Dust in the house is the worst enemy of any owner. While it is nearly impossible to get rid of it completely, there are several ways to stop its spread and reduce the amount.
What is dust and how is it dangerous?
House dust, according to microbiologist Karen Hall, is a collection of various materials: fibers, dust mites and bacteria, mold and fungus spores, pollen, dead skin particles of dogs and cats, other animals and other small microbes.
We hear about dust mites all the time, but since they are invisible to humans, it's very easy to ignore them.
Perhaps the information that dust mites belong to the arachnid family and inhabit home mattresses in such numbers that they make things heavier, will cause someone to take cleaning more seriously.
If this still does not stimulate regular cleaning, then Dr.Karen advises remembering that the cause of dust allergy is not the mites themselves, but their droppings, which provoke asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
Allergist James Sublett argues that the greatest accumulation of mites and their excrement is found in bedrooms and in particular in beds, as well as in furniture with heavy covers. All this dust from beds and furniture instantly gets into the air with the slightest movement.
How to deal with dust?
Of course, the best weapon in the fight against dust is regular cleaning and getting rid of unnecessary items. However, do not overlook other methods that may come in handy.
Simplify the interior
Modern style in the interior is a great advantage in the fight against dust. Flat, massive surfaces, especially floors, as well as smooth leather furniture minimize the amount of dust in the house - just wipe them regularly.
If you are not a fan of modern style, allergist James Sableet advises at least to give up carpet in the bedroom.
Lay a rug in the hallway and in front of the door
In order for the street dust to at least partially remain behind the threshold, there should be rugs in front of the door and in the hallway. Antibacterial carpets will trap some of the germs that enter the house with outdoor shoes.
Better yet, take off your shoes before entering the house, but this can only be done in the country.
Freeze small items
Children's toys or other small dustbags can be placed in a plastic bag and left in the refrigerator for about two days. Then let them melt naturally.
Dr. Karen Hall assures that such a procedure will kill all dust mites.
Keep pets out of the bedroom
Unfortunately, dogs and cats are excellent carriers of dirt and dust in the home. Therefore, it is advisable not to let them into the bedroom, and especially on the bed.
You can also consider buying a special vacuum cleaner attachment or pet brush that minimizes hair and does not harm your pet.
Wash pillows
We often wash pillowcases and covers, but what about the pillows themselves? If you notice that over time the pillow has become heavier - congratulations, a whole colony of dust mites has settled in it. To avoid these neighbors, you need to clean the pillows or change them at least every six months.
Don't make your bed
A rather drastic measure, but Dr. Hall assures that a heavy cover will keep the mattress from cooling, and a cold temperature is necessary to slow down the reproduction of dust mites.
Protect your mattress
The mattress should be vacuumed regularly to collect dust and other dirt. It makes sense to consider buying quality fabric zip covers for your mattress and pillows.
Change your bedding once a week
This is an obvious rule, but some people forget about it. The wash temperature does not have to be high - even a warm wash cycle will take care of the adult mites.
Close the doors
Dust loves to travel, so it's best not to give it a reason to climb into a closet or kitchen drawers.
Dust and clean once or twice a week
Dr. Karen Hall assures that it is impossible to completely get rid of dust, but cleaning once or twice a week minimizes the amount of dirt in the house.
It is advisable to wear a respirator when cleaning so as not to inhale all the dust that you raised. (The dust will settle in 2 hours).
Don't miss hard-to-reach places
The monsters under the bed are not a children's fairy tale, but reality. It is there that ticks live, and if they are not disturbed with a vacuum cleaner, then they will continue to breed. Remember to vacuum high shelves, gaps between cabinets, and other hard-to-reach areas.
Make sure your vacuum cleaner has enough attachments. When buying a vacuum cleaner, be sure to check if it is equipped with a HEPA filter.
Regulate humidity
Dampness and high humidity create excellent conditions for the development of mold and dust mites. Therefore, these parameters must be kept under control.
If your apartment is too damp, consider buying a dehumidifier.
Purify the air
Air purifiers also help to reduce the amount of dust in the room.
Photos and information from houzz.com and zillow.com
