Dust will always exist. This is due to the fact that dust is a buildup of airborne fine, dry stuff, such as pollen, skin flakes, fabric fibers, dirt, and sand. Almost anything inside your house, as well as outdoors, might increase the amount of dust there is. As a result, it may seem impossible to totally eliminate dust, which is problematic not just from an aesthetic standpoint but also because, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, domestic invaders like dust mites can be problematic for allergy sufferers.
However, there are a few measures you can do to significantly reduce the amount of dust in your house. To begin with, close the windows to help keep the air within your rooms free of pollen and other external pollutants. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, which tends to collect dust, you should also think about putting doormats in front of each entrance and vacuuming frequently to prevent dust. Make sure your mattress is protected, as mattresses are another breeding ground for dust mites. It also helps to get bedding and pillows that can be often washed in hot water.
According to cleaning expert Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, in order to achieve the greatest results, you’ll also probably want to make changes to your present cleaning schedule. She said you should dust your furniture once a week and conduct a deeper dust once a month, focusing on light fixtures and blinds. Additionally, you should vacuum mattresses, wash pillows and comforters, and clean below and behind furniture every three to six months.
But this is only the beginning. Dust is so pervasive that you’ll discover it in almost every nook and cranny of your house, some of which are more difficult to get than others. Here, you’ll find specific methods for eliminating dust from every room of your home along with the top implements.
For basic dusting
Put the feather duster away first. Whatever you might have been told, they are not at all useful.
The only thing this gadget does is transfer dust from one surface to another, claims Carolyn. Instead, a soft cloth lightly soaked with water, furniture cleaning spray, a microfiber duster, or an electrostatic duster—which uses static electricity to attract more dust particles—can all be used to more effectively collect dust.
For dusting electronics
Speakers, printers, TVs, computers, and printers are renowned dust magnets. Never clean equipment that has been plugged in. A soft, long-handled microfiber duster will gather dust from crevices while a delicate swipe with a microfiber cloth typically accomplishes the task. Dust, along with pet hair, can clog devices or outlets, so make sure to vacuum around cords and vents.
To remove dust from hardwood flooring
Your hardwood floors should be vacuumed at least once per week, and wet cleaned every one to two months (more or less frequently, depending on traffic). Spray a small area measuring 3 feet by 3 feet with a hardwood floor cleaner, such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray, then use a microfiber mop to remove any dissolved dirt from surface-treated floors. Repeat this process, cleaning the floor in tiny sections at a time.