How Often Should You Dust? 4 Ways to Simplify the Chore
Here's how often you should dust your home. Learn the best tools and techniques for the job as well.
One of those boring housework tasks that nobody really looks forward to is dusting. In fact, this is the scariest thing to our readers. However, it's important for your health to stay on top of a regular dusting schedule, since dust accumulation can trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate pre-existing respiratory problems like asthma. And, happily, there will be more dust mites in a residence the dustier it is!
Of course, hiring a house cleaner is an option if you're on a budget. However, it's crucial to use the proper dusting tools and establish a regular dusting routine if you clean yourself or wish to spot clean in between professional cleaning sessions.
So, how often should you actually dust? And how can you do it in the most efficient way? We'll break it down according to particular factors and situations so you can choose the ideal dusting plan for your house.
How Often Should You Dust?
There is no set in stone answer to this question, as every family is different. Most people agree that the best way to have a clean atmosphere is to dust once a week. This doesn't mean you have to dust every surface in your home every week. For example, hitting high-traffic areas and weekly 'dust magnets' may work well for you, and you'll find you can relax a bit when it comes to less noticeable or hard-to-reach areas.
Basically, the answer to how often to dust depends entirely on you and other family members. Here are some things to consider when coming up with a dusting schedule:
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Pets: Being a pet parent entails dealing with hair and dander from the animals. If you have furry friends, that means dusting more frequently than you might in a pet-free home.
Allergies and sensitivities: If you or someone else in the household suffers from dust allergies or is even mildly sensitive to it, frequent and consistent dusting is important to make the environment more pleasant to live in.
Respiratory illnesses: Along the same lines, if you or someone else in the family has sinus or lung problems, breathing in dust can exacerbate them—so work should be a top priority, too.
Your schedule: If you have trouble finding time for regular cleaning, try scheduling bi-monthly dusting into your calendar.. Perhaps it's time to hire a cleaning company, or, create a rotating work schedule with your partner, kids or roommates.
Time of year: The amount of dusting that needs to be done will depend on the season you're in, so modify your cleaning plan accordingly. Spring is a time when almost everyone could benefit from more dusting. As the weather warms, pollen counts are high, and between opening windows between sports practices or the kids hanging out in the yard, dust is bound to accumulate quickly.
How to Dust Efficiently
Once you have a good idea of how often to dust, it's up to you to stick to the schedule. Generally, the easier a habit is to do, the more likely you are to stick with it. While we may never find the joy of dusting, there are some ways to make sure it's done quickly and efficiently.
1. Simplify Your Cleaning Supplies
When a handful will suffice, there's no need to tote a dozen cleaning supplies from room to room. Steer clear of fancy dust sprays and feather dusters, which ironically have a greater tendency to disperse dust than to collect it. An all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth will remove enough dust from most surfaces. To avoid staining glass surfaces, swap the all-purpose bottle for glass cleaner and work on wooden furniture using a lightly damp cloth. An old pillow makes the perfect cleaning tool for a ceiling fan.
2. Dust From High to Low
When it comes to ceilings, always dust from top to bottom so nothing gets left behind. Since you're avoiding overhead fans or light fixtures during a routine dusting session, start with the next highest point—such as a window blind or tabletop lampshade—and work your way down until you hit the baseboard. This method saves you from unnecessary duplication of work which is very important if you already have tasks in your busy schedule.
3. Focus on ‘Dust Magnets’ First
Fun fact: flat, smooth surfaces collect dust at a slower rate than corners or textures. This is the reason your coffee table's curving legs require more frequent dusting than your bookshelf shelves. You've probably noticed that some items seem to turn to dust in the blink of an eye. For example, toilet bowl bases, electronics with cords, rarely used brooms and plants (both real and fake) are some of the things that gather dust quickly in my home. If you only have a few minutes to dust, use your time and energy on the most obvious areas.
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4. Prevent Against Dust
Unfortunately, there is no magic method to completely eliminate dust. But one way you can minimize the task is to minimize it in the first place. Invest in an air purifier if you don't already have one Replace your air filter regularly. To increase the amount of dust you can remove, switch to a HEPA vacuum cleaner. The more proactive you are about dusting, the less time you'll have to clean so it's worth a little upfront work.
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