Why is my house so dusty?
As allergy season is upon us, having a dusty home can turn a mild allergy into a day of sneezing and sniffling. Your Minneapolis home may need an upgrade or cleaning if you are experiencing more and more dust. Between the pets, fabrics, carpets, and upholstery, the average house with six rooms can get up to 40 pounds of dust per year. Cleaning it up involves knowing where to clean and when to replace items to keep you breathing easier in your home.
Where does dust come from?
There are many sources of dust, and all of them can contribute to the buildup. Dead skin cells, dirt, hair, pet dander, pollen, threads, fallen fibers from clothes and upholstery, and particles living in the air can all become the dust that you see and breathe in your home. Individually, they are tiny and sometimes impossible to see. As they come together, they form into the dust you can see on your furniture and in the sunlight.
Where does dust settle?
Dust can settle anywhere and everywhere in your home, but there are common places where it can gather and get stuck. Carpets are the most notorious for this. Clean carpets can actually make the air in your home healthier to breathe because it traps the dust and prevents it from being stirred up. However, once your carpets fill with dust, walking on it releases dust in the air. Items that weave fibers together, like clothes and upholstery, can also trap dust. This is part of the reason why it is so important to wash your clothes.
Why is there so much dust?
It isn’t just one thing that causes dust to build up in your home. There are multiple factors that contribute to dust accumulation, and each one should be considered to remedy the dust.
Poor air filtration: The air filter in your home catches the majority of the dust that is in the air.
Poor air flow: The movement of the air in your home is what brings the dust to the filter or outside, clearing your home. If it can’t flow, the dust won’t go.
Dirty carpets and rugs: Because dust often gets trapped in carpet and rug fibers, it can sit there until they are walked on again.
Dirty upholstery: Upholstery fibers also trap dust and are displaced when disturbed.
Undusted surfaces: Dust sits on top of flat surfaces and is often the most visible dust in your home.
Dirty pets: A pet’s fur can collect dander and dust just like rugs if they don’t properly clean themselves.
How do I make my home less dusty?
The first step when making your home less dusty is to clean. Vacuum your carpets and upholstery, wash your clothes, and dust your home weekly. Depending on your pet, you may need to clean them as well. Professional cleaning for exceptionally dirty carpets and upholstery is a great idea before diving into the middle of summer.
The second option is to replace what you need to. For better air flow and filtration, replace your HVAC filter. If your carpets and upholstery are worn down, or it has been over seven years since you last replaced them, they may need to be replaced. Talk with our carpet and upholstery experts to see what the best option is for your home.
If you’re finding dust gathered in your carpets or upholstery, it is time for a deep clean. Our professional carpet cleaners are here to make your home more comfortable, and our unique process will clean your carpets with less dry time. Reach out for a quote to make it easier to breathe in your home again.