Apartment Home Cleaning Tips: Dust

Dust is everywhere - literally everywhere - and cleaning it up can be an absolutely exhausting chore, as it truly never ends. To ease the burden of dusting the whole house, here are some helpful practices for preventing and maintaining this nasty nuisance. 

The Problem of Dust

Dust is, put simply, a collection of tiny particles of varying types. According to National Geographic, dust is characterized by particles both large enough to be visible, while still small enough to be picked up by the wind. What those tiny specks are, however, is vast and varied! This conglomeration can consist of bits of sand and dirt, pollen and ash, skin and hair cells, and even dust mites - miniscule critters that feed on skin cells and similar matter. What makes dust problematic, aside from being a potential eyesore in the home, is that it can trigger allergy symptoms for just about anyone with airborne allergen sensitivities! Dust and dust mite allergy symptoms can present as sneezing, coughing, congestion, itchy eyes, and more. It’s important to get rid of dust mites to protect the health and wellness of the household. 

Prevention Practices

Don’t Take it Inside

Much of the dust that we find around the home comes in with us from outside. Running errands, meeting up with friends, or taking a stroll in the neighborhood all add to the particles that settle on our shoes and clothing. That dust then gets tracked inside and scattered around the apartment. Furnishing your doorway with a few simple items can prepare you for outdoor ventures. Have a doormat in the entryway to wipe off dust, dirt, and anything else you may be tracking around before even stepping foot in the doorway. Now that the soles of your shoes are clean, step inside and remove them to be stored on an entryway shoe rack. Anything that your doormat doesn’t take care of then gets left in the front of the house! Lastly, a well-placed coat rack can house purses, backpacks, jackets, and other outerwear. The slightest breeze can also filter in debris from the outdoors. Keeping the doors and windows closed when possible can greatly reduce the amount of dirt that will need to be dealt with later. When windows do need to be opened for fresh air, ensure that the area surrounding them such as sills, screens, blinds, and curtains are cleaned regularly so that less dust is blown in. Find more information on how to keep window covers clean in the sections below!

Clean Air, Don’t Care!

Ventilation systems need to be regularly maintained so that when they are needed, clean, filtered air can flow freely through the apartment! If your home has an HVAC system, the air filter should be replaced at most every three months. While they do not necessarily “purify” the air, filters protect the mechanisms of the appliance by blocking harmful particles. This in turn keeps the air flow smooth and efficient. The better the air flow in your unit, the easier dust will be to manage. For this same reason, all fan blades should be kept clean and clear of dust. Ceiling, standing, and portable fans should be wiped down during weekly cleanings so as to keep dust from blasting through the room. The combination of an air purifier and humidifier can assist ventilation systems to function optimally. Specifically, HEPA air purifiers (high efficiency particulate air) pull pollen, dust, and allergens from the air and, with the right filter, can even absorb harmful toxins such as those caused by wildfires. Humidifiers serve a slightly different purpose in keeping the apartment clean. Controlled humidity levels in your home can reduce static electricity, dampening the dust in the air and making it heavier. When dust settles, it is far easier to maintain and, as it is not airborne, does not get breathed in as frequently. A humidity level of 40-50% is recommended to optimally control dust movement, especially during dry weather. 

Cleaning Methods

Taking the Right Steps

For all our valiant prevention efforts, dust is inevitable to an extent. Here are some pro-cleaning tips to thoroughly address the remaining debris. It may be surprising, but the order in which we clean our home matters in how effective our dust removal strategy is. Top-down cleaning methods can take your cleaning to the next level! Start by tackling ceiling fans and cobwebs in high corners of the room. From there, move down to shelves, countertops and tables. Finally, clear up all remaining particles that may have fallen to the floor. Prioritize vacuuming and mopping as these tools kick up much less dust than sweeping with a broom. While not entirely fool-proof, top-down cleaning helps to work with gravity rather than against it as the dust falls and settles to the ground. Additionally, performing regular quick cleans of the house can help keep dust and dirt at bay. Instead of allowing dust to build and pile up for days at a time, wiping down surfaces frequently prevents the bulk of build-up and makes weekly cleaning routines quicker and easier. 

Using the Right Tools

Proper supplies are key to making clean-up of the apartment effectively. To start, ditch the dusting tools entirely. Replace feather dusters with a damp microfiber cloth to more efficiently pick up dust. Feather dusters and dry rags often do not capture particles as well, meaning a good amount of dust may end up scattered back into the air or remain on the surface. Damp microfiber rags will hold dust easier, causing it to clump and cling to the fibers. It is important, however, to be mindful of which cleaning solutions are applied to each surface. For certain materials, a small amount of water may be enough to remove dirt and shine it up. For others, such as solid wood, cleaning with water can potentially damage the surface, warping and discoloring it. It may be beneficial to take some time to research which surfaces need specific cleaners to keep your furniture in great condition. Using a microfiber cloth can similarly aid the cleaning process. Microfiber cloths work by utilizing the technology of thousands of miniscule fibers that adhere to dust, gathering up the particles with one quick swipe. This technology allows for quicker clean up than with older tools such as feather dusters. 

While vacuums use airflow advantageously to pick up debris, they are often not without flaws. At times, strong air pressure from the vacuum can push dirt in the wrong direction or allow the miniscule flecks of dust, pollen and allergens back into the air instead of capturing them. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter can ensure that a higher volume of dirt and dust is absorbed and trapped in the vacuum. This is particularly helpful for household members who have harsh allergies to dust and dust mites. Remember that even the best vacuums should be regularly emptied and cleaned. Also, make sure to follow manufacturer instructions when emptying the debris from the vacuum. Just like with your HVAC system, cleaning out your vacuum cleaner and filter keeps it working in tip top shape and extends the life of the appliance. Additionally, a good quality robot vacuum can be a valuable tool for keeping the apartment tidy. Not only does a roomba vacuum run on its own whenever scheduled, but many of them are self-emptying making it extra easy to keep the appliance itself clean! 

Fabrics and Fibers

Fabrics and Fibers

Fabric and upholstery are notorious for absorbing dust particles. Dust and natural oils collect on bed sheets while we sleep, which can have an impact on our rest and physical health overtime. Bedding should be washed every week or two to maximize cleanliness and promote better sleep. Window cleaning is another important step in managing dust levels around the apartment. Vacuuming blinds, curtains, and shutters effectively reduces dust. Occasionally taking down curtains to be washed whenever possible aids in removing stubborn particles deep in the fibers. As mentioned previously, outside air drives in dirt and pollen that stick to the curtains and gradually make their way into the rest of the home. During weekly cleanings, it may also be helpful to quickly vacuum the sofa and other upholstered furniture which similarly absorb dust particles. Lastly, it is absolutely important to implement carpet and rug cleaning often. Unlike hard surfaces, dust is less visible in carpet, causing it to escape our regular attention. Vacuum carpet at least once or twice a week to keep the dust at bay!

Nooks and Crannies 

While cleaning large furniture pieces and wider surfaces, don’t neglect the smaller areas! Overlooked spots can hide and compile large amounts of dust over time. For example, knick-knacks and decorations can collect dust quickly. Make sure that small objects are tended to often and regularly decluttered. Some of these objects may not be easy to wipe down, so using a canned compressed air duster helps to clear out hard to reach dust and dirt. Small, upholstered items such as lampshades can be easily cleaned by using a lint remover. House plants, living and artificial, also tend to collect high amounts of dust. An often neglected step in plant care, cleaning plants’ leaves can both keep your house tidy and allow living plants to absorb sunlight better! Remember the baseboards as well. Even when cleaning, dust can get pushed into the outer edges of the room and collect if not addressed. Wipe down your baseboards with a dryer sheet to cut down static and prevent dust from clinging to the surface. 

In Summary 

Dust is a never-ending problem to solve. While it can present a nuisance to deal with, there are a variety of tools at our disposal to make cleaning and maintaining our living spaces more manageable. Try a few of the home cleaning tricks above to keep your apartment clear of dust and debris!