Nobody likes having dust in their house, and yet, we always seem to end up with it, no matter how often we clean. Dust does more than just sit around on our shelves and countertops; it can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Even if you’re not allergic to dust specifically, you may be allergic to some of what makes up dust, such as pet dander and clothing fibers.
What is it that causes all of this dust to appear in the first place, though, and what does it take to be truly free of it?
What Is Dust?
Dust isn’t just one specific thing. It’s made up of a lot of small particles and components, combined into a single mass. You can find all sorts of things in dust, from animal fur and insect droppings to bacteria, mold, and pollen. A big part of why dust is so prevalent in our houses is because it will keep re-forming itself naturally. You may clean up every week and you may be ventilating your home properly, but dust will eventually come back just by virtue of the fact that much of it comes from particles we can’t immediately notice and get rid of.
However, there are a few more reasons why your house might be particularly dusty. If you notice dust building up quickly, or that it’s always in a few select areas, there are some questions you should start asking and some places to which you should start paying closer attention.
Your HVAC Filter
An HVAC unit is meant to heat or cool your home by bringing fresh air in, and bad air out. However, if the unit has an old, dirty, or cheap filter, then it’s probably not giving you fresh air at all. This will lead to a dust buildup inside and outside of your unit. So, your home might actually be getting dustier the more you use your HVAC unit, whether it’s bringing in outside dust or just making the air dirty when it passes through the filter.
Your Upholstery, Carpeting, Clothing, and Curtains
Anything made of fabric and fiber is a big source of dust in homes. From your couch to your sweater to the very carpet you’re walking on, the fibers can fall out and accumulate into dust. Carpeting can also collect hair, crumbs, dirt, food spills, and more, which can also contribute to a buildup of dust as everything deteriorates or gets pushed around. Meanwhile, your upholstery can attract dust mites, which will only end up leading to even more dust. It’s not possible to entirely get rid of these things, but replacing curtains with shutters or blinds could help, as can covering your upholstery in allergy encasings.
Too High or Too Low Humidity
If you live in a humid climate, or if your house simply happens to trap a lot of humidity, then you’re more likely to see dust. This is because dust mites thrive in humid environments where they can get water from the air around them, and because mold can grow more easily in wetter, warmer environments.
However, low humidity isn’t the solution, either. Dry environments can also be a source of dust and other health concerns, due to the fact that there’s not enough moisture for you to avoid the growth of allergens and bacteria.
Your humidity levels should be around 40-60%. That’s essentially the “Goldilocks” zone of humidity, where everything is “just right,” and your breathing conditions are at their best.
Your Pets
Your pets are a big cause of dust. From shedding their fur to tracking in dirt from outside, to carrying their own bacteria around with them, your pets may be the reason why your home is so dusty.
Now, if you’re a proud pet owner, then you’re probably willing to put up with a little extra dust just to have them around. However, you should still take the time to bathe them regularly or send them to the groomers a little more often and try to keep them out of areas where dust already tends to accumulate.
Not Cleaning Enough
If your house tends to be super dusty, it may be because you’re not cleaning in the areas you should be or because your current cleaning methods just aren’t cutting it. For example, did you know that your vacuum cleaner may actually be releasing dust and dirt into the air? You can make your life easier by hiring Trustworthy Cleaning services to perform recurring home cleaning services that will keep your living space dust-free.
When you need a little extra help to get the house cleaned up, that’s where we come in. Trustworthy Cleaning Services offers professional and reliable cleaning services that can make your house dust free. If you’d like to learn more about our services, or if you’d like to get a free quote, contact us today.
