Dust before vacuuming We recommend dusting before vacuuming, this is because dust particles usually get moved around the room when you dust, meaning all your hard work will go to waste. A top tip is to wait at least 2 hours after dusting to get the vacuum out.
Dusting first is particularly important if it has been some time since you dusted. The duster will become filled with particles and large clumps of dust will drop to the floor. Once upon a time, cleaning experts recommended vacuuming first. Old-style vacuums would kick up so much dust that dusting was done last.
The simplest way to dust upholstered furniture is to use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment. However, if you don't have a vacuum with a hose, put on a pair of rubber dishwashing gloves. Start at the top of the furniture and rub down in one direction. The gloves will attract pet hair and dust.
Most homeowners think vacuum cleaning gets rid of this problem, but it can actually make it worse. According to a study by the Queensland University of Technology, “Both vacuum cleaning and the act of vacuuming can release and re-suspend dust and allergens, leading to increased exposure.”
The moving air particles rub against any loose dust or debris as they move, and if the debris is light enough and the suction is strong enough, the friction carries the material through the inside of the vacuum cleaner.
Use the attachments on your vacuum to clean couches, chairs, or other upholstered furniture. Remove the cushions to make sure you're able to get into any tight spaces where dust could be hiding.
No matter what your couch is made of, you should be vacuuming it regularly. (Every week or two is ideal.) Use your vacuum cleaner's crevice tool to get into tight corners, and the upholstery attachment or soft brush attachment for the couch's surfaces. Lift each cushion up to reveal the dust and crumbs underneath.
A buildup of dust in your home is often the result of poor airflow. A combination of poor airflow and infrequent cleaning can lead dust and dust mites to settle comfortably into several areas in your home. “Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, and upholstery,” Dr. Cajigal says.
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.
In order to keep your home's air quality top notch, you should be dusting at least every other week, if not weekly. Choose a time each week, like Wednesday after you pick the kids up from soccer practice, to dust your house, or dust a certain area each day.
If you don't vacuum your carpet, the dirt will break down carpet fibers and create a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria. In addition, your home will begin to smell musty from the dirt, mites, and other organisms settling into the fibers.
Professional cleaners know that microfiber is the way to go, and there's even science to back up this thinking. Unlike a traditional woven cloth, the microscopic bristle-like fibers in these cloths grab hold of dust and don't let go.
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.
“We would recommend vacuuming at least once or twice a week—and more often if we have pets—with the right tools to remove dust quickly and effectively," Patel advises.
That persistent layer of dust on furniture can come from several places, including dirt, pollen, and even dead skin. In addition to dusty surfaces being unsightly, those dust particles are also in the air your household breathes, potentially causing reactions in anyone with dust allergies.
Even in closed-up homes, it will still settle from the indoor atmosphere, leak from the ceiling cornices and attic spaces, and seep into your living areas through cracks around windows and doors. Any particles of dirt, smoke, fibres or crushed materials that go into the air eventually come down as dust.
First, you need to vacuum up all loose dirt from the sofa surface. Next, spray water and cleaning agent evenly on the stained surface. For heavy dirt, spray and leave to work for at least 5 minutes. Then place the nozzle on the surface of upholstery and slowly vacuum up the moisture from the cleaning mixture.
Use a hand vacuum or the brush attachment on your vacuum to clean debris and dirt from the sofa surface. Be sure to clean the crevices where pet hair, food crumbs and dirt accumulate. If the cushions are not attached, remove them and vacuum both sides.
Once you're done sofa cleaning, you will need to let it dry. There are a few factors that speed up or slow down dry time, so each case is different, but we recommend waiting 4-6 hours before sitting on your couch.