People and fabrics create 90% of the dust in your home. Dust triggers allergies. Why? Because dust mites are living in the dust of your pillows, bed covers, mattresses, upholstered furniture, drapery, carpeting and even clothing, (500 dust mites can live in just 1/2 teaspoonful of dust). YUCK!
You can’t eliminate all dust, but here’s 6 ways to reduce dust and reduce allergy symptoms in your home. Who’s ready to start cleaning??
1. Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture once a week. Use a vacuum with a powerful agitator on carpet. Turn the agitator off when vacuuming wood, tile or vinyl flooring because it blows dust into the air. Take upholstered cushions outside and beat them with an old tennis racket. This will remove dust better than vacuuming. Drapery can also be vacuumed with the proper attachment.
2. Switch your thermostat to “fan on” when you vacuum, if your forced-air heating/cooling system is equipped with a good filter. This will filter the air even while the system isn’t heating or cooling. Leave the blower on for about 15 minutes after you’re done cleaning to filter out the dust the vacuum agitator whipped up while vacuuming. Don’t forget to switch back to “auto.”
3. Keep your closet clean and the floors clear so you can vacuum easily & regularly. Closets are full of tiny fibers from clothes that get whipped up every time you open the door or walk through. Use garment boxes, bags, and clear plastic containers to store items on shelves to lock fibers in and dust out. Dust the top of them and the shelves during your weekly cleanings.
4. Wash your sheets and blankets weekly; your comforters often. You shed skin and the bedding sheds its own fibers every time you roll over. Launder in the hottest water tolerable according to the care label. Dry clean only items can be shaken out outside in between professional cleanings. If your comforters are filled with feathers or down or if you have wool blankets and comforters have them professionally cleaned often.
5. Professionally clean area rugs and drapery once or twice a year, shake them out regularly and opt for hardwood or tile on your floors. Dust, allergens and insects cling to your drapery located so close to the outdoors and carpet is the biggest dust reservoir & absorbs dust like a giant sponge. Hardwood, tile, or linoleum flooring is easiest to keep clean. Shag carpeting is the worst type of carpeting for a person allergic to dust mites.
6. Keep furnace filters clean. While your furnace keeps warm, it can also carry dust and mold spores throughout your house. Clean the furnace filter every 3-6 months.
Have we missed something on our list to help reduce dust and allergies in your home? If so, please share your tips with us!
If cleaning your entire home sounds overwhelming, we can help. See our list of household items we will expertly clean for you so you have more time to enjoy the season.
– S.O.
