Published on August 11th, 2022

Last updated on February 6th, 2023

How To Keep Dust Out Of The House? 11 Tips To Reduce Dust In The House

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
woman dusts the shelf

Gray, weightless lumps on furniture are house dust, the eternal enemy of housewives. However, few people know what it consists of and its effects on us. How harmful is it? Is it necessary to remove dust at home? According to the statistics, a standard apartment accumulates up to 50 kg of dust in one year. Its particles settle on all surfaces and, over time, form house moss n the corners. With periodic cleaning in upholstered furniture, textiles, and even paper books, wind up dust mites, which provoke allergic reactions, and bronchial asthma. A dirty room is a source of spreading dangerous microorganisms. Outdoor dust contains micro particles of heavy metals and chemical compounds. As these substances accumulate in the body, they increase the risk of serious illness. So, it is incredibly significant to remove dust from the home. There are a lot of different methods, such as vacuuming, sweeping, or with microfiber rags.

What Is Dust, And How Does It Come Into Our Home?

vacuum cleaning the dust

Dusty air contains soot from campfires, plant pollen, human and pet hair cells, and wear particles from surrounding objects. Yeast fungi, molds, dust mites, and plant pollen are dangerous and can nuisance to allergy sufferers. By the way, the aggravation of symptoms can cause just the abundance of dust – even if it does not contain any allergens. Every day the body receives from 30 mg to 60 mg of dust. Doctors confirm that house dust is a common cause of allergic reactions.

The main causes of dust particles on all surfaces in the home include:

  • Human skin particles. It settles on furniture, flooring, and beds as the epidermis dies. Dead skin particles are a favorite treat for dust mites;
  • Pollen from plants. It gets into the room from the outside, worsening the well-being of allergy sufferers;
  • Pet hair. Food for fungi and mites. Hazardous in itself for people with allergy tendencies;
  • Textiles. Covers, plaids, and mattresses are real dust collectors, which instantly attract dust, especially if they are made of natural materials;
  • Stuffed toys. One of the most insidious sources of dirt. Soft stuffing quickly absorbs dust and becomes an environment for spreading microorganisms;
  • Large amounts of dust can contain products of termites, cockroaches, and ants. There is especially a lot of dirt after renovations. Construction dust contains solid particles of various materials that get on the mucous membranes and cause inflammation. If your eyes come into contact with chemicals, they become very irritated.

What To Clean The Dust With?

carpet vacuum cleaning

To remove dust, you should follow a set of measures. To begin with, it is worth getting the necessary equipment and tools to control dust rapidly at home.  To reduce dust from home, clean and prevent dust at home with the right tools. You will need:

  • Microfiber rags. They are effective for both dry and wet cleaning. They leave no lint or fluff behind. Rags are suitable for both smooth and rough surfaces;
  • Wet wipes with antistatic effect. Wipes contain special dirt-repelling impregnation. They do not leave streaks. These wipes can be used to wipe furniture surfaces to minimize dust accumulation;
  • Household vacuum cleaner with a washing effect. Such a device produces wet cleaning, spraying water, and collecting wet dust. Importantly, unlike traditional vacuum cleaners, it does not lift it into the air;
  • Effective air filtration devices. Modern air purifiers with a special HEPA filter remove the air of dust and harmful microorganisms (with ultraviolet light). Devices with ionization and ozonization functions increase cleaning efficiency and neutralize bacteria. It is important to clean the filter at least once every three months for successful dust prevention at home.

Dust Remedies

wetting towel

It is not enough to wipe down all the surfaces in the house with damp rags for quality cleaning. Ordinary water not only does not get rid of bacteria and dirt 100% but also damages some materials. Let’s consider effective remedies against dust in the apartment that allow you to fight the problem successfully:

  • Antistatic for TVs and computers. Monitors should not be wiped with an ordinary damp rag or a product with alcohol not to damage the coating. Special anti-static in the form of a spray or wipes help remove dust without streaking. In addition, the composition repels the smallest particles of dirt;
  • Furniture polish. To prevent dust from settling on the furniture, you must regularly wipe it with such a product. The polish removes static electricity, gives the material a shine, and removes the stickiness. On sale, you can find tinting compositions that refresh the appearance of old furniture;
  • Impregnations for upholstered furniture. They form a protective film on the surface and prevent dust from penetrating inside. It is important to choose the composition considering the specific type of material. The effect of such products usually lasts for six months;
  • Laundry conditioner. How to wipe the dust without streaks and prevent its constant accumulation on the surface? Apply a few drops of fabric conditioner to a microfiber cloth and wipe the problem area.

How To Reduce Dust In The House?

cleaning the floor

There are a few rules to follow to spend less time cleaning:

1. Get Rid Of Things That Float Around In The House Or Apartment

Dust is everywhere, but on some surfaces, it rises into the air and is easily eradicated, while in other places, it can take a long time to accumulate. The main dustbusters in apartments are textiles, carpets, stuffed toys, stacks of paper, and newspapers.

2. Do Damp Mopping

The standard is complete, wet mopping once a week. Textiles and soft toys are best washed at least twice a month. Remove dust on shelves, cabinets, and appliances regularly. It does not need professional help. The leaves also accumulate a lot of dust, they need to be wiped. Once a month, it is advisable to wash under the shower.

3. Wipe Surfaces With A Unique Solutions

An ordinary fabric conditioner can be used to remove dust at home. Dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:4 and pour it into a sprayer. Then the liquid is sprayed and wiped with a dry mop. The conditioner has an antistatic effect, which will keep the surfaces cleaner for longer.

4. Upgrade Your Tools

Rinse and change rags regularly during the cleaning process to avoid smearing dirt. Vacuum cleaner filters should be replaced according to the manual, depending on the number of times you’ve cleaned.

5. Work From Top To Bottom

To prevent dust from settling on freshly cleaned items, proper cleaning procedures must be followed to remove dust at home. Start cleaning from the ceiling: from the chandelier, tall cabinets, shelves, moldings, and window blinds. Then gradually move downward, ending with cleaning the floor and baseboards.

6. Don’t Get Carried Away With The Decor

Cute knickknacks arranged on shelves collect dust and require constant cleaning. Little decorative things, pleasing to the eye, are better placed behind glass doors of closed cabinets  to avoid wasting time on them on weekends,

7. Close The Windows

Airing is an essential part of creating a healthy microclimate. But that doesn’t mean that windows should always be open. Street dust will circulate in the space, especially in a city near a busy street. Nets won’t help: they only trap large particles, and dust will easily pass through them.

8. Use A Dry Cleaner

If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner in the house and heavy bedspreads don’t fit in the washing machine, it makes sense to call in the services of professionals. You can clean carpets and curtains with a steamer as a preventive measure.

9. Refuse Synthetic Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics attract dust, which settles and becomes attached to the fibers. Therefore, the more natural textiles you have in your apartment, the fewer health risks there are.

10. Buy Storage Cases

Clothes in the closet collect dust even if you don’t wear them. It is better to get covers for seasonal items, and trifles, guest blankets, and spare pillows can be stored in closed cases.

11. Don’t Forget About The Ventilation

You don’t have to thoroughly rinse every inch of your home with your weekly cleaning. But it’s important to vacuum and wipe down ventilation systems from time to time according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Bottom Line

By cleaning the room regularly, you can avoid the accumulation of dust particles and dirt. Remember that the health and well-being of all family members depend on proper and regular cleaning. And if you have a difficult task, for example, you need to remove construction debris and dust or do general cleaning. Then you can always ask for professional help. 

FAQ

How to get rid of dust after repairs?

A thorough approach is needed to deal with the dust after repairs. The following algorithm will help: remove construction debris and treat the walls, ceiling, corners, and cracks. Remove dust with a wet method.

How does airborne dust affect people?

The most common symptoms are irritation of the eyes and upper airways. people with heart disease. contribute to a reduced life span. Prolonged exposure to airborne dust can lead to chronic breathing, lung problems, and possibly heart disease.

How often should the house be cleaned to remove and reduce dust?

The cleaning frequency depends on the size and location of the house or apartment, the number of occupants, items and pets, and lifestyle. As a rule, it is recommended to do a cleaning twice a month and a wet one or two times a week.

Will a humidifier help with dust prevention at home?

The humidifier itself is not capable of filtering dust particles and is designed only to raise the humidity in the room. However, the purifying effect of the humidifier is still present. A humidifier can cope with the problem of dry air in the apartment and its consequences.