Unfortunately, keeping your windows open will not reduce the amount of dust in your home; in fact, doing this could increase it. There is a lot of dust in the air outside, which is comprised of dirt, sand, pollen, spores,'bits' of insects and a great deal more.
Opening Windows Can Help Indoor Air Quality
When you open your windows you will flush out a lot of the pollutants and allergens that build up within your home. Newer homes are built to be air-tight to conserve energy and money, but as a result this prevents pollutants from naturally escaping your home.
Does fresh air get rid of dust? It may seem counterintuitive, but opening the windows to get some fresh air actually increases the amount of dust in your home.
Keep Windows and Doors Closed
While fresh air is great, it's a dusty world out there. Even using window and door screens will not keep out pollen and small dust particles. Keep windows and doors closed to reduce dust inside.
Dust accumulation in your home is a product of airflow, either because too much dirty, dust-filled air is floating around your home or because not enough air is spreading through the home, allowing dust to settle.
“The bedroom, for example, has a tendency to generate dust from the bedding fibers, dust mites, and skin cells. If a room has carpet and other upholstered furniture, dust levels increase even more.”
High-efficiency particulate air filters, known as HEPA filters, can remove 99.97 percent of dust particles that are 3 microns in diameter, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As of now, air purifiers that have a HEPA filter tend to be the best at filtering out dust from your space.
HEPA air purifiers are the best for getting rid of dust because they filter out even fine matter in the air. These air purifiers are widely available at big box stores and from online retailers. Typically HEPA air purifiers are stand-alone units that plug into a wall outlet.
When doing your thorough cleaning, dust the room before vacuuming so you can vacuum up the particles that float into the air as you work and settle on the floor.
DIY Magic Dust Repellent - . 5 tsp Olive Oil helps to repel dust - 1 tsp Vinegar to kill dust mites - . 5 cup of water - 10 drops of lemon essential oil - 2 drops of dish soap - Pour mixture into bottle & shake - Spray on microfiber cloth - Use mixture once a week!
Not only can keeping openings closed cause condensation issues inside your house (i.e. weeping windows), which we know can lead to mould, it also allows toxins already inside the home to build up. That includes volatile organic compounds, mold spores, dust, smoke, radon, viruses and bacteria.
Prevailing wisdom is that at least 5 minutes—and ideally 15 to 20 minutes—a day of ventilation significantly improves indoor air quality. For a strong ventilation, open the front and back door, along with windows on the path in between, to get the baddies out.
So how often should you open your windows? It's recommended that you do so once a day, for at least five minutes. Fifteen to 20 minutes is preferable. However, when you open them is also important.
Dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny bugs that commonly live in house dust. Signs of dust mite allergy include those common to hay fever, such as sneezing and runny nose. Many people with dust mite allergy also experience signs of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Just like the ceiling fans, lamp shades and light bulbs attract more dust than other surfaces and areas at home. Dim, dusty light bulbs are also huge energy wasters. While the glass is dirty and lowers the illumination, the light still continues to draw power.
In a recent study, Canha and colleagues found that closed doors and windows led to higher levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other substances such as formaldehyde. “Sleep is essential to our life in several areas: health, well-being and productivity,” Canha told Reuters Health by email.
Sleeping with an open window can negatively impact your health as well. While cold air itself can't make you sick — colds and flus occur because germs overwhelm a person's immune system — it can potentially dry out nasal cavities, resulting in increased mucus production and a possible sinus infection.
Well as simple as it sounds, a short burst of fresh air daily significantly reduces indoor pollution, bringing in fresh air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and simultaneously carrying indoor air pollutants out of the area.
Both low humidity and high humidity play a role in why your house is so dusty. When the air is dry, your air can be extra dusty. But when it's too high, it can feed mites and promote mold growth. If your air is dry, run a humidifier so that you can reach a comfortable level.
But Ferro's team found that vacuum cleaning generates around half as much dust as simply stomping on the carpet - perhaps because the machine's filter fails to trap all of the particles.
The science behind why damp dusting is more efficient than a dry cloth comes from the fact that a damp cloth introduces capillary force to the dust particles. In short, the damp cloth draws the particles in and lifts dust from the area instead of moving them around.
A: Interior designers and hygiene experts agree that floors should be vacuumed once weekly at minimum. Flooring of all types collects dust and dirt that can detract from their beauty, whether you notice a dingy look or not. More importantly, going longer than a week between vacuuming sessions can lead to health issues.
Dust ceilings, door frames, baseboards, and other areas in home at least once in a week or once in two weeks to prevent the accumulation of dust that can activate an allergic reaction in your family members. While dusting, be sure to employ a dusting tool that will not just extend the dirt back into the air.