Dust is an annoyance, and there is no surefire way to stop it completely.
However, there are several effective ways to reduce dust in your home, which we explore in detail below.
Employ a Daily Cleaning Routine
The best way to reduce household dust is to ensure regular cleaning. This can help prevent dust from accumulating in the first place. Try to clean your place daily with the right tools.
Microfiber Cloth
Using a microfiber cloth instead of a duster can keep dust in the home under control. These cloths are designed to trap the dust instead of moving it around.
Mops
You can also use a wet mop to clean floors and other surfaces in your home. This can go a long way in trapping dust and dirt. Dry mops will simply spread the dust that has settled.
Keep Dust Outside
Things like pollen, dirt, and pet dander can sneak into your home and turn into dust. By knowing where it comes from, you can better keep it out.
Close Windows and Doors
When the flowers and trees are in full bloom, they release pollen into the air. This can sneak into your house and add to the dust. To combat this, keep your windows and doors shut, especially on days when the pollen count is high.
Shoe-Free Zone
Shoes pick up all sorts of dirt and grime from outside. To keep this from getting inside, it’s a great idea to take your shoes off as soon as you enter your home. Maybe set up a shoe rack by the door as a handy reminder for you and your guests.
Lay Out Doormats
Place a sturdy doormat at every entrance to your home. Encourage everyone to give their shoes a good wipe before coming in. This will catch a lot of the unwanted grime and keep your floors much cleaner.
Reduce Clutter
The more items you have, the higher the chances of dust in your house. When we leave clothes strewn about or pile up old magazines and cardboard boxes, we’re inviting dust to accumulate.
Keeping fewer things in your space not only makes it look neater but also makes it easier to wipe away dust.
Clothes
Make a habit of putting clothes away after wearing them. If you have outfits you only wear occasionally, consider placing them in sealed storage boxes. This will not only keep your space neater but also reduce the amount of dust generated from fabrics.
Paper
When it comes to paper, regular sorting is key. Recycle items you no longer need. Store the items you need in a designated area. If possible, keep these storage spots outside of common living areas, like in a garage or shed, until it’s time to recycle them.
Pillows & Blankets
Textiles can trap dust and release it into the air every time you fluff or move them. They can trigger allergic reactions. Try to limit the number of pillows and blankets you use. Keep just enough to stay comfortable, and store the rest in a closet.
Groom Your Pets in the Right Spot
Having a pet means dealing with fur, which can quickly turn into dust particles around your home. It is important to choose the right place to brush your pet.
Opt for the outdoors when the weather is nice. This will allow the loose fur to fly away naturally. Not only will your pet enjoy the fresh air, but you’ll also save time on cleaning. Just make sure it’s a calm day without much wind, or you might end up with fur all over your yard!
If outside isn’t an option, the bathroom is your next best bet. Most bathrooms have hard, non-porous surfaces that are easy to sweep and mop. Before you start, close the toilet lid to prevent any fur from getting in there.
Once you’re done brushing, you can quickly gather up the fur and throw it away. If any hair has escaped onto the floor, a damp cloth or a paper towel can pick it up.
Groom pets often keep their fur healthy and prevent dust from collecting.
Wash Your Bedding
Our bodies naturally shed skin cells and oils when sleeping at night. It is important to wash your bedding regularly to remove as much dust as possible.
Sheets
When fabric fibers of the sheets are taken into consideration, this means there is a much higher chance of dust accumulating. Thus, washing your sheets weekly is a smart habit to get into.
Pillows
Pillows can also become a home to dust mites and allergens. Give them a good cleaning at least every six months. Most pillows can be washed in the machine, but check the label just to be sure. It’s also a good idea to fluff them daily to keep them fresh between washes.
Comforters
Comforters and blankets also gather dust over time. Aim to wash these items at least once a month. You can get them washed at the laundromat or a professional cleaner if they are too big for your washing machine.
Mattress
It is important to keep a clean mattress. While you can’t exactly wash it, you can keep it clean by using a vacuum to remove dust. Doing this every few months will help maintain a clean sleeping environment. A mattress protector can be a big help in keeping your mattress clean. It is also much easier to wash.
Use a Vacuum With a HEPA Filter
Using a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will safely trap dust, pollen, pet dander and other allergens inside the machine and keep them from being released back into the air.
Vacuum high-traffic areas such as rugs or hardwood floors. These surfaces attract dust and can be a cause of allergies.
Remember to maintain your vacuum well. Check the filter regularly and replace it as recommended by the manufacturer. Vacuum at least twice a week to keep the dust from accumulating.
Use Newspapers on Hard-To-Reach Places
Reaching for the top of bookshelves or other high places can be tough. You can use a newspaper on those high spots to collect the dust. It saves you the time and a lot of hassle.
Steps
Lay the newspaper flat across the top of the surface. Make sure it covers the entire area. If the surface is extra long, overlap a couple of sheets of newspaper to ensure full coverage.
After a while, you’ll notice the newspaper layer getting dirty. That’s your cue to swap it out. Usually, every few weeks is enough, but it depends on how dusty your home gets.
Once the newspaper has done its job, it’s simple to take care of. Just fold up the dusty paper, toss it into the recycling bin, and replace it with a fresh sheet.
Clean Blinds with a Sock
Blinds can collect a lot of dust over time. A simple way to keep them dust-free is to clean them with socks.
Find a clean, fuzzy sock. Slip it onto your hand like a glove. You can easily maneuver between each blind, allowing you to clean both the top and bottom surfaces in one go.
For an even deeper clean, you can create a simple cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar in a bowl. Dip your sock-covered hand into the mixture and wring it out well. The vinegar will help break down grime and dust without leaving any harmful chemicals behind. Flip the blinds and clean both sides to ensure you’re capturing all the dust.
Get an Air Purifier
Air Purifiers are machines that maintain your home’s air quality. They are also an excellent way to remove any dust around the house.
The air is pulled into the machine at its base. It goes through a filter (or sometimes multiple filters) to catch tiny particles and pollutants. Then the clean, filtered air is released back into the room.
Change Air Filters Regularly
Dirty air vents and filters can spread dust throughout your home.
It is important to clean and change your HVAC (Heat, Vent, and Air Conditioning) filters regularly, in order to reduce the chances of dust circulating in your home. Check on them regularly and clean every 90 days or so,
Carpet Cleaning
Carpets can be dust magnets. Their fibers can trap small particles, which means they can build up layers of dust quite quickly.
You can hire a professional cleaning service to properly deep clean your carpet. Doing this at least once a year can greatly cut down on the amount of dust that builds up. Do it twice annually if you have any pets.
Professional cleaners have special tools and cleaning solutions that pull out more dust from carpets than regular vacuuming can. This deep cleaning can also help your carpet look and feel new again.
Conclusion: Reducing Dust In Your Home
The dust that gets in your home comes from several sources, from dead skin cells to dirt, grime, and pet dander. In order to keep it under control, you have to ensure regular cleaning, with the right tools. The more often you clean, the less the dust will be.
You can use the help of microfiber cloths, mops, and even socks. Vacuum your home regularly, clean your bedding, and reduce clutter. Get an air purifier, and also get your carpet cleaned every so often. Over time, you will get used to a dust-free home!
