It’s easy to notice dust accumulation on flat surfaces around your home, but there are many sneaky places even a diligent housekeeper can miss. If you suffer from persistent allergy and asthma symptoms, dust may be at the root of your discomfort. Take a closer look around your Dunwoody, Georgia, home to see if you have dust and dirt hiding in an unexpected place.
Dust Hides In Your Bedding
Your blankets, mattresses, and pillows are a haven for dust mites. The longer they’ve been around, the more dust they’re probably harboring. Fortunately, you can remove existing dust mites and prevent new ones from settling by encasing pillows and mattresses in allergen proof covers. As for your bedding, you should launder it at least once a week. Use hot water to kill dust mites hiding in the fabrics.
In Carpet Fibers
If you have wall-to-wall carpeting in your home, you’re probably harboring a significant dust mite population as well. Vacuuming regularly will eliminate some of the problem. Use a HEPA vacuum filter to eliminate as many pollutants as possible. While most residential HVAC systems aren’t equipped to handle a HEPA filter, the right vacuum can give you a powerful weapon against allergens. Steam cleaning or vapor steam cleaning your carpeting every few months will help minimize dust as well.
The best possible solution is to get rid of as much carpeting as possible. Switch to hardwood floors and warm them with the occasional throw rug. In this manner, you can get rid of a significant number of dust mites.
Stuffed Animals
Those beloved stuffed animals that snuggle up with your children every night are as attractive to dust mites as your pillows and bedding. Washing stuffed animals regularly is the best answer, but not all plush toys can withstand a trip through the washer. If you can’t wash your toys, place them in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer. After freezing, take them outside and shake vigorously to get rid of dust and other allergens.
The HVAC Filter
Your HVAC filter’s very purpose is to catch dust and other allergens, but many people forget that it’s there. You should change the filter once every one to three months. This maintenance task takes only seconds and increases the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. Keep a stock of clean filters on hand and mark your calendar so you can easily stay on top of this task.
Unused Clothing
Clothing that’s worn often probably doesn’t stay in the closet long enough to accumulate a lot of dust. However, this isn’t true of dresses, suits, jackets, and other items that only come out seasonally or for special occasions. If you have something you know you won’t wear for several weeks or months, hang it in a plastic bag or fold it in a sealed plastic container.
If you’ve unearthed something long hidden at the back of the closet, launder it in hot water before wearing it. This is particularly important if you’re sensitive to dust and other allergens.
Lamp Shades
Dust accumulation on lampshades happens so gradually you probably won’t notice the subtle change in color. Fabric lampshades are particularly tricky because you can’t wipe them off easily while you’re cleaning. Make a point of vacuuming them with a brush attachment every few weeks to minimize dust and improve your indoor air quality.
Cluttered Closets
It’s impossible to dust properly if you can’t get to everything in your closet. Cluttered areas invite dust to settle, and they make it difficult — if not impossible — to fight the problem. If clutter has taken hold in your home, you’ll need to do a real deep cleaning to get rid of the dust. Remove everything from the space and vacuum carpets, mop floors, and dust baseboards and other surfaces with a damp cloth. As you replace items, sort them into sealed bins and organized storage containers. This will make it easier to keep dust away in the future.
If you’d like to learn more about improving indoor air quality in your home, contact E. Smith Heating & Air Conditioning at 678-369-8866. We can help you get an edge in the dust battle.
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