You vs. Dust – A Guide for a Dustless Home for People with Allergies
Do you feel that no matter what you do, you just can’t seem to get rid of the dust in your home? Does the feel of dust on your fingertips irritate you whenever you touch your furniture? Does the idea of a dustless house seem like a dream to you? Well, I am here to let you know that you can have a dustless home.

If you suffer from dust allergies, then your house or apartment should be one place that you feel safe, hence the name home. The process of making your space dustless requires some level of consistency. Below are some measures you can take to ensure your apartment becomes and remains dustless.

Clean the rooms regularly
Thorough cleaning of the house is crucial if it is to remain dust free. If possible, empty the rooms completely and mop clean. A thorough mopping will eliminate 90% of the dust in the house. Ensure that you wipe the window frames, furniture, and doors with a damp cloth. Vacuum-clean the curtains, couch, lampshade and furniture. If not cleaned thoroughly, most household items and textiles in the house can be a big deal in making the apartment dust free.

Do away with carpets
I know the idea of getting rid of the carpets in the house seems like a harsh measure. The truth is, carpets harbor a lot of dust. When it accumulates, it starts to spread throughout the house whenever you step on carpets. If you must get rid of dust in your home, then this should not stand in your way. You may opt for alternatives like a wooden floor, vinyl, or tiles which are easy to clean and do not harbor dust. In cases where you completely cannot get rid of all the carpets, then ensure that they are regularly and thoroughly vacuumed.

Invest in doormats
Whenever one gets into the house, they bring with them dust particles in their shoes. Investing in good door mats, particularly those with a bristle top, will wipe off the dust particles trapped in the shoe. Have two; one on the inside and the other on the outside. Make sure the mats are vacuumed or washed regularly to prevent trapped dust from building up.

Groom your pet regularly
Grooming helps get rid of dead skin cells and hair. Since pets are very hairy, if not properly groomed, their dead skin cells and hair will collect forming part of the dirt. They hold dust particles as well. Also, ensure that the litter box for the kitty is covered so as to help hold the dust down. If your allergies are severe, you may consider forgoing pets or at least keeping them out of your bedroom or any other room you spend a lot of time in.

Use air filters and humidifier
Get high-efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) air purifiers. A suitable one should consist of a fan that will ensure proper air circulation and a pleated fabric or wicking paper filters which hold dust particles. Ensure that filters are changed within one to three months. This will prevent the build-up of dust particles and ensure that filters are effective.

Static electricity is another attraction for the dust particles. Use a humidifier to get rid of static electricity and help keep dust levels low. Aim for a percentage humid levels of 40 to 50. Clean your humidifier regularly to prevent the growth of mold.

Ensure proper storage of your clothes.
Polyester fiber and cotton is also a major dust attraction. Since we cannot get rid of the materials, as it would mean getting rid of our clothes and bedding, we can, however, store them properly. Putting clothes and fabrics in bags will help reduce the dust build-up. Some good vacuum-seal bags can be of good use and will also go a long way to saving space in our closets.

The fight against dust in a house can at times seem like a lost battle. The truth is, it’s not possible to have a dust-free space. But, we can take the above measures to ensure we have dustless homes. If you are to win this battle, you have to be intentional about it. Not unless you are a choleric and cleaning is your way of releasing stress, then mostly you do not enjoy cleaning. So, make it intentional, apply the above steps, and you will enjoy a dustless home.

Nathan Raymond is the CEO of West Coast Restoration & Cleaning. “Ray” and his staff are experts in water and fire restoration, and mold removal, carpet cleaning, and much more. As an expert in this field, Raymond enjoys sharing his experience with homeowners and property managers as an active author in the blogosphere. He has been active in the industry for over ten years, and his business can be found at www.westcoastrandc.com.