Ways to minimise dust in your home or office

Cleaning can be time-consuming but it is a necessary step to hygiene and health. If you do not have the equipment or time, consider hiring a professional contract cleaning company for a once-off service. If you can handle the cleaning by yourself, here are 10 tips for removing dust from your home or office:

1. Get the right equipment

   Firstly, you need to have the right cleaning supplies and equipment to do the job effectively. You will need a vacuum cleaner, broom, mop, microfibre cloth, eco-friendly detergents and cleaning sprays. For the best results, sweep or vacuum the floor before mopping it. Surfaces can be wiped down with a cleaning spray and clean cloth.

2. Clean gadgets regularly

   Office equipment and household gadgets are dirtier than you may think. They gather dust while they sit on desks and countertops. Ensure that laptops, keyboards, printers, telephones and other gadgets are wiped down with a damp cloth at least once a week. Compressed air can be used to get rid of dust in hard-to-reach spaces and tiny crevices.

3. Clean your aircon unit

   Air conditioning units must be cleaned often. Any dust in the vents can be forced into the air, which can cause problems for people inside. Wipe down the air vents with a damp microfibre cloth on a weekly basis. An electrostatic mop or a thin vacuum attachment can also be used to remove dust from aircon units and air vents.

4. Radiators also need cleaning

   During winter, many homes and offices use radiators and bar heaters. These heating devices can easily be overlooked when cleaning and they are notorious dust-collectors. Particles can gather on the rear surface of a radiator or on the curved reflective surface of a bar heater. Wipe these appliances with a damp cloth before switching them on.

5. Encourage employees and family members to help

   Hygiene and cleanliness should not only be the responsibility of cleaning staff. Colleagues and family members should help out too. Set aside 15 minutes every week and get employees to clean their own desks and workstations. On the weekends, get your family to help with dusting and cleaning. Many hands make light work.

6. Throw out your feather duster

   Whether it is made from synthetic fibres or ostrich feathers, your feather duster is probably making the situation worse. They capture dust and agitate it back into the air when the duster is moved around. Although surfaces may look clean after using a feather duster, most of those particles are probably just floating around the air. Microfibre cloths are far better options as they can be rinsed and washed after use.

7. Sweeping is often not effective

   A broom does a similar job to a feather duster; it kicks the dust up into the air rather than removing it. For the best results on floors, use a vacuum and then mop the surface to remove tiny dust particles. For polished wooden floors, use a brush attachment on the vacuum nozzle to prevent scratches.

8. Think about buying an air purifier

   Air purifying technology has come a long way in recent years. These gadgets are much smaller and more effective nowadays. They use swirling water to capture dust particles in the air and expel clean air back into the room. They can help people that suffer from asthma and allergies.

9. Don’t neglect your blinds

   Window blinds are serious dust traps. While they may be able to control light and wind entering a room, blinds also capture dust in the air. Any gusts blowing through blinds can remove these particles and carry them indoors. Wipe down blinds on a weekly basis with a damp cloth.

10. Hang bags and coats in a separate room

    Did you know that two-thirds of interior dust is brought in from bags and clothes? Hang your jackets, coats and bags in a separate room near the entrance to prevent most of the dust from spreading inside. Any particles that land on these items when travelling outdoors will be contained in one room when you get to work or get home.