Anne Taylor
No matter how much you clean, dust always seems to return. While it’s impossible to eliminate dust completely from your home, there are some things you can do to keep it under control. We’ve rounded up some of the best tips and products to keep your home spotless.
Dust buildup is, unfortunately, completely normal. It’s comprised of many different particles, including plant pollen, dead skin cells, clothing fibers, dirt, and more. Depending on where you live and how your household functions, it can easily pile up, and even cause respiratory issues. It doesn’t look great either.
Below are some suggestions to send that dust packing for good!
Table of Contents
A Heavy-Duty Doormat
One of the most common ways dust enters your home is on the bottom of your shoes. Whether you have a child with muddy boots or a teen who just got back from the mall, the soles of shoes pick up lots dirt and debris.
You can stop a good portion of that gunk from entering your home at all by investing in a solid outside doormat. Encourage your family members to wipe their shoes thoroughly on the mat before entering.
This rubber doormat from GRIP MASTER has thick bristles on top to remove mud, dirt, grass, and other debris from the bottom of shoes. It’s also waterproof and great for outside, but easy to clean with a vacuum or hose.
A Shoe Tray
Double up on your shoe-dust defenses with a shoe tray right inside your front door. The visual reminder will help family members and friends remember to take off their boots, sneakers, and flats as soon as they enter. This will also prevent dirt from being tracked around the house.
This shoe tray by Ottomanson is wide enough to hold two or three pairs of shoes, but it’s available in different sizes, or you can buy two if you need more space. The rubber material is easy to clean and the cupped edges keep all the dirt inside, even with the muddiest of shoes.
A Good Vacuum
Sweeping with a broom gets rid of large debris, but it actually stirs up a lot of dust. You can keep this under control by also mopping your hard floors frequently.
However, the easiest way to control dust on hardwood and tile floors is to forgo sweeping altogether and vacuum instead. A vacuum sucks up all the debris sitting on the floor without pushing it back into the air.
We like the Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hardwood Stick Vacuum because it’s designed for hard floors and can get into tight corners and under counters.
An Air Purifier
An air purifier is one of the best investments you can make to control dust in your home. This powerful machine filters and traps dust, pollen, pet dander, and more allergens that circulate through your air.
This Blue Pure model also captures viruses, bacteria, and mold, as well as controlling odors. The filters are machine washable and easy to change.
Speaking of air filters, don’t forget about them, even if you don’t have a purifier. Most heating and cooling systems filter the air they blow into your home. Changing them out every one to three months will ensure they aren’t just recycling dust and debris back into your home.
A Roomba
If you feel like you can’t keep up with all the dusting, mopping, and vacuuming, invest in a Roomba. This tiny vacuum rolls around your floors and sucks up dirt you didn’t even know was there.
This model even 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.
Mattress Covers
Mattresses collect dust and dust mites, dead skin cells, and more. Unfortunately, they’re also difficult or impossible to clean on, so protect yours with a removable cover. The Linenspa Terry Mattress Protector is machine washable and comes in sizes to fit any bed.
You can wash your mattress cover and sheets every one to two weeks to keep dust at a minimum. You might want to wash more often if your pets sleep with you.
A Good Pet Grooming Brush
Dogs and cats can distribute a ton of dust in the home after they go outside. Their thick coats trap everything from pollen to dirt, and their dead skin cells also contribute to your home’s overall dust content. (Gross, we know.) To cut down on what they bring inside, it’s a good idea to groom your pets (or have them professionally groomed) frequently.
If you decide to undertake the task yourself, definitely do it outside whenever possible to avoid sending fur flying into the air. This Grooming Brush by Pet Neat is designed to reduce shedding by up to 95% for both cats and dogs.
Tips and Tricks to Eliminate Clutter
The more stuff you have sitting around on shelves and tables, the more surfaces there are for dust to accumulate on. Cutting down on clutter in open rooms will help keep dust and debris contained to fewer locations and easier to clean.
Keep decorative items and other things that are difficult to clean in a glass case to keep the dirt away. Move any clutter to closets or covered areas for the same effect. If you need help organizing your house, The Home Edit by Clea Shearer is full of helpful advice on how to keep your home clutter-free.
An Upholstery Vac
Upholstery on pillows, chairs, and couches trap dust and send it back into the air every time you sit down. These parts of your home can be difficult to clean but definitely shouldn’t be ignored.
Use a vacuum designed for these materials and the job will be much easier. We like this Bissell Spot Clean Vac because it’s safe for couches, pillows, curtains, and other surfaces that a traditional vacuum cleaner can’t tackle.
