Things You Can Do to Avoid Actually Needing to Dust

Keep It Outside

Since most dust comes in from outdoors, a good defense is your best offense here. Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible. Commit to a no-shoes policy inside and get a good-quality doormat (like this one from Wayfair) to leave outside your main entrance.
Groom Your Pets in a Clean Space

Regularly brushing (and even just petting) your furry friend produces errant hair and dust. If you regularly groom them outside, or in an easy-to-clean space like the bathroom, you can seriously cut down on your cleaning.
Pack Up Paper and Fabrics

Loose fibers from fabric and paper contribute to household dust, too. Avoid tossing clothes around the room as much as possible, and store any unused clothing or linens away in a storage box. Regularly recycle magazines, newspapers and cardboard boxes—or better yet, collect them outside if you have room, and break down boxes by the curb instead of in your dining room.

Change Your Sheets Often

Between the fabric fibers of your sheets and the skin particles from your body, your bed is a dust-generating machine. Keep sheets and bedding as clean as possible by washing sheets weekly, and cleaning your pillows (they can go in the washing machine!), comforter and mattress pads once a month, or at least every other month.
Use a Vacuum With a HEPA Filter

When you actually do need to clean, don’t make the job worse. A vacuum with a HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air filter will safely trap dust and other allergens inside the machine and keep them from being released back into the air.
Get an Air Purifier

There are machines designed to collect and trap dust—basically doing your work for you. Make sure your purifier (like your vacuum) has a HEPA filter, and place it near the door or window for optimal dust-dodging action. The Wirecutter recommends this Coway air purifier—it was able to reduce airborne particulate pollution by an average of 85 percent in their tests.

How to Make Dusting Less Work

When you finally do need to dust, here are some smart tricks to make the work go a little easier.

Line Tall Surfaces With Newspaper

Hard-to-reach spots—like tall bookshelves and the tops of your kitchen cabinets—are a pain to dust. So don’t. Line the spot with newspaper and recycle and replace it every so often.
De-Clutter and Cut Back on Fabrics

Pretty simple stuff: The more trinkets and knick-knacks you have around, the harder it’s going to be to dust them. So declutter as much as you can if your goal is to avoid dusting. You should also limit your textiles (think: blankets and throw pillows on the sofa) to only what’s necessary, since fabrics not only trap dust, but they can produce it as well.

Dust Your Blinds with a Sock

Slip the other chenille sock over your hand and use your fingers to get into the grooves of your horizontal blinds. You’ll be surprised at how much dust you’ll be able to reach, fast.
Use a Dryer Sheet to Dust Your Baseboards

Dryer sheets (new or used) collect dust better than a cloth. Run one along your baseboards and see for yourself how quickly it attracts dust particles.