Dust is a drag. It’s unsightly and it can also trigger allergies and asthma attacks. But you can be a dust buster with a few timely tips that will help eliminate the mess and make your cleaning days easier:
- It’s Curtains for Those Drapes: If you live in a cold climate, heavy drapes can help keep your home warm. But those drapes are also notorious dust collectors. Replace them with shutters or blinds that do not retain dust and are easier to clean with a damp cloth.
- Check the Closet: While items in closets are often out of sight, they shouldn’t be out of mind. Use plastic shoe boxes, clothing bags, and other storage bins to make closet dusting easier. Get clutter off closet floors so vacuuming is a breeze.
- Shake It Out: Area rugs, pillows, and cushions should be shaken out on a regular basis. Dust can be removed from pillows by placing them in a drier on the air fluff setting. Heavy cushions should be vacuumed whenever you vacuum floors.
- Efficient Filtering: Speaking of vacuums, those equipped with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters permanently remove dust from the home. If you don’t have a HEPA filter vacuum, you can use your home’s central heating/cooling system to eliminate dust. Simply switch your thermostat to “fan on” for about 15 minutes. This kicks on the blower which eliminates dust through the furnace filter. Be sure to turn off the fan when done.
- Dust Effectively: Feather dusters and old cloths don’t remove dust, they just move it around. A cloth dampened with water, window cleaner, or furniture cleaner traps dust. Microfiber dusting pads are also a great way to permanently removing dust from the home.
- Roll Up the Rug: While there are many benefits of wall-to-wall carpeting, the rugs are dust collectors. If you really hate dust, consider ripping up the carpet and replacing it with area rugs. Dust bunnies can’t hide on hardwood floors.