How to Reduce Dust and Allergens at Home

Household dust is a mix of skin flakes, fabric fibres, pollen and pet dander, and it is home to dust mites, whose droppings trigger allergies. You cannot remove dust forever, but you can cut it dramatically and make the air easier to breathe. Here is a practical plan.

Clean from the top down

Always work high to low. Dust shelves, picture frames and the tops of wardrobes first, then furniture, then floors last of all. That way anything you disturb falls onto surfaces you have not cleaned yet, instead of settling back onto finished ones.

Trap dust, do not scatter it

Dry dusters and feather brushes just fling dust into the air, where it resettles. Trap it instead.

• Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth so dust sticks rather than flies.
• Choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which holds fine allergen particles instead of blowing them back out.
• Wash cleaning cloths regularly so you are not spreading the same dust around.

Bedding and soft furnishings

Your bed is the biggest dust-mite habitat in the house.

• Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly at 60C to kill mites.
• Air the duvet and vacuum the mattress every few weeks.
• Wash or shake curtains, cushion covers and throws often.
• Consider anti-allergy mattress and pillow covers if anyone in the home reacts badly.

Control humidity and mites

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid air. Keep indoor humidity below about 50 per cent by ventilating daily, using extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom, and drying laundry outdoors where you can. A dehumidifier helps in damp rooms.

Improve the air you breathe

Quick wins for cleaner air

• Ventilate: open windows for ten minutes a day to flush out stale, particle-heavy air.
• Declutter: fewer ornaments, piles of paper and knick-knacks mean fewer surfaces for dust to gather.
• Swap fitted carpet for washable rugs in the worst rooms if allergies are severe, as carpet holds more dust.
• Take shoes off at the door to stop pollen and grit coming in.

A simple weekly routine

Little and often beats an occasional blitz. Damp-dust surfaces and vacuum with a HEPA machine twice a week, wash bedding weekly, and ventilate every day. Keep it consistent and dust never builds up enough to become a problem.

Want the allergy-triggering dust gone without the effort? You can book a GlowSpark cleaner from £19 an hour to keep your home fresh and easy to breathe in.