Have you ever noticed that soon after you clean, the dust starts accumulating again? Every home we have lived in had something in common: they all accumulated dust. Some more, some less, but it has always been a battle we never win because it appears again and again. Dust accumulation isn’t necessarily a sign of a dirty home, but there are always reasons why it is accumulating.
Dust has a way of lurking in your carpets, your curtains, your furniture, and more. One of the biggest culprits for dust is your HVAC system. If your furnace air filters are dirty or flimsy, they may not be trapping dust. Dirt and dust also get tracked into the house on your shoes and your pets. You can’t avoid dust, but you can keep it down.
No matter what is causing the dust, you will want to make some changes to cut back on how much you have. Let’s go over some reasons why your house may be dusty and what you can do about it.
What Causes Dust to Accumulate in the House?
One of the first things that you want to check is your furnace air filter. These filters are designed to trap dust and other material from entering your home, and you need to change them at least every three months. If you leave them longer, they become less effective and dust will start getting by them. Your HVAC filters are a huge source of extra dust. We learned the hard way how important it is to change your furnace filters periodically.
Another way that dust enters your home is through cracks around your windows or doors. These tiny cracks are large enough for dust that is in the air to blow into your home and become part of the airflow before settling on your tables or counters.
Your house also gets dusty from all of the dirt that you bring in the home with you. People and pets track dirt and debris into the home, and it gets embedded in your carpet. Then it gets broken down and moves around your home with the air. These are some of the ways that dust makes its way into your house.
How to Reduce the Dust in Your Home
There are several different ways that you can reduce the dust in your house. The first thing that you need to do is check your furnace air filters. The best way to cut down on dust is to make sure that you buy quality air filters and change them periodically. You can choose an easy day to remember, such as the 1st or the 15th, for example, every three months.
Next, you should check your windows and doors for any cracks around them. These small cracks can be easily sealed and it will prevent dust from coming into your home. Go around and look for even the smallest cracks and use caulk or whatever you need to use to make sure that there isn’t any way for dust to come in with air.
Another way to cut down on dust is to make an effort to reduce what you track into the house. You can create a place inside the door where everyone puts their shoes. This will prevent dirt from getting tracked into the house and in your carpets.
If you vacuum high-traffic areas each day, you will also cut down on the dust. You can upgrade to a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which is made to trap dust so that it doesn’t return to your home. While you are vacuuming, don’t forget to vacuum your upholstery and curtains. They will also trap dust over time and add to the buildup in your home.
Your pets are also responsible for adding to the dust. The dander from their fur can get into the air. The best way to cut down on it is to brush your pet at least once a week. This will remove any loose hair, and you will have less pet hair and less pet dander in your home. Believe me, we know a lot about pet hair, we have a beautiful corgi, Luna, that sheds like crazy.
How to Clean Your House More Efficiently
It is important to try to clean your house in a way that cuts down on the amount of work and the amount of dust. The first thing that you need to do is dust before you vacuum. If you know how to vacuum well, you will cut down on 99% of the dust in your home.
Start by dusting the room. Make sure that you dust all of the surfaces, including tables, bookcases, fireplace mantles, and more. As you work through them, the dust will settle on the floor. Once you finish dusting, you can wipe down any wood furniture and be sure to move it out of the way before you vacuum. This will ensure that you get all of the dust under the furniture.
When you are ready to vacuum, start on one side of the room, opposite the door, and vacuum your way to the doorway. Go slowly and push the vacuum backwards and forwards to get all of the dust. You can adjust your vacuum for floors and carpeting to make sure that it pulls up the maximum amount of dirt. Keep an eye on your vacuum canister or bag and empty it when it starts to get too full. You don’t want to fill it all the way or the dust won’t stay inside.
When you are vacuuming, make use of the different attachments that come with the vacuum. You will find that they are designed to make the job easier and using the right attachment for the right job will collect more of the dust from your furniture, blinds, curtains, or floor. You should try to vacuum at least twice a week, but if you vacuum more frequently, you will have a lot less dust in your house.
Final Words
People are often perplexed by how much dust accumulates in their houses. It can feel like a never-ending job to get rid of it. However, after you understand where it comes from, you can take steps to reduce the amount of dust that comes into your home.
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