11 Expert-Approved Habits to Keep Your Home Free of Dust

Dust in the house is a concern for various reasons. It not only makes your home appear dirty but also worsens allergies, triggering sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy or watery eyes. Rather than endlessly dusting your surfaces, it's more effective to develop a cleaning routine that minimizes the dust accumulation from the start. Here are 11 habits that will help you keep your home less dusty.

Turn on an Air Purifier

Using a quality air purifier is one of the simplest ways to cut down on dust in your home, as it requires just the press of a button to handle the task. Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards, explains that an asthma & allergy-certified air purifier can actually eliminate allergens from the air, rather than just moving them around. On both carpets and hard surfaces, it can help remove allergens like cat dander and dust mites, along with smoke and other irritants. "An air purifier with a higher CADR (clean air delivery rate) is better for filtering more particles; also, ensure the purifier is suitable for the size of the room," McKeon adds.

Regularly Change Your HVAC Filters

You’re likely aware that changing your HVAC filter on a regular basis keeps your system running more efficiently, preventing unnecessary energy consumption. However, as Andy Fox, a filtration and indoor air quality expert at 3M, points out, the type of filter you use can also influence the dust levels in your home. "To optimize your indoor air quality, we recommend a filter with an MPR of 1500 or higher to effectively capture dust, lint, smoke, and more," he advises. This is because higher-rated filters excel at filtering out fine microparticles.

Keep Your Vents Clean

Maintaining the cleanliness of your HVAC vents, bathroom exhaust fans, and clothes dryer vents can significantly reduce dust. Additionally, make sure to check for any bird’s nests or other potential critters in exterior vents. These can create debris that blows dust inside your home and even pose a fire risk, especially in dryer vents.

Dust More Often

We get it. The whole point of avoiding dust buildup is so you don’t have to dust as frequently. However, dusting can actually be a preventative measure. By dusting more often, you can stop it from accumulating in the first place. "When dusting and cleaning, always start at the top of the room and work your way down, as dust and germs typically settle on lower surfaces," recommends Lisa Yakas, a microbiologist at NSF, a global public health and safety organization.

Clean Often Overlooked Areas

Dust has a way of gathering in spots you might forget to clean, such as the tops of ceiling fans, wall art, kitchen cabinets, and door frames. So, when tidying up, make sure to tackle these spots too, ensuring they stay dust-free.

Vacuum Floors Thoroughly

Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company, suggests that regular vacuuming is a great way to reduce dust in your home. "We recommend vacuuming (and dusting) regularly, at least once or twice a week." Mock also recommends dusting first before vacuuming.

Vacuum Soft Furniture and Curtains Too

Remember, dust doesn't just settle on floors and hard surfaces. "Be sure to also pay attention to areas like soft furniture and curtains," advises Mock. Handheld stick vacuums are perfect for cleaning fabrics and getting to hard-to-reach spots like the tops of cabinets and refrigerators.

Declutter

One more way to reduce dust is by minimizing clutter. Mock suggests clearing off bookshelves and other areas where dust tends to gather. If you enjoy displaying a collection of small items, make sure to dust them regularly to keep dust from building up.

Clean Your Bedding

Your bed can harbor more than just dead skin and bacteria—dust mites can also make their home there. If you're allergic to them, your bedding can become a source of discomfort, causing itching or even triggering asthma. To avoid this, wash your linens weekly, soaking them in hot water to eliminate dust mites, as recommended by Mock.

Take Off Your Shoes

Think about what your shoes pick up while you're out and about. From dust to dirt, even germs and bacteria can hitch a ride. By taking off your shoes at the door, you can stop all of that from entering your home. Mock suggests asking guests to do the same to prevent unwanted grime from entering your space.

Stick to a Routine

Although cleaning more frequently can feel like a chore, Yakas suggests sticking to a consistent cleaning routine to keep dust from accumulating and spreading throughout your home. “Try assigning specific tasks to certain days of the week, and use a physical calendar or set reminders on your phone or smart home device to stay on top of it,” she advises.