Dust is everywhere, and none less so than in our homes. If you’re a frequent cleaner, then perhaps you only ever see a light coating of dust on surfaces and under furniture? But for those who are less prone to cleaning, dust can build up and up until it covers your home, and while it can look unsightly, it can also be bad for your health.
What is dust made of?
Dust is the term we use for a wide range of organic and inorganic particles that are found in the home, and most dust is comprised of dead human skin cells. Dust mites are microscopic living organisms that feed off the dead skin cells found commonly on our mattresses, bedding, and furniture.
However, dust can also contain toxic compounds like pet dander, rodent waste, paint particles, pollen, bacteria and even cigarette smoke, to name but a few. Dusting or vacuuming in your home can stir up these dust particles and create a potentially lethal cocktail of toxic chemicals and other such harmful pollutants. When these particles are present in the air, it’s only natural that at least some of them would be inhaled by the occupants of the home, or even ingested by small children who have a habit of touching things and then putting their hands in their mouths. For children, this can be especially harmful since their bodies are still developing, and many people suffer from allergies that are aggravated by dust.
Dust allergies:
Surveys have shown that around 20 million American citizens are allergic to dust mites, giving them irritating and often painful symptoms such as red and itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny or itchy nose. There are various medications that can help alleviate the symptoms, but limiting exposure to dust is the only real solution for such sufferers.
Dust and asthma:
Dust mites have been known to trigger asthma attacks in individuals, along with the bacterial by-products found in household dust. If you suffer from asthma and are cleaning your home, the dust that you will be shifting around can easily trigger an attack, and as with allergy sufferers, limiting exposure to such particles is the only way to prevent such an attack.
Dermatitis:
Skin conditions such as eczema and atopic dermatitis can be aggravated and worsened by the inhalation of dust.
How to limit the amount of dust in your home:
With all the above conditions, if you suffer from them then you should try to limit your exposure to dust, and if a dust is a problem in your home, here are a few tips for eliminating it:
- Purchase an air cleaner with a HEPA filter
- Have professional cleaners dust your home while you’re out
- Replace your carpets with wooden or tiled flooring
- Mop wooden or tiled floors once a day
- Purchase airtight, plastic dust mite covers for your pillows and mattresses
- Use polyester fiber pillows rather than feather filled ones
- Wash all your bedding at a high temperature at least once a week
It’s hard to eliminate dust from our homes completely, but regular cleaning and using an air filter should help to prevent it from building up and causing or aggravating, any health conditions.