How to Get Rid of Household Dust

Face it: Dust is everywhere. Coming from tiny dead insect parts and excrement, animal dander, dirt, pollen, mold and human skin flakes, it can seem like an impossible task to get rid of it. Dusting the wrong way only kicks it up into the air we breathe, and we only find it settled again the next day on our furniture. When it comes to getting rid of household dust, we have to take an offensive approach.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum Rags Air conditioner filters Paper for liners Plastic bags Plastic containers

Instructions

1. Put away the feather dusters, and limit the sweeping. All they serve to do is make dust airborne. You don't want it airborne, you want it gone.

2. Vacuum at least once or twice each week. Rather than just stirring dust, vacuums suck it up. Vacuum carpeting, rugs, hardwood floor, upholstery, throw pillows and draperies to keep dust collection to a minimum. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter. Change filters or vacuum bags outside if possible, or carefully place them into a plastic bag (the less jostling the better) and seal the bag immediately, then dispose. If you have a canister vacuum, empty it outdoors into the trash-- never indoors.

3. Wipe all surfaces and dust-collecting items with a mildly damp cloth at least once or twice weekly. Dust will stick to a damp cloth. Don't just dust the usual furniture surfaces that are visible-- run your rag over the tops of cabinets, blinds, appliances, the back of your electronics, windowsills, door frames, vents and gratings, picture frames, light fixtures and ceiling fan blades. This may sound like a lot, but it only takes a long time if the dust has piled up. If you make a point to keep up with them, all it takes is a quick once-over with a rag.

4. Reduce the difficulty of cleaning the tops of tall furniture pieces, such as armoires, by lining the tops with a paper lining. This can be any kind of inexpensive paper you have available to you. Just roll the dust particles carefully up into the paper and dispose of it quickly in a plastic bag, then put a new paper in place.

5. Dust your plants. Plants are often forgotten, but they attract a great deal of dust. Use those old feather dusters on them to get all their nooks and crannies without hurting them. Bring them outside if possible, so you don't shake the dust up inside the house. If you can't bring them outdoors, wipe them with a clean, damp cloth.

6. Use a good air conditioner filter with highest minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating that your unit will allow. Change the filters regularly. Whenever possible, opt for open windows and fresh air rather than air conditioning. Fresh air promotes better ventilation, which reduces the build-up of dust.

7. Keep any stored fabrics, such as extra linens, blankets, and seasonal clothing, packed away in plastic bags or containers to avoid them gathering dust. The more dust these things collect, the more that will get into the air when you take them out to use them.