Dust is made up of one or a mixture of dead skin cells, fabric bits, animal hair and dander, dust mite feces, and decomposing bug parts. Not only is it unsightly, but it also is a health concern. Try these easy tips to keep your home cleaner and healthier for you and your family.
- Store linens, towels, shoes, kids toys and other products in clear plastic bins.
- Place off-season clothing in plastic hanging bags or bins.
- Keep closet floors clear to make vacuuming fast, easy and free of dust bunnies.
- Change bedding once a week.
- Don’t spread dust with a feather duster, use a damp rag or electrostatic cloth instead.
- Shake out area rugs in the backyard 3-4x a year.
- Take a tennis racket and beat your coach cushions (outside) to remove deeply embedded dust as another solution to vacuuming them.
- Opt for different textiles. If you suffer from severe allergies trade out your carpet for tile or hardwood. Replace woven fabrics with leather and consider plastic blinds in lieu of curtains.
- Purchase a high-efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter vacuum and make sure to vacuum once a week.
- Change the thermostat fan setting to “on” while vacuuming so dust and debris that’s picked up in the process is sent to the HVAC filter before circulating back into your home.
- Remove knickknacks that capture dust to settle in little nooks and crannies.
- Sweep with a disposable electrostatic duster or an old-fashioned broom once a week, followed by mopping afterward.
- Change your HVAC system filters!!!
- Have the dust work tested to make sure that you are not experiencing leakage.
Burkholder’s HVAC offers a Home & Duct Performance Test checking that ductwork is properly sealed to ensure it’s not picking up dust from the attic or other unconditioned space the ductwork travels through. We can then determine if you need to have the ducts sealed of if duct cleaning will be the right solution for you home.
