How to Prevent Dust Before It Forms, According to Cleaning Experts

Wherever you live, one thing you'll inevitably have to deal with is dust. It forms on your television, shelves, in corners, and under furniture. But what if there were a way to proactively tackle dust before it forms, rather than constantly cleaning up the aftermath? Believe it or not, it's possible. There are a few simple maintenance measures you can take to minimize the dust in your home, like regularly changing your air filters, grooming your pets, and frequently washing your bedding.

Keep Dust Outside

One of the most common ways dust accumulates in your home is by way of the outdoors. "Dust can come in through open windows and doors, cracks in the walls, as well as from us humans," says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean. "In fact, we can be the primary source of bringing dust into our homes."

Use a Doormat

One way to prevent dust from coming into your home is by placing a fiber doormat both outside and inside your front door. Use it to thoroughly wipe your shoes (which can harbor dust) before entering the house. "You could also ask guests to take their shoes off once they enter the house. This may keep some dust limited to your entrance hallway," says Sokolowski.

Keep Windows Closed

On breezy days, it's nice to have some fresh air flowing in your home—but try not to throw open the sash too often, as it provides a pathway for dust. Specifically, you should keep ground floor windows shut, especially if they face a road. "During peak traffic hours, a lot of dust can build up from the cars, so this would be the best time to keep your windows closed," Sokolowski says.

Additionally, check for faulty windows if you're seeing a lot of dust in your home. "Leaky windows and doors can also let dust in," says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. "If you are experiencing more dust than usual, it's a good idea to check all the doors and windows in your home as a first step."

Keep Plants by Windows

When you do want the windows open, placing houseplants nearby will help trap some of the dust particles that come into your home. "We recommend choosing a plant with hairy or crinkly leaves, as they will catch more dust than those smooth leaves," says Sokolowski.

Change Air Filters

Whether you have a central heating and cooling system or use window units, your appliances' air filters should be changed regularly. "It is recommended to change your air filter every three months to cut down the amount of dust in your house," says Sokolowski.

How regularly you swap out or clean your filters comes down to the size of your house and what season it is. How the filter looks is a good indicator of when it's time to change it. "A quick visual will tell you if it's time to change it," says Melissa Poepping, founder of The Chemical Free Home. Ultimately, if you fail to keep up with your home's filters, they will start to spread dust, dirt, and pollen.

Clean Bedding Regularly

Sheets, covers, and pillows collect dust particles that are eventually kicked around your room. Wash your bedding every two weeks to prevent this from happening. "Frequently washed bedding helps you stay ahead of dust from dead skin, pet dander, and hair shedding," says Poepping. "I shake out the comforter outside just as I would a rug, and I take the decorative pillows out to do the same." In addition to cleaning, you should air out your bedding every two or three days by pulling back your covers.

Pet Maintenance

Pets can be a major source of dust in the home—from shedding to the dirt they track in from outside. But there are a few ways to limit the amount of dust your pets accumulate.

Groom Frequently

Daily brushing with a quality de-shedding tool and regular bathing will help with accumulated dust from pets. It is recommended to wash your dog regularly, says Sokolowski, from once a month to every three months, depending on the dog. But don't over-bathe your pets, which can dry out their coat and cause their skin to flake, leading to more dust in the long run.

Clean Their Bedding

Be diligent about cleaning the items your pet sleeps on. "Wash their bedding weekly, but always shake it outside before to remove hairs, dirt, and dust," says Sokolowski. "If you put a bed directly into the machine you may risk damaging or clogging your machine." If they sleep on your furniture, place a blanket or towel over it first, which makes cleaning easier.

Get an Air Purifier

An air purifier cleans the atmosphere of your home by reducing contaminants, which include dust. "Although an air purifier can not remove dust entirely, it can help to reduce the amount of dust settling in your home," says Sokolowski. "When dust enters your home it does so by floating around in the air. The air purifier plays its part by trapping the dust before it has a chance to settle on surfaces in your home." The device traps the particles with a fan and an internal filter. The fan pulls the air in, along with unwanted dust particles, then it filters and purifies the air and circulates it back into the room, while dust remains stuck in the device's filter.

Use a Vacuum With a HEPA Filter

Part of keeping your home dust free is using the right tools to do so. A vacuum with a HEPA filter removes 99.7 percent of all dust particles as well as pollen and bacteria. "On the other hand, certain vacuums, because of their exhausts, can stir up dust and spit it back into the air causing more harm to your health than good," says Sokolowski.