You vacuum once a week and run a feather duster over all those hard-to-reach surfaces. Still, you’re looking around your home wondering, “Why is my home so dusty?”
Dust is more than just an eyesore or an embarrassment when guests come to visit. According to the National Center for Healthy Housing, dust can actually cause adverse health effects.
Today, we’re going to talk about the causes of dust in the house and what to do about them. Read on to learn about all things dust-related and discover cleaner indoor air solutions.
Why Is My Home So Dusty? Main Causes of Dust in the Home
When we talk about dust, you probably picture that thin layer of grime that seems to settle on every surface and under your furniture. What is that grime made out of and where does it come from?
Dust consists of nearly microscopic particles that come from a variety of sources, including:
- Dead skin cells
- Pet dander
- Pollen, dirt, and other outdoor pollutants
- Textile fibers
- Cooking and heating residues
It may be relatively self-explanatory how matter like skin cells and pet dander get into your home, but what about outdoor pollutants?
Poor ventilation is one of the leading causes of dust in the house. For example, old HVAC filters not only reduce airflow in your forced air system, but they cause outdoor pollutants to recirculate in your home.
How Does Dust Affect Your Indoor Air Quality?
It may seem like dust has settled onto surfaces, but dust is easily disturbed, and there’s a direct correlation between dust and air quality problems.
Turn on a dusty fan or sit on a dusty sofa and suddenly, that dust is in the air. Let dust build up in your air ducts and it will circulate through your home when you turn on your AC. Dust is lightweight and you may not realize how much of it is floating in your home.
What happens when you breathe in dust? As we mentioned earlier, dust can have serious adverse health effects unless you work to improve indoor air quality. For example, dust can:
- Trigger or worsen allergies
- Exacerbate asthma symptoms
- Cause respiratory irritation (e.g., coughing, itchy eyes, congestion, etc.)
For some, dust can lead to secondary problems. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites, the microscopic bugs that thrive in damp, dusty spaces.
How Can You Reduce Dust in Your Home?
You started out asking, “Why is my home so dusty?” Now, you’re wondering how to reduce dust in your home. Reducing indoor dust is all about attacking the source, which means:
- Vacuuming under furniture, not just high-traffic areas
- Washing linens at least twice a month
- Deep-cleaning carpets at least twice a year
- Using damp microfiber cloths to dust surfaces
- Using high-quality air filters in your HVAC system
These dust control tips help with reducing indoor dust buildup and preventing excess dust from building up in the first place. By following a dust-targeting cleaning routine, you’ll improve indoor air quality and practice dust mite control at the same time.
Why Air Purifiers Are Effective for Dust Removal
Maybe you don’t have time to adopt all of our regular cleaning tips or you’re looking for an extra layer of protection. One of the best ways to clean indoor air is with an air purifier.
Air purifiers draw air through a filter, removing pollutants from the air before allowing it to recirculate.
When you’re looking for air purifiers for dust removal, make sure to:
- Select a purifier that uses HEPA filters
- Purchase an air purifier with a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) that is at least two-thirds the square footage of the room you’ll use it in
- Avoid any brands that claim to sell “HEPA-type” filters
Non-HEPA filters likely don’t have the efficiency to remove dust from your indoor air.
How Can Improving Your HVAC System Help?
Looking for more ways to reduce indoor dust? Turn to your HVAC system. Replacing the filter based on manufacturer requirements is only one of the cleaner indoor air solutions to deploy.
First, invest in professional HVAC cleaning. Chances are high that your air ducts have a buildup of dust and other pollutants that are:
- Recirculating through your home
- Causing filters to clog faster
- Reducing HVAC efficiency by requiring your HVAC to work harder
What if your HVAC system is outdated? If your HVAC system is older than 20 years or requires frequent repairs, it may be time to upgrade. Take the opportunity to install a high-efficiency HVAC system with a built-in whole-home air purifier.
Additional Solutions for Keeping Your Home Dust-Free
You’re determined to learn how to get rid of dust in the home. You’re going to improve your cleaning efforts, you understand air purifier benefits, and you’ve scheduled your next HVAC cleaning appointment. What else can you do to reduce indoor dust?
It’s time to make a few lifestyle changes. For example, becoming a no-shoes household can help. According to a recent CBS report, a third of indoor air quality pollutants come from outside, including what you track in on your shoes.
Other changes that can reduce dust buildup include:
- Reducing clutter in the home
- Grooming pets often, brushing them outdoors at least once a week
- Sealing windows and doors
- Using dehumidifiers to reduce indoor humidity
These changes can reduce the amount of dust you need to clean up each week and make your cleaning schedule easier to maintain.
Looking for Indoor Air Quality Improvement in Wilmington?
No longer do you need to look around and ask, “Why is my home so dusty?” You have the answers you need and you know how to formulate a dust-combatting gameplan. If you’re a homeowner in Wilmington, NC, Revolutionary Air can help.
Revolutionary Air has years of experience installing and repairing HVAC systems and providing homeowners with air quality improvement systems. To show our appreciation, we offer a 10% discount to our preferred customers and military members. Contact us today and let’s plan your dust-mitigating HVAC repairs.
