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In India, getting rid of dust from our homes is a never-ending battle. Besides pollen, airborne pollutants and dust mites, all lurk in dust and adversely affect our health and well-being. So why not take some steps that eliminate dust at the source and not let it move freely around our homes? Here are some tips to combat the dreaded dust.

No-shoes rule

Shoes bring in all kinds of dust and germs from the outdoors. It is highly advisable to remove them before entering the house. If space permits, install a shoe cabinet or have a separate corner at the entrance to take off your outdoor shoes and where you can also keep footwear like slippers that can only be used indoors.

Also introduce a coarse-fibre heavy-duty doormat as it can trap a good amount of dirt from the shoes before one enters. Of course, they must wipe their feet on the doormat for it to work! Make it a point to clean the doormat at least once a week.

Have a clutter free space

Reduce the number of surfaces that can collect dust, and do not fill your home with too much furniture, ornamental objects or accessories that block corners. Get rid of old magazines and newspapers regularly because they can block a lot of space and attract dust with time. Avoid soft toys for the kids’ rooms as they are like dust magnets and certainly not good for the little ones’ health.

Routine cleaning

To have a dust-free home, you must have a daily cleaning routine. Get the floors mopped twice a day if possible (water is very effective in keeping dust at bay). Microfibre cloth is recommended for dusting and cleaning as it tends to attract dust particles better. Ensure you use good cleaning supplies that are not just environment-friendly but can also help deter any kind of bacterial growth.

If you have pets, groom them regularly to prevent dead skin and hair from spreading around. And why should Diwali be the only time for spring cleaning? It is advisable to ‘spring clean’ at least once every three months – make a habit of constantly removing stuff you don’t need and clean hard-to-reach areas often. Also, regularly wipe the walls with a damp cloth from top to bottom.
 

Tip: Open windows bring in fresh air – but also a lot of dust along with it, so make sure to keep the windows closed after the morning hours if you live in a very dusty area.

Avoid carpets

Carpets are a major cause of dust. They certainly look beautiful and impart elegance and softness to the decor, but what they do most is trap dust efficiently and then release it in tiny, invisible puffs at every step when someone walks over them. So if you still insist on carpeting your room, make sure it is vacuumed daily, and is removed and cleaned along with the under-carpet area once a month. I would suggest you replace the carpet with tiles or an easy-to-clean flooring.

Clean the linen and upholstery regularly

Change your sheets and pillow cases at least once a week; it is an essential step in making your bedroom dust-free. Dust mites tend to live in the pillows and heavy blankets, so go for washable linen, carpets, mats, etc. in your bedroom. Heavier blankets are not easy to wash so make sure they are toasted in ample sunlight (a natural disinfectant, of which we luckily have lots) once every two months. Mattresses should be turned and flipped regularly, and occasionally sunned.

Upholstery, cushions and curtains can accumulate serious dust over a period of time. As regular maintenance, give the sofas and rugs a good, brisk beating with a cloth or a wooden paddle till you stop seeing dust particles fly in the air. Also wash or dry clean the curtains once every three months.

Vacuum

One can easily control and clean the dust that settles in the corners or under the furniture with a good vacuum cleaner. Periodic vacuum cleaning keeps the home clean and is effective in sucking up dust from the sofas, curtains and carpets.

Tip: Choose a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) as it has the capacity to take in tiny dust particles. Consider steam cleaning for cleaning the grime, dirt and stains on your kitchen counter and all kinds of floor and wall tiles. Besides their own dirt quotient, they act as glue for dust to attach itself to surfaces.

Install air purifiers

Pollution has reached an all-time high in all major Indian cities. This has made air purifiers a popular addition to the home as they claim to clean the air we breathe. Purifiers can potentially trap dust particles and pollutants before they come in contact with the surfaces in our homes.