Singapore’s hot and humid weather is one big reason on why our homes get dusty quickly. When the weather is warm, we tend to shed more dead skin cells, which contributes to dust at home.
It can be frustrating to see dust accumulate every now and then. Find out some ways on how you can reduce dust in your home and ensure that your home is sparkling clean!
Ways to reduce dust at home
1. Invest in a door mat
Removing your shoes before entering your home is common in Singapore so it shouldn’t be much of a problem. To go a step further, invest in a door mat to wipe your feet before entering your home. This will significantly reduce the amount of dust that is brought into your home even more.
But do remember to shake off the door mat outside or clean them once every few days. Don’t let the dust accumulate on the door mat.
2. Vacuum regularly
By regularly, we mean doing a quick vacuum every other day and a thorough vacuum at least once a week. If there are more people living in your home, you have pets, or there are people with allergies, you should increase the frequency of vacuuming to eliminate all that dust.
We’d also recommend using a vacuum with a HEPA filter so that the dust doesn’t escape back into the air when vacuuming. Remember to also change the filters at least once every 3 months.
3. Change your sheets at least once a week
You’ll be surprised how much dead skin, dust, insects, and dirt can collect in your sheets. Changing and washing them weekly will help to kill dust mites and remove allergens.
Bonus tip: When you’re removing the sheets, don’t fling them around. That’ll release all the dust and dirt into the air. Roll them or fold them gently to keep all the dust within the sheets.
4. Declutter and keep your home as clutter-free as possible
While knick-knacks look good on shelves, they also collect a ton of dust. Because they’re tedious to clean, you might end up just leaving them (and the dust) there and allowing the dust to accumulate. Instead, keep your countertops, floors, and closets free from clutter. That’ll make it easier for you to clean as well.
Donate or sell things that are of no use, are faulty, or don’t fit you anymore. Alternatively, if you can’t bear to part with them, store them elsewhere that doesn’t expose them to dust.
5. Use proper cleaning tools
Instead of using the traditional broom and dustpan, switch to a vacuum cleaner so that you don’t end up spreading the dust around as you sweep. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can also help to trap the dust.
As for cloths, the best type would be the microfiber cloths. They are absorbent, gentle, lint-free, and effective in picking up dirt. Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean surfaces and they’ll pick up the dust instead of moving it around.
6. Change your aircon filters once every 3 months
Your aircon filters help to filter and catch pollutants such as dust and mold when the air goes through the aircon system. When you don’t change your filter regularly, it will lose its effectiveness in trapping dust. This means that the dust might end up going back into your room.
Changing your filters regularly also ensures that your unit is operating optimally. It doesn’t cost much to change your filters so it’s a worthwhile investment.
7. Do a deep cleaning of your furniture & furnishings
Furniture and furnishings such as your mattresses, sofas, carpets, and curtains collect lots of dust because of their soft fibres. When you sit on your sofa, sleep on your mattress, step on your carpet, or draw the curtains, all the dust on will end up being spread in the air.
We’d recommend doing a deep cleaning at least once every 6 months. If you have pets or people with allergies living in your household, you should consider increasing the frequency of cleaning.
How to reduce dust at home
These tips might not be able to prevent dust in your home but they can certainly help to reduce it. You don’t have to invest a lot of time, effort and money into keeping your home dust-free. Simple steps can also make a difference.
This article first appeared on Helpling. Helpling is a digital home concierge service with a vision to provide quality living for everyone through their tech-enabled platform and dedicated home advisors. They take care of the time-consuming and dreadful household tasks for you so that you can spend time on other things that matter.
