Dust will never cling to walls or skirting boards if cleaned with a natural kitchen item

Dust can build up quickly even if you are cleaning regularly, but it turns out there is a really easy way to keep cobwebs and grime away. Autumn has now arrived, and the cold weather means more people are switching the heating on to keep their homes cosy and warm.

However, radiators cause the air indoors to because extremely dry, and this will increase the static electricity charge on wide surfaces like walls and skirting boards. Any static electricity will attract pollen, dead skin cells and pet hair which turn into balls of dust, and these grimy particles will keep coming back unless you know how to repel them. Luckily TJ, a cleaning expert and founder of Measuring Flower has shared that getting rid of static electricity is very simple if you use a little bit of olive oil.

She explained: "This helps to moisten and therefore loosen dust as well as make it more dense so that it wipes up onto a dusting cloth rather than poofing into the air only to settle on furniture again later. It also helps to polish furniture, especially wooden pieces. "

It might sound strange, but olive oil is naturally anti-static and is a cheap way to stop dust from sticking to walls, skirting boards or other dusty areas of a home.

Static electricity can only build up on an extremely dry surface, and olive oil will slightly moisturise the area, which helps get rid of the charge.

It will also leave behind a thin coating that acts as a protective barrier that will keep static electricity away for much longer.

How to make a natural spray to keep dust away

You will need:

• 240ml of olive oil
• One teaspoon of thyme
• Lemon peels (from about two to three lemons)

Lemon oil in peels is antibacterial and is acidic, which will help break down any grease or grime on a surface which makes it less sticky, so no dust will stick to it.

Thyme contains antifungal compounds will also keep bacteria away but is also disrupt mould spores which can help keep mould away from your home this autumn.

If you wish, you can also use lemon essential oil in this homemade solution, but it should be noted that essential oils can be harmful to pets, and are best not used if you own a cat or dog.

Method:

All you need to do is pour the olive oil into a glass mason jar, and add the dried thyme. Peel the lemons like you would an orange, and also add them to the jar.

Screw on the lid, place the jar in a dark cabinet, and leave it to infuse for a while, to allow the lemon peels and thyme to blend with the oil.

It is best to leave the jar for at least a week and no longer than a month, although the longer you leave it, the more effective the infusion will be.

Once the time is up, use a tea towel to strain the peels and herb out of the olive oil. Then, place the solution in a empty spray bottle, and add the lemon essential oil if you wish to use it.

Shake the bottle, lightly spray any walls or skirting boards with the solution and then wipe them with a cloth.

Alternatively, you can also simply dip a cloth or paintbrush into the mason jar and then spread it on a surface. It should repel dust for anywhere from two weeks to a month, depending on how often you have your heating on.

However, it will work to keep dust off easy-to-miss spots like corners, walls, and skirting boards, so your home stays cleaner without you having to do much cleaning this autumn.