Dust Mites Got You Down? How to Get Rid of Dust in Your House

You might not be able to see it, but dust is everywhere. It collects on furniture, in corners, along baseboards, and in other nooks and crannies around your home.

If you’ve been suffering from sniffles or coughing and you don’t know why, you may be dealing with excess dust in your house. Here are some of the most common places dust can collect, plus how to effectively get rid of it.

Ceiling Fans

One of the most common places for dust to collect is on your ceiling fan. Every time you turn on the fan, the blades circulate dust and dirt around the room.

To clean your ceiling fan, start by turning off the power to the fan at your breaker box. Next, use a microfiber cloth or duster to remove any visible dust from the blades. This product makes it easy to clean ceiling fan blades in one wipe.

Once you have removed all of the visible dust, you can use a vacuum attachment to suck up any remaining dust particles. This attachment is compatible with most vaccums, but you’ll need to check the sizing to confirm it will fit yours before purchasing.

Blinds

Another place where dust likes to hide is on your blinds. Over time, dust can build up here and become difficult to remove, especially on horizontal blinds. One of the best ways to clean blinds is to vacuum them with the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Start at the top of the blinds and work your way down, making sure to get both sides of the blinds.

You can also use a pair of blind dusters, which are designed to make cleaning horizontal blinds easier and faster. Built to clean the top and bottom of two rows of blinds at a time, this tool will significantly cut down on your cleaning time when it comes to dusting around your windows.

If you have particularly dirty blinds that happen to be removable, you may want to take them down and wash them. You can hose them down outside or let them soak in a tub of warm water mixed with dish soap until the grime is loosened. Rinse them and let them dry completely before hanging them again.

Carpet and Floors

Dust also collects on carpets and floors. Your carpet experiences a lot of foot traffic and its thick fibers easily accumulate dust from family members and pets. One way to remove dust from your carpet is to vacuum regularly.

Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter, which cleans more efficiently than any type of filter. You should also steam-clean your carpets every year, or more frequently during allergy season, to remove even more particles. This vacuum cleaner is well-rated and has a HEPA filter system to trap dust, pet dander, and more.

Hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring can also accumulate dust, but these types of floors are easier to clean. Sweeping regularly will help control dirt and debris, although vacuuming is an even better option. A vacuum will pull up all the debris sitting on the floor without pushing it back into the air. After vacuuming, go over your hard floors with a mop to clean up any remaining dust.

If you find it hard to keep up with sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping, consider investing in a Roomba. This tiny vacuum rolls around your floors and sucks up dirt you didn’t even know was there. This one pairs with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for easy programming. You can schedule it to clean during certain times of the day or turn it on at will. It also features a ton of sensors to help it navigate corners, sweep tight spaces, and avoid falling down staircases.

Entryways

Dust has to enter the home from somewhere, and it often occurs at the entryway of your home on the bottom of shoes, feet, and paws. Stop a good portion of that debris from coming inside by getting a sturdy outside doormat.

Encourage family members to wipe their shoes thoroughly on the mat before entering. This doormat has thick bristles on the top to remove mud, dirt, grass, and other debris from the bottom of shoes. It’s waterproof and great for outside, and it’s easy to clean with a vacuum or hose.

Another simple step to fight against dirt from outside is to encourage a shoe-free household. Place a shoe tray in your entryway to remind family members and guests to remove their footwear before going any further.

This tray is wide enough to fit three or four pairs of shoes, and you can always buy more if you need the space. The rubber material is easy to clean and the cupped edges keep all the dirt inside, even with the muddiest of shoes.

Furniture

Furniture is another common place for dust to collect. Upholstered furniture tends to attract more dust than wood furniture, but both can use a good dusting from time to time.

Start by dusting the tops of hard surfaces and working your way down. Use a microfiber cloth or duster to avoid pushing the dust around. Don’t forget to clean under furniture, which can be easily done with a vacuum attachment or handheld vacuum.

If you have upholstered furniture, you’ll need to take extra care when cleaning it. Use a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner or purchase a handheld vacuum cleaner and go over the fabric in different directions to remove all the dirt, debris, and dust mites that may be hiding there. You can also spot-clean fabrics with a mild detergent.

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If you feel like your home is always dusty, you’re not alone. Figuring out where dust is most likely to collect is the first step in keeping an allergen-free home. From ceiling fans to couches, here’s where you’ll find the most dust in your house and how to get rid of it.