Unless you are completely, 100% OCD, there is likely a forgotten corner of your home—up near the crown molding—that is inhabited by a lovable dust bunny. Thinking of these little piles of microscopic dirt and grime as dust bunnies is definitely much more comforting than worrying that they might actually be spider webs. And, hopefully, at this very moment, there’s a small film of dust occupying your television and/or media center. Dusting the house is one of those better-forgotten household chores that seem never-ending. Just as soon as you have “swiffered,” polished, or wiped down the dust—vacuuming it away to its swirly doom—the dust comes back.
During some seasons of the year, dusting the house becomes a chore that needs to be tended to daily. If you live in certain parts of the world where yellow pine pollen seeps into your home through every nook and cranny of the walls and windows, you can dust in the morning and find a thin yellow film of dust (or pollen) by the afternoon.
One good thing about dusting the house is that, when done properly, it isn’t terribly time-consuming. Most of the dust lying around your home, according to experts, is a combination of dead skin cells (gross), dead insects (and their remains), mites, pollen from outdoors, microscopic fibers from the walls, ceiling, and carpets, dirt brought in on clothing, and lint. Allergists believe that an excess amount of dust in the home can actually make you or your family members sick and, over time, weaken the immune system when inhaled into the lungs. So, if you or a family member are often sick with colds and sinus irritations, it may be due to the dust in your home.
Older homes tend to be dustier than newer ones. If you live near trains or airports—areas with a lot of ground vibration—you will likely need to dust more often as these factors tend to knock more dust around. Additionally, if you love leaving your windows open (even with screens), chances are more pollen and outdoor dust will inhabit your home.
Luckily, there are some practical methods for dusting that can make the daunting task go more quickly and perhaps last longer than 5.6 hours.
Effective Dusting Tips
First of all, the equipment you use is critical. While a wet or damp cloth may be good enough to remove immediate dust, it does nothing to prevent it from coming back on a daily basis. Plus, the water can smear the dust and leave unattractive lines and marks on surfaces like mirrors, media equipment, and furniture.
The best types of rags to use for dusting are microfiber or terry cloths. They should be slightly damp. Feather dusters are also great, especially if you have a lot of tedious areas to dust. Many people use dusting sprays, furniture polishes, and disinfectants for cleaning. One of the best things about dusting sprays is that many of them actually repel dust. Whatever you do, opt for a name-brand dusting spray to avoid streaking surfaces in your home.
Just as important as the tools you use is the method in which you dust. Cleaning experts recommend tidying up a room before you begin dusting. Start from the top of the room and work your way down. This means dusting ceiling fans, crown moldings, and ceilings, as well as higher shelves. Light fixtures are always the toughest to clean and should probably be tackled first. If you cannot reach an area, use a feather duster. When dusting, make sure to turn off ceiling fans so dust particles don’t fly around the room.
The worst thing you can do is try to dust around things in your home. This leaves plenty of dust behind and will make it look like you haven’t dusted at all. Lift items up and dust underneath them for the best results. While the knick-knacks are removed, you can then use your sprays or polish to get the areas ultra-clean. Once everything is dusted, use your vacuum to clean throw rugs, carpets, and furniture. Make sure to keep your vacuum clean, or you could end up just spreading more dust around the home. After vacuuming, simply mop the floors with a disinfectant that is safe for your floor type and move on. One word to the wise: empty vacuum cleaner bags or cylinders outdoors because they contain microscopic dust particles that will scatter around your home.
Dusting should be done at least once a week. Additionally, to minimize dust in your home, vacuum or shake out your draperies and wash them every few weeks. Blinds and shades should also be wiped down, as they tend to harbor dust particles that will eventually fly around your home, breeding new dust bunny colonies.
Another important tip for keeping dust down in the home is to replace air filters on your heating and cooling devices and use filters on any vents in the home. Keeping these air filters clean can go a long way in ensuring that you have less dust to worry about, since the majority of household dust circulates through home ventilation.
