Dust is complicated. It seems to come from nowhere, yet sticks to everywhere. You sweep, vacuum, dust, tidy up — but nothing seems to keep it away long-term. Because dust is so relentless, you may feel like surrendering to dust bunnies is your only option. But, it’s not! You can rid your home of dust. How is that possible, and what can you do to reduce the number of dust particles floating around your home?
What is dust?
Dust is tiny particles of debris that suspend in the air and accumulate on various surfaces in your home. Contrary to popular belief, dust is not mainly caused by dead skin. In fact, there are multiple variants that play a role in the collection of dirt, dust, and debris.
8 Most Common Causes of Dust Inside Your Home
1. Pollen and Outdoor Contaminants
Pollen may be the most renowned allergen of them all. It enters your home by settling on your hair, clothes, and shoes. As you relax in your home, so does the pollen. Dirt also sneaks into your home this way and contributes to your dust problem. Most pollen can be caught by your AC filter, but you can reduce the problem by wiping your shoes with a damp cloth and practicing good hygiene — such as showering/bathing daily and washing your clothes at least weekly.
2. Pets
Pet dander is a common component of dust. It’s essentially tiny particles from anything with fur or feathers that shed. Pet dander stays suspended in the air for a long time and easily sticks to bedding and upholstery. It’s also easily spread from place to place — meaning even if you don’t have pets, someone who does can bring the allergen into your home. If your pet is unusually susceptible to dandruff, you should consider getting pet-friendly wet wipes to give your fur baby a quick cleaning after a trip outdoors.
3. Dust Mites
If your home has dust, it also has dust mites. Dust mites are tiny microscopic creatures that feast on the dust in your home. While just the thought of these tiny mites is enough to make you cringe, the health problems they create are far more sinister. Dust mite droppings trigger allergies, chest pain, wheezing, coughing, and even asthma attacks. The presence of dust mites can be minimized — if not eliminated — by keeping the surfaces of your home clean of dust.
4. Debris from Food
Tiny food particles are a natural dust component. If you’re not thoroughly cleaning up after meals, you’re not just putting your home at risk of a bug problem — you’re creating a dust problem. After eating, rinse your dishes of any food debris before putting them in the dishwasher or leaving them in the sink for future washing.
5. Insect Infestation
Here in Florida, most homeowners experience bug problems at some point — especially during the warmer months. While having bugs in your home is unsettling enough, insect fecal matter and body parts are commonly found in dust. While this fact can sound disgusting, you can minimize the occurrence by routinely cleaning your home — including vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping.
6. How Often You Clean
Cleaning isn’t the most fun way to spend time, but it’s a necessary evil. How often you clean is absolutely a contributing factor to the amount of dust you have in your home. In order to minimize indoor dust, set aside a couple of days a week for dusting and tidying up your home.
7. How Many People Live In Your Home
While skin is not a main component of dust, it’s still a contributing factor. Humans shed dead skin cells, so the more people you have living in your home, the more dead skin cells will accumulate and exacerbate the dust problem. To combat this issue, homes with more people in them may need to clean more often than homes that do not.
8. Dirty Air Ducts
Air ducts are like the circulatory system of your HVAC system. They transport the cooled or heating air from your system and supply the treated air throughout your home. Since air ducts are often hidden behind walls or above ceilings, it can be easy to forget about cleaning them. Dirty air ducts harbor dust and other allergens. Many homeowners neglect air duct maintenance and cleaning, which threaten indoor air quality. You should get your air ducts inspected and cleaned every three to five years.
What Places in Your Home are Most Prone to Dust?
Dust can get comfortable pretty much anywhere. That being said, some places in your home are more prone to dust than others. When dusting, make sure to pay special attention to your:
- Air filters
- Ceiling fans
- Walls
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Blinds
- Carpet and Baseboards
How To Improve Indoor Air Quality
While improving indoor air quality can be done through regular dusting and cleaning, maintaining your HVAC system also plays a big role. Consider the following HVAC maintenance tips to rid your home of dust:
- Change your air filters regularly
- Schedule an air duct cleaning
- Schedule preventive AC maintenance
- Install a UV light inside your HVAC unit
- Invest in an air purifier
AC Service in Brevard County
Are you worried about the air in your home? Call Colman Heating & Air Conditioning today! Our experienced technicians help you find the right solution to improve your home’s IAQ. Don’t let your family suffer from dust and dirty air.
Just give us a call to schedule your appointment today.
24-HR Emergency Service: (321) 269-4565
