Ten Tips to Reduce Dust in the Home

Published 1/16/2019

Finding dust in your home is no fun, and it often seems that no matter how much you clean, it keeps coming back.

Did you know that the average 6-room house collects 40 pounds of dust and allergens in their air ducts every year?

While no amount of cleaning will completely remove the dust in your house, these ten tips are proven ways that will help.

1. Clean from top to bottom.  Clean the highest surfaces first and work your way down, so you capture any dust you missed.

2. Change your bedding once a week. Dust mites love to dwell in sheets, pillows and mattresses. Encasing your mattress and box spring in an allergen-proof cover, in conjunction with washing your bedding once a week, should be enough to keep bug-a-boos at bay.

3. Keep tidy closets. Garments stored in closets shed lots of fiber. So unless you want a blast of dust confetti each time you open the closet door, it's best to store things in garment bags, plastic containers and boxes.

4. Remove clutter from floors. Don't ignore piles of clothing, toys, magazines, books or anything else on the floor. Cleaning around them won't take care of the dust that has settled in or around them.

5. Say "no" to carpeting. It may look gorgeous, but carpeted floors are high-maintenance and magnets for dust mites. They should be vacuumed daily, but even that may not be enough for people with severe allergies. If you're attached to your carpet, consider investing in a vacuum cleaner with a double-layered microfilter bag or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which prevents dust from being re-introduced into the air. Otherwise, stick to hardwood, vinyl, linoleum or tile flooring.

6. 4. Mop the floors. A wet mop will collect the dust that you missed after sweeping. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be, so give it a go today!

7. Take it outside. Dust from area rugs and pillows should be beaten outdoors.

8. Duster do's and don'ts. Feather dusters only aggravate existing dust and cause it to settle elsewhere around your home. Instead, use a damp cloth or moist towelette to wipe down surfaces.

9. Clean air ducts & vents to prevent dust. Dirty air vents can build up a dust, dirt and grime layer. Give it a good clean and this will improve ventilation.

10. Air purifiers. Reduce dust particles with an air purifier and store them close to windows. This will prevent airborne contaminants getting in and circulating the room.