Tips for a Dust-Free Home

Miriam Stevens, Clean Air Advice
July 2006

You've cleaned your home from top to bottom, and there isn't a speck of dust anywhere in sight. Or is there? For those who are sensitive to dust, or otherwise prone to allergies or asthma attacks, the unseen dust floating in the air may be more important than the dust you can see on windowsills, bookshelves, and tabletops. It may even be dangerous to your health! Let's look at dust: what it is, where it comes from ,and what you can do to keep it at bay.

WHAT IS DUST?

Of course, "dust" is not a technical term. The actual makeup of household dust varies from home to home, but usually includes skin flakes and dead skin cells, human and animal hair, pet dander, particles of fiber from your clothes or furnishings, and, most important to the allergy or asthma sufferer, microscopic fecal material and remains of household Dust Mites.

Dust mites are everywhere, we just can't see them. Due to their tiny size, dust mites are invisible to the naked eye. In fact, it was the inventor of the microscope, Dutchman Anton van Leeuwenhoek, who discovered dust mites in common household dust in 1694. Now we know that they're common all over the world, and can grow almost anywhere in the home, most commonly in bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, carpet, and even your child's stuffed animals and other toys. This is because dust mites feed on human skin cells and human and animal hair is the dust in your home. Second only to pollen in causing allergic reactions, dust mites shed skin, fecal matter, and other remains which provoke allergic reactions ranging from mild itchy noses and eyes to severe asthma attacks.

HOW CAN I REDUCE HOUSEHOLD DUST?

You can eliminate dust from your home completely, if you remove every bit of furniture, carpet and upholstery, completely sanitize every surface, seal every crack and vent—oh, and never go back inside your home. Not very practical, is it? But you can reduce dust, dust mites, and the allergies and asthma attacks they can cause by following some basic advice. And if you or your children are especially sensitive to dust and dust mites, taking extra precautions can go a long way towards maintaining a healthy home.

Dusting isn't enough

Dust doesn't just rest on visible hard surfaces like tabletops, windowsills, and shelves: it embeds itself into fibers such as upholstery, windows treatments and carpet. Keeping surfaces dust-free is a good start, but don't forget to vacuum upholstered furniture and fabric window treatments regularly. Better yet, use washable curtains and window treatments, and wash them regularly to avoid dust buildup. Those who are extra-sensitive to dust might consider removing as much upholstered furniture and fabric draperies as possible, especially in the bedroom. Consider using plastic window shades instead—but not venetian blinds, which as we all know can trap dust on every slat.

Dust Free Decorating

Keep in mind that anything out in the open will collect dust, including knick-knacks, books, candles and centerpieces. Silk flower arrangements are particularly bad offenders. If your dust allergies are too much to bear, or if you or your child suffer asthma attacks, ask yourself if you really need these decorations. At the very least, consider curio cabinets or "lawyer's bookcases" with closing glass doors to display your books and curios. Keeping those shelves closed up will prevent a great deal of dust.

Clean Floors

Carpet of any kind is an enemy to your dust control efforts. Carpets and even area rugs not only trap dust from the air, but create it too, releasing fiber particles into the air. If you suffer from dust allergies or asthma triggers related to dust, remove as much carpeting as possible from your home. Even small rugs collect and create more dust than bare wood or tile floors.

At the very least, weekly vacuuming and frequent steam-cleaning will help control dust in your carpeted areas as much as possible. Even hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors need frequent cleaning and dusting. And don't forget to clean all those forgotten places: under furniture and beds, closet floors, and even behind appliances in the kitchen or laundry room. Any floor you're not cleaning regularly is a breeding ground for dust.

Everything (Including) the Kitchen Sink

Speaking of appliances, there are probably places you've never thought of collecting dust in your home right now. Don't just vacuum under the couch and beds; pull out the stove and refrigerator, too. Use the hose attachment on your vacuum to clean the appliances themselves, as dust can collect on vents, coils, and wires on the back of any home appliance. Even that cabinet under the kitchen sink, with its hoses and pipes, can make your allergies worse if it's a "safe haven" for dust. Also pay attention to electronics equipment around the home, such as TVs, personal computers, and stereo equipment, which can collect dust in air vents and cooling fans.

Controlling Dust Mites

A great deal of the allergic reactions attributed to dust are actually caused by these nasty critters. Because dust mites feed on dead skin and hair cells—naturally shed by your body—they can thrive anywhere human beings live, so it may be impossible to ever completely eradicate dust mites. It is possible to minimize their growth, however, and protect yourself from allergic reactions and asthma attacks, by following these guidelines:

1. Protect Your Bed. Encase box springs, mattresses, and pillows in zippered dust-proof or "allergen-proof" covers. If the thought of crinkly plastic covers on your bed makes your skin crawl, keep in mind that the hypoallergenic bed covers available these days are made from supple, "breathable" material which you'll hardly notice.

Perhaps to a lesser extent, clothes and closets can breed dust mites as well. To manage this problem, keep clothes in drawers or closets, and keep them closed. If your dust sensitivity is severe, consider keeping your clothes and shoes in dust-proof plastic bags—or even moving them to another room entirely. It may make a big difference.

2. Put Dust Mites in Hot Water. Wash any bedsheets and covers in hot water—at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature is critical, as anything below 130° will not kill dust mites. Note that if you've turned down the thermostat on your hot water heater—commonly done by many of us with children to prevent scalding—your water may not be hot enough! Check to make sure, and use a laundromat with extra hot water if you must. The water temperature really is that critical.

Those who are sensitive to dust should take care to use only washable materials on the bed, so everything can be washed frequently. Avoid fuzzy wool blankets or feather pillows and comforters which are havens for dust mites, and use synthetics such as Dacron instead. Also keep in mind that the same applies to curtains and furniture slipcovers as well, especially in bedrooms.

3. Keep it Dry. Dust mites also need humidity to grow and thrive. A dehumidifier in the bedroom may help to keep conditions difficult for these pests. A word of warning, though: keeping the humidity level too low may irritate nasal passages and throats, actually worsening symptoms. For those with respiratory problems or asthma, check with your doctor to be sure.

4. Don't Invite Dust Mites to Play. Take special care with children's stuffed toys, which can also be a breeding ground for dust mites. If your child suffers from dust allergies or asthma, avoid any sort of fluffy, furry stuffed toys if you can. At the very least, use washable toys, and launder them in 130$deg; hot water often. Even then, it's best to store any toys which can collect dust outside of your child's bedroom, to lessen exposure.

5. Man's Best Friend. If you or your child is allergic to dust mites, it's likely you're sensitive to pet dander, too—or you might develop a pet allergy with repeated exposure. To be on the safe side, limit exposure by keeping your furry (or feathered) friends out of the bedroom.

While some of these measures may seem a bit extreme, if dust is a serious problem for you, you simply can't do too much to protect your health and wellness. Even if you're not super-sensitive to dust or other household allergens, following a few of these tips and installing a home air purifier may keep you from developing dust allergies in teh long run.

CLEAN THE AIR

Besides managing the sources of dust and dust mites in your home, you can go the "extra step" and clean the air. Install Allergen-reducer filters in your home's A/C system, and change them regularly—this will make a huge difference in keeping the air in your home dust-free and healthy. Also, consider using a HEPA Filter or Electrostatic air cleaner in rooms you frequent most—especially the bedroom. When your allergy and asthma symptoms are under control, you'll be glad you did.

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