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Practical Ways to Control Dust in the Home

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

The number one irritant in the home is dust. Dust is made up of various particles dispersed in the air. At home, dust may contain other irritants, including pollen, dead skin cells, and animal hair. Controlling dust may be frustrating no matter how often you clean a space. And if you cannot eliminate dust completely from your household, we’ve listed out simple ways to ease dust in your home and maximize your dust control system:

How to Control Dust

Clean the Carpets Regularly

Did you know that the most common source of dust in the home is the carpet? Dirty, thick carpets, and rugs are a dust magnet. If you do not clean your carpets regularly, then you can expect a thick accumulation of dust in the home! If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, better remove it and replace it with smaller rugs instead. Rugs are much easier to clean than wall-to-wall carpeting. But if you do not want to remove wall-to-wall carpeting, then you want to increase the frequency of cleaning the carpet. Vacuum regularly and treat the carpet with tannic acid for best results.

Clean/Replace the Furnace Filters

The air filters in the furnace make a great job out of controlling dust in the home. But over time, you have to replace and clean the filters so they can continue purifying the air. You want to use high-quality filters. They might be more expensive, but they will last longer than cheap filters. High-efficiency filters require faster changing because they are able to catch more particles in the air. Always use filters with higher MERV rating for best results.

Use Damp Cloth

When it comes to removing dust manually, never use a dry cloth or a feather duster. Instead, use a damp cloth. A dry rag will only disturb the dust, not really removing them. A damp cloth will act as a magnet for the dust to cling on as you clean. Start cleaning high and then work your way down. Try not to use a broom or a mop to clean dust. These tools will only move and release the particles back into the air.

Invest in Air Cleaners

Air cleaners work great as an air purifier. They remove a wide range of particles in the air including dust, dander, pollen, and mold. Air cleaners can also remove smoke and eliminate cooking odors. Although pricey, you can invest on air cleaners to control dust in the home.

HVAC Solutions to Control Dust

Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks allow outside debris to come into your home and accumulate into your living spaces. Always check for leaks and make necessary repairs to re-seal your home.

Use the Furnace Fan

After cleaning, try turning on the furnace fan. The fan pushes the dust away from the home and releases it outside. If you are dealing with severe dust problem, turn on the furnace fan and leave it on for a while after cleaning. This will allow the filtration system to eliminate excess dust from the air.


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