Done & Dusted

What it does

Done & Dusted is a project that transforms vacuum cleaner dust, an abundant yet overlooked household waste, into a felt-like material with potential for various uses. By rethinking what we throw away, it gives new value to everyday dust collected from homes.

Your inspiration

This project began as my final year work, sparked by a desire to explore sustainability. I was intrigued by how often people rely on fresh raw materials, overlooking the potential of waste. I wanted to challenge this mindset and explore how everyday waste, even what we generate ourselves, can become valuable. After extensive brainstorming, I noticed dust on a surface and thought about household dust. People constantly clean it up and throw it away without thinking. I decided to explore the potential of turning this overlooked, abundant waste, household dust, into a usable raw material for creating something new.

How it works

Dust is collected from vacuum cleaners and filtered to remove larger items like packaging, tape, or other debris picked up while hoovering, while keeping the fluff intact and tangled. The dust is then felted, a method traditionally used to turn raw wool into fabric, which causes the fibres, hair, and dust to intertwine and form a textile. Since mould spores, dust mites, and bacteria are a major concern, the material is also placed in an oven and heat press at 200°C as a cleaning procedure. The felt produced is quite weak, so to add strength, a grid-like stitch pattern is applied using thread, though other patterns or embroidery can also be used to enhance aesthetics. The resulting fabric has a variety of applications, such as slippers, accessories, mats, and even tents. Despite being made from dust, the fabric is surprisingly strong and holds up well compared to conventional materials.

Design process

Through extensive experimentation with dust, including mixing materials and testing various processes, I developed this material. I explored many directions but started with the basics. My first challenge was cleaning the dust, so I boiled a sample for 40 minutes, then moved on to using water and silicon moulds to give it structure. I 3D printed moulds and compressed dust with cornstarch, latex, and other binders. I even baked samples to either clean or harden them. Nearly every experiment yielded something that could be applied somewhere. For example, dust with water in silicon moulds created a lightweight block with air bubbles, ideal for cushioning. Mixing latex gave it a rubbery texture with a unique aesthetic. I continued analysing dust, comparing its properties to known materials and mimicking traditional processes to test performance. After more than 40 experiments, I returned to felting and chose a stitched pattern for added strength. As this was my final university project, I had to stop experimenting and present a final product: a slipper, to demonstrate the material’s application. I avoided adding too many ingredients, letting dust remain the core material. Sustainability was key throughout, with all added components being compostable.

How it is different

Dust is often seen as mere waste, yet it holds potential to be repurposed, extending its life beyond disposal. It is abundant, continuously generated, but usually tossed without a second thought. Although machines and tools like vacuum cleaners collect this dust, it often sits unused, waiting for more meaningful use. Since people generate dust daily, this material is almost personalised, reflecting your lifestyle, habits, or the things you’ve done recently, and turning an overlooked byproduct into a valuable resource to create something new, extending the life of waste meant for landfill. Endless possibilities emerge because it’s a material, not a product. What makes the slipper, in particular, so special is that it’s a product made from dust to keep you protected from walking on dust.

Future plans

More testing and experimentation are needed to develop the material and make it market-ready. Commercial viability could come from a service where people send in dust bags and receive products, or through partnerships with cleaning companies and hotels to source dust. Scaling production allows room for innovation. Future work may explore colour, blending with other materials like waste raw wool to increase strength, and assessing fabric cleanliness. I showcased this at my grad show, gathered insights, and plan to collaborate with companies to explore its use in sectors like packaging and furniture.

Awards

DS Smith Circular Innovation Excellence Award - Shortlisted - Issued by DS Smith Vice Chancellor's Award For Sustainability - Issued by Ravensbourne University