Even though we regularly clean our homes, dust is a common issue that we face every day. Aside from being unsightly, too much dust can lead to allergic reactions, asthmatic attacks, and other health problems.
A dust buildup in your home is frequently brought on by poor airflow. Dust contains lead particles, fungus spores, dead skin cells, chemical traces, and traces of other substances.
Learn more about the causes of dust accumulation in your home and what you can do to lessen the unpleasant film it leaves behind by reading on.
What Are Common Sources of Dust?
If you’re wondering, “Why is my house so dusty?” Even after routine cleaning, dust inevitably recurs, and you are not alone. Some of the common causes include:
High Humidity
The amount of allergens in the air indoors is influenced by humidity. The ideal conditions for the growth of mold and dust mite colonies are provided by high humidity levels. In addition, dust particles are more difficult to remove because of how strongly high humidity causes dust particles to stick together.
Use dehumidifiers or air conditioners to reduce moisture to ideal humidity levels, between 40% and 60%, in order to keep levels under control. Additionally, indoor pollen can be avoided by using air conditioners rather than opening windows.
Vacuum Cleaning
Vacuuming is typically thought of as the simplest method for removing dust. However, some vacuum cleaners release excess dust and contaminants into the air, making your home feel dustier after you’ve cleaned. The best way to eliminate this problem is to invest in vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems or try wet vacuums, which trap dust in a water container that prevents it from going airborne.
External Factors
More dust is likely to be present in your home than in a home not near a factory, mine, or a busy street. Dust can enter a room through open windows and doors. Sealing windows, doors, and any other cracks and crevices that could serve as dust entryways is the best solution. Dust also hides in cloth and clutter. It can be very beneficial to regularly wash carpets, fabrics, stuffed animals, garages, and attics.
Ways to Reduce Dust and Improve Air Quality
On the surface, dust might seem harmless. Nevertheless, in addition to dirt itself, dust also contains other harmful microscopic components like mold spores, pollen, fibers, pet dander, hair, human skin flakes, bacteria, viruses, food particles, dust mite waste, and more. There are several ways to lessen dust buildup in your home. In addition to thorough cleaning, the list of easy and affordable methods below is not exhaustive.
Change the Way You Dust
Using a dry cloth will probably just spread the dust. Use a damp microfiber cloth as much as possible. Dust particles will be removed from the air by the microfiber.
Choose a wet or damp cloth that you can wash after you’re done if you don’t have access to microfiber. Dust will be more easily contained by moisture. Always work your way down. This prevents adding dust from the top of the room to the places you’ve already dusted.
Dust particles can adhere to vertical surfaces as well, so be sure to wipe the fan blades. Wipe down your walls once a month to remove dust build-up. Baseboards should be cleaned, and ceilings can occasionally be cleaned with attachments.
Vacuum Regularly
Indoor air quality can be greatly enhanced by weekly vacuuming of your carpet, furniture, and curtains. This is especially the case if you have pets. Sadly, pet dander can be produced in large amounts by even short-haired animals. Pet hair thus significantly lowers indoor air quality and is a major cause of it.
The only option if you dislike vacuuming is to completely remove the carpet from your house. To avoid having fabric collect dust, you should always opt for leather or wooden furniture.
Use a Higher MERV Rating Filter in Your HVAC
More particles can be prevented from entering your home’s air by a filter with a higher MERV rating. Choose a MERV 11 or MERV 13 if any members of your family suffer from allergies, asthma, or other medical issues. These are the options with the best reviews that are suggested for residential use. They can lessen the harm that problems with dust have on your health.
Make it a point to inspect your air filters every month. Your filters will last between replacements for longer if they are thicker. Replace the filter if it cannot be seen because of how dusty it is. To eliminate odors, buy charcoal filters.
Seal Doors and Windows
Ensure that the weatherstripping around your home’s doors and windows is intact. Replace anything worn, cracked, or otherwise broken. Your energy efficiency will increase, and it will aid in keeping the dust from the outside from entering.
Don’t Wear Shoes Inside Your House
When everyone arrives at the door, ask them to take off their shoes. Our shoes are a major source of the grit and dust that enters our home.
Invest in a shoe rack that you can keep by the door so you can quickly grab your shoes as you leave and put them away as you enter.
Keep Your Bed Clean
Many skin cells and hair follicles are lost while we sleep, which mites love to eat. To avoid accumulation, wash your sheets and pillowcases once a week. Other bedding can be washed monthly. Vacuum your mattress regularly.
Keep Your Bathroom Clean and Dry
Mold and mildew don’t just make for breathing issues. They can make your house dusty, too. To dry everything as quickly as possible, run your exhaust fan both during and after your shower. Mold and mildew thrive on wet surfaces. Additionally, it makes it simpler for dust to adhere to surfaces.
Run An Air Purifier
Installing air purifiers in several rooms may be the answer if you experience a problem with dust floating or if your home is still dusty after making these changes. However, even with a good house cleaning, you may find that you’re still dealing with itchy eyes and other allergy symptoms.
Air purifiers work with filters to draw out more contaminants from your indoor air. By utilizing them with your HVAC system, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard. Check this air filter as well if you use one.
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites?
The struggle doesn’t end with getting rid of dust if you have allergies or asthma, or if someone in your household does. Despite being microscopic, dust mites can be a serious allergen to those who are sensitive to them, resulting in a variety of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, difficulty breathing, and more.
Unfortunately, it’s pretty much impossible to eliminate dust mites for good, but there are steps you can take to significantly improve the problem. Along with using bedding that is allergy-proof and minimizing dust accumulation, as discussed above, regularly washing your bedding on a hot cycle (at least 130 F) can kill dust mites as they emerge and get rid of the dead skin flakes that the mites eat.
All of this may seem intimidating and even disgusting, but once you’ve established a regular cleaning schedule, it can significantly impact how dusty your home becomes and how comfortable you feel in it.
Conclusion
Carpets and bedding collect dust; you could also bring them in from outside. Dust may include pollen, lead, fungal spores, trace chemicals, dead skin cells, and chemicals.
People with dust allergies may experience serious health consequences from household dust. Avoiding dust accumulation on surfaces, in bedding, and in the air is crucial for the health of your home.
FAQs
Why is My House So Dusty No Matter How Much I Clean?
A vacuum effect caused by cracks or openings in your home’s ductwork can draw dust from the outside and even your attic into the system. In turn, your entire home is filled with this dust. Even if you make a lot of effort to keep your home clean, there will always be some level of dust in your home.
Do Air Purifiers Get Rid of Dust?
Yes, the majority of air purifiers on the market today are made to filter out substantial amounts of airborne dust. There are many that use mechanical filtration, a technique for capturing pollutants on filters.
Why is My House So Dusty Even After Cleaning?
Poor airflow is frequently to blame for the accumulation of dust in your home. Poor airflow and infrequent cleaning can allow dust and dust mites to cozy up in a number of places throughout your house.