How to Eliminate & Prevent Dust Bunnies For Good

You’ve probably heard the term “dust bunny” and immediately thought of a cute and harmless little creature, but don’t be fooled.

They are actually quite the nuisance around our homes, and they can even harm your health. Now that we’ve mentioned that, you might feel a little more on edge when faced with these little creatures.

So let’s take a closer look at what they are, where they’re found, and how you can rid your home of them.

What Are Dust Bunnies?

They might have a cute name, but dust bunnies are really just fluffy, and kind of gross, clumps of dust particles.

To be more specific, a 2009 study from the University of Arizona actually found that the dust bunnies found in homes contain a mixture of organic material like dead skin cells, organic fibers, soil that hitched a ride on your shoes, and other particulate matter that found its way in and around your home from outdoor air.

How Do Dust Bunnies Form?

Dust bunnies are formed when dust particles and other debris make their way around your home. A buildup of static electricity and tangled-up hair create the perfect catalysts for this material to clump together, eventually creating the tumbleweed of fuzz that we know as a dust bunny.

As they are created, dust bunnies can collect additional debris and dust mites. Even a single gram of dust can contain thousands of dust mites (EW!), their waste can cause sneezing, allergic reaction and sometimes more serious health problems.

Now imagine how much misery they can create as part of a bunny-sized clump!

Where Do Dust Bunnies Live?

Dust bunnies really love to hide, coming out after you’ve spent hours cleaning up. Some of their favorite hiding spots can include:
✨Under, around, and behind heavy appliances that don’t get moved when cleaned.
✨Under and behind furniture that isn’t moved often.
✨Behind and underneath mattresses and box springs.
✨On the floor, in forgotten corners (thankfully dust bunnies haven’t learned to fly!).
✨In and around any fabric with a pleat or fold.

How To Get Rid of Dust Bunnies?

Now that you know where to find these dusty little creatures, and have some time on your hands to go on a bunny hunt, you can check around your home and catch them before they get too big.

Make sure to check any and all forgotten areas around your house and under your large furniture as we mentioned, and then you can follow these additional recommendations for better results:
✨Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air filter. This particular type of filter features a fine mesh that traps dust and other harmful particles.
✨Put your vacuum attachments to work, matching each to the task. Use your crevice tool to attack the baseboards, ceiling molding, and the spaces in between appliances that you won’t be moving that week. Use your upholstery tool to capture dust on soft pieces of furniture, curtains, and rugs to suck up dust mites. Don’t forget the backs and sides of couches and cushions!
✨For surfaces you shouldn’t vacuum, like your TV, use microfiber cloths. Microfiber cloths are our favorite dusting tool because they can gently clean and trap dust instead of sending it on to settle elsewhere.
✨Finally, call in the professionals for a deep cleaning once a season. A cleaning service can clean inside your house and a handyman or HVAC technician can clean your home’s ducts and vents to ensure dust bunnies living in those spaces don’t move into interior rooms. A professional carpet cleaner can suck up any embedded particles and even steam clean your upholstery during the visit.

Here is our final tip to you: Dust bunnies don’t usually form on blinds and ceiling fans due to their constant use, but that doesn’t mean their more particulate cousins don’t build up over time. It’s a good idea to sure you have the right tools in your home to catch those suckers.

If your home has become overrun with dust bunnies, your favorite cleaning service in Boston, MA is here to help!