Have you ever wondered how or why so much dust collects in your home? If so, you are not alone. Dust in the home is very common and comes from a variety of sources. One source is dirt and it can be tracked in from shoes, kids, and pets. Another source is your heating and air conditioning systems as it sucks and blows air throughout the duct-work in your home. Then you might not know that 90 percent of household dust comes from tiny flakes of skin and barely visible fabric fibers and particles that float and settle on every surface in your home. Yuck. As you can see dust is hard to control and eliminate completely. Here are a few helpful strategies that may help reduce the amount of dust in your home.
Use the right cleaning supplies
When it comes to dust you’ll want to capture as much as possible. The key is not to spread it around, which is what feather dusters and dry rags will do. Instead, opt for damp rags or disposable cloths that will help capture the dust and can then be disposed of. Use a good vacuum and learn how the various attachments can help you when cleaning your home. The last thing you’ll want to do is kick up more dust by pushing and pulling it around rather than properly sucking it up.
Give rugs and cushions a good shake
Carpets can collect dust like a giant sponge and send it airborne with every step you take. Vacuuming at least once a week if not more can be helpful especially for allergy sufferers. It’s a necessity to take rugs outside for a good shake. Consider draping them over a fence or clothesline and then beat them with a broom or tennis racket. Give your cushions the same treatment. Upholstery fabric not only sheds its own fibers but also absorbs dust that settles on it. Beat cushions in the backyard or use slipcovers and give them a good shake. If you want to eliminate upholstery dust, consider owning leather- or vinyl-covered furniture.
Organize your closets
Closets can be dust havens, full of tiny fibers from clothes, towels, and bedding. You can’t prevent clothes from shedding fibers, but you can make closets easier to keep clean, which helps cut down on dust. Box or bag items on shelves. Use clear plastic containers to lock fibers in and dust out. When you dust, you’ll not only be able to see what’s in them, but you’ll be able to easily pull them off the shelves and wipe them clean. Also, keep coats, dresses, or suits in garment bags to help prevent dust from settling on your clothes. Finally, be sure to keep closet floors clear, so that dust bunnies don’t collect.
Change your bedding weekly
Bedding can be a major dust contributor as your cozy bed collects skin flakes, sheds its own fibers, and sends out puffs of dust every time you roll over. You’ll want to make sure you wash your sheets and pillowcases weekly. Also, you’ll want to take items that aren’t machine washable outside and shake or beat the dust out of them. For a thorough cleaning, wash or dry-clean according to care instructions.
Clean the air
Remove dust before it has a chance to circulate in your home. Be sure to change your air filters frequently and keep your heating and cooling systems maintained. Dirty air vents can build up a dust, dirt and grime layer over time, so you’ll want to clean your air ducts and related HVAC parts professionally at least every two or three years.
Hopefully, these tips and strategies will help you better control the dust in your home. As always, if you are looking for ideas or solutions on how to keep your home clean, please continue to follow our blog and share our helpful cleaning tips with your family and friends. We are always here to help you improve the care and upkeep of your home as well as provide you with ongoing cleaning solutions. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if we can be of service to you.
