12 Tips to Help You Get Rid of Puzzle Dust

Puzzle dust is a problem that can stop you from enjoying your jigsaw puzzles. The dust can get all over you and can aggravate any allergies you might have. It can also make it difficult to fit the puzzle pieces together. In this article, we will examine what puzzle dust is and give you 12 tips to help you eliminate it. 

What is Puzzle Dust?

So, what is puzzle dust, and is it a problem with all jigsaw puzzles? Puzzle dust is the residue left on puzzle pieces after they have been cut. Not all puzzles have puzzle dust, as a good manufacturer will get rid of any dust before packaging.   

Most puzzles are made from cardboard or chipboard. There are also wooden jigsaw puzzles, but we will look at them later.    

Cardboard and chipboard jigsaw puzzles are cut with a die. It is an efficient procedure, but it produces dust.  Some manufacturers don’t always clean the die, so previous particles of dust stick to the puzzle pieces and go in the box with them.

Can Puzzle Dust Cause Allergies?

People who suffer from allergies such as hay fever may also be sensitive to dust. This can be a nightmare if you are a jigsaw puzzle enthusiast. 

If you suffer from dust allergies, the following tips will help you enjoy solving your puzzles. In addition, try and set up your jigsaw puzzles in a well-ventilated room and wash your hands frequently to get rid of any specks of dust. When you have finished the puzzle, store it in a clean room to avoid more dust sticking to the pieces 

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Prepare Your Space

Before you start assembling your jigsaw puzzle, make sure that the space you are using is free of dust. Wipe the table down with a microfiber cloth to get rid of any dust so that it doesn’t stick to your puzzle pieces. 

How to Eliminate Puzzle Dust -12 Easy Tips

1. Shake the Box

Even before you take out the puzzle pieces, the first thing to do is to shake the box. This helps to agitate the dust, making it easier for you to remove it. When you have done this, you can move on to one of the following tips. 

2. Use a Colander

You probably have a colander in your kitchen that you use to drain vegetables and pasta, or to sift flour. However, it has another use, and that is to shake the dust out of puzzle pieces. If you do a lot of puzzles, you might want to invest in a separate colander. They aren’t expensive, and they can prove invaluable. 

It is advisable to go outside to do this, otherwise, the dust particles will enter the air in the room and may land back on your puzzle. If you don’t have access to a garden and have to shake the pieces indoors, use a garbage bin or sink.

The puzzle pieces need to be lightly shaken so as not to damage them. This is particularly important if the puzzle is made from cardboard, as it is not as strong as chipboard.      

A colander is one of the best ways to remove puzzle dust, particularly if you use it in the open air.

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3. Make a Hole or Holes in the Plastic Bag

If your puzzle has come in a plastic bag, a good way to get rid of puzzle dust is to poke small holes in it and then shake it either outside or inside over a bin or sink to limit the amount of dust getting into the air. 

An alternative is to shake the bag until all the pieces are in one corner. Then, get some scissors and cut the corner a little smaller than the puzzle pieces and shake the dust out. 

4. Take the Puzzle Pieces Out of the Box One at a Time

This tip is time-consuming but effective. However, you might not want to do it if you have a puzzle of 1,000 pieces or more. In that case, choose another tip.

Take each piece out of the box and shake it so that any dust falls into the box. After you have done this, you will find that there is puzzle dust left inside the box. Tip it in the bin so that the box is clean when you come to dismantle your puzzle and put it back in.

5. Use a Hand-Held Vacuum Cleaner

You can buy tiny handheld vacuum cleaners that work on battery power. Make sure that the nozzle is smaller than the puzzle pieces, move the pieces to one side of the box, and then vacuum up any dust. 

6. Use A Can of Compressed Air

You can blow away puzzle dust using a can of compressed air. Take the box outside to do this so that the dust particles don’t settle in the room. It is a useful tool if you have a puzzle dust allergy, as you don’t have to touch the pieces before the dust is removed. 

7. Use a Toothbrush to Clean the Puzzle Pieces

This is a long process, but a fruitful one. Take the puzzle pieces out of the box and lay them on a flat board. This will make it easier to see any dust lying on the surface of the pieces. 

It is best to use a toothbrush with soft bristles because a hard brush may cause damage to the puzzle. Lightly brush each piece with the toothbrush to remove the puzzle dust, making sure to get into all the crevices where dust might be hiding.

An alternative to a toothbrush is a small paintbrush, such as a child would use to paint pictures. It will work just as well as a toothbrush.

8. Clean Each Puzzle Piece With A Cloth  

Lightly dampen a cloth and wipe each piece. If you have a microfiber cloth, all the better, as they are highly absorbent and are effective in capturing dust and dirt. This also gives the puzzle pieces a shine that will make the puzzle look even better when you have solved it.

If you haven’t got a cloth handy, you could alternatively use paper towels to clean the pieces. 

9. Use Soap and Water

This isn’t recommended for a cardboard jigsaw puzzle. However, a chipboard puzzle could withstand a quick immersion in a bowl filled with water and a mild soap solution. 

10. Put The Puzzle Pieces in a Mesh Bag

Laundry mesh bags have minute holes in them, making them an ideal solution for getting rid of puzzle dust. This is a great option if you have a puzzle with over 1,000 pieces, as it would otherwise take a long time to clean each piece individually.

Put the pieces in the bag and shut it tightly. Then shake it, preferably outside, but if not, over a garbage bin. 

The laundry bag also works well with the soap and water option because the pieces wouldn’t get as wet. It is also much quicker than having to fish out the pieces by hand, and it helps prevent accidental damage. 

11. Make Your Own Dusting Tool

If you enjoy improvising and making your own tools, why not make a dusting brush? Grab an old, but clean, mitten or sock and put it on a ruler or stick. Tie the other end with an elastic band, and you are ready to dust each piece in turn.

12. Look For Companies That Sell Dust-Free Jigsaw Puzzles 

There are companies out there that are trustworthy and ensure that their jigsaw puzzles are free of dust before they are sold. Try out different companies to discover which ones they are, or you could write and ask. If they produce dust-free puzzles, they will likely reply.

A Dust-Proof Alternative Product

If you want to avoid puzzle dust, invest in wooden jigsaw puzzles. They are a little more expensive than cardboard or chipboard, but you won’t have a problem with dust. In addition, not only are they dust-free, but they are sturdy enough to last a lifetime. 

Robotime produces an excellent range of wooden puzzles, both 3D and 2D flat puzzles. They have recently introduced a new 1,000-piece range of 2D puzzles with beautiful scenes and bright colors. When completed, they look like works of art. 

Wooden puzzles are a great choice for people who have a puzzle dust allergy and also for babies and toddlers who tend to put things in their mouths. 

How Do You Store Jigsaw Puzzles To Avoid Puzzle Dust?

If you have made your puzzle on a board, you may want to preserve it to show friends and family. If so, put the board with the puzzle in a large sealable bag. An additional precaution is to put an adhesive sheet of paper on top of the puzzle. 

Alternatively, you may want to dismantle the puzzle and keep it to do again at another time. Find a smaller sealable bag or a mesh laundry bag. Dust will inevitably settle wherever you decide to store the puzzle, so these methods will protect it. 

Summary

If you follow any of these 12 tips, you should get rid of puzzle dust from your cardboard or chipboard puzzles. However, if you want to have a dust-free experience, buy a wooden jigsaw puzzle from Robotime.