Our top dust-busting tips
Around the office and around the home, dust can seem to appear from nowhere, gathering on surfaces and in hard-to-reach spots. So, what is dust, and what can you do to keep on top of it?
Here are our top tips for becoming an expert dust-buster!
What is dust?
Dust is a collection of various matter, including:
- Human skin cells
- Dust mites & other insects
- Skin cells from pets (dander)
- Food debris
- Fibres from clothes and carpets
- Pollen
- Soil
Does dust cause a risk to health?
In short, yes. Letting dust accumulate in your home or workspace is a bad idea if you want to stay healthy. Not only can dust have a negative effect on the air quality of your living or working space, but it can also trigger allergic reactions, and potentially carry viruses.
It’s important to remember that even the smallest amount of dust can trigger an allergic reaction, which can differ in severity depending on the sensitivity of the person. It’s also important to remember that even if you don’t have a dust allergy, you could still be allergic to any of the individual allergens it generally contains.
Dust hotspots around the office
Desk spaces and computer equipment
Your keyboard, mouse, and phone are tools that you will use for long periods of time throughout the day, and they each hold thousands of potentially harmful microorganisms and bacteria. As you have a lot of contact with these items every day, it’s important to keep them clean to reduce any risks to your general health.
Kitchen areas
Despite the fact that most people will use the office kitchen facilities at least once a day, kitchen areas are often the areas in the workplace that can come a bit neglected. Without a clear schedule for cleaning, members of staff are likely to assume that the responsibility lies with someone else, and therefore neglect their cleaning duties.
To combat this, you might consider investing in a professional commercial cleaning company, who will help to keep your workplace sparkling clean and ease some of the pressure from your employees, who are likely already very busy doing the jobs they’re employed to do!
Windowsills and blinds
With the warmer weather now upon us, the windows in your workplace are likely to be opening and closing far more frequently than in the winter months. As a result, dust will be gathering more quickly due to the matter being blown in from outside, and the increased contact from your employees.
Air vents
Air vents can help to purify the air in your workplace, but if not properly maintained, they can also add to the build-up of dust in the air. Make sure you dust your air vents regularly with a soft-brush vacuum attachment or electrostatic mop to keep them, and the air in your workplace, clean.
Your duster!
Think about it - whilst you’re hard at work dusting and keeping your workplace clean, your duster is what’s gathering all that dust, and it will hold onto it until it’s cleaned. Be sure to clean your duster on a regular basis, or to make things easier, you could always swap it out for microfibre cleaning cloths, which will do a better job of removing and trapping dust, and can be thrown in the washing machine when your cleaning is done!
Dust hotspots around the home
Upholstered furniture
Upholstered furniture around the home is a prime spot for dust to gather, particularly if you have a pet (and even if that pet isn’t allowed on your furniture!). We recommend vacuuming your furniture on a regular basis to keep the dust and pet dander at bay.
Bedding
Bedding can be a hot-zone for dust mites and other bacteria. It’s advisable to wash your bedding in hot water around once a week, and you could also invest in dust-mite-proof pillowcases if you have a dust allergy or are particularly sensitive.
Carpets and rugs
Carpets are high traffic areas, and as a result will naturally gather a lot of dust, dirt and pet dander. To reduce the risk of allergen build-up and keep your carpets clean, it’s important to keep on top of your vacuuming duties. For single-person households, 1-2 times per week may be sufficient. However for those with larger families at home, you may find the need to vacuum up to once a day.
Windowsills and curtains
With windows being regularly opened to help circulate the air inside your home, and curtains opened and closed at least once a day, windowsills and curtains are prime locations for dust to gather. Be sure to dust your windowsills down regularly, and vacuum or machine wash your curtains to help keep them clean and fresh.
Bookshelves
You may access your bookshelves regularly, or they may be used merely for decoration. Either way, dust loves books! Be sure to wipe your bookshelves down regularly with a duster or microfibre cloth.
Radiators
Whether you use the radiators in your home simply to heat a room, or to dry your washing, radiators can be one of the worst for attracting dust. Make sure you check them regularly, and don’t forget to clean the inside of your radiators to really free them from dust.
Our top dust-busting tips
Some other things to consider when it comes to keeping on top of the dust in your home or workplace:
- 60% of household dust comes from outside, so be sure to remember to remove outside clothing (shoes, jackets, etc.) by the front door to reduce the amount of outdoor pollutants coming into your home.
- Invest in the right cleaning equipment, products and supplies, and remember to add supplies to your shopping list whenever you’re running low!
- Computer keyboards can attract dust very easily, but they’re notoriously difficult to keep clean. Consider using compressed air to get into all the nooks and crannies and keep your keyboard clean.
- Vacuum cleaners are much more effective on hard-wood floors than sweeping brushes. Be sure to use a vacuum with a floor brush attachment to avoid marking or damaging your floor.
- A toothbrush isn’t just for cleaning teeth! Toothbrushes can be great for getting dust out of small, hard-to-reach spaces.
- Consider using a damp microfibre cleaning cloth instead of your usual feather duster - this will be more effective at trapping and removing dust, and is much easier to clean.
Commercial cleaning services Lancashire
With a busy work schedule, office cleaning can often slip to the bottom of the list. However, in addition to minimising the risk of illness amongst your team, keeping your working environment clean can also help to keep staff happy, and generate a good first impression for visitors and potential clients.
The team here at Cleanbright has been providing comprehensive office cleaning services to businesses in Lancashire for over 40 years. Working alongside a commercial cleaning company such as Cleanbright will help to lighten your workload, whilst also ensuring that all cleaning tasks are carried out to the highest standard on a regular basis.
Ready to invest in regular cleaning for your workplace? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote!
