Secrets to Reducing the Dust Bunnies in Your Home

Allergens can cause you to wheeze, sneeze and end up with watery eyes. Even if you are not someone prone to allergies, it can be painful to see your loved one suffer through the symptoms.

There are plenty of reasons why there may be dust in your home. Clothing fibers, paper fibers as well dead or dry skin are some of the potential sources. When you cook, flour and other powdered ingredients can end up as part of the floor surface dirt.

The same goes with using makeup or applying baby powder to your skin. You may also unwittingly carry particles of pollen or dust indoors after a hard day’s work or while doing your daily errands.

Anti-allergy medications come in many forms but can only do so much in treating the symptoms. Plus, they are only effective for a day at the most.

You may not be able to control the amount of dust outdoors but you can do something to control the amount of allergens inside your home. Managing the causes of your allergy and the sources of dust is actually a better way of reducing the chances of getting allergies.

Here are some secrets to preventing dust bunnies from turning your home into their permanent residence.

Keep footwear outdoors

Shoes are the source of approximately 80 percent of the dust and dirt that goes into a home. To control the dust and dirt levels inside your home, it makes perfect sense to leave shoes and other outdoor footwear outdoors.

In many homes around the globe, it is considered polite to leave your shoes by the entrance unless the host insists otherwise. However, there are people who are not aware of this simple home etiquette, or what they are carrying into homes they happen to visit.

For guests who are hesitant on walking barefoot, what you can do is to prepare and offer pairs of indoor socks, slippers or similar footwear. By preventing outdoor shoes from being used indoors, you can prevent the transmission of dust, dirt and even bacteria from outdoor sources. Your floors and health will thank you for it.

Avoid carpets

Carpeted floors may look trendy and give your home a warm and comfy feel but they are a major source of dust and dirt, too. Unlike other flooring materials such as cement, wood, stone or even vinyl tiles, carpets are certified dust catchers.

Rugs and carpets are difficult to clean and maintain as well. This makes them the perfect habitat for dust and dust mites alike. You will need to exert a lot of time and effort to keep them clean and germ-free.

Ideally carpets and rugs should be vacuumed on a daily basis. For smaller rugs, you can beat them outdoors to remove some of the dust but even this may not be enough if you live with someone who has a severe reaction to dust particles.

If you or someone at home is allergic to dust, keep the rugs outdoors and stick with other flooring materials indoors instead.

Keep closets and surfaces clean

Certain types of clothing fibers shed more than others. Take out the clothes you don’t use on a regular basis and put them in clothing bags or plastic containers. This will keep your clothes in good condition and prevent the fibers from degrading quickly.

Clean surfaces on a regular basis. Use a damp cloth or towelette to remove dust on surfaces. Avoid using feather dusters as they only agitate the dust and make the particles settle elsewhere.

If you live with kids, seeing the floor littered with toys and knick-knacks may be a normal occurrence. However, as with other types of surfaces, layers of dust can settle on toys and on the floor or any surface they are on. Keep toys in their respective containers after cleaning to prevent dust from settling on and around the toys.

The same philosophy goes with other items such as clothes, magazines, books and art projects you have no intention of finishing soon. Keeping your floors and surfaces clear of debris will reduce the number of surfaces the dust can settle on.

Dust away allergy cares

Living with allergies may not always be fun but there are ways of keeping allergens at bay. By following these simple tips, you can turn your home into a safe haven again for you and your family.