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How to Reduce Dust in the Home

Pro Referral > Home Guides > Cleaning > How to Reduce Dust in the Home
How to Reduce Dust in the Home

Dust is a known allergen and can make life uncomfortable for people of all ages. The respiratory tract is what falls victim to dust allergens. Asthma, bronchitis, and pneumoconiosis are just some of the diseases that are caused by dust particles. There is not much we can do to limit our exposure to dust once we step out of our home. However, inside the house is a different story. There are a lot of things we can do to keep dust away.

  1. Children’s soft toys are another place where dust mites can be found in abundance. These should be washed in warm water and air dried to prevent any allergies.

    1.An Important Discussion

    Studies indicate that an average home in the nation collects about 40 pounds of dust annually. This is mostly fibers from furnishings around the house rather than dirt or an example of poor house-keeping. Numerous studies have been done on the impact of house dust mites on the health of humans. Most of these have been conducted by various universities across the country. They discuss proven ways to reduce the dust in your home and thus, improve the air quality.


    Rearranging some of the furniture and de-cluttering closets and shelves will significantly reduce the dust accumulation in your house. Regular vacuuming is recommended and is a must in a house or room with wall-to-wall carpeting. There are numerous house cleaning products available in the market which can effectively assist you in your cleaning tasks.

  2. 2.Don’t Clutter Closet Floors

    Closets are full of fibers from clothes and this is what later becomes dust. Storing clothes in clear plastic containers or garment bags is one way of minimizing the shedding. It also helps in being organized as you can see what is inside the bag and open it only if required. Shoes can also be stored in racks or wire shelves so they are not on the floor. This will help in vacuuming the floor really well.

  3. 3.Climate Control

    Too much humidity can give dust mites the perfect atmosphere to thrive in which will affect your allergies and if you do not have any you just develop some. Either way, breathing dust filled air is not conducive to strong health. Moreover, the humidity in your home should be somewhere between 40 and 50 percent. If you are not sure of what the humidity level in your home is, you could get a gauge used for this purpose that can help you monitor it. An air conditioner or dehumidifier can be used to keep the humidity levels under control.

  4. 4.Rugs and Cushions

    Rugs and cushions should be dusted and cleaned regularly to do away with all the dust that they accumulate over a period of time. These are major dust magnets and can hold and store dust particles for a long time. Rugs and carpets can be thrown over a clothesline or a fence outside and beaten with a bat or broom handle to shake the dust off. Cushions can either be vacuumed or beaten to clean then. Putting slipcovers over cushions might make it a little easier as these can then be thrown into the washing machine once in a while.

  5. 5.Use the Right Dusters

    Dusting with a feather duster or dry rag can cause the dust particles to just shift from one place to another instead of doing away with them. So, a better idea is to use a wet rag or special wipes that can capture the dust. Dusting regularly will minimize chances of dust accumulating in the house.

  6. 6.Toys and Bedding

    Children’s soft toys are another place where dust mites can be found in abundance. These should be washed in warm water and air dried to prevent any allergies. Bedding is something that is used daily and hence it is likely to attract the most fibers and dust of all the furnishings in your home. Every week, make it a point to wash the sheets and pillowcases after gently dusting them out. Pillows and mattresses can also be encased in special allergen free cases and this will help reduce the number of times you need to wash them.

  7. 7.Tossing Out Junk

    Wood, vinyl, plastic, and leather are less likely to harbor dust particles when compared to upholstery. Keeping the whole house uncluttered will also lead to a significant reduction in the dust quotient. These are all simple suggestions that do not require too much effort and time. Sticking to a schedule when cleaning and dusting means half the battle has been won.

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