Do you dream of having a spotless, dust-free home, void of even the tiniest mote of dust?
Okay, so maybe having a home completely free of dust is impossible. After all, dust is a ubiquitous problem that everyone has.
But you really should minimize the amount of dust in your home. Exposure to household dust can lead to serious health problems such as asthma and allergic reactions. Of course, if you or someone else in your household has existing health problems, you don’t want their condition to worsen due to dust exposure.
Maybe you can’t fully eliminate dust, but you can minimize the amount of dust in your home by following these easy tips.
Change Your Bedding
You may already know that fibers from bed linen can create dust. But even worse (and grosser!) is that bedding traps dead skin cells while you sleep. That means a regular washing of your bedding is essential to prevent a dusty home.
At the very least, wash your bedding and blankets weekly. Don’t forget to give your pillows and pillowcases a regular washing too.
Stop Dust From Entering Your Doorways and Windows
Preventing a dusty home isn’t all about cleaning. If you can stop dust from entering your home, you can make your cleaning duties easier.
Have welcome mats at the entrance of your home, and encourage your family to use them. Even better, have them leave their shoes at the door.
While this can reduce the amount of dust entering your home, it can’t prevent as much as weatherstripping. Weatherstripping around your doors can block dust and dirt from being blown through gaps.
Likewise, check your windows and make sure they shut correctly and are well-sealed. The caulking around your windows can prevent dust and moisture from entering your home, but only if it’s in good condition. Over time, caulking dries and cracks, and needs to be replaced.
Replace Your Filters
Replacing your furnace filters is another great way to minimize dust. Not only will replacing your filter impact your furnace’s performance, but your furnace’s filter helps to reduce dust in the home. You should replace your furnace filter every 3 months — even during the summer.
Don’t stop at your furnace though. You should also replace your HVAC filters.
HVAC air filters come in a variety of sizes. If you’re not sure what size filter you need, it’s easy to find out.
First, turn off your AC system. Then remove the existing filter. The dimensions should be printed on the side of the filter.
For example, you may find you need 20x20x1 filters. That means you need filters that are 20 inches long, 20 inches wide, and with a depth of 1 inch.
Follow These Tips for a Dust-Free Home
Sometimes it can feel like having a dust-free home is impossible. But if you follow these tips you can reduce the amount of dust in your home and improve your indoor air quality. That means a happier, healthier household — especially for someone with a dust allergy!
If you found this article helpful, check out more in our Health and Home Improvement sections.