Is the outside of your home covered in dusty summer cobwebs? Remove them easily at arm's length with this free DIY tool tip

It’s that time of the year when older cobwebs have become covered in dust, dead bugs, and debris, and new ones are popping up all over the outside of your home.

That’s why I was pleased to come across a simple and free DIY tool tip for removing them without having to buy anything new or get too close to the action.

It’s a great way to keep the outside of your home clean. Having given it a try myself, it’s a clever hack I’ll be using again.

You only need three items to make this cobweb busting tool

I gathered a broom, an old sock, and a rubber band I had lying around. Then I put the sock on the end of the handle, and secured it. You can then spray it with water to dampen it but I used my DIY cleaning spray, which is a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar to help the cobwebs stick, and also to deter bugs from windows.

It was the perfect tool for clearing cobwebs at the tops of windows, doors, and other areas I would otherwise need a step ladder for, including the top of my back yard fence.

As I get dizzy quite a lot, I tend to steer clear of ladders for safety, so this clever trick from property expert Terry Fisher of We Buy Any Home was just the ticket.

Terry’s ‘sock on a stick method’ is also great for getting cobwebs off many outdoor areas.

You could also add a few drops of pure essential peppermint oil or eucalyptus essential oil, both available at Walmart, to the sock, as these are common natural odors that pests hate.

Terry explains, ‘This free and quick hack is ideal for balconies, fences, and other tricky outdoor spots. As spiders become more active in warm weather, their webs can quickly build up in hard-to-reach places, making outdoor spaces look neglected.’

I love that you only need an old sock, making it a good way to be more sustainable at home.

Terry's tip will do away with cobweb build-up in seconds, without the need for any fancy tools, ladders, or expensive cleaning crews.

He adds, ‘A sock and a broom handle will do the job just as well, and it’s completely free.’

I tried it

I tried it and I 100% rate it, as I even managed to get the cobwebs underneath the gutters on our second floor by sticking my improvised cleaning tool out of the windows, room by room. Now, when I look up, I no longer get the ick, and my home’s exterior looks more looked after. It's gone on my list of essential fall home maintenance jobs.

The other thing I love about this is that I can use up all the socks my daughter has discarded because she has either grown out of them, or any with rogue threads and textures that give her a sensory dislike.

I’m chronically ill and suffer pain in my joints as well as reduced grip, and had no problem with this cleaning tip.

Terry adds, ‘It's a brilliant way to clear cobwebs from awkward areas without straining yourself. The sock traps dusty cobwebs without scratching paint or woodwork, and it moulds around corners better than a cloth or feather duster.’

When I was done, I simply popped the sock in an outside trash can, and I didn’t even have to touch it. I scraped it off by putting the cobweb end in the bin, closed the lid and pulled my broom handle out. Hurrah!

It gets a 10 out of 10 from me.

Bug busting essentials

Terry concludes, ‘Spiders aren’t harmful, but a mess of cobwebs makes any space feel untidy.'

The best part of this tip is that it takes just minutes and can be done as part of your regular cleaning schedule.

If you find any spiders have snuck into your home, you can use a humane catcher to take them outside. Learn more about keeping spiders away.