Five Ways to Stop Your Home From Getting Dusty so Quickly
I constantly struggle with dust: I live in an old house in a city with not the best outdoor air quality, and I have a dog that sheds a lot . Dusting seems like a constant chore that I can never get around, and the layer of dust is not only visually unappealing, but can also aggravate asthma and allergies in some people.
Unfortunately, minimizing dust in your home requires both prevention and regular maintenance. But staying on top of the problem will ultimately result in less work and less impact on both cleanliness and health in the future.
Maintain filters and vents regularly.
One of the best ways to control indoor dust is to monitor the systems that allow dust to enter and move around your home. You should change your HVAC filter at least every three months—every one to two months if you have pets, live in a dry, dusty area, or are exposed to wildfire smoke—for both your system’s efficiency and efficiency. when filtering air particles. Check the minimum efficiency reporting values (MERV) of your filter : a lower rating will catch less debris and may need to be changed more often, while a higher rating will collect smaller particles ( but may reduce performance ).
While you’re at it, clean all the fans, vents, and filters that move air in and out (and around) your home, such as your dryer vent , bathroom exhaust fans, and HVAC vents and grilles. You can regularly give their surfaces a quick vacuum for maintenance, but if you haven’t cleaned them in a while (or ever), you may need to remove the vent covers and give the motors or ducts a deep clean.
Run an air purifier
Air purifiers suck in air, filter out particles like dust and pollen, and blow clean air back out—without you having to do anything other than plug it in. You can purchase an air purifier whose main purpose is to reduce the amount of dust in the room. in your home, although these devices can also help people with allergies and asthma . Be sure to purchase an air purifier that has a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and a carbon filter for odors and gases. We’ve tested several smart air purifiers (some of which also have other features, like heating and cooling) that we recommend.
Vacuum frequently and thoroughly
Vacuuming your floors regularly (every few days) can reduce dust buildup throughout your home. If you have a lot of space or limited time, a good robot vacuum can do the job for you. However, you should also vacuum furniture (both hard and soft surfaces) as well as curtains and blinds, where pet hair and dust can quickly accumulate.
Be sure to vacuum or vacuum less visible areas such as baseboards, ceiling fans, door frames, corners of shelves, under beds and other furniture, and behind appliances. Use our favorite tricks to level out the dust , and once the dust is gone, consider using a hard surface dust repellent spray .
Regular cleaning should also include washing sheets and towels, which collect dead skin, bacteria and dust mites. Wash everything at least once every two weeks —more often if you sweat a lot or allow pets on your bed.
Keep your windows closed
This is most important when outdoor air quality is poor, such as during wildfire season or on days with high pollution levels. But keeping your windows closed in general will help minimize the entry of dust, pollen, and other particles into your home.
Leave your shoes at the door
Shoes are the fastest way to bring dirt, grime, and dust into and through your home, even if it’s unnoticeable. Install a container or shelf by the door to collect and store shoes—you can even leave them outside if you have a covered area where they will be protected from the elements.