Dust is not your friend, and as far as is possible, it should be eliminated from your home environment.
The tiny dust particles that are made of cloth fibres, hair (both human and animal), skin cells, dirt and a whole lot more, can quickly lead to irritating and health threatening allergies if allowed to accumulate. Staying on top of the cleaning in your home is an important element in the battle against dust, and below are a few tips to help you prevent dust from ruling your roost:
- Purchase an air purifier Purifiers trap dust particles from the air and are fantastic for households where dust is a real problem and allergies are prevalent. However, you will need a purifier for each problem room, as they aren’t powerful enough to tackle dust
- Vacuum regularly Vacuuming your home at least twice a week is a highly effective way of tackling dust, and if you purchase one that has a built in HEPA, or high efficiency particulate air filter, you’ll eliminate the maximum dust particles. Carpets should be a priority, but all floors should be vacuumed with the appropriate vacuum attachments to get rid of as much dust as possible.If your vacuum cleaner is old or not functioning properly, you’ll need to repair or replace it as soon as possible to prevent it from spitting dust back out at you and making a mockery of all your hard work!
- Sweep and mop regularly For those areas that don’t see a vacuum, make sure that you at least sweep with a dustpan and brush. If you can mop all tiled or wooden floors at least once a week, that will certainly help to get rid of the dust and make the surfaces less attractive to the particles, too.
- Use microfiber cloths when dusting These cloths are best in the battle against dust, as the particles stick to them and stay there, instead of being spread around. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, try using an ordinary cloth or rag but dampen it first, just be mindful of the surface you are using it on. When washing your cloths, try not to use fabric softeners or dryer sheets as they reduce the cloths ability to hold the dust. Feather dusters are not your friend when it comes to eradicating dust; your furniture and fittings may look immediately cleaner, but the dust particles will simply have been uprooted and spread into the air, where they will eventually settle elsewhere and create a whole new dust problem.
If dust is threatening to take over your home and rule your roost, you may need the help of a professional cleaning company, who will have a range of tools and techniques for eliminating dust and helping you and your family stay allergy free.