To dust or not to dust

If you don't dust or vacuum, your home will turn into an allergy festival. Pollen will gather in all the nooks in your home, pet hair will lie in wait, and dust mites will come out in force. All the things that make your eyes water and your nose run will be sitting around your home making your allergies worse.

More than just dirt, house dust is a mix of sloughed-off skin cells, hair, clothing fibers, bacteria, dust mites, bits of dead bugs, soil particles, pollen, and microscopic specks of plastic.

You can probably get away with dusting everyday surfaces once a week, and out-of-reach spots like ceilings and fans every two weeks.

Remove dust using a clean, moist cloth, a microfiber duster or an electrostatic duster with a disposable head (great for window blinds).

What do you need to dust?

Any surface or item that collects particles: counters, cabinets, shelves, electronics, window treatments and sills, tables, vents, fans, books, photo frames, collectibles…you get the idea. Don’t forget glass surfaces, too.

Start with the top and move down, as dust will fall as you’re cleaning. Finish with the floors.

Vacuum couches and drapes weekly with a brush attachment. Get upholstery professionally cleaned every couple of years or more often if your home has kids and pets.

Groom pets often to reduce dust. If you groom them outdoors, it will keep the accumulated dander from entering your home.

Finally vacuum. After dusting, vacuum to clean up any dust that has settled on the floors. Vacuuming will clean hard floors and remove the dust that gets trapped in carpets and area rugs.

You can make dusting more fun by listening to your favorite music or podcast while you’re cleaning. Before you know it, your house can be dust-free!