be dust free and lemon scented in no time!

After you've dusted you can wash your dirty cloths in warm or boiling water to clean them. Then simply repeat the soaking and drying process to renew your dusting cloths.