Dust can accumulate quickly in a home, leaving surfaces dingy and causing allergies to flare up. Getting rid of dust entirely is difficult, but with some diligence and the right tools, you can dramatically reduce dust in your home. This comprehensive guide covers proven tips for ridding your whole house of dust.
Do a Deep Clean
The first step in dust removal is a thorough deep cleaning. This gets rid of built-up layers of dust and gives you a clean slate to work with.
Wash and Disinfect All Surfaces
Wipe down all hard surfaces, including floors, walls, countertops, ceilings fans, lamp shades, and furniture. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with an all-purpose cleaner or mild soap and water. For disinfection, use an EPA-approved cleaner like Lysol or Clorox wipes.
Scrub tile, vinyl, concrete and other unsealed floors with a brush and cleaning solution. Mop hardwood, laminate and linoleum floors with the appropriate cleaner and let completely dry.
Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses, then spot clean stains. Shampoo carpets and area rugs to lift embedded dirt and allergens.
Dust Light Fixtures, Fans and Vents
Use a microfiber duster on ceiling fans and a small brush attachment on your vacuum for vents. Remove globes on vanity and overhead fixtures to wash properly.
For recessed lighting and track lighting, use a thin vacuum attachment to get corners and crevices.
Wash Bedding and Curtains
Fabrics like sheets, duvets, pillowcases, blankets and curtains all collect dust. Wash them in hot water to kill dust mites and remove allergens. If possible, hang items outside to air out before putting back on beds or windows.
Clean Electronics and Appliances
Wipe down TV screens, computers, phones and other electronics with a microfiber cloth. Use compressed air to remove dust from small crevices.
Clean out fridge coils, the seals around the doors and the drip tray underneath. For window A/C units, wipe the filters, vents and controls.
Implement an Ongoing Cleaning Routine
Once you’ve done a thorough deep cleaning, keep dust at bay with regular maintenance. Aim to tidy up problem areas at least once a week.
Dust Furniture, Baseboards and Shelves
Use a microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner to wipe horizontal surfaces like coffee tables, nightstands, dressers, desks and kitchen counters.
Dampen a cloth with essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus for an extra cleaning boost.
Feather dusters just move dust around, so stick to microfiber cloths or a vacuum with a brush attachment for baseboards, shelves, lamp bases, window sills and other challenging areas.
Disinfect High-Touch Areas
Germs and dust accumulate quickly on surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles and railings. Disinfect these high-traffic areas a few times per week.
Vacuum All Floor Types
Go over all flooring with a vacuum once or twice a week. Use a brush roll on carpets and rugs to lift dirt and a hard floor vacuum setting on vinyl, tile and wood.
Move furniture to vacuum underneath and don’t forget often-missed spots like under radiators, behind doors and on staircases.
Dust Ceiling Fans and Vents
Use a microfiber duster on sloped fan blades and crevice tools on vents to prevent dust buildup. Put ceiling fans on reverse setting to push air upwards and dislodge particles.
Change HVAC Filters
Dirty air system filters become clogged with dust and allergens and blow particles back into the home. Swap filters out every 1-3 months for optimal dust removal.
Upgrade Your Cleaning Tools
Having the right tools goes a long way in home dust removal. Upgrade older items that may be spreading dust around for newer, more effective options.
Microfiber Cloths
Traditional rags and paper towels simply move dust around. Microfiber cloths are ultra-fine and statically charged to attract and trap dust. The fibers also penetrate cracks and crevices that cotton can’t reach.
Look for microfiber branded as “ultrafine” for the best dust removal.
HEPA Vacuum
HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. This includes most dust and allergens. Canister vacuums with HEPA filtration are ideal for whole-home use.
Dusting Tools
Rubberized or microfiber dusters are better than feather dusters at trapping dust. Extendable wand dusters make reaching ceiling fans and high shelves easier.
Detail brushes help remove dust from window blinds, baseboards, vents and electronics.
Air Purifier
Air purifiers with true HEPA filtration actively remove airborne dust and particles. Place units in high-traffic areas and run continuously for cleaner indoor air.
Dust-Proof Your Home
While completely eliminating dust is nearly impossible, you can make your home less inviting to it. Use these pro tips to reduce dust accumulation long-term.
Seal Concrete Floors
Bare concrete acts like a magnet for dust. Seal floors with an acrylic or epoxy coating to create a dust-resistant barrier.
Install Floor Mats
Place doormats outside every exterior door and washable rugs inside entrances. The fibers trap dirt and debris from shoes to keep it from spreading indoors.
Close Doors and Windows
When pollen counts are high or it’s windy outside, keep windows and doors shut to prevent dust and allergens blowing in. Make sure window sills and door frames are properly sealed as well.
Remove Clutter
The more stuff you have, the more dust it collects. Donate, recycle and throw away unused items. Organize closets, pantries and storage areas to eliminate dust traps.
Choose Easy-to-Clean Fabrics
Leather, microfiber and performance fabrics don’t attract lint and pet hair like traditional upholstery. Washable slipcovers also make sofas and chairs easier to keep dust-free.
Switch to Hard Floors
Carpets inherently collect and hide dust. Replace wall-to-wall carpet with hard floors like hardwood, tile or luxury vinyl plank where possible. Area rugs are easier to regularly clean than carpeting.
Target Specific Rooms
Certain areas tend to get dustier faster than others. Use these room-by-room strategies to stay on top of dust in problem zones.
Living Room
- Dust books, media consoles, shelves and decor weekly.
- Fluff and rotate cushions to evenly distribute wear and dirt.
- Use a couch cover or slipcover for easy washing.
- Shampoo area rugs at least once a season.
Bedroom
- Encase mattresses and pillows in allergen covers.
- Wash sheets in hot water weekly.
- Run ceiling fans to circulate air and prevent dust settling.
- Use a damp cloth on windowsills, headboards and bed frames.
Kitchen
- Clean stove hood filters monthly.
- Wipe down exposed appliances like the microwave or toaster.
- Use washable dusters on top of cabinets and the fridge.
- Mop under cabinets, appliances and movable islands.
Bathroom
- Hang towels to dry in the tub or shower to contain lint and fibers.
- Seal grout lines with epoxy grout or caulk to prevent dirt buildup.
- Use an old toothbrush to detail faucet handles and tile crevices.
- Clean shower curtains and liners frequently.
Home Office
- Use microfiber or electrostatic dusters on electronics and desks.
- Position desks and file cabinets away from vents and windows.
- Minimize paper files and books, which attract dust.
- Vacuum chairs and floors at least weekly.
FAQ about Ridding Homes of Dust
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about eliminating dust in homes:
How often should you dust your house?
It’s best to dust problem areas like windowsills, baseboards, and ceiling fans at least once a week. High-traffic spots may need dusting every 2-3 days. Do a thorough dusting of your entire home every 1-2 months.
What is the fastest way to dust a room?
Use a microfiber mop with extendable handle to quickly dust floor to ceiling. Start at the top of the room and work down. A feather duster or Swiffer is also quicker than individually wiping all surfaces.
Does dusting actually remove dust?
It depends on the tool. Microfiber cloths and dusters attract and trap dust rather than move it around. Feather dusters and traditional rags will simply scatter dust to resettle later.
Should you dust before or after vacuuming?
It’s best to vacuum floors first, then dust higher surfaces. Vacuuming lifts dust so it will just resettle on surfaces if you dust first. Working top down contains the dust to the floor where you can vacuum it up.
What time of day is best for dusting?
Aim to dust in the morning so settled dust doesn’t get re-circulated through the house overnight. open windows while dusting to allow dust and allergens to vacate. Close them afterwards to prevent dust blowing back in.
What is the best way to dust blinds?
Use a microfiber duster or soft brush attachment on your vacuum. Tilt blinds to dust each slat then wipe down the cords and headrail. For fabric blinds, use the brush rather than wiping with a cloth to avoid snagging the material.
Conclusion
While completely eliminating dust year-round is nearly impossible, following these comprehensive cleaning, maintenance, and prevention tips will dramatically cut down on dust in your home. Focus on regular dusting of problem areas, decluttering, sealing floors and surfaces, upgrading tools and running air purifiers. With diligence and the right techniques, you can rid your entire home of irritating dust for good!