Take the Upper Hand in Dust Control

Dust is everywhere-it's even visible in space. Most dust is made up of dried skin particles and animal dander, although pollen and smoke from fireplaces and boilers can contribute at certain times of year. Winning the war on dust not only makes your home look cleaner, it can also cut down on indoor allergies and give you a healthier environment.

Dust Has Always Been Around
Dust comes from virtually every avenue: through the open door, on our shoes, on the feet of our pets and through open windows. Then there is the type of dust you get from sanding wood when you're doing a home project, or from the laser printer in the home office. And what about fibers from our mattresses and furniture, mold spores, specks of food, dead insects or dust from the furnace filter?

Dust mites are tiny creatures that live on our dead skin cells. Dust mites are thought to cause dermatitis, asthma and rhinitis. Dust may have always been here, but there are ways to win in the battle against dust.

What's the Big Worry?
Dust is a potential threat to our health. Anything that's in the air gets breathed into our lungs. Anything that is trapped in our lungs can restrict breathing. Moreover, it has been suggested that children who are raised in a dusty environment are more likely to be asthmatic or form allergies.

A form of dust that can be found in older homes is lead paint dust. Though lead paint was discontinued for home use in the 1970s, some older homes may still have lead paint on the walls. Although generally not harmful to adults, exposure to lead can lead to impaired brain function in children and pets.

In many states, it is illegal to sell or rent a home to a family with children if lead paint is present. Still, if you live in a home that was built before 1980, testing for lead paint is a good idea. Lead paint testing kits are available at most hardware stores or through your local department of health. If you find lead paint, you can keep it in check by covering it with a paint designed to seal lead or by using wallpaper. It's generally not necessary to strip the old paint.

Keeping Dust at Bay
The best way to dust is to keep dust from settling in the first place. If you dust regularly, dust won't have a chance to turn into the grime that collects in corners and along windowsills. It will also help to control dust mites.

Reduce the Risk of Dust Mites

• Wash bedding every week in hot water
• Use dust-proof mattress covers that zip closed
• Add dust-proof pillow covers that zip closed to your bedding
• Dispose of wool blankets
• Run dehumidifiers (dust mites love humid or moist areas)
• Replace carpets with tile or vinyl
• Vacuum carpets daily and empty the vacuum bag outdoors

Best Way to Dust

• Buy a facemask and wear it, so you won't be affected by the dust. 
• Daily cleaning helps to keep dust from settling in.
• Start at the top-ceiling to floor, top shelf to bottom.
• Use a broom with a dusting cloth pinned over it to clean ceilings, corners and behind large furniture.
• Dust, then polish or disinfect. Remove as much of the dust as you can by first dusting everything in site.
• Get rid of feather dusters, which only make the dust airborne. Use an old white T-shirt instead.
• Spray your dusting cloth with cleaner or furniture polish, rather than spraying the furniture. By spraying the furniture, you run the risk of leaving damp areas behind, which dust mites thrive in.
• Apply disinfectant when cleaning.
• Wash blinds every week with a damp cloth.
• Clean draperies at least once a month
• Change furnace and air conditioner filters as often as recommended by the manufacturer. Dirty filters blow dust in through the vents