Household Dust

Asthma and allergies are at least two of the conditions known to be caused by household dust. Household dust usually contains at least a few of the following nasty allergens: dust mites, fungi, mildew, insects, pollen, and animal dander that have all gathered in corners, create those hard to reach dust bunnies under the bed, and on top of shelves with the unsightly dust. How can you control dust in your home? Here are a few suggestions:

• Install an electrostatic precipitator in your furnace's air duct. The charging section of the electrostatic precipitator positively charges the particles, while the receiving end has a negative charge that restrains the particles and thus gets your house a little closer to dust-free.
• Use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter, which is the most efficient means of filtering air. There are also a couple of new brands of vacuum on the market which use high powered air to suck the dust right out of the carpet and swirl it around until the actual particles dissolve, to put it in over simplified terms. These vacuums are expensive, but are the cutting edge technology for homes with a high probability of dust causing allergies.
• Large, "room size" air filters should be placed in bedrooms and other rooms where family members sleep or spend a good deal of time. They filter harmful particles and allergens out of the air you consistently breathe - that makes them more than worth their usually moderate price. These are becoming smaller in size and higher in efficiency as the technology progresses.
• Electrostatic air filters, like the electrostatic precipitator, provide reliable air filtration and ease of cleaning or maintenance. They can be removed from the filter quickly, cleaned, and used again! These are a lot like the ones you see on TV, simply remove the collection grid and wipe with a clean rag, then replace. The collection grids themselves hardly ever have to be replaced-only when damaged-so this type of air filtration system is the longest lasting for the money. The down side to them is that they only cover a small area with maximum air cleaning quality, so you may need one for each room of the house, if dust allergies are particularly bad.
• Use a humidity gauge and subsequent air conditioning as appropriate in order to ensure that the humidity level in your home is no higher than fifty percent. In the winter months, the humidity level should be kept within thirty five and fifty percent. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments. Dry them out!

Wash your bedding at least once a week. This includes any sheets, comforters, pillow cases, or blankets. Throw curtains in the washer every time you think about it as well, curtains made from fabric catch and hold dust almost as easily as the slats in window shading. Dust your house every couple of days in addition to having air filters. If the filters are working properly you should see a decline in the amount of dust on your duster. Dust and pet dander tend to collect in bedrooms, where we spend a great deal of time sleeping. Allergens + constant exposure = allergic reactions/no fun.