Dust in the home should be declared a national epidemic. What with the number of bypasses and road expansions going on everywhere in the country? If it’s not a road construction close by, it is an apartment building. Dust in the home is composed of sloughed-off skin cells, animal dander, hair, dust mites and their faeces, fabric fibres, tiny particles of soil, plaster and paint. Many people are allergic to dust and dust mites.
The fight against dust is not one you can win but you can reduce the severity of dust in your house.
* VacuumYou should vacuum before you dust because vacuums can blow around small dust particles, which you get rid of by dusting post-vacuuming. Use a vacuum with a filter that traps more of the tiny stuff, once a week. Empty the canister and change bags when needed. Keep the vacuum’s brush wheel free of hair and other material.
* Dust your furnitureFurniture traps all manner of dust particles and should therefore be dusted quite often. Turn over your pillows and cushions and give them a beating that will release accumulated dust. You can also use a vacuum while having installed an upholstery brush in the appropriate part of your vacuum. Once in a while when your furniture is dirty, get professional cleaners to shampoo the seat. This will leave it as good as new.
* Clean your beddingYour bed is a hotbed of dust, fibre from clothing, bedding and skin that you shed on a daily basis. Clean your bed sheets and pillowcases weekly. Heavier items like blankets and duvets don’t need a weekly clean but you should take them outside for shaking.
* Beat up your rugsIn addition to vacuuming your rugs, take them outside, beat them and shake them thoroughly. If your house is prone to a lot of dust, opt for rugs that have a shorter pile. This means that you go for a woven rug instead of a shaggy rug. For kids rooms and playrooms, interlocking rubber mats that are easy to wipe and clean with water are the best.
* Declutter
Books, artwork and knick-knacks provide nooks and crannies for dust to settle. Kids’ stuffed animals are also a breeding ground for dust. Wash them every once in a while and store them in plastic bins.