Dust allergies can make a dusty room a nightmare. It can also make it tedious to keep clean as the dust just keeps coming from seemingly nowhere!
Your room gets dusty for a variety of reasons ranging from:
- uninsulated or leaky windows
- air ducts
- dead skin cells and hair
- carpet fibers
- other contaminants
When you understand why your room gets so dusty, tackling the problem will be that much easier.
Let’s get started.
Why Your Room Gets so Dusty
1. Uninsulated or leaky windows and ductwork
If your windows have poor insulation or aren’t kept shut, dust particles will make their way into your bedroom.
Some areas may have more dust than others (like the Middle East or Africa) which can make leaving your windows open an even bigger problem.
Even if you have a window screen, the small holes are not tiny enough to catch the tiny particles of dust, dander, or mold.
If you live near construction or industrial zones or on the first floor, you will have more dust particles to deal with in the air.
Dust particles can make their way into your room through the ductwork in your home.
Your air conditioner should have a filter, but it may not catch all of the pet dander, dust mites, and other tiny particles.
2. Dead skin cells and hair
While it is a myth that dust is made up of 80% of dead skin cells and hair, dead skin flakes and hair are responsible for some of the dust accumulation in your room.
Your body is constantly shedding skin cells, and those skin cells end up as dust particles.
The same goes for hair, but dust in your house is made up of a combination of pollen, hair, textile fibers, minerals, fibers, cosmic dust, and other materials found in your local environment.
3. Carpet dust
Ever notice how your bedding, clothes, and even books wear down over time? The microscopic fibers that make up these objects break down as time goes on.
Your carpet can also collect dust over time if it’s not replaced.
If you have an air conditioner or ceiling fan, the constant circulation of dust can accumulate on your carpet and make your room dusty.
The dust can also settle on your bedding, pillowcases, and any object in your room that’s stationary.
4. Other contaminants
Dust is made up of several different materials, even dust from outer space!
Some of the dust that accumulates in your room can’t be prevented no matter what you do.
Any time you come into your home, you bring some amount of dust with you.
If you leave your door open, this can make the problem worse as depending on where you live as the outside air can be naturally dusty.
How to Reduce Dust in Your Home
1. Use an Air Purifier
Air purifiers are a great way to deal with the dust in your home.
The HEPA filter or “High-Efficiency Particulate Air” filter air purifiers use will be able to filter out 99.97% of airborne particles at least .3 microns in size.
Air purifiers are not a silver bullet as there will be dust in your home that they cannot remove.
Keeping that in mind, it’s still the best way to reduce dust in your home.
You can find air purifiers of all different sizes, and these days they’re affordable for any budget.
If you have trouble getting to sleep at night, they work down to as low as 24 decibels which are nearly inaudible.
2. Clean your carpets, beddings, and floors
Use a vacuum cleaner to give your carpets a good cleaning every week or so.
Don’t use a broom as you’ll only blow dust around your room and make for an even worse situation.
Clean your beddings as well as pillowcases often if you find you have issues with dust.
You should wash your floor regularly, around every one to two weeks depending on how dusty your home gets.
3. Keep windows and doors shut
While it can be a good way to cool down your home, keeping the windows or doors open will only lead to dust particles making their way into your home.
Consider using an air conditioner with a filter that will help reduce the amount of dust inside.
4. Dust often
The more dust that’s accumulating inside of your home, the more airborne dust you’ll have to deal with.
Use a damp cloth to wipe down tables, furniture, tables, or anything that accumulates dust over time.
By keeping it clean, you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air and increased indoor air quality.
5. Have your ducts cleaned
The air ducts in your home can accumulate dust if not cleaned regularly.
Without proper cleaning, not all the dust that makes its way through the filter will get trapped.
You may need to hire a professional to clean your air ducts for you rather than doing it yourself.
If you feel like you’re capable and willing, then you can learn how to clean your air ducts yourself.
Why Does Your House Get So Dusty in Winter?
If you live in a cold environment, it’s natural to use a heating system.
The heat dries the air and makes it warmer. The drying of the air also makes your skin drier, which can lead to more dead skin cells in the air.
During the winter, you’re more likely to be inside which can add to the amount of dust in the home.
The best way to deal with the dust is with regular cleanings and cleaning out the ducts in your HVAC system.
Final Thoughts
Dust inside of your home can wreak havoc on your allergies and can make for a dirty environment.
The best way to filter out the dust inside of your home is with an air purifier.
While an air purifier can help, nothing will be able to keep up with dust that comes in through an open window or door.
If you can, leave any doors or windows closed to avoid dust from coming inside.
Don’t forget to keep your environment clean with regular cleanings.
Use a damp cloth and wipe down any accumulated dust you see. Cleaning the air ducts in your home can also result in less dust in your room.
