Less Dust, Less Stress: How To Avoid Dust at Home
It’s exasperating. You dusted a few days ago and can already write your name on your coffee table.
Whether you’re a homeowner or apartment dweller, you’ve likely wondered how to reduce the amount of dust in your home. We’re the team at Tidy Up Portland! and are here to tell you it can be done!
In this article, we’ll give you our tried-and-true tips to prevent dust buildup, improve air quality, and create a clean living space you can't wait to come home to.
Why Does Dust Build Up in a Home So Quickly?
We’ll all agree that dust builds up at the speed of light, but where does it all come from? The most common contributors to dust in your home include:
Pet dander
Carpet
Dirt from shoes
Rugs
Curtains
Clothes
Pollen
Dirt
Dead skin cells
Gaps around doors and windows
Floor cracks
Poor HVAC circulation
Static electricity
Microscopic particles from these things constantly float in the air and settle on surfaces throughout your home like:
Fans
Vents
Under furniture
Baseboard
Curtains and blinds
Book shelves
If trying to keep up with the dust in your home is wearing you out, Tidy Up Portland! is here to make your life a whole lot easier. Our team specializes in reliable home maintenance cleaning in Portland, designed to fit your household’s needs.
Our popular maintenance package is the ideal cleaning option for keeping up with common household chores, including dusting. Reach out today for a free instant quote!
How To Reduce Dust in Your Home: 9 Tips
Now that we know why we have it, let’s answer the big question of how to avoid dust at home. Here, we’ve compiled our nine most effective tips for keeping your living space as dust-free as possible.
#1: Clean With Microfiber Cloths
While your grandma may have sworn by hers, feather dusters do a lousy job of capturing dust. The best option for dusting is a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Microfiber creates a minor static charge that acts like a magnet for loose dust, small particles, and the ever-elusive pet hair. Pro tip: Fold your cloth into quarters and, voilà, you have eight clean sides.
In high-traffic areas, dusting two to three times a week helps keep dust from taking over. Start by dusting the high spots, like fans and shelves, and work your way downward. You’ll also want to dust before vacuuming so any loose particles can be sucked up.
#2: Vacuum and Mop Regularly
Try to vacuum once or twice a week. Regular vacuuming captures dust and keeps it from going back into the air. Choose a vacuum with a strong filter and sealed dust bags, even for self-emptying robot vacuums that trap fine dust in the station.
And don’t rule out the importance of mopping to tackle the leftover dust and grime that vacuums miss. Aim to mop your hard floors about once a week, and more frequently if needed in busy areas like kitchens and entryways. Also, be sure to clean and sanitize your mop head to keep from spreading dirt back across the squeaky-clean floor.
#3: Keep Windows Open/Closed Appropriately
Spring and fall are the perfect times to throw the windows open and welcome the fresh air.
There’s just one problem. Along with the fresh air come tiny particles of dirt and pollen that invade your home. While keeping the screens closed on your windows and doors can help a little, they still allow dirt, dust, pollen, and other contaminants inside. For optimal dust control, keep windows and doors closed, or only open them for a few minutes on non-windy days.
#4: Wash Fabrics Often
While many of us don’t think about it, the fabric in our homes is a huge dust magnet. This includes:
Bedding
Chair and sofa cushions
Curtains
Rugs
Pillows
Each week, wash all bedding and vacuum fabric furniture and rugs. Curtains should be cleaned every three to six months, or more frequently in high-dust environments.
#5: Groom Pets Regularly
Fido may be adorable, but he’s also a major contributor to the dust buildup in your home. Since fur babies are famous for shedding, dander, and bringing dirt inside, if you have an indoor pet, you’ll have to work extra hard to keep dust at bay.
If appropriate, brush and bathe your pet regularly. A pet de-tangling brush is a great way to catch the hairs your pet sheds to keep them from winding up on your floors or furniture.
#6: Remove Shoes at the Door
Removing your shoes is one of the best ways to keep your floors and carpets as dust-free as possible. According to research, around one-third of all dirt and dust in your home arrives via your shoes. When you’re outdoors, the treads on the bottom of your shoes trap soil, pollen, lawn chemicals, and street dust. Walking indoors grinds the trapped contaminants into tiny, invisible dust particles that fly throughout the air in your home, lowering indoor air quality.
#7: Replace HVAC and Air Filters Regularly
Keeping a clean HVAC system is another key way to avoid dust at home since a clogged filter loses effectiveness and allows dust and allergens to spread. As a general rule, you should change your filters every 30 to 90 days, but ultimately the right schedule depends on the thickness of your filter. Professionals advise changing: 1-inch filters every 1 to 2 months2-inch filters every 2 to 3 months4- to 5-inch thick media filters every 6 to 12 months
#8: Maintain Proper Indoor Humidity
While it may have been fun to shock your friends when you were a kid, the truth is static electricity causes dust to cling to the surfaces in your home. Research finds that 40-50% relative humidity is the optimal level for controlling the spread of dust and airborne allergens. You can keep an eye on the humidity levels within your home with a hygrometer or a thermostat app.
#9: Use an Air Purifier
If you’re serious about keeping dust out of your home, invest in air purifiers with HEPA filters. When strategically placed in key spots like living rooms, bedrooms, offices, and other frequently used spaces within your home, they’ll help reduce pollen, pet allergens, and other airborne dust. For ultimate success, vacuum and replace based on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Avoid These Mistakes To Reduce the Amount of Dust in Your Home
To ensure you’re doing all you can to reduce dust in your home, avoid:
Using a dry cloth
Skipping ceiling fans when cleaning
Overlooking vacuuming fabric furnishings and curtains
Opening windows on windy days
Ignoring air filters
Tidy Up Portland!: Keep Dust at a Minimum With Regular House Cleaning Services You Can Trust
If you’re ready to bring house cleaning services into your life and get time back for what matters most, Tidy Up Portland! is the one to call! We’re the all-in-one solution to help keep your home consistently clean and enjoyable.
We’re woman- and locally-owned and proud to say we have:
170+ five-star reviews
A 4.9 Google rating
Completed 10,000+ cleans
A <1% callback rate
Whether you choose our Maintenance, Deep Clean, or Tidy Up package, we’re confident we’ll exceed your expectations and earn your trust. Reach out today for your free instant quote!
