How to get rid of dust in your apartment and keep it clean for a long time

According to statistics, up to 50 kg of dust accumulates in a typical apartment in 1 year. Its particles settle on all surfaces and eventually form balls in the corners. With irregular cleaning of upholstered furniture, textiles and even paper books, dust mites appear, which provoke allergic reactions and bronchial asthma. A dirty room is a source of spread of dangerous microorganisms. Street dust contains microparticles of heavy metals and chemical compounds. Accumulating in the body, these substances increase the risk of serious diseases.

To prevent such problems, it is not enough to periodically wipe the dust in the apartment. To maintain cleanliness you need an integrated approach using special products.

Where does dust come from in an apartment?

The main reasons for the appearance of dust particles on all surfaces in the house include:

Human skin particles. As the layer of epidermis dies, it settles on furniture, flooring, and beds. Dead skin particles are a favorite treat for dust mites.
Plant pollen. It enters the room from the outside, worsening the well-being of allergy sufferers.
Pet fur. Serves as food for fungi and mites. In itself, it is dangerous for people with a tendency to allergies.
Textile. Bedspreads, blankets, mattresses are real dust collectors that instantly attract dust, especially if they are made from natural materials.
Stuffed Toys. One of the most insidious sources of pollution. Soft padding quickly absorbs dust and also becomes a medium for the spread of microorganisms.

A large amount of dust may contain waste products of termites, cockroaches, and ants. There is especially a lot of dirt after renovation. Construction dust contains solid particles of various materials that fall on the mucous membrane and cause inflammatory processes. Severe irritation occurs when the eyes come into contact with chemicals.

Dust and its sources

House dust is an accumulation of tiny particles: fabric and paper fibers, dead skin cells, animal hair, pollen, crumbling whitewash, mold spores and much more. All this is a favorable environment for the appearance of dust mites. The waste products of mites are the strongest allergen and the cause of many diseases.

Skin irritation, conjunctivitis, clogged pores, allergies, asthma - this is a small list of consequences that can result from constant contact with dust.

Description of some sources of dust in the apartment:

textiles - clothes, towels, bed linen, rugs, curtains, carpets, upholstered furniture, lampshades and other interior elements made of fabric;
paper and decor - napkins, newspapers, books, paintings, figurines and other designer decorations;
pets - they must be cared for regularly (combing their fur, bathing, washing their paws after a walk);
TV, computer and other equipment - when working, they attract any particles floating in the air;
walls and furniture - whitewash and paint are falling off the walls and ceiling, fibers are coming off from worn wallpaper, and dust is coming off from old wooden furniture.

Dust is caused by hard water: it greatly wears out clothes and linens, and after washing, fabric fibers spread throughout the house.

Humans are also a source of organic dust. You can reduce its amount if you regularly remove dead particles from the surface of the body with a washcloth or scrub, moisturize and nourish the skin.

In addition, dust enters the home through windows. It appears most often in apartments located on the lower floors, near roads, near construction sites and industrial facilities.

Don’t forget to clean and wash bedding and pet toys

How to remove dust in an apartment

To get rid of dust at home, clean and prevent contamination using suitable equipment. You will need:

Microfiber cloths. Effective for both dry and wet cleaning. They do not leave behind lint or fluff. Suitable for both smooth and rough surfaces.

Wet wipes with antistatic effect. Contains a special impregnation that repels dirt. They don't leave streaks. These napkins can be used to wipe the surface of furniture to reduce dust accumulation.
Household vacuum cleaner with washing effect. This device performs wet cleaning by spraying water and then collecting wet dust. It is important that it does not lift it into the air, unlike classic vacuum cleaners.
Effective air filtration devices. Modern air purifiers with a special HEPA filter remove dust and harmful microorganisms from the air (using ultraviolet light). Devices with ionization and ozonation functions increase cleaning efficiency and neutralize bacteria. It is important to clean the filter at least once every 3 months.

Store books and magazines properly

Books, magazines and other paper products are a serious source of dust. In addition to the fact that dust inevitably settles on them and is quite problematic to remove with each cleaning, old paper also breaks down, gradually turning into fine dust. Experts advise keeping a minimum number of books and magazines in the house. If you cannot do without them, then it is better to store them in the room where you visit least often. An option for excellent students is to wrap each book in a plastic bag so that the book is less affected by environmental factors and so that when it breaks, paper particles do not become airborne.

Dust repellents

For quality cleaning, it is not enough to wipe all surfaces in the house with damp cloths. Ordinary water not only does not get rid of bacteria and dirt 100%, but also harms some materials. Let's consider effective means of removing dust in the apartment, allowing you to successfully combat the problem:

Antistatic for TVs and computers. Monitors should not be wiped with a regular damp cloth or alcohol to avoid damaging the coating. Special antistatic agents in the form of a spray or wipes help remove dirt and dust without streaks. In addition, the composition repels the smallest particles of contaminants.
Furniture polish. To prevent dust from settling on the furniture, you need to regularly wipe it with this product. The polish removes static electricity, gives the material shine, and eliminates stickiness. On sale you can find tinting compounds that refresh the appearance of old furniture.
Impregnations for upholstered furniture. They form a protective film on the surface and prevent dust from penetrating inside. It is important to select the composition taking into account the specific type of material. The effect of such products usually lasts for 6 months.
Fabric softener. How to wipe dust without streaks and prevent its constant accumulation on the surface? Apply a few drops of conditioner to a microfiber cloth and treat the problem area.

How to wipe furniture to prevent dust from settling

Household chemicals

Polishes.

Special liquids for cleaning glossy surfaces that do not leave streaks or stains (Pronto, Mebelux). The product adds shine to surfaces, destroys bacteria and leaves an invisible film that repels dust.

Sprays for cleaning TV and computer screens.

Absolutely safe for equipment, dry instantly. It is recommended to apply them to a special cloth and only then wipe the screen with it.

Sprays that destroy household mites and neutralize most allergens.

A good example is Allergoff - the product is applied to carpets, upholstered furniture and toys. The spray works for 6 months after spraying.

All products are safe for humans and the environment.

Folk remedies for cleaning an apartment

Supporters of natural remedies can use popular tips when cleaning a room:

a mixture of any vegetable oil and lemon juice in equal proportions will replace polish;
warm water with the addition of laundry soap shavings will replace special products for wet cleaning;
a liter of water with a dissolved spoon of ammonia - an analogue of glass washing liquids;
baking soda, sprinkled on the carpets in a thin layer, will clean all dirt from the carpets without effort. Simply vacuum the surface after a few hours.

Folk remedies for fighting dust

To get rid of dust in your apartment for a long time, it is not necessary to use purchased products. Don't have the required ingredients at hand? Are there people with allergies or small children in the house and are you afraid of harming them? Then simple folk recipes will help you:

Saline solution. To prevent dust from settling on furniture, try a time-tested composition. Take a glass of water, stir 1 tsp in it. salt, combine thoroughly. Wipe off dust with a soft material soaked in the product. Important condition! This method is recommended only for treating light-colored surfaces.
Alcohol. To prepare a universal dust control product, you need to take 1 liter of warm water and 10 ml of regular medical alcohol. Apply the solution in a small amount to the fabric, wring it out and treat the surface. Then wipe with a soft cloth.
Lemon solution. Cut the lemon into cubes, pour 30 ml of vegetable oil into it and leave the mixture for a week. After this period, the lemon mixture will need to be poured with a glass of hot water. After passing the product through gauze, begin removing dust. Soak a clean cloth in the solution and treat the surfaces.

Glycerol. To get rid of dust on decorated/polished surfaces, use this recipe. Buy ordinary glycerin at the pharmacy and make a composition at the rate of 1 to 10. Apply the product to a cloth and remove the dust layer. By the way, the composition will not harm when cleaning books.
Vinegar. A remedy for dust on furniture is prepared from a few drops of vinegar and 0.5 liters of water. This concentration will not harm painted and varnished materials. The solution is poured into a spray bottle and the surface is treated. Then you need to wipe the furniture with a dry cloth. Vinegar not only repels dirt, but also gives the structure a neat shine and removes bad odors.

Ventilate your apartment properly

In fact, the origin of dust is not only domestic. No less harmful particles enter the apartment from the street: soot, smoke, pollen and mold spores. “PM2.5 includes particulate matter of dust, ash, soot, as well as sulfates and nitrates, less than 2.5 microns in size. It is from them that the smog of large cities mainly consists. Cars are the main source of this pollution. These are exhausts, particles of worn-out road surfaces, brake pads and tires,” says Mikhail Amelkin, microclimate expert.

Therefore, you should be careful about how you ventilate the rooms. It is recommended to ventilate the apartment after rain or using ventilation devices with high-quality filters. This is especially important for residents of houses located near major highways.

How to properly remove dust in an apartment

You need to wipe dust in your apartment in compliance with certain rules. The following recommendations will help you achieve maximum results with minimum effort.

Follow the cleaning procedure

First you need to do dry cleaning, and only then wet cleaning. Otherwise, you will have to take on the same job twice. Follow the plan:

perform general cleaning: lay things out, collect garbage;
vacuum the floor;
to get rid of dust accumulation on shelves and other surfaces, wipe them with a damp cloth;
wash the floor.

It is recommended to change bed linen before wet cleaning begins. It is worth taking a short break between dry and wet cleaning so that the dust particles have time to settle down.

Remove dust from top to bottom

Dust in the apartment is first removed from the highest sections, including chandeliers and ceilings (during general cleaning). During everyday cleaning, first treat the surfaces of the cabinets, gradually moving to the lower shelves. The final point in cleaning is floor surfaces.

Consider the order of the rooms

To effectively clean the entire apartment, start working from the back room or balcony. This way you won’t stomp around in the same place several times and transfer dust from one room to another. It is recommended to carry out cleaning in such a way that it ends at the entrance door to the apartment. The same goes for rooms: start from the far corner and finish wiping away dirt at the front door.

Be sure to use damp cloths

At the start of cleaning, you can remove visible dirt (crumbs, animal hair) with a dry cloth, but this is not enough. Surfaces should be cleaned regularly with a wet cloth, preferably microfiber. This material does not scratch any surfaces, including plastic and glass. At the same time, microfiber does not leave unsightly lint. After processing with this material you will not see any marks or streaks.

Wet dust removal is most effective, because the smallest contaminants are collected on a wet cloth. The main thing is to wash the cloth regularly so as not to spread dust particles to other surfaces.

Forget about pipidastra

According to manufacturers, the dust broom should attract dust particles to itself due to synthetic fibers. However, in practice, the bristles of the product quickly lose their properties, and as a result, dust is scattered throughout the apartment. As a result, pollutant particles settle on walls, floors and in hard-to-reach places. Pipidastra is only suitable for local dust removal from fragile objects. So, once and for all, stop using a broom to sweep away dirt from surfaces.

Use polish correctly

Experts do not recommend spraying polish directly onto furniture. First you need to apply a small amount of the composition to a rag or napkin, and then begin to treat the surfaces. The fact is that when the product is sprayed on furniture, a sticky film forms on it. Pollution is even more attracted to it.

Clean your vacuum cleaner filters regularly

Both household and construction vacuum cleaners have filters that require periodic cleaning. A clogged filter not only impairs the performance of the device, but also becomes a source of dust spreading in the room. Mold and mildew can form inside parts, which can lead to health problems.

The filter should be cleaned taking into account its type and the manufacturer's recommendations. Before processing, read the instructions for the household appliance.

Removing dust collectors

The accumulation of dust (dust mites) not only spoils the appearance of the home, but also causes significant harm to the health of people living in the home.

Important! The greatest risk zone is the first one and a half meters above the level of the floor covering, so children suffer more than others.

Before removing dust, you should get rid of its sources as efficiently as possible:

If you cannot vacuum at least once every two days, then it is better to abandon wall and floor coverings.
If there are things that you do not use, then it is better to give them to friends and acquaintances. A bag that has been hanging in the hallway unnecessarily for two years now, or an old coat that has become one hundred percent garbage collectors.
It is better to reduce the number of decorative elements. Figurines, boxes and soft toys act as dust accumulators and turn the cleaning process into a real nightmare. If it’s difficult to give up an item, hide it behind glass or in a closet.
Replace heavy, bulky curtains with simpler and more concise ones. The best solution is to replace curtains with horizontal or vertical blinds. Note that this option looks great and caring for the blinds is much easier.
Products made from natural wool should also be removed. Replace natural bedspreads and pillow fillings with synthetic ones.

How to reduce the amount of dust in a room

To make dust accumulate in the room much more slowly, consider the following recommendations:

Get rid of unnecessary and unnecessary things in the house. This is especially true for those items on which dirt quickly collects. Ruthlessly throw away old magazines, bags, and outdated clothes.
Keep windows closed. Yes, an apartment or house needs to be ventilated regularly, but by constantly opening windows unnecessarily, you let dust and street dirt into the room. The ideal option is ventilation during or after rain. In addition, special household appliances - ventilation devices with filters - can be useful. Anti-dust mosquito nets can be installed on windows, which are indispensable for allergy sufferers.
Take care of your pets on an ongoing basis. Wool, skin particles, and animal dander become a source of spread of dangerous microorganisms. Brush your pets regularly with a special brush, and do not forget about caring for their houses, beds, and bedding.

Choose the right furniture. Cabinets and shelving with doors are the optimal solution for people who don’t want to bother with cleaning. Dust will be much slower to get onto the internal shelves and things stored in furniture.
Get some indoor plants. Their leaves attract dust and dirt, which can be easily removed with a damp cloth. The dracaena plant is a natural air purifier that absorbs harmful particles of trichlorethylene and benzene, neutralizing formaldehyde fumes
Perform maintenance cleaning regularly. Wipe horizontal surfaces at least 2 times a week. If there are small children in the house, do a mini-cleaning every day. Dirt accumulates in the apartment gradually, so it is easier to prevent its appearance. It is especially important to regularly wipe your computer monitor and TV. Vacuum your carpets twice a week.
Change bedding regularly. At least once a week, pillowcases should be changed even more often. During the cleaning process, blankets should be knocked out.
Organize your closet. You need to not only wipe the dust inside the cabinets and shelves, but also organize proper storage of things. Place unnecessary or out-of-season clothing in boxes or bags. You can also use special cases to store things and shoes.
Maintain optimal levels of humidity and temperature in the room. Low humidity promotes the spread of dust, while too high humidity becomes an excellent breeding ground for dust mites. The following indicators are considered normal: 40-60% humidity and 18-20 degrees temperature.
Take care of yourself in the bathroom. First of all, this concerns combing. It is also better to apply makeup in the bathroom so that particles of cosmetic products and brush fibers are not scattered across the floor.

Algorithm for proper house cleaning

Each housewife cleans the house according to a certain scheme, and dust settles on already cleaned surfaces. To make the process as efficient as possible and save some time, you can use a proven algorithm based on simple physics:

you need to start from the top so that dust and dirt fall on things that have not yet been processed;
it is advisable to move in a circle, starting and finishing cleaning at a window or door;
the floor in the room is vacuumed and washed last;
Cleaning begins from the back rooms and gradually moves towards the entrance to the home.
The hallway is cleaned last, so as not to bring dust and dirt into the clean rooms.

How to get rid of dust after renovation

To combat dust after renovation, a thorough approach is needed. The following algorithm of actions will help:

Removal of construction waste. It is important to clear the room of all unnecessary things. It is better to load building materials into special bags. Place large waste near the front door, collect small rubbish with a moistened broom and put it in bags. You cannot use a dry broom, otherwise a cloud of dust will form and settle back. Do the work wearing gloves.
Use a vacuum cleaner. It is better to choose a construction vacuum cleaner, because it pumps air more powerfully and captures the smallest particles of dirt. You need to clean not only the floor, but also the walls and ceiling with a vacuum cleaner. Treat corners and crevices with a flat nozzle with a cut corner.

Removing dirt using a wet method. Stock up on rags and a container of water. Treat all horizontal and vertical surfaces. To increase cleaning efficiency, use special products to remove dirt, such as Mr Proper or Mr Muscle. Concentrated professional composition Probel will help you get rid of gypsum dust.

By regularly cleaning the room of everything unnecessary, you can avoid the accumulation of dust particles and contaminants. Remember that your health and the well-being of all family members depends on the correctness and regularity of cleaning. And if you are faced with a difficult task, for example, you need to remove construction waste or do general cleaning, then you can always turn to professionals for help.

Library care

A home library is the pride of many families. A kind of “soul” of the house. In order for the library to please you and your family for decades and bring benefits to the reader, books must be looked after and used carefully. Books are not only a source of knowledge, but also a source of dust. Caring for books includes: careful reading, storage and restoration. Choosing the right storage location for a library is the key not only to its longevity, but also to the health of the reader.

First of all, books need to be sorted into groups: by author, genres requiring restoration, volume sizes. This will make finding the book you need much easier. If a book is not needed or you do not plan to read it, do not rush to throw it away; it is better to give it to your local library. They are always happy to add to their book repertoire. A book you don't need will serve many more readers. Instances that require minor repairs can be dealt with later, when there is time.

Make your interior more minimalistic

The situation is similar not only with personal belongings, but also with large interior items. Furniture, like other objects, accumulates dust. Therefore, if your apartment is filled with wardrobes, armchairs and other interior items, you should think about whether you really need it all.

I already wrote above that fabric accumulates dust better than smooth materials, so take a closer look first of all at armchairs and various ottomans.

How to make windows shine?

Previously, no matter how much I washed the windows, there would still be faded spots and stains on them, and they would soon become dusty. Nothing helped: neither special means, nor ammonia, nor newspapers. Moreover, this did not depend at all on how much effort I put into this process. Plus, street dust settled on the glass quite quickly after the rain. Now the windows in my house shine clean for a long time. In clear weather you can calmly admire the scenery. What's the secret? It turns out that you only need to add a few ingredients to the water, which are cheap. Follow my recommendation, and your windows will also shine with dazzling cleanliness.