I set out to find if the Flash Dust Magnet is worth it.
Dusting is a tiring chore as it quickly returns before you know it. It can take a good amount of time and effort to dust homes, but rooms feel fresher once it’s done.
I normally use a polish and dusting cloth to clean surfaces, but recently picked up the Flash Dust Magnet. The product, which comes with refillable dusters, is supposed to “make light work of household dust and pet hair without spreading it around the place”.
It has fluffy fibres that Flash say “trap dust, dirt and hair like a magnet” while offering a quick and easy clean. I liked the sound of the product, as anything that makes cleaning easier is a draw to me.
To test it, I decided to compare the Flash Dust Magnet to a standard polish, and the results surprised me.
Polish and cloth
I normally use Pledge’s Everyday Clean Multi-Surface Polish with a dusting cloth for cleaning, priced at £1.69 from B&M. To test out both products, I decided to clean my skirting boards.
I sprayed the polish directly onto my skirting boards and was hit with a pleasant smell. It wet my skirting boards, so I used my dusting cloth to wipe the dust off.
Dust quickly clung to my cloth, then spread along the skirting board before lifting. I had to kneel to get into the corners and ensure all areas of the skirting board were cleaned with three sprays of the polish.
A standard polish offers a clean result but requires a bit of work.
Flash Dust Magnet
I bought the Flash Dust Magnet Starter Kit, which comes with two refills, from Asda for £6. The duster is already assembled with one disposable dust cloth already attached.
The instructions said to fluff the cloth before use, which I easily did. The handle extends to 90cm and has a flexible head.
I extended my duster and got to work on my skirting board. I made two swipes across the surface and was surprised that all the dust had already lifted.
I didn’t even need to bend down, thanks to the extendable option, and was able to dust standing up. I was that surprised by the results; I had to do a double-check to see if the dust really had lifted.
The dust clung to the cloth so easily that none fell into the air, as normally happens when using a polish and dusting cloth.
I decided to try to reach cobwebs and dust on my ceilings that I had been struggling to reach with a feather duster, and again I was surprised at how easily it got them.
My cloth does have a lot of dust collected on it now, but I don’t think it needs refilling straight away.
The results
For me, the clear winner is the Flash Dust Magnet. I was sceptical about whether it could really lift dust as easily as it said on the packaging, but I was gladly proved wrong.
It is so simple to use, without needing to bend down to low surfaces or stand on ladders for higher areas. What I like most about the product is that it collects all the dust and doesn’t send it flying around the room.
Sometimes when I use a polish and dusting cloth, dust flies into the air rather than getting removed. Instead, the dust clings to the Flash cloth, which can be disposed of once it becomes too full.
A drawback is the fact that it has no smell or shine. I do like the smell of a freshly polished surface, but if you aren’t keen on that, then you won’t be missing out with this product.
Plus, Flash does have a range of Dust Magnets that do have a smell if you fancy having that fresh scent.
Refills can be bought from supermarkets and home stores, with Asda selling a nine-pack for £5.48. The cost is more than a standard polish and dusting cloth, but I do find that it is worth it for the convenience of the product.
