Any good tips for removing that grey line around the edge if the carpet?

[NumptyNu]

And is it really duct dust? Or just where the vacuum doesn't reach......

I was just looking at my carpet yesterday and wondering the same. Even thought 'must ask mumsnet'

Hoping someone can answer for us.

Duct dust??? What's that supposed to be?

I'm pretty sure it's where the vacuum cleaner doesn't reach, and where the dust tends to accumulate anyway, as it's least disturbed. I take it you have an upright vacuum cleaner that doesn't have a collection of nozzles for nooks and crannies? Because we have a cylinder vac, and just taking the head off the hose leaves the perfect implement for dealing with the edges of the carpet.

I have a cylinder vacuum cleaner and I do use the wee attachment to go round the edges but I still get the grey line.

The vacuum has good suction, but maybe the wee nozzle tool isn't as good a shape as it could be?

Apparently 'duct dust' has nothing to do with mammary glands, but is the result of dust rising up though the floorboards from dirty pipe ducts!

I did read one suggestion that talked about having ducts cleaned, but what a phaff! On close inspection, it looks like an accumulation of general dust, hair, fluff etc.

I use a baby wipe or a damp cloth.
Just use a brushing motion from the skirting board towards the centre of the carpet, seems to work.

it is caused by draughts under the floor rising through the gap under the skirting boards where the floorboards are not sealed to the wall.

You can reduce it by lifting the edge of thee carpet, cleaning the floorboards, and sticking wide tape onto the floorboards and sealing onto the skirting, where it will be hidden by the carpet. You might be able to seal the gap by squirting decorators caulk into the gap under the skirting. You can also put thick paper on the floor so the carpet presses it down. As carpet is porous, the draught blows through it, leaving the dust behind.

My preferred method is to lift the floorboard and pack insulating mineral wool into the gap between the joists, pressed tightly against the wall and the floorboards, but, on the ground floor, not blocking any airbricks (which will usually be lower, anyway). This is rather more work, but can be done if you ever need to lift the floorboards for some other reason.

In UK homes, electrical or heating duct is very rare.