Lambswool dusters - or "tickling sticks" as we fondly call them here in Yorkshire - are an incredibly versatile and practical bit of kit.
For years, we sold these brilliant dusters on our website, but when our long-term UK manufacturer sadly went out of business, we couldn't bear to let them disappear. So, we brought production right into our Dales warehouse! We now handcraft each and every duster ourselves in small batches of about 10 a week, using genuine British sheepskin rugs and sustainable FSC pine dowels.
No corners have been cut (just dusted) in the making of these. It’s a properly made, slightly rustic, authentic item built to last for years - making us quite possibly the only in-house manufacturer of lambswool dusters left in the UK.
Ready to bring one home? Shop our Handcrafted British Lambswool Dusters Here.
How to Care for Your Lambswool Duster
Because these are made from 100% natural, high-quality British sheepskin, they will last a lifetime if you treat them right. Here is everything you need to know about using and maintaining your duster:
- To Charge It: Spin the handle rapidly between the palms of your hands. This flares out the lambswool and generates static electricity, building its natural dust-attracting power. Never use artificial dusting sprays or chemicals!
- To Clean Daily: When the lambswool is saturated with dust, take it outdoors. Hold the duster downwards and spin the handle quickly between your palms to release the trapped dust into the air.
- To Wash It: If it gets genuinely dirty, wash it by hand using mild soap and warm water. Soak for several minutes, rinse thoroughly, and hang it up to dry in a cool place away from direct sunlight (using the handy ribbon loop we’ve added to the handle!).
- The Secret to Fluffiness: When the wool is almost dry, gently brush it out with a wire pet brush to restore its magnificent fluffiness.
The Top 10 Uses for a Glencroft Tickling Stick
While they are exceedingly perfect for mini blinds, ceiling fans, picture frames, plant leaves, baseboards, and lampshades, we think they have a few other talents. Here is our definitive list of practical (but mainly silly) uses:
10. Cleaning Delicate Treasures
Natural, real sheepskin is incredibly soft but structurally strong. The natural static electricity it generates picks up dust without the need for harsh chemicals, and it can be cleaned easily without losing its shape.
- How to use: Hold your treasured possession firmly in one hand and gently glide the lambswool over it.
- WARNING: Don’t dust items while they are sitting on the mantelpiece—you may accidentally send them flying. Pick them up first!
9. A Woolly Drum Major or Majorette Baton
More often called a ‘drum major’ in Great Britain, this is the person twirling the baton at the front of a marching band.
Give your local parade a distinctively woolly, Yorkshire feel by swapping the traditional baton for a Glencroft tickling stick. The sheepskin will sway majestically as it spins through the air, and if you misjudge your twirling catches, the fluffy end provides excellent protection from bumps and bruises.
Original photo by Mark Leishman on Unsplash
8. Practice Drum Sticks
What’s exactly like a drum stick, but features a beautifully soft woolly top to heavily dampen the sound?
A Glencroft tickling stick! Perfect for when you want to practice your rhythm without waking up the entire neighborhood.
7. A Replacement Tail
Do you find yourself in sudden need of a tail? Tie a loop of string or leather through the handy hanging hole at the end of our duster's handle, slide your belt through it, and voila - instant tail.
Ideal for complementing a sheep, monkey, giraffe, or the back half of a pantomime donkey costume.
6. Cobweb Buster for High Ceilings
Any old piece of synthetic cloth can dust a tabletop, but a real lambswool duster can be held aloft to extend your reach right into the highest corners of the room.
We keep our solid wood handles a set length to ensure we can post them to you at a reasonable cost while avoiding cheap plastic extenders. If you need a bit of extra height for vaulted ceilings, simply tie the handle firmly to the end of a broom!
5. The Ultimate Ken Dodd Impersonation
For our international readers, the late Sir Ken Dodd was a legendary British comedian from Liverpool, famous for his unruly hair, his iconic "tickling stick" prop, and his catchphrase, “How tickled I am!”
If you’re looking for a high-quality, British-made upgrade for a Ken Dodd costume - or perhaps you fancy yourself a Diddy Man - this is the authentic tickling stick you've been looking for.
Photo: C4
4. An Enormous Paint Brush
This isn't as daft as it sounds! The very best professional paint rollers are made from genuine sheepskin because the natural wool fibres hold paint beautifully without getting waterlogged, distributing it evenly across walls. In fact here at Glencroft we manufacture real sheepskin paint pads.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a giant, rustic paintbrush to complete a replica of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in your garden shed, look no further.
Original photo by Avi Richards on Unsplash
3. The Back Scratcher
Got an itch you just can’t reach? Don’t waste money on a plastic gadget that only does one job.
With a Glencroft tickling stick, you can scratch your back comfortably and still have 9 other uses for it. Now that is peak multitasking.
2. A Gentle Fencing Sword / Sabre Arches
Disclaimer: Please only attempt this under responsible adult supervision! A Glencroft duster makes an excellent substitute for a fencing foil or a pirate cutlass for indoor play fights. Not only is it significantly safer than a plastic sword, but it also comes with the unbeatable added bonus of dusting the living room furniture while you duel.
Planning a wedding but feel traditional metal military swords are a bit aggressive for the venue? Have your groomsmen hold up lambswool dusters in a fluffy "sabre arch" for the happy couple to walk through.
Original photo by AzureCitizen / CC BY-SA
1. Actual Tickling!
Well, it is right there in the name. Whether you are waking up sleepy kids or cheering up a grumpy partner, our genuine British-made wool duster is up to the task.
Note: Please tickle responsibly, and only target those who have given explicit permission!
Original photo by Jamie Brown on Unsplash
Bring a Handcrafted Duster Into Your Home
Whether you need to clean your finest crystal ornaments, clear out the cobwebs, or practice your marching band routine, our small-batch dusters are up to the task. By buying a Glencroft duster, you are supporting British farming, traditional tanneries, and independent British manufacturing.
