If you are dust-sensitive—especially if you have allergies or asthma—you can reduce some of your misery by creating a dust-free environment. Dust may contain molds, fibers, and dander from dogs, cats, and other animals, as well as tiny dust mites. These mites, which live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets, thrive in the summer and die in the winter. They will, however, continue to thrive in the winter if your house is warm and humid. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead mites and their waste products, which actually provoke allergic reactions.
Maintain a Dust-Free Bedroom
The routine cleaning necessary to maintain a dust-free house can also help reduce exposure to cockroaches, another important cause of asthma in some of us suffering from allergies. You probably cannot control dust conditions where you work or spend your daylight hours, but you can eliminate dust from bedrooms. To create a dust-free bedroom, you must reduce the number of surfaces on which dust can collect. Here’s how:
- Do a thorough cleaning. First, while wearing a face (filter) mask, clear the bedroom of all furniture, carpets, etc., just as if you were moving out.
- Empty and clean all the closets and, if possible, store their contents elsewhere and seal them. If this is too difficult or not possible, keep clothing in zippered plastic bags and shoes in boxes off the floor.
- If possible, remove all carpets
- Once the room is empty, with the doors and windows closed (still wearing a face mask), clean and scrub the woodwork, window frames, sills, and floors thoroughly to remove all traces of dust and mites. A small amount of detergent in a pail with water and a clean mop and large sponge would do the job.
- Tile floors should be cleaned the same way. Be sure that the tiles are firmly attached to the floor because loose tiles allow dust and debris to collect underneath them.
- Thoroughly clean the furniture and carpets before bringing them back into the room: a clean, damp cloth should work well with furniture. Carpets should be carefully vacuumed; professional carpet cleaning should be considered.
