subject: Controlling Home Dust---5 Effective Ways to Control the Dust In Your Home [print this page] Controlling Home Dust---5 Effective Ways to Control the Dust In Your Home
Dust is everywhere. The small particles that form dust break off from carpet, magazines, mail, books, plaster, drywall, and even door hinges. But you can control this constant accumulation of particulates by using the following 5 suggestions.Central Vacuum System---This is a great feature to have in a home because the storage for the unit is often in a garage or basement---well away from the most lived-in parts of the house. Any particles that manage not to be pulled into the container are usually blown outside. These are often quite expensive, but they pay for themselves fairly quickly because they are able to effectively remove dust rather than just moving it around.HEPA Vacuum---This is a viable option for homes that do not have a central vacuum system. A high efficiency particle arresting (abbreviated as HEPA) can trap fine particulates far more efficiently than the normal vacuum which tends to send as much dust back into the air as it traps.Tweak Furnace Filters---The usual furnace that supplies heating and cooling is often not able to remove the fine particles that are present in the air. Pleated filters work better than usual furnace filters but will need to be replaced more often. Passive electrostatic filters are a green option because they use natural static electricity to attract and hold particles. This type of filter will need to be washed regularly but can be reused.Be sure to check with a certified heating and air conditioning professional for advice on which type of filter is best for the system you have in your home.Dust Mite Covers----Mite population is highest in the bedroom because mattresses and pillows are the ideal place for them to grow. They flourish in warm, damp places, and feed on dead skin. That makes the bed and bedroom carpets ideal. Covering your pillows and mattresses with these relatively inexpensive, zip-on covers will definitely reduce the mite population. And using these covers greatly reduces one of the most potent allergens found in dust.HEPA Filtration---You can eliminate a lot by taking all of the above suggestions, but you can reduce the particulate count even further by constantly scrubbing the air. Using a cleaner with this type of filter insures that particulate levels are kept low which lessens the amount that you see in the air and or surfaces.Numerous studies have linked increased amounts of dust to respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma. So the importance of taking these 5 pro-active but non-invasive steps to get rid of this hazard is crucial.
