Does it seem like some surfaces in your home get dusty almost as soon as you clear away the dust? You’re not imagining things. Some areas of the home are true dust magnets, attracting tiny specks of debris that accumulate surprisingly fast. The problem with dust goes beyond making your home look filthy.
Dust is a prime cause of indoor allergies. It also decreases the life of electrical devices, including TVs, appliances, computers, and more. Let’s take a look at how to clean the top 3 dust collectors in your home.
Why Dust Keeps Coming Back Even After Cleaning
Dust seems to come back so quickly after cleaning for two reasons. First, you might not be cleaning your home as thoroughly as you think. Dust can build up on your carpet, rugs, and upholstered furniture just as it does on hard surfaces. Unfortunately, these are fibrous materials that cling to dust, making the dirt more difficult to remove.
Your HVAC system, light fixtures, curtains, and even overhead fans are some of the other areas that might have built-up dust. This dust has a small electric charge, so it’s attracted to electronics and other charged areas. It also easily becomes airborne. Something as simple as plopping down on the couch may be enough to spread an invisible puff of dust to your coffee table.
The second reason dust comes back so quickly is because more dust and debris are entering your home daily. This debris gets tracked in by pets, on shoes, and on any other items you bring into your home. Bathing your pets often, using entry mats, and establishing a shoes-off rule can reduce the amount of dust in your home. In addition, it’s important to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Carpets and Rugs
Carpets and rugs are among the dustiest areas of your home and for good reason. It’s easy to spot dirt on hard floor surfaces, and it’s easy to remove all of that debris on wood, tile, and similar surfaces. Carpet and rugs hide dust, so you might go longer between cleanings.
In addition, the fibers in carpeting and rugs hang onto dust. Vacuuming weekly is essential for any home. If you have a high-traffic home or pets, consider vacuuming twice a week to remove dust buildup. Vacuum carpets and rugs as the last step in your routine cleaning as they may get dirty while cleaning other surfaces. In addition, deep clean the floor at least once or twice a year.
Upholstered Furniture
Upholstered furniture is plagued by the same traits as carpet and rugs. The materials’ fibers trap dust and dirt. Even if you vacuum upholstery regularly, you’ll eventually notice that your sofa, chairs, and other upholstered surfaces gradually get discolored by dust buildup. You might also notice that your home smells dusty.
Many people don’t vacuum upholstery as often as they vacuum the floor, but this inevitably leads to buildup. In addition to vacuuming upholstery weekly, remove and launder any removable covers at least a few times per year. Use a steam cleaning device to deep clean upholstery that can’t be laundered.
Air Vents and HVAC Filters
Dust circulates throughout your home through the HVAC system’s air vents. Some of this dust builds up inside the air ducts and on the vents, and it becomes dislodged when the system operates. This sends dust blowing into your rooms where it lands on the furniture, counters, and floor.
HVAC filters are responsible for trapping and removing the dust and other debris that enter the HVAC system. However, these filters are only effective when they are clean. Always follow the filter manufacturer’s and HVAC system manufacturer’s instructions for timely air filter replacement. In addition, air ducts should be professionally cleaned every three to five years.
These steps will help you stay ahead of dust, but tackling dust magnets is only one of the seemingly never-ending battles you wage inside your home on cleaning days. Between bathroom mildew, carpet spots, and dust bunnies, cleaning your home takes far more time and effort than you might want or be able to give.
At Tidyhere, we proudly provide routine and deep cleaning services in Boston, and we’re confident you’ll love the work we do in your home. Give us a call today to learn more about our cleaning services.
