Eliminating Dust in Your Home: 18 Expert-Approved Tips & Tricks

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Keep your home dust-free with this easy guide
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Do you ever look around your house only to notice dust here, there, and everywhere? Dust is an accumulation of tiny particles that include bits of cloth fibers, paper, hair, pet dander, skin cells, dirt, and more. Taking control of your dust situation can reduce allergies and other health problems—sounds pretty good, right? [1] Fortunately, there are a variety of simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of dust that's in your home, and in this article, we’ll cover them all.
This article is based on an interview with our house cleaning professional, James Sears. Check out the full interview here.

Quick Tips to Get Rid of Dust in Your House

  • Place air purifiers in high-traffic rooms to trap dust particles.
  • Vacuum twice a week and mop once a week to prevent dust build-up.
  • Wash your bedding weekly and declutter to keep dust from accumulating on knick knacks.
1

Try an air purifier.

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  1. Get an air purifier . These fabulous machines clean the air by trapping dust particles and are perfect for high-dust households or families with dust allergies. Air purifiers only clean the air in the room they're in, so consider getting one for each high-traffic room in your house, like your living room and bedroom. [2]
    • Air purifiers can range anywhere from $30-$500 and up. The important thing here is to choose an air purifier equipped with HEPA filters.
    • For a highly-reviewed, middle-of-the-road option, you might go for the Toshiba CAF-W36USW Air Purifier , which is wifi and Alexa compatible, as well as equipped with a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and activated carbon filter.
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2

Replace your existing air filter.

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  1. [3] If your house is heated and/or cooled by a central system, change the filters to control the dust levels in the air. Dust will continue to build up in your home, but a quality filter, such as a HEPA filter , can slow down the rate of dust accumulation by extracting those pesky particles straight from the air. [4]
    • To prevent dust, use high-quality paper or pleated fabric filters that are disposable and replace them every 1 to 3 months.
3

Vacuum regularly.

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  1. A vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter will ensure that you're sucking up as much dust as possible. Vacuum all the rugs and carpeting in your home, focusing especially on high-traffic areas like your living room, kitchen, or bedroom. Frequent vacuuming reduces how much dust builds up under furniture and in corners and reduces related allergy symptoms like a stuffy nose—you'll likely notice a huge difference in no time! [5]
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4

Mop your floors.

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  1. Mop the floors at least once a week. Going over your flooring with a wet mop is a great way to collect any dust you might have missed while sweeping and stop dust from getting tracked all around your house. Frequent mopping (at least once a week) will help keep that pesky dust at bay, as letting the dust build up for weeks will make it a lot more difficult to clean and might even require some scrubbing! [7]
    • Be sure to refill your bucket with fresh water once it gets dark brown and murky.
5

Use microfiber cloths.

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  1. Dust with microfiber cloths . Not all dusting cloths are made alike! Where feather dusters simply move the dust particles into the air, these super affordable and effective do-it-all cloths are designed to trap and hold onto dust. Simply wipe down any dusty areas in your house with a microfiber cloth, and be amazed at how much dander these bad boys pick up! [8]
    • Use microfiber cloths to dust all surfaces where dust accumulates, like the top of your mantel, desk, bedside tables, etc.
    • Wet cloths tend to collect dust better than dry cloths, so when dusting furniture that isn't wooden, try wetting the cloth first.
    • Wash microfiber cloths in the washing machine immediately after dusting to get rid of everything the cloth collected. [9]
    • Avoid using dryer sheets when you run them through the dryer, as fabric softener reduces the cloths' capacity to hold the dust.
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6

Wash your bedding frequently.

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  1. at least once a week. Sheets, blankets, comforters, and pillows are places where dust tends to accumulate, often causing people to wake up with stuffy noses from breathing dusty air all night. To kick dust to the curb, particularly in your bedroom, wash your sheets at last once a week—especially if you or your family members have dry skin or if your pets sleep with you in the bed. [10]
    • Wash other bedding and blankets once every 3-4 weeks.
7

Beat your cushions and rugs.

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  1. Like your bedding, furniture cushions and rugs tend to pick up a lot of dust over time. Unfortunately, you send dust flying into the air whenever you sit on your couch or walk on your rug! To combat this, take your cushions and rugs outside for a few whacks and eliminate as much dust as possible at least every 3 months. [11]
    • An old broom handle is great for beating rugs and cushions.
    • Keep beating rugs and cushions until you no longer see dust particles flying into the air.
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8

Wipe down your walls.

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  1. from top to bottom every few months. Go over the walls, trim, and baseboards with damp cloths every 2-3 months. Clean the top of the walls first, making your way down to the bottom. That way, you'll be able to collect all the dust that falls as you clean. [12]
9

Clear away clutter.

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  1. Go through your house and do a sweep for dust-collecting items like extra decor, blankets, books, you name it, that you no longer need. This will leave your surfaces much easier to clean. [13]
    • For those items you want to keep, consider moving some of them to a room your family doesn't use as frequently, like a spare bedroom. That way, the main rooms in your house won't be as likely to accumulate dust.
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10

Pack up paper.

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  1. Believe it or not, paper products produce a lot of dust as they degrade over time. Having piles of books and magazines stacked around the house is a sure-fire way to create a dusty atmosphere, so place your books on bookshelves and regularly recycle magazines and other paper items. [14]
    • Store paper items you want to keep in sealed containers so they won't make your house dusty.
11

Cut back on fabrics.

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  1. Throw blankets, pillows, tablecloths, and plushy furniture all contribute to household dust. [15] Get rid of or donate the linen and cloth items you no longer need to see a reduction in the amount of dust flying around your bedroom and the rest of the house.
    • Instead of buying cloth furniture, go for leather or wood.
    • It may be that one piece of older furniture is disintegrating and producing dust. If so, get rid of it.
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12

Tidy up your closet.

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  1. . Every time you open the door to your closet, tiny changes in air pressure cause flakes of fiber to shed from clothing and fabrics, which end up accumulating on the ground. Reduce dust in your closet by doing the following: [16]
    • Hang up your clothes neatly instead of keeping them in piles or stacks.
    • Have a place for your shoes to go, like an over-the-door shoe hanger , rather than throwing them all in a bin.
    • Regularly vacuum the floor of your closet.
13

Store seasonal clothing.

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  1. Store away out-of-season clothing instead of leaving them out year-round. Keeping clothing and fabrics in storage like an under-the-bed container during the off-season means they are less likely to be disturbed, resulting in fewer pieces of dust floating around your bedroom. [17]
    • Store your off-season or unused clothing in transparent clothing containers or bags so you can easily see what you have, should you want to add an item back into your closet.
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14

Leave your shoes at the door.

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  1. Wearing shoes in the house tracks in mud and dirt and eventually turns into dust once it dries out. Consider asking people to remove their shoes at the door or in an outdoor or entryway shoe rack . That way, you can keep the dust and grime in one area rather than all over your home. Plus, it’s more sanitary! [18]
15

Keep up with pet grooming.

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  1. Groom your pets once a month. Our shedding furry friends can contribute fur and dander to the household dust count. Grooming your shedding pets around once a month by taking them to be professionally groomed or grooming them at home will help reduce the particulates floating around your house and reduce allergens! [19]
    • If you choose to groom your pets at home, be sure to groom them in the bathroom or laundry room rather than in the living room, couch, or bedroom since these areas are harder to keep clean.
    • Try brushing your pet between grooming sessions to help reduce hair around the house!
    • Washing your pets' bedding once a week is another great way to keep dander down.
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16

Seal up cracks in drafty doors and window frames.

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  1. Use caulk to seal any cracks you might have in your home. Cracks at entry points such as windows and doors may be letting in unwanted dust and pollen into your home, so filling them with caulking will reduce your dust problem and potentially lower your heating bill. Drafts and dander be gone! [20]
17

Check the chimney for soot.

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  1. If it’s been a while since you cleaned out your chimney, hiring a chimney sweep might be a good idea to stop the soot from swirling around in your home. Alternately, use an industrial vacuum to vacuum up the soot, and dispose of it in your outside trash can. [21]
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18

Clean your lint trap.

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  1. Check your dryer for lint loss . If left unchecked, your lint trap can fill up with lint and send dust particles flying each time you run the machine. Plus, it’s a huge fire hazard, so be sure to clean it out each time you run a load of laundry. [22]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I reduce the amount of dust in my home?
    James Sears
    House Cleaning Professional
    James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.
    James Sears
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    If you have a central air system, make sure you change the filters since they can get clogged up with dust. You can also try running an air purifier.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 4
  • Question
    Can opening the windows help reduce dust?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Unfortunately, no. While opening the windows is a great way to get fresh air circulating through your home, it can also bring in outside sources of dust, such as dirt and pollen. If dust and other particles in the air are a problem for you, look into installing anti-dust screens, which can allow fresh air in while keeping many small particles out.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What causes a lot of dust in your home?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Dust can come off of anything that sheds a lot of fine particles, including fabrics, building materials, plants, pets with dander or fine hair, and—gross as it sounds—your own body. Having some dust in your home is unavoidable, but you can keep it to a minimum by using air filters and cleaning regularly.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Health-effects-of-dust
      2. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      3. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      4. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      5. ↑ https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/rt1233
      6. ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 16 May 2019.
      7. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      8. ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      9. ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 16 May 2019.
      1. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/how-often-should-you-wash-your-sheets
      2. ↑ https://www.thehealthy.com/respiratory/asthma/dust-allergy-rid-dust-your-house/
      3. ↑ Kadi Dulude. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy/art-20049365
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/in-depth/allergy/art-20049365
      6. ↑ ​​ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=rt1233
      7. ↑ https://www.thehealthy.com/respiratory/asthma/dust-allergy-rid-dust-your-house/
      8. ↑ https://www.thehealthy.com/respiratory/asthma/dust-allergy-rid-dust-your-house/
      9. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a35462/dont-wear-shoes-in-house/
      10. ↑ https://aafa.org/allergies/prevent-allergies/control-indoor-allergens/
      11. ↑ https://www.ewg.org/healthyhomeguide/reducing-household-dust/
      12. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned
      13. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer-vent/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To reduce dust in your house, clean or replace the filters in your central heating and cooling system, which will help prevent dust from accumulating. You can also set up air purifiers around your house to trap dust that's in the air. When you clean, use microfiber cloths to wipe down surfaces, which will hold onto the dust instead of spreading it around. Also, take your rugs and cushions outside and beat them with a broom handle every few months to get rid of dust that's trapped in them. For more ways to reduce dust, like decluttering your home, read on!

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