Dust Prevention

Let's face it, dust stinks. Not literally of course, but it is never attractive. Not only does dust make everything look dirty, it seems like no matter how many times you clean everything, the dust keeps coming back. Here are a few steps that you can use to help in your dust prevention efforts. While some of them may be a little time consuming initially, they are well worth it.

• Check your vacuum. In case you didn't realize it, your vacuum can often be a leading cause of dust in your home. Regular periodic maintenance of the seals and gaskets of your vacuum can help reduce any leaks. In addition, do not allow your vacuum cleaner bag to become too full. Otherwise dust, dirt, and grime will end up being forced out through the seals. This doesn't even count the mess that can be made from an overstuffed vacuum cleaner bag as you change it.
• Use a humidifier. Simply using a humidifier will help reduce and prevent the amount of dust in your home. The moister the air in your home, the less chance dust has to form and float around everywhere. Ideally, you should shoot for no more than a 40% humidity level in your home—and that is in particularly dry and dusty regions.
• Localize books. Books create dust, so localizing the books in your home will help to eliminate the spread of dust. This does not mean to remove all books from your home, but rather place them all in one central location. Now you have the perfect excuse to start that library room you always wanted.
• Air ducts. If there is one area of the home that will attract dust, dust mites, spiders, cobwebs, dirt, and grime than any other, then it has got to be the air ducts. You can clean the rest of your home from top to bottom, but if you don't conduct periodic cleaning of your air ducts you will end up fighting a loosing battle.
• Pets. You may be asking yourself how pets can contribute to dust, but stop and think about it. They bring in dirt and grime from outside, which contributes to dust in the home. In addition to this, pets shed. While the hair and dander may not initially look like dust, over time the dander will turn into dust as it degrades. Keeping your pet well groomed will be a huge help in your dust prevention efforts.