Reduce Dust Buildup Between Cleanings

The fresh, clean appearance of a newly cleaned house is a relaxing paradise, but it doesn’t take long before things like dust return to settle on your electronics, cover the furniture, and land on decorative objects. Regular cleanings help reduce the buildup of dust, but there are additional steps you can take to design a home that resists dust buildup.

Don’t Think Dust Buildup is Bad?

Dust might seem like the least of your worries when you need your home cleaned, but it’s one of the most allergen-filled parts of a dirty home. According to HGTV, dust is actually a combination of:

sloughed-off skin cells, animal dander and hair, dust mites and their feces, and decomposing bug parts — and that’s not counting the fabric fibers and tiny particles of soil, wood, sheet rock, plaster and paint.

Yuck! Time to get rid of that dust!

The Debate Over Dusting and Vacuuming

An interesting concept often debated is whether dusting first or vacuuming first is the best solution for dust removal. Some cleaning experts believe that dusting first and then vacuuming gets rid of the most dust. Other cleaning gurus suggest it’s the other way around and that vacuuming first is the way to go.

One of the arguments for vacuuming first is that the activity itself causes dust particles in the carpets and on the furniture upholstery to break free. Then, you can remove those particles when you dust. On the other side of the argument, some say dusting releases the particles into the air and then when they land on the carpet, the vacuum will remove the airborne dust.

Either way, vacuuming is a vital part of the dust removal process. Whenever you vacuum between professional cleanings, remember to clean out the canister or switch the bag early during cleaning so that the vacuum doesn’t start spewing out dust and debris because it’s full.

Creating a Dust-Free Environment

In addition to a healthy schedule of vacuuming and dusting, you can also design your home to be less likely to hold onto dust and attract it. Dust bunnies may appear whether you want them to or not, but it’s not inevitable that they’ll grow particularly fast if you follow these pieces of advice as suggested by The Family Handyman website:

• Don’t forget the closets: One of the major contributors to dust buildup is the pile of microscopic fibers that result from clothing, bedding, and anything cloth-oriented. Don’t forget to vacuum and dust your closet when you clean. If you neglect this space, you’ll just let out a waterfall of invisible dust particles the next time you open your closet door.
• Change bed sheets weekly: Taking the bed sheets off the bed on a weekly basis is a huge help for reducing dust buildup. You’ll want to clean the blankets and comforters, too, but if they’re too hefty to fit in your washing machine, taking them outside to shake them out is a good substitute in-between getting them washed at the dry cleaner’s.

Tip: Don’t create a dust storm when you make the bed again. Ever see someone whip the sheets up into the air to allow them to float down onto the bed? That action swirls dust around. Place sheets on the bed with less “gusto” and you’ll reduce the dust you kick up when you make the bed.

Looking to Get Rid of Your Dust?

Interested in a clean home that’s maintained by a professional cleaning crew? At Sweep Home Chicago, we are fully committed to providing all of our customers with quality cleaning services. Get a Free Cleaning Estimate in the Chicago area today!