Does it seem like no matter how often you clean and vacuum, you’re fighting a losing battle with dust? Whether it’s the constant accumulation of dust bunnies under your beds, in closets or on tabletops, dust can be relentless.
Dust worsens allergies, aggravating symptoms for you or family members dealing with allergic reactions. Luckily, there are many ways to get the upper hand in your battle with dust.
How Does Dust Get In Your Home?
You might have asked yourself “where does all the dust come from in my house?”. Indoor dust originates from pet dander, hair, cooking, bedding, clothing, and in-home work projects. A big reason why dust can be so hard to get rid of is that it comes from a variety of internal and external sources. Dirty air commonly carries outdoor dust and enters homes through sources like leaky air ducts, open windows, and small exterior cracks.
How Can I Reduce Dust at Home?
While it may not be possible to eliminate dust completely, the good news is that there are several easy steps you can take to dramatically reduce dust in the home:
- Regularly change HVAC system filters: Dirty HVAC filters can lead to the spreading of dust through the ductwork. Changing the filter monthly will help keep clean, dust-free air circulating through your home while allowing your system to work more efficiently – which can lower energy bills.
- Use doormats: Dust is frequently brought inside when people enter the home. To reduce dust tracking, invest in doormats and have your family thoroughly wipe their feet before entering. If you have a mudroom, it’s an excellent area for family and guests to enter and remove their shoes, preventing dust from spreading to the rest of the house.
- Make pet grooming a priority: While we love our cats and dogs, their dander and shedding is a major dust source. Grooming your pets – even short-haired animals – regularly will keep hair and dead skin cells – and the dust they produce – from accumulating. If you don’t have time to take your pets to the groomers, simply brushing their coat – outdoors, of course – or giving them a bath will help reduce their dust contribution. Another helpful step is to purchase the type of cat litter box that comes with a cover and swinging door, if they’ll use it.
- Keep doors & windows closed: Most of us enjoy a refreshing breeze filtering through our homes, but the incoming air can also transport dust inside in the form of various pollutants. Door and window screens keep most bugs out, but they still allow for the flow of pollutants. If dust is a major concern, it’s best to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible, particularly on windy days.
- Clean the house more often: Frequent, thorough housecleaning will go a long way toward minimizing dust. Effective dust-prevention cleaning includes mopping floors with a damp mop (the moisture will trap dust), dusting upholstery and blinds, washing pillows, removing clutter such as newspapers and magazines, and vacuuming at least once a week, including under the beds. Vacuums are now available with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that can trap the smallest dust particles.
- Consider removing carpeting: Carpeting holds dust that’s then released into the air whenever someone walks across it. Hard-surface flooring materials such as wood, vinyl, and tile won’t trap dust – and many homeowners find hard flooring is more attractive than carpeting and easier to clean. If you’re considering some home upgrades or a remodel, this could be a great way to improve the comfort of your home.
- Use air purifiers: Air purifiers are small, portable units you can easily place in dust-prone areas in your home. They typically consist of a fan that circulates the air and a filter that effectively traps dust particles. These machines can be especially helpful for people with allergies. You can dramatically increase their comfort just by adding a purifier to their bedroom, especially at night.
Contact a Professional Air Quality Services Provider
Another great way to reduce dust in the home is to contact the professionals at Haller Enterprises. Our comprehensive residential contracting services include thorough duct cleaning for your HVAC system.
A thorough duct cleaning will prevent pet dander accumulation and dramatically reduce interior dust. During winter, you can enhance the air quality in your home by installing a whole-house humidifier. It replenishes moisture in the dry air that heating systems often deplete.
Contact Haller Enterprises today to learn more and schedule air quality services for your home.
