You spend the whole day cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting. But when you wake up the next morning, a new layer of dust has covered just about every surface of your home.

Does this scenario sound familiar? You’re not alone. Eliminating dust can seem like a never-ending battle, even in the cleanest homes. Yet it’s one worth fighting to reduce allergies, asthma attacks, and a host of other health problems.

Here are some steps you can take to manage your dust problem once and for all.

Where Does Dust Come From?

Household dust is comprised of various particles like dead skin cells, pollen, dirt, dust mites, hair, soot, animal dander, and clothing fibers. It’s estimated that 60% of the dust in your home is brought in from the outside by attaching itself to your shoes, clothes, hair, and skin. Dust can also enter a home through open or drafty windows and doors, leaky air ducts, from pet dander, hair, carpets, upholstery, bedding, and more.

7 Ways to Get Rid of Dust

1. Deep clean carpeting and area rugs. Frequent vacuuming is the number one thing you can do to reduce excess dust. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap contaminants and lock them away. Vacuum underneath rugs and furniture, and use your vacuum’s upholstery attachments to vacuum drapes, blinds, sofas, and other upholstered furniture. And finally, steam clean carpets and area rugs at least once a year.
2. Use microfiber cleaning cloths instead of feather dusters. Microfiber products are great for cleaning because they polish surfaces while trapping dust and dirt as you clean. Feather dusters, on the other hand, simply move dust around. You can also use a clean, damp cloth to thoroughly remove dust from surfaces.
3. Regularly check your HVAC system. Routine HVAC maintenance is essential for maintaining a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. This includes changing HVAC air filters every three months or as recommended by the manufacturer. Not only will your systems run more effectively and efficiently, but you’ll also save a few bucks on heating and cooling costs.
4. Institute a no-shoes policy. Every time you come in from outside, you bring tiny amounts of dust and dirt on the soles of your shoes. Set up a shoe zone just inside your front door and ask household members and guests to remove their shoes upon entry.
5. Limit knickknacks and clutter. The more items you have on display, the more dust those items will accumulate. Go through the books and knickknacks you have displayed and pack away any you don’t need. Additionally, reduce the amount of throw pillows and stuffed animals, as soft fabrics allow dust particles to settle in between fibers.
6. Seal air leaks. Air leaks not only allow dirt and dust to enter your home, but they also let warmed or cooled air to escape, driving up your utility bills. Caulk drafty window frames, apply weather stripping around exterior doors, seal gaps around electrical outlets and switches, and seal leaky ductwork to reduce the amount of dust that can enter your living space.
7. Use an air purifier. Another way to prevent dust build-up and improve overall air quality is to invest in an air purifier. Using an air purifier is an efficient way of trapping dust in your home and lowering the risks of triggering dust allergies and respiratory problems. An air purifier with a True HEPA filter traps 99.97% of pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, resulting in less visible and invisible dust and cleaner indoor air.

At C&D Heating & Cooling, we offer a variety of indoor air quality solutions, including air purifiers, UV lamps, duct cleaning, and humidity control. To find the right solution for your home, contact us today to schedule a free in-home comfort analysis.