Picture this: it’s early morning, and the sun is just barely peeking through the curtains as you lounge in bed before you start your day. You yawn, turning over, and gaze at the beautiful sunbeam filtering in through the window, where it catches the light of the millions of floating dust particles drifting through the air.
You sit up, disgusted, with the moment ruined.
If this has happened to you, then you’re not alone. Dust is something that plagues every home in America, be it a two-story house in the suburbs or one of our apartments in Westwood. Not only is it an eyesore, but for some members of your household or your guests, it can trigger allergies and make being at your home a congested, miserable time.
So, if you’re looking for some easy and simply ways to help reduce the amount of dust in your home, here is some advice from us:
1.) Purify your air.
That’s right, we said it. In order to make sure that you’ve got the best air quality in your home or apartment and that every precaution is being taken, an air purifier is a good investment. Not only can it reduce the amount of dust floating in the air, but because it’s clearing the air in your apartment or home, it’s reducing the amount of dust on your surfaces as well. This makes it less of an eyesore and less that you have to clean. Score! Along those lines, though, don’t forget to change your regular air filters in your home, because even without a separate air purifier, this can make a huge difference!
2.) Vacuum your couch.
If you have an upholstered couch or chairs, then you should know what kind of a mess that those can be, especially if you have pets. You might’ve scraped off all of the cat or dog hair to make it look nicer, but have you ever considered vacuuming it?
Now, if you want to heft your giant vacuum onto your couch and vacuum like you’re an off-brand Rosey the Robot from The Jetsons, then that’s your call. But even taking a small handheld vacuum to your couch cushions can work wonders to reduce the amount of dust and other funky stuff in the air. Some couches even allow you to remove the cushion covers and wash them, so if yours allows you to do that, then that’s even better.
3.) Keep your pets groomed.
Speaking of cleaning up after pets, one of the easiest ways to keep the apartments in Westwood clean is to keep your pets clean and groomed. This is important not only for the health of your pet, but also for the cleanliness of your home. Keeping your pets groomed reduces the amount of pet fur and dander on the couches, chairs, and floors, and helps keep the dust levels in your home down.
Make sure that if you decide to groom your pets at home instead of taking them to a groomer, be sure to choose a location in your home that will be easy to clean, such as a porch or patio: outside is best. The less cleaning you have to do, the better, and it also reduces the chance that all of those allergens will be brought back into your home.
4.) Use a microfiber cloth or a wet cloth when dusting.
We’ve all seen those old-fashioned feather dusters that look more like a prop than an actual cleaning supply. While those dusters may look aesthetically pleasing, their actual usefulness in cleaning your house is questionable. Sure, they might be able to actually remove the dust from the surface that you’re cleaning, but where does that dust actually go?
Using a microfiber cloth or a wet rag to dust can solve that problem. These cloths can actually trap the dust in the cloth as you clean, making sure that when the dust leaves the surface you’re cleaning, it doesn’t just transfer to another area of your home for you to clean later. Ew.
5.) Don’t wear your shoes in the house.
There are many families that consider it a cardinal sin to wear your shoes in the house, but there are just as many that honestly don’t consider it a hard and fast rule. If you wear your shoes in the house and are tired of dust, then consider this your sign to stop wearing your shoes in the house! By leaving your shoes at the door, you can also leave much of the dust that your shoes track in at the door as well, reducing your cleaning workload. It might take a little getting used to, but the payoff will be worth it.
If you’re a shoes-in-the-house purist, though, then you should at least consider investing in a doormat. While it won’t resolve the issue as completely as simply not wearing your shoes in the house can, utilizing that doormat at the door before entering the apartments at Westwood with shoes can make a world of a difference.
6).) Close your windows.
When the sun is shining and the temperatures start to warm up, everyone’s first instinct is to open the windows and doors and let the fresh air in. While this can make a world of difference in airing out your home, it can also make a lot of difference in the amount of dust. Especially during pollen season, keeping your windows open can add so much more dust to your daily cleaning routine. If you don’t mind the dust and the pollen, then keep your windows open and enjoy the spring breeze. However, if you’re okay with being a hermit and keeping them closed, then that will help immensely to keep the dust in your apartment down.
In short, there isn’t going to be a single one hack that will completely eliminate the presence of dust in your house. If you’re willing to make a couple of simple lifestyle changes, though, then your workload – and your allergies – will thank you.
