How Do I Keep My House From Getting So Dusty? 15 Ways To Solve The Problem

Does your home feel like a dust magnet? You’re not alone in this struggle. You’re surely asking, how do I keep my house from getting so dusty?

As homeowners, we know the frustration of cleaning only to see a layer of dust forming on countertops hours after. It feels like an endless cycle of wiping and vacuuming.

Overall, dust is inevitable, unless you live in a bubble. Various outdoor elements can get into your home and accumulate on surfaces. The good thing is that there are many ways for you to reduce this.

In this post, we share our tried and tested tips for reducing dust buildup. See if these methods also work for your home.

Where is the dust in my house coming from?

Since dust is composed of tiny particles, it can be tricky to trace where it’s coming from. Still, here are a few common culprits to give you an idea:

  • Pet dander. The dead skin cells of your pet can mix with dirt and other airborne particles, making your home appear dusty.
  • Pollens. If you live in a place notorious for pollen season, you shouldn’t be surprised if your home gets more dust than usual. Be careful as this can trigger allergies and runny nose.
  • Outdoor dirt. If you leave your windows open, dust from the outside can get into your home. This is much so if your place is windy.
  • Dirty HVAC. Your HVAC system has filters that need replacements or cleaning regularly. If not, the trapped dirt can recirculate and make your home dusty.
  • Dirty carpet. Your carpet can harbor lots of dust if not cleaned properly. This is much so for high-pile types, where various dirt can hide.
  • Curtains and drapes. Like carpets, your drapes can collect dust. If you don’t wash it regularly, the accumulated dust will spread around your home.
  • Old attic insulation. Outdated insulation in your attic will soon deteriorate into the dust-like matter. This can spread around your home through the HVAC system. It’s important to have the insulation replaced and let’s hope that it’s not the old asbestos type that can cause illnesses.

How do I keep my house from getting so dusty?

There are many ways on how you can manage dust inside your home. Here are some hacks that you can try:

1. Don’t leave your windows open.

One mistake homeowners do is leaving their windows open. This habit allows outside dust to get into your house in large amounts. As much as you want to get fresh air, an open window is one of the biggest sources of dust in your household.

Aside from keeping your windows and doors closed, make sure that it doesn’t have leaks as well. Replace worn-out weather stripping and patch up any holes. This way, moisture won’t seep in as well during the winter season.

2. Wash your drapes and sheets

You should also make it a habit to wash your bedding every week. This is to remove dust that has accumulated in it as well as the dust mites that could wreak havoc in your home.

You have the option to wash it by hand or on your washing machine. Overall, if your sheets or pillowcases aren’t that dirty, it doesn’t require intense washing all the time.

Aside from sheets, you should also wash drapes and curtains regularly. These fabrics harbor a lot of dust since it directly covers your windows.

3. Invest in an air purifier

An air purifier is an effective tool to collect airborne dust in your home. This is an effective complementary solution to vacuuming regularly.

Moreover, air purifiers have filters inside that trap particulates. Aside from dust, air purifiers are also designed to collect pollens, pet dander, pet fur, mold spores, and more. Some are even fitted with filters that can neutralize odors and germs.

Just remember that air purifiers also require cleaning. It’s important to clean or replace the filters based on the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Use HEPA filters on your vacuum

It will also be a big help if you use HEPA filters in your vacuum cleaner. Unlike basic filters, HEPA or High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters can trap smaller particles. It’s more efficient in cleaning various particulates in your home.

Most vacuum cleaner brands sell HEPA replacement filters. You can also find after-market options, which are usually cheaper than their OEM counterparts.

Depending on the frequency of use, most HEPA filters can last for up to 36 months.

5. Don’t wear outside shoes inside.

If you want to reduce dust inside your home, you must stop it right at the door.

A large portion of the dirt on your floors comes from boots and shoes worn outside. With this, it’s time to adapt the Asian custom of removing outside shoes when entering the house. You can use a separate pair of ‘inside’ shoes if you don’t want to walk around barefoot.

Also, you should shake or wipe the bottoms of your shoes before bringing them indoors.

6. Get your air ducts cleaned

The air ducts of your HVAC system harbor the nastiest dirt in your house. If you haven’t cleaned it for three years, don’t be surprised if your home is slowly becoming a dust desert.

The trapped dirt on your air ducts will recirculate once it’s too thick to adhere to the duct surfaces. The worst part is that it will spread throughout your home. It can trigger respiratory irritations like coughing, runny nose, asthma attacks, and even skin itching.

7. Remove clutter

Old boxes, piles of books, and other things that are left untouched are dust magnets. Try to get rid of this clutter to reduce the dust accumulation inside your home.

If you can’t dispose of the items, make sure that you dust them frequently. You should also consider putting them on enclosed shelves, which are easier to clean.

8. Replace old carpets

Most carpets will start to fray after five years. The loose fibers from these frays will add up to the dust accumulating inside your home. So if your carpeting is looking beaten up already, it might be time to consider a replacement.

Nevertheless, it depends on the quality of your current carpeting. Some are intended to last for up to 15 years while others require frequent replacements.

If you are to purchase new rugs or carpets, avoid very thick and high-pile types. Opt for thinner ones that won’t harbor too much dust.

9. Groom your pet regularly

Your pet’s dander and loose fur will add up to the dust you need to clean. This is why you should always groom the pooch to reduce the mess.

Most dogs only need bathing monthly while others can get by for a whole quarter without a bath. Still, daily brushing outdoors is necessary to manage the shedding and to get rid of the dead skin cells.

10. Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth

After vacuuming your floor, wipe it with a damp mop. You’ll be surprised by how much dust is left at this point.

Next, you need to wipe countertops and furniture surfaces with a damp cloth. The moisture will help lift leftover dust that clings even after cleaning.

Make sure that you rinse the mop and cloth after a few wipes. This is to prevent the collected dust from transferring to other spots. Feel free to use multiple cloth pieces to ensure efficient cleaning.

11. Reduce static in your home

One thing that attracts dust to surfaces is static. It’s the same thing that makes your hair stick to the comb after brisk brushing.

Static forms when the air is too dry. Unfortunately, this static charge will attract dust to surfaces around your house.

To solve this issue, you can run a humidifier to achieve an ideal humidity level in your home. Around 40% to 55% is the healthy target.

12. Clean your window blinds

If you’re using window blinds, make sure that you clean each slat religiously. This window cover harbors a lot of dust that often goes unnoticed.

You can purchase a microfiber blinds cleaner to make the process more convenient for you. I recommend cleaning the blinds weekly, so the accumulated dust won’t be too thick.

13. Clean your vacuum

Don’t forget to clean your vacuum cleaner as well to prevent dust from recirculating in your house. You should empty the dust bin after each use. If you’re using a bagged vacuum, always monitor if it’s already full, so you can replace it with a new one.

Aside from that, you must replace or clean the filter, so the vacuum cleaner will function smoothly. Take note that clogged vacuum filters don’t just spread allergens, they can also cause damage to the unit.

14. Replace your furnace filter regularly

Replacing your furnace filters monthly will help remove dust from the air that’s blowing back into your home. Make sure that you add this to your monthly to-do list, so you won’t forget.

The good thing is that furnace filter replacements aren’t that expensive and it’s also easy to come by. As much as possible, invest in quality filters if your home is experiencing heavy dust.

15. Cut on fabrics

Lastly, you should consider reducing fabric fixtures around your home. If possible, forego decorative rugs and curtains. Instead, you can stick to carpeting and other window covers like blinds or window rollers. These are easier to clean and less likely to harbor stubborn dust.

Aside from that, you can also reduce the number of pillowcases you have in your living room. If you have fabric drapes on your furniture, consider removing them as well.

Final words             

How do I keep my house from getting so dusty?. You can start by removing sources of dust around your home. Aside from that, you also need to practice proper cleaning regularly. With patience, consistency, and the right approach, you can breathe easier in your house.

Do you have additional dust prevention tips to share? Feel free to let us know!.

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