Half the dust just goes into the air and resettles elsewhere. It seems like I am making the situation worse.
How can I wipe the dust in a way so as to avoid just pushing it around so much?
I did some web searches but none of them seem to have much helpful advice on this.
Use a decent quality duster, cheaper options retain way less dust.
Dust from high to low in a room or area.
After a few strokes, tap out the duster at ground level, on your ankle or a hard surface. This minimizes dust getting in the air.
Finally, vacuum.