Many housewives are faced with the problem of dust accumulation in the apartment. Small particles fall on clothes, furniture, household appliances. It seems like just yesterday I was wiping off the dust, but it appeared again.
Where does dust come from in an apartment, and is it possible to get rid of it?
Fighting methods
It is very difficult to combat the formation of dust microparticles. This process takes a lot of time, although everyone understands that it will not be possible to completely get rid of it.
If the housewife loves cleanliness, then she will have to completely abandon dust collectors - dust likes to accumulate on the soft surfaces of toys, sofas, mattresses, carpets and curtains.
How to get rid of dust in an apartment for a long time? In order to free up your time at least half and prolong the cleanliness of the room, experts suggest installing built-in furniture, putting floor coverings lint-free, replace curtains with blinds.
Dust is not absorbed into hard coatings and can be easily removed with a cloth.
If there are dust collectors in the house, then you need to learn how to clean in stages:
- The fight against dust begins with opening all windows. People believe that even more dirt comes from the street with the wind. But this opinion is wrong. On the contrary, during ventilation the air is renewed. If the space is closed, then even more microparticles settle.
- How to reduce the amount of dust in an apartment? Make room. Place all things, toys and shoes on shelves.
- Remove all carpeting from your home. Hang them on a rope and beat them off. If it's cold outside, vacuum them thoroughly.
- How to deal with dust in the house? Treat indoor plants with water more often. If there are trees with large leaves in the house, then wipe them using a damp cotton pad or cloth.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture, and then wipe all surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.
- How to deal with house dust? Buy a mop. Hard-to-reach places create the most dirt. Therefore, wipe them regularly. Usually all the dust rises up from the floors and settles again on household items.
- Clean all other surfaces with a damp cloth.
- Finally, wash the floor with water and detergent.
Apartment cleaning products
What is the best way to remove dust from furniture and other surfaces? Each type of product has its own household chemicals.
To clean dust in the apartment you will need:
- chemicals for cleaning glass;
- bathroom and toilet cleaner;
- means for removing dust from floors;
- powders and gels for treating carpets and upholstered furniture;
- air freshener;
- dishwashing gel.
On store shelves you can see large selection various means. They are sold in the form of powders, gels, solutions, creams.
By price category they are different too. There are expensive and cheap ones. But remember, quality does not always depend on price. There are inexpensive products that do an excellent job of removing various stains.
How to choose the right anti-dust product? When selecting household chemicals, pay attention to the composition; there are components that, if released into the air, can harm a person.
The composition should not contain:
- chlorine, phosphates and ammonium. This toxic substances. If used frequently, they can cause cancer;
- triclosans and triclobans. These components reduce immunity;
- flavorings. Considered to be strong allergens.
Regardless of what is included in the composition, any household chemicals lead to irritation skin and respiratory tract. Therefore, do not forget to put on gloves and a face mask before treating the room.
Folk remedies
Just a few decades ago there was no such abundance chemicals. Therefore, housewives used improvised means to fight for cleanliness in their homes.
How to quickly deal with dust in an apartment at home if you have nothing at hand:
- the dishes were washed with mustard powder;
- glass surfaces were treated with a vinegar solution;
- stains from furniture were removed with baking soda;
- the toilet and bathroom were cleaned with a vinegar solution;
- the tiles in the bathroom were washed with raw potatoes;
- Wiping dust and washing floors was carried out with water and vinegar.
Folk cleaning products not only allow you to overcome even the most persistent unpleasant odors.
Where does dust come from? Most of all it accumulates in the house where there are a lot of things.
How to get rid of dust in your apartment forever? Unfortunately, it will not be possible to completely cope with it.
You can reduce the amount of dust generated by following these tips:
- To reduce dirt, remove excess clothing. Look, maybe there are things that need to be thrown away. If it’s a shame to get rid of them, then give them to people in need.
- Place a few indoor plants indoors as they help purify the air.
- If you have pets in the house, brush their hair regularly.
- Optimize your apartment. Get rid of old upholstered furniture. If possible, install built-in wardrobes. Replace with hard-coated products. Great option will be leather or its substitutes.
- Feather pillows are a source dust mite. Therefore, it is better to replace them with padding polyester.
- Buy mattresses from modern filling.
- The reason for the large accumulation of dust particles is. Cleaning them is very difficult and time-consuming. So roll them up and put them away. If you are afraid of cold floors, then stores sell soft coverings, which are easy to process. It is enough to wipe them with a brush with the addition of soda.
- To get rid of large quantity dirt, lay a rubber mat in the hallway. It is easy to wash. Just rinse with water and put it back in place.
- To get rid of dust for a long time, collect everything soft toys in a bag and place in the freezer for several hours. This method will remove all dust mites and give them freshness.
- Dirt begins to form when the room is poorly ventilated. Therefore, open the window regularly.
Use a special antistatic agent for furniture. You can buy it in a store or make it at home yourself using traditional methods.
Antistatic dust removers include vinegar solution and citric acid. It's easy to make them. Take a spoonful of vinegar or lemon powder and mix it with water. Then wipe the cleaned surfaces with the prepared solution. This good way remove stains and deal with dirt accumulation.
Dust is harmful to health
At first glance, dust seems harmless, but experts identify several factors why it is important to deal with dust in the room:
- Dust particles cause allergies in newborns and young children, and the elderly.
- The particles contain organic and inorganic components, including dust mites, which cause the development of many diseases.
- With a large accumulation of dirt, food gradually deteriorates, causing diseases of the digestive organs, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
If there are asthmatics in the house, then it is necessary to clean much more often.
There are many effective cleaning methods for getting rid of dust from wallpaper and other surfaces, after which the cleaned apartment will sparkle with cleanliness. But the result will be short-lived. Dust microparticles will continue to appear in the house, because they are in the air.
The question "how to get rid of dust in the apartment?" every housewife asks herself. In the routine of household chores, it sometimes seems that it is impossible to cope with dust: within an hour after cleaning, its unfortunate particles are already floating in the air again and settling on the furniture. So how to deal with dust? And where does it actually come from?
Reducing the number of dust collectors: where does the dust come from?
Dust in an apartment or house not only spoils general view interior, but can also negatively affect the health of all family members. This is especially true for children, since the highest concentration of dust particles is in a layer of 0.7-1.5 m from the floor level. To reduce its amount in a living space, it is recommended to listen to the following tips:
- give up carpets if you are not prepared to vacuum them daily (this is especially true for wall hangings);
- It is necessary to put away in closets or throw away everything that you do not use on a daily basis: old bag that hangs in the hallway or a scarf that you have never worn are obvious dust accumulators;
- It is also worth reducing the number of decorative elements in the interior: napkins, figurines, artificial flowers can quickly accumulate dust (if you want to leave such designer jewelry, store them under glass);
- It is appropriate in terms of maintaining cleanliness in a house or apartment to abandon curtains with complex design in favor of more concise options or blinds; remove textile screens and canopies;
- it is recommended to replace natural coatings and pillow fillings to modern synthetic analogues, remove products made from natural wool, from which lint can be added to the dust.
Putting things in perfect order
To effectively and efficiently combat dust, it is necessary to systematically carry out comprehensive cleaning of the premises. It is advisable to choose the following algorithm of actions:
- remove all unnecessary things, put them in closed boxes or place them in glass display cases;
- deal with upholstered furniture: you can thoroughly vacuum it or cover it with a damp cloth and knock the dust out of it in this form;
- pay attention to curtains: it is convenient to treat them with a steamer: firstly, this way they are smoothed, secondly, under the influence of steam, pathogenic forms die and dust disappears; if there are a lot of windows and, accordingly, curtains, it is worth using a floor-mounted steamer for these purposes with a large liquid reservoir, from where steam is generated;
- take care of indoor plants and pets: spray the leaves with a spray bottle, clean if possible with a soft cloth; animals, especially those with long hair, should be combed out - according to doctors, they are one of the main sources where dust comes from; Don’t forget to wash your pets’ paws after walking outside;
- wash floors and beat or vacuum carpets: best choice, which will effectively combat dust, is a washing vacuum cleaner with an aqua filter. It not only cleans any type of surface efficiently, but also destroys dust in the air. After using such a vacuum cleaner, the air in the apartment (house) will instantly become fresher and, of course, cleaner;
- wipe dust from all surfaces: do not forget to do this on cabinets, cornices, baseboards, TV and monitor screens.
During cleaning, it is worth opening the vents or windows for ventilation. To protect the room from street dust, you can use mosquito nets or additionally cover them with damp gauze.
Dust control products
To ensure that the fight against household dust is effective and the cleanliness of the house is maintained for as long as possible, special products and devices can be used. The most relevant and popular of them include:
- air humidifier: with its help it is easier to fight dust, because in an apartment (house) where there is high humidity, it settles faster and becomes noticeable, so it will not be difficult to remove it: to do this, take a damp soft cloth and simply rub the surface with it.
- a hygrometer is a device that allows you to control the level of humidity: if it is exceeded, mold may appear in the house, and ordinary household dust can become a dangerous reagent;
- vacuum cleaner - the fight against any type of pollution with its help will be much more effective and faster; It is advisable to use vacuum cleaners with an aqua filter, which can reduce the number of dust particles not only on the surfaces being processed, but also in the air, where there are especially many of them;
- membranes for windows - prevent the penetration of dust from the street, from where it can enter the room with the air flow; these modern devices also help get rid of allergens;
- chlorophytum plant - significantly reduces the amount of dust in its environment;
- “air washer” is a device that passes the entire volume of air through built-in filters, so that you can completely get rid of dust; It is especially convenient to use such a unit in rooms where there is a priori a lot of dust, for example, in new buildings or newly renovated premises;
- polishes with an antistatic effect: their use will not reduce the amount of dust, but it will not appear on the furniture so quickly; Doing wet cleaning with this product is not recommended in families where allergy sufferers live.
Take note.
To get rid of dust in your apartment, you can use numerous folk ways. Simple and inexpensive means will help to completely destroy it on various open surfaces, inside upholstered furniture, in secluded and hard to reach places or in the air. Some of them are also able to prevent its rapid appearance in residential areas after cleaning due to their antistatic properties.
Upholstered furniture is an ideal dust collector. Housewives have long used a technique that helps cleanse it. A damp, well-wrung out strip of fabric (you can use an old sheet) is spread on a sofa, bed or chair and the furniture is knocked out through it with a clapper. The dust that is under the upholstery rises to the top and lingers on the damp sheet.
Additionally, after knocking out, the furniture can be steamed with an iron to destroy harmful microorganisms, such as dust mites. It is recommended to do this monthly or once a season.
Those who prefer to use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust are advised to wrap the nozzle in gauze. But first you need to keep it in a saline solution for about ten minutes (one tablespoon of salt per liter of water). Then it is thoroughly wrung out and wrapped around the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. This helps get rid of mites and at the same time refresh the upholstery.
It is advisable to remove wool coverings on furniture, feather pillows and replace duvets with padding polyester ones. Down absorbs dust, and padding repels.
Removing dust from books
A lot of dust accumulates on bookshelves, but even with a vacuum cleaner it is impossible to completely clean the books. Be sure to then properly wipe their surfaces and shelves with a damp cloth. It is advisable to do this using a special mixture that repels dust. Its recipe is simple: glycerin is mixed with water in proportions of 1:10.
Fighting dust on the ceiling and floor
You can remove dust from the ceiling using a mop with long handle, the nozzle of which is made of fabric with a pile that collects dust. You can also use a cleaning brush. For suspended ceilings soap solution is required. Using a soft nozzle soaked in soapy water, gently wipe the surface of the tension fabric.
Waterproof floor coverings (linoleum, laminate, parquet) are wiped with a damp cloth.
Carpets can be sprinkled with baking soda and then vacuumed. There is another folk remedy for completely cleaning carpets. The recipe is simple: pour a liter of water into two glasses baking soda, add four bay leaves, a tablespoon of cinnamon or cloves. Mix everything thoroughly. Store in a tightly closed jar. Before vacuuming, sprinkle the mixture on the carpet and leave for two hours. Baking soda helps remove dust and dirt, and bay leaf and cloves, due to their antibacterial properties, destroy germs.
Recipes for homemade dust removers with antistatic effect
For furniture and hard-to-reach corners, where dust especially likes to collect, housewives have come up with products that not only clean surfaces, but also create an antistatic effect. It is convenient to remove accumulations from difficult places with a brush with natural bristles or a special broom for cleaning, then treat them like this special means. This will not get rid of dust forever, but it will prevent its rapid re-accumulation.
Sprays
Homemade sprays that have an antistatic effect are very convenient for these purposes. They will allow you to get rid of dust in your apartment for a long time.
Since many essential oils are natural antistatic agents and have a bactericidal effect, spray recipes for dust control have been developed on their basis.
One of the most popular is prepared from a quarter glass of vinegar, two tablespoons olive oil, 15 drops essential oil, diluted with one glass of water. All this is mixed in a spray bottle, which is used to treat hard surfaces. Having sprayed this mixture, then you just need to wipe everything with a dry cloth.
Each ingredient in this composition plays its role:
- vinegar removes all dirt;
- olive oil repels dust from the surface being treated;
- essential oils are bactericidal substances, many of which also repel insects.
Another spray is made with vinegar and other ingredients. A glass jar is filled to a quarter of its total volume with vinegar, then the vessel is topped up to the top with any vegetable oil. Add half a lemon or a tablespoon to this mixture lemon juice. Close tightly. The composition is stored in the refrigerator. Shake before use.
Saline solution
To save on more long term furniture from dust, experienced housewives A very simple method is used. Dilute a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water, stir until it is completely dissolved, then wipe the surfaces with this.
Liquid-soaked wipes
Wipes soaked in lemon solution work effectively. They remove dust without leaving streaks on the furniture. You can prepare such napkins for future use. To do this, pour 7 tablespoons of lemon cut into slices. vegetable oil. Leave for a week. Then dilute the solution with a glass of boiling water and strain. Dip a napkin into it, wring it out and dry it. It is ready for cleaning furniture.
Cleansing wipes can be prepared in another way. Pour a quarter of vinegar into a glass container and add water. Add a few drops of any essential oil to this composition. Place rags in it and close tightly. These rags are easy to clean household appliances And kitchen surfaces. For such anti-dust wipes, you need to use cotton fabrics. You can use old, no longer needed items for these purposes.
Fighting construction dust
Dust has to be dealt with during repair work, and upon their completion. After repairs, there will be much less hassle if you protect glass, furniture, and doors as much as possible with a special film.
If the dust hangs around and does not settle, it is worth spraying both the air and the floor surface with water to which citric acid or vinegar has been added. In this case, slightly moistened construction dust will be easier to collect, and it will be possible to clear the floor and air from it much faster.
The easiest way to clean it is with a mop and sponge, changing the water frequently. After this, repeatedly clean the surfaces at height and the floor with a damp cloth and sponges. Dust marks on the floor can be completely removed only with clean rags soaked in water and vinegar.
Preventive measures
To prevent dust from accumulating in the air, special measures must be taken.
For this, ventilation is necessary. IN warm weather It is necessary to ventilate the room for at least 20 minutes. In winter, a few minutes will be enough. While ventilation is going on, it is advisable to do wet cleaning.
Powerful resistance to dust - humidified air in the living room. There are special devices that support apartments required level humidity. But in their absence, you can use improvised means. So, a piece of fabric is attached to the fan, which is sprayed from time to time with a spray bottle. While working, the fan humidifies the air.
You can keep wide-necked containers filled with water near radiators. Or put fabrics on the batteries, which at one end go down into a vessel with water. With its constant evaporation, the air will be humid.
Helpers in the fight against flying dust
Indoor plants placed throughout the apartment will provide adequate, constant air humidification. Cyperus evaporates up to 3 liters of moisture per day. Yes and regular watering and spraying plants will also significantly help with air humidification.
Chlorophytum has shown itself to be a successful fighter against flying dust. This is the name of the flower, which absorbs toxins that enter the apartment and kills harmful bacteria. Several chlorophytums in the house will replace expensive air purifiers: within a day they absorb almost all harmful bacteria in the room.
Using these simple and affordable folk remedies for eliminating dust, you can keep your apartment clean without difficulty and expense.
Pesky dust upon closer inspection - amazing creature nature. Microscopic particles travel across the earth for centuries, bringing the smallest fibers into the house, including from heavenly lands, carrying dust from your bookshelf on a long journey. And the question of how to deal with hated dirt on polished furniture is almost rhetorical, because over the years the method has remained virtually unchanged.
What is dust and where does it come from?
Dust is solid particles, the smallest of which (up to 10 micromicrons in size) are constantly in the air, and the larger ones (from 10 to 50 micromicrons) settle on surfaces and serve as a headache for all housewives in the world.
The origin of dust can be either the most prosaic (particles of household epithelium, animal hair or microscopic remains of recent renovations) or almost fantastic and incredible for an average apartment in the Russian outback (ashes of volcanoes, evaporation of ocean salt or a particle of Everest). The fact is that dust moves freely in space, regardless of how tightly closed windows and doors, as well as distances and continents.
These small particles could still remain a subject of surprise and delight if dust mites did not occupy a huge proportion of them. They live in our homes as full-fledged owners, feeling great in mattresses and pillows, sofas and other secluded corners, from where it is almost impossible to survive. The danger is not the ticks themselves, but the waste products they produce daily and large quantities and can cause severe allergies in people.
In addition, dust, in addition to microscopic fragments of Egyptian pyramids and ancient Greek statues, may contain absolutely any substances, including those hazardous to human health chemical compounds.
Interesting facts about dust and its origin (video)
Why is it important to combat dust?
Dust, which can be almost anything, is inhaled by each of us every day and in large quantities, and, of course, it does not pass without leaving a trace. Growth in recent years various diseases Experts associate respiratory problems and allergies with the insecurity of the modern person’s home and, first of all, with the abundance of the notorious dust in it.
- As a result of regular inhalation of dust and its settling in the lungs, chronic diseases such as pulmonary ephysema, bronchitis, etc. develop.
- Dust from modern unnatural finishing materials can be dangerous due to harmful chemical compounds that end up directly in the lungs with the air.
- Pollen, particles of animal hair or epithelium, dust mites, etc. serve as causative agents of allergies in people predisposed to it.
- Viruses and bacteria spread along with dust, causing all kinds of diseases, including tuberculosis and smallpox.
Most often, house dust contains more than one type of bacteria and pathogens, and the worse the room is ventilated, the more dangerous dust it contains.
Thus, it will not work to isolate yourself from the problem by tightly closing the windows and doors. It is important to approach its solution comprehensively and with awareness of the matter.
Main dust collectors in the apartment
The degree to which a home is saturated with dust and its regular “production” by things depends on how many places in the house are potentially dangerous in this sense. In other words, the fewer dust collectors in the house, the less likely it is to develop allergic reactions and chronic respiratory diseases in you and your children.
So, the main suppliers and collectors of dust in the apartment are:
- TV, computer and other equipment that is made of fire-resistant plastic and heats up during operation.
- Sleeping place.
A mattress, sofa, pillows and bed linen are a home for dust mites, which in turn love to feast on particles of human epithelium. It is impossible to get rid of unnoticed roommates, but follow basic hygiene rules, namely, regularly change (at least once a week) and wash bed linen at high temperatures vital.
- Upholstered furniture in principle.
Strictly speaking, if you are a potential allergy sufferer, then it is better to get rid of chairs with cushions, and especially sofas, and replace them with wooden counterparts.
- Books.
- Street dust.
- Cleaning and washing powders.
- Old wallpaper.
- Carpets, and it doesn’t matter whether they are natural or made of synthetic fabrics, or, at a minimum, you should not have this luxury item hanging on the wall.
- Soft toys that are stored in the nursery and then distributed throughout the apartment.
- Any rubbish stored on the mezzanine or in the pantry.
- Upholstered furniture with possible analogues made of wood.
- Down pillows and soft mattresses similar to those made from modern materials, in which less dust accumulates.
- Regularly wash bed linen and all home textiles from curtains to bedspreads at high temperatures.
- Ventilate the room thoroughly, remembering that dust forms much faster in a closed space.
- If you don't have allergies, you should have indoor plants, which are known to help purify the air.
- It’s worth gathering all the fight into a fist and spending it in the apartment quite regularly (at least once every 3 years). cosmetic repairs. Checking ventilation, sealing cracks and leaks, replacing wallpaper and baseboards, etc. - real way combat possible dust concentrations in your home.
Ventilation, which is sometimes impossible to reach, is the dirtiest place in the apartment, through which air constantly circulates. That is why you need to make it a rule to carry out wet cleaning of this hard-to-reach place.
Multi-volume editions of classics not only collect dust, but also successfully produce it in incredible quantities, which is why a home library should, firstly, be carefully stored behind glass, and secondly, in a room that does not double as a bedroom for anyone household members. Shelves with books in the living room or office, as well as shelves with books, say, in the pantry or spacious hallway - best option for your health and safety.
If the room's windows do not overlook a quiet green square, then your apartment is also susceptible to dust accumulation. Therefore, if there is construction outside the window, bare ground or a highway, cleaning the apartment should be given more attention and time than we would like.
Giving a short-lived effect of alpine freshness, the powder hovers in the air for a long time, settling not only on the floor, but also in the lungs. That is why it is more rational to abandon such household chemicals, replacing them with more natural ones.
Dozens of layers of wallpaper in grandma’s apartment not only do not look aesthetically pleasing, but are also frankly harmful to health. That is why, for safety reasons, you should remove all layers of past repairs from the walls and glue a single layer of high-quality thick wallpaper.
For the absolute safety of your own apartment, the ideal, of course, would be to get rid of books and equipment, bed linen and upholstered furniture and sleep among the bare walls on a mat, wiping the floor daily with a damp cloth without powder. But, naturally, this is impossible, and, in general, there is no need, because there are proven ways to combat dust, both traditional and modern - whoever likes what you prefer.
How to deal with dust
Even if you have time to wipe all surfaces in the house every day to get rid of dust, this is unlikely to solve the problem; on the contrary, it will add headaches and increase paranoia. Let's consider several means, the cumulative and regular use of which will help protect your home from harmful particles and protect your health and the health of your loved ones.
Folk remedies
The most important folk remedy is wet cleaning. Adjusted for modern times: surfaces should be wiped with a dampened microfiber cloth, the fibers of which serve as peculiar hooks that catch dust.
The second remedy, which is mainly used in families with allergies, is getting rid of unnecessary things or replacing them with safe analogues.
So, if possible, you should throw away:
In general, you should take it as a rule: if an item is not used within a year, it means that you need to get rid of it (donate it, sell it, or throw it away).
It is also important to replace:
In addition, to combat dust, you can and should do the following:
Modern technology
When mentioning the fight against dust, an immediate association is triggered with advertised washing vacuum cleaners that cost incredible amounts of money.
Of course, you shouldn’t pay your last for such equipment, just as you shouldn’t overpay several times for a regular vacuum cleaner with additional function, but a washing vacuum cleaner really contributes effective fight with house dust. Moreover, an ordinary vacuum cleaner, in fact, serves as a double-edged sword: it collects dust, and then itself distributes it through the open hole of the dust bag. A washing vacuum cleaner carries out wet cleaning, depriving small particles of volatility, thereby neutralizing, among other things, harmful compounds that can cause damage to health.
Unfortunately, no modern antistatic agents or special brushes for dust removal help for a long time or do not help at all, and even on the contrary, they themselves become a source of dust and volatile compounds that are hazardous to health.
How to get rid of dust permanently
Getting rid of dust for more than 2 days will only help general cleaning followed by using a humidifier and air conditioner to ventilate the room.
But even in this case, dust will be present in the apartment, although not so visually noticeable. True, no later than in a week, you will need to change the bed linen again and carry out wet cleaning, because it will not be possible to get rid of the dust forever.
If you think about it, dust is a real symbol of movement, because its “production” does not stop for a second, it is everywhere and always and is capable of moving over vast distances, carrying particles from your computer keyboard far across the ocean. Unfortunately, only a slightly detached philosophical view will help you take the problem more calmly and live with it, regularly using recommendations for cleaning the house.
Why dust is dangerous and how to deal with it (video)
Do you get the impression that you can’t get rid of the dust and it won’t go anywhere? Alas, there is no universal super remedy that can solve this problem once and for all. But it is still possible to minimize the amount. So, today you will learn how to get rid of dust, how harmful it is and where it comes from.
Note! It is impossible to get rid of all the dust in the house: it will accumulate over time even in an empty room without people. Why? To give a detailed answer, let’s get acquainted with the composition of dust and the sources of its appearance.
Dust is very small particles(can be mineral or organic), the diameter of which ranges from 0.005-0.1 mm. Larger particles are already sand. Where might dust be present? Yes, almost everywhere, even where, at first glance, reigns perfect cleanliness. And if there is a lot of dust, then it, being exposed to humidity, settles on the surface.
Man (more precisely, his activity) and dust go hand in hand, such is nature. We, as a rule, do not pay much attention to dust, but scientists have long proven that it is harmful to health, because it is full of dangerous microorganisms. Typically, the most dangerous is fine dust, which we don’t even see.
In nature. Main source dust in this case are small particles of soil that, when dry, rise with the wind (sometimes very high) and move tens or even hundreds of kilometers. During flight, these particles mix with tiny cosmic dust that penetrates the atmosphere with the remains of meteorites.
In residential premises. It has been proven that we inhale about 50 ml of dust every day, most of it at home. It is in residential premises (especially closed ones) that it accumulates in large quantities. Over the course of a year, up to 30 kg of dust can accumulate in a simple city apartment.
As for the composition of dust, it is quite difficult to determine it, since it always changes depending on specific premises. However, there are still average indicators, let’s consider them.
Table No1. Dust composition (average values).
How harmful is dust?
We are perfectly adapted to various kinds of external influences - for example, we are protected from the penetration of bacteria into the body by the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs. What is characteristic is that these shells self-clean from foreign particles that have fallen on them. But when immunity decreases, i.e. when a person is sick, this system fails. And it is in such situations that dust in the house becomes a serious threat.
Dust consisting of particles is especially dangerous synthetic materials- for example, old insulation or foam rubber, wallpaper, furniture, carpets, etc. These particles may contain harmful chemical compounds (including pesticides). There are also a lot of dust mites in this dust, and they main reason allergic reactions that provoke the development of asthma. By the way, this is precisely why allergy sufferers suffer from dust.
Important! The spores of harmful fungi that we inhale with dust are no less dangerous. Fungi can cause meningitis and diseases bladder, kidneys, lungs and bronchi.
Finally, settling dust contaminates food and water, causing certain pulmonary/infectious diseases to develop. To avoid all these troubles, you need to mandatory keep the apartment clean!
Where does dust collect in the apartment?
The main dust collector in the house is, as noted earlier, carpets(especially wall-mounted ones, because they receive the least attention). Therefore, all carpets in the apartment need to be thoroughly vacuumed at least once every few days. During general cleaning, you can use a steam mop or steam cleaner (more on this a little later), thanks to which the carpet is not only refreshed and regains its former attractiveness, but also cleansed of bacteria.
Another dust collector - cloth. It is better not to leave things on the back of the chair, but to immediately put them in the closet. This will not only keep the apartment tidy, but also speed up cleaning. Small decorative elements– vases, figurines and the like – should be wiped regularly, because dust also accumulates on them.
Note! Heavy and dark curtains It’s better not to use them – hang light ones instead light curtains(the latter attract dust much less). Also refuse wool coverings for furniture, and be sure to store all wool clothes in the closet.
Old pillows with feather/down filling are a real breeding ground for dust mites. For this reason, instead of natural filler, it is worth using synthetic filler - for example, holofiber (small balls of improved padding polyester). In addition to lightness and elasticity, holofiber has the following properties:
- softness;
- environmental friendliness;
- hypoallergenic;
- moisture/wear resistance.
Holofiber is an excellent filler
In addition, holofiber is a “breathable material” that repels dirt. It also does not attract dust.
First, let's note: a damp cloth is quite enough to remove dust from hard surfaces. This way the particles will not scatter around the room, but will stick to the fabric. You just need to make sure that the rag is not too wet: if there is too much water, the dust will turn into dirt, which can greatly damage the furniture finish.
Give preference to microfiber or cotton rags - these materials cope better with dirt and absorb moisture.
Here are some more tips from the experts on our site.
- The apartment needs to be ventilated as often as possible.
- Wet cleaning should be carried out at least two to three times a week, and all accessible surfaces should be cleaned.
- You should also try to brush your pets more often and wipe the dust on the leaves of plants.
- Every week, all decorative elements - paintings, toys, figurines - must be wiped.
- Skirting boards (as well as the space behind the baseboards) are a real breeding ground for mites and dust; these places need to be vacuumed regularly.
- All upholstered furniture, curtains and walls should be thoroughly vacuumed every month.
- Correctly knock dust out of upholstered furniture: cover, for example, a chair with a wet cloth, and then start beating with a beater. In this case, the dust will remain on the fabric and not spread throughout the room.
- Finally, general cleaning should be carried out in the apartment at least once a month.
Pay attention! Dust that accumulates in fans, air conditioners and hoods is extremely dangerous! You cannot clean them yourself - you will have to contact a service center.
What means should I use?
First of all - a little physics. Microparticles, as we remember, have a slight electrical charge, so they stick to objects with the opposite charge. To avoid this, antistatic agents are used: thanks to them, the accumulation of static electricity is minimized, which means that dust simply does not settle on equipment and furniture.
Today there are many different means that have one or another effectiveness. To select suitable option, you need to know about its purpose. Before use, read the instructions, otherwise, instead of the desired cleanliness, a dense, unflattering coating may appear on the surfaces.
- polish– it is used to prevent dust from settling on furniture for a long time (for example, “Chirton Anti-Dust”, “Pronto Anti-Dust”). The polish contains antistatic agents and adds shine. As a result, the dust does not settle on the furniture, but rather “slides off” it. At the same time, anti-dust is not a panacea - you will still have to carry out wet cleaning, albeit less often;
- separate sprays not only neutralize static electricity, but also eliminate dust mites (“Uplon Expert”). Such products should be used infrequently - approximately once every 6 months;
- antistatic agents for PC/TVs– remove dust and dirt (“BIG D Antistatic Spray”. It is better to give preference to products that are approved for use when the equipment is turned on and do not require subsequent cleaning with a napkin;
- impregnation– we are talking about products for upholstered furniture, which, after application, spread to the surface and create a kind of protective film that prevents dust from penetrating inside. However, the furniture still needs to be cleaned, otherwise the impregnation will transform into a thick coating;
- vinegar– suitable for amateurs folk remedies. You need to add 50-70 ml of vinegar, a few drops of essential oil (you can take any) and 2 tsp. olive oil in 200 ml of cool water, pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle and treat the furniture. This method good because it also eliminates unpleasant odors.
Choosing household chemicals, give special attention composition. Stay away from toxic substances (such as phosphates, ammonium, chlorine, etc.) and remember: some products provoke irritation of mucous membranes and skin, therefore it is better to work with gloves and a protective mask.
What brushes are suitable for cleaning?
Let’s immediately make a reservation that ordinary brooms will not help in our case. They will not remove the dust, but will only raise it into the air. Of course, you can clean it with a damp cloth, as described above, but it may leave stains. Therefore, to clean hard surfaces, you can use one of the options below.
![](https://i1.wp.com/svoimi-rykami.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/%D0%90%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D1%89%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B0.jpg)
These brushes are convenient to use; they allow you to clean the most hard-to-reach places (this could be a keyboard, blinds, bookshelf, etc.).
GOST R 51870-2014. Professional cleaning services. Specifications . Downloadable file (click the link to open the PDF in a new window).
Dust removal devices
The most popular device is considered to be a vacuum cleaner. Give preference to models with water filters or HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air - highly effective particle retention). However, when using washing equipment Humidity increases, which can contribute to the development of mold, so it is better to clean tiles, linoleum or stone with such devices.
In addition to the vacuum cleaner, dust concentration in the apartment is reduced using the following devices.
![](https://i1.wp.com/svoimi-rykami.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/%D0%9E%D1%87%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B4%D1%83%D1%85%D0%B0.jpg)
If the humidity in the room is low, a humidifier - ultrasonic, steam or traditional - will help you. Thanks to the device, dust will not swirl in the air.
Steam cleaner Karcher SC 2 EasyFix. Operating instructions. Downloadable file (click the link to open the PDF in a new window).
Master class. Cleaning carpet with a steam cleaner
Step 1. To begin with, a few words about the device itself. A cleaner that will allow it to dry in no more than 12 hours is suitable for carpet. Excess moisture can damage the carpet and cause mold to grow.
Step 2. You need a steam cleaner with sufficient power. If you use a low-power device, there is a risk that it will not remove the product from the carpet. Because of this, the carpet will quickly become dirty again.
Step 3. Select the right time for cleaning - it is necessary that the carpet dries as quickly as possible.
Step 4. Use a small amount of detergent with an acidity (pH) of no more than 10, otherwise the surface of the carpet may be damaged.
Step 5. Remove furniture and other objects that may interfere in advance. Clear the area for yourself so you can see all the dirt.
Step 6. Now, having finished with the preparation, you can proceed directly to cleaning. First, fill the purifier with hot water.
Step 7 Add a little cleaning agent and follow the instructions.
Step 8 Start cleaning the carpet from the corner farthest from the door and gradually move towards the exit so as not to walk on the clean surface.
Step 9 Apply detergent to the maximum, walk a couple of times on the carpet.
Step 10 Now all that remains is to rinse off the used product with water. You should not leave it (the product) on the carpet, as dirt will stick to it.
Step 11 Turn on fans/air conditioners to help the carpet dry faster. You can use a dehumidifier (if available).
Removing dust from the ceiling
To do this, use a mop with a long handle and an attachment made of dust-collecting material. You can also use a brush for cleaning. If the ceiling is suspended, use a soap solution. Soak a soft nozzle in it, then carefully wipe the entire stretch ceiling
Removing dust from books
On bookshelves, as we noted earlier, a lot of dust accumulates, but the books themselves cannot be cleaned even with a vacuum cleaner. After that, we still wipe them with a damp cloth. But we recommend using a special dust-repellent mixture for this. Preparing such a mixture is quite simple: mix glycerin with water (1:10).
Getting rid of construction dust
Construction dust is something that you have to deal with both during renovation and after it. But upon completion of the repair work, there will be less hassle if you take care in advance to protect doors, glass and furniture by sealing them with a special film.
Note! If construction dust does not want to settle, spray the floor and air with water and a small amount of vinegar or citric acid. Then it will be much easier to collect slightly damp dust - both on the floor and in the air.
For cleaning, it is convenient to use a mop with a sponge; the water should be changed as often as possible. Then the floor and all surfaces at height should be wiped repeatedly with damp sponges/rags. The final touch– removing traces of dust using rags (exceptionally clean!), soaked in water and vinegar.
Video - Cleaning construction dust with a household vacuum cleaner
Houseplants from dust
The opinion that the air can be purified (including dust) with the help of indoor plants is widespread. But we believe that the effectiveness of green assistants is somewhat exaggerated. Yes, in general, plants have a positive effect on the microclimate in the apartment, but wet cleaning in tandem with modern devices much more effective than any ficus. However, as aid from dust, indoor plants can still be used.
Table No. 2. Indoor plants that purify the air.
Name, photo | Brief description |
---|---|
It cleans the air well of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. It is recommended to place it in the children's room and in the kitchen. | |
Also absorbs formaldehyde that is released new furniture. It is also a more popular medicinal plant. | |
Helps purify the air of toxic compounds that are released plastic windows and furniture. | |
An effective air purifier. Absorbs all volatile substances harmful to the body. | |
Cleanses from toxic compounds and mold, accumulates dust on the leaves. | |
Eliminates not only toxic substances, which are distinguished by laminate, plastic windows and furniture, but also staphylococci. | |
Copes well with harmful microorganisms, bacteria. It is recommended to place it in the bedroom to breathe fresh air while sleeping. | |
Also has cleansing properties. The leaves of the plant secrete special substances that kill harmful microorganisms. | |
Absorbs formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides - substances emitted by furniture. | |
The action is the same as a vacuum cleaner - the plant collects dust. | |
Purifies the air from formaldehyde and also humidifies it. | |
Effectively purify the air of germs. | |
The plant is known for absorbing benzene from the air. | |
Absorbs negative ions (come from electrical appliances), instead highlighting the positive ones. Also picks up dust. |
So now you know about effective methods removing dust from the apartment. Frankly speaking, it is not an easy task, but it is a noble one. With a little effort, you can not only enjoy cleanliness, but also protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illnesses!