- Regular cleaning is the key to reducing dust in your apartment
- Keeping windows and doors closed
- Groom pets outside or in the bathroom
It seems no matter how much you clean your apartment, dust is always around. For some, this is a mild inconvenience, but for others, it could be a trigger for allergies. Either way, keeping your apartment dust-free is an ongoing task that requires regular attention. Thankfully, there are several ways to reduce dust in your apartment so it doesn't fill your air or consume all your time.
1. Skip the shoes inside
Every time you go out and return to your apartment, you bring home dust. The first thing that Steven Graham with The Mission Maids recommends doing is removing your shoes indoors. By removing your shoes upon entering, you can reduce how much of that dust you bring inside with you. It might take a while for you to get used to removing your shoes at the door — and having your visitors do the same — but it will go a long way in lowering the dust level in your apartment.
2. Use doormats
If you're a diehard “shoes on" person, place a doormat outside your door and wipe your shoes off before entering your apartment. This will help remove dirt and dust from the soles of your shoes, reducing how much dust you bring inside with you. Doormats with a bristle top work best.
3. Clean tile and hardwood floors often
While sweeping your tile and hardwood floors often can help remove some dust, mopping your floors will help pick up more dust rather than stirring it up in the air. Mopping at least once a week is a good start, but the more you keep the floors clean, the less dust you'll have in your apartment.
4. Keep rugs clean
If you have carpet, vacuum your rugs using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a HEPA — high-efficiency particulate air — filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. Be sure to set the vacuum on the correct setting for the rug type — such as short-pile (medium setting) or plush (high setting) — for the most effective cleaning.
For area rugs, take cleaning one step further by taking them outside and beating them with a rug beater. This tried-and-true technique removes much more dust than vacuuming alone.
5. Don't forget bath mats
Bath mats often get overlooked during cleaning, but you should toss these in the washing machine once a week to remove dust and dirt. Check the cleaning instructions on the mats for exact instructions and to see if you can throw them in the dryer.
6. Close your windows
Who doesn't love a nice breeze through the window when the weather is nice outside? Unfortunately, an open window is a perfect portal for the dust to enter your apartment. Therefore, The Mission Maids share how it's important to keep your windows closed to reduce the dust in your apartment.
7. Remember to clean your window treatments
If you have furry friends at home, it's important to groom them not only for their own health, but also to keep dust to a minimum in your apartment. When cleaning your pets, choose a spot where cleanup will be easy and you won't leave dust behind. For instance, a patio or balcony is a good choice, because you can reduce how much dust travels inside your apartment. A bathroom or kitchen also is a good choice, because it's easier to clean up dust than if you were in a room with carpet.
8. Keep your pets groomed
If you have furry friends at home, it's important to groom them not only for their own health, but also to keep dust to a minimum in your apartment. When cleaning your pets, choose a spot where cleanup will be easy and you won't leave dust behind. For instance, a patio or balcony is a good choice, because you can reduce how much dust travels inside your apartment. A bathroom or kitchen also is a good choice, because it's easier to clean up dust than if you were in a room with carpet.
9. Vacuum your couches and chairs
Upholstered couches and chairs collect dust that moves down into the cushions, making it harder to remove. Vacuum your couches and chairs thoroughly by lifting and moving cushions to reach every nook and cranny. If you have removable, washable cushion covers, wash those frequently, as well.
10. Toss the textiles in the wash
Throw pillows and cozy lap blankets are perfect accessories when snuggled down on the couch to binge-watch your favorite shows. However, they're also perfect repositories for dust, so it's important to wash them frequently to keep them clean.
11. Change your bedding weekly
Your bedding is another spot that routinely collects dust in large quantities. Changing your sheets weekly can help keep dust to a minimum. Don't forget to throw mattress pads, bedspreads, comforters and pillows in the washer, as well.
12. Remove the clutter
We all have those favorite trinkets and collectibles we can't bear to part with, but these items attract dust easily and are difficult to keep clean. Raven Burrell with Milwaukee-based cleaning company, Divine Touch Clean, recommends removing items that can be attributed to clutter.
13. Use a microfiber or wet cloth when dusting
Many dusters leave a lot of dust behind when cleaning, so it's important to use a microfiber or wet cloth that will pick up and trap the dust in its fibers. Wash these in between use to dispose of dust.
Kassandra with Marvel Home Services shares how “dusting air vents, ceiling fans, and other dust magnets once a week helps more than you think.” She also cautions against using a feather duster as these can push the dust around instead of capturing everything like you would with a microfiber padded duster.
14. Don't overlook your houseplants
You may not notice it, but your houseplants collect dust just as the other items in your home do. Therefore, using a wet or microfiber cloth, you should wipe down your greenery often to keep dust at bay. This includes both artificial and live plants.
15. Purify your air
Cleaning the air is a great way to reduce dust in your apartment, as well as eliminate particles that could trigger your allergies. Raven Burnell shares how placing an air purifier in your apartment can “trap dust particles” in the air and help prevent dust build-up on your floors, furnishings and trinkets. For maximum dust removal, make sure the air purifier has a HEPA filter.
The bottom line
While you'll never be able to eliminate all the dust in your apartment, regular cleaning of the flooring, furnishings, window treatments, and even your pets will go a long way in helping reduce the dust in your apartment.