How to Eliminate Dust in Your Home
Dust annoys everyone, but for those with dust allergies, the mites and particles present in common household grime can lead to respiratory distress and other serious symptoms. Eliminating dust in your home isn't particularly difficult, but it takes a serious devotion to cleanliness and a housekeeping strategy that addresses both the dust itself and its causes. If you have a serious dust problem, you may need to take more drastic steps, such as removing your carpet or replacing your furniture. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Vacuum your carpets daily with an air-filtering vacuum. Clean or change the air filter in your vacuum regularly for peak performance. If possible, replace carpets in your home with hard floors to prevent dust from settling into the fibers.
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Dust from the highest surfaces in your room to the lowest. Start with high shelves and work your way down to the floors to prevent recontaminating already cleaned areas with more dust. Use a damp cloth to remove surface dust instead of spreading the dust around with cloth, fiber or feather dusters.
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Wash your bedding once per week at the highest temperature the fabric can tolerate. Encase your pillows and mattresses in dust-proof covers. Place your blankets in dust-proof covers to keep allergens trapped in your mattress and sleeping fabrics at bay.
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Replace lush, upholstered furniture with leather, wood and metal products. Cover any furniture you cannot replace with simple dust covers or plastic covers.
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Hire an experienced HVAC technician to evaluate your heating and cooling system. Have your duct work cleaned out, then install highly rated dust filters, such as electrostatic or HEPA filters, in every heater or air conditioner that services your home.
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Designate a place in your garage or on your porch to remove dirty shoes and clothes to prevent tracking more dust and dirt into the home.
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Tips & Warnings
Regularly use a dehumidifier in your home, because dust mites thrive in moist conditions, such as those in a humid home.
References
Resources
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