9 Genius Ways to Get Rid of Dust in Your Home You NEVER Thought Of
Updated: Apr. 07, 2023
The never-ending battle against dust just got easier. Find out how to get rid of dust once and for all!
Keep Your Windows Closed
We all love to enjoy a cool breeze floating through our homes, but at what cost? Along with that breeze comes dust and pollen particles from outside. Keep the windows shut—and you’ll eliminate a lot of dust.
Wash Your Pillows Regularly
Ready for a gross fact? Your pillows are probably crawling with dust mites. Dust mites love to feast on dead skin cells. They’re so small they’re invisible, but hundreds can live in just one gram of dust. Get rid of dust and dust mites by washing your pillows at least three times a year in hot water.
Mop Hard Floors Often
Obviously, floors get dusty, but especially those harder to reach areas like baseboards and under furniture. If possible, mop your floors daily. Vacuum floors first (sweeping mostly just moves dust around rather than eliminating it). Then mop with hot water. If you have hardwood floors, try our Test Kitchen’s favorite wood cleaner.
Bonus: You might appreciate this stair dust corner, too. It’s a beautiful and functional cleaning hack that’s been around since the Victorian era.
Beat Rugs
Rug fibers are a breeding ground for dust. For small and medium-sized rugs, take them outdoors and give them a good shake. This will release most of the dirt and dust. To take it a step further, hang the rug over a railing and beat it with a broom or rug beater.
Don’t Neglect Window Coverings
Most windows are not perfectly sealed, which is why blinds and curtains collect a lot of dust. Wash curtains regularly (check the label to see if they should be machine-washed, steamed or dry cleaned). For blinds, wipe with a microfiber cloth, which is the best material for trapping dust. Use it dry if your blinds are only slightly dusty; for thicker, stubborn dust you might need to use a damp cloth.
Use a Welcome Mat
A big part of controlling dust is preventing it from ever getting in the house. Use a welcome mat so that you can wipe off your feet before coming inside. You can even install two mats, one outside and one directly in front of the door on the inside. That way you have a double trap for that pesky dust.
Have a “No Shoes” Rule
Even better than wiping off your shoes before you enter, is implementing a “no shoes” rule inside the house. Shoes track in dust, dirt and bacteria. It can be awkward to ask guests to take off their shoes, but if you keep a cute cabinet or rack of shoe shelves near the front door, hopefully they’ll get the hint on their own.
Invest in an Air Purifier
Dust particles float through the air of your home until they find a place to land, like on carpeting or upholstery. By using an air purifier, you can trap those dust particles before they have a chance to settle. Be sure to get one with a true HEPA filter; which according to the EPA, can remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.
Another great investment for a dust-free home? The Scrub Daddy Damp Duster.
Don’t Forget the Ceiling
Have you looked up at your ceiling lately? It’s probably not on your radar, but unfortunately the ceiling needs a good dusting every once in a while. You can grab a ladder and use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum. Or another method is to attach a microfiber cloth to your broom using a rubber band, and get to work!
Originally Published: February 14, 2021
