It is almost impossible to avoid dust in your home. You will always find it on your floors, walls, windows and other areas regardless of regular cleaning.
The problem is when you leave dust to accumulate for long on your hardwood floor and other delicate surfaces.
Dust can scratch the finish of your wood floor, making it appear dull and old looking. Dust is also a health hazard to your family and other household members. And if you happen to do a large sanding or refinish project, it can be very difficult to keep hardwood floors dust free and maintain their dark wood look.
It is an important job to get dust off your hardwood floors and other areas in a timely manner. You’ve probably tried all the cleaning things people talk about online, from a vinegar and water solution to Bona laminate flooring cleaner, to anything else they can find. How you keep wood floors free of dust doesn’t really matter as look as it works for you, but WFC will show you some of our best tips that keeps dust out of the way.
Why Do Hardwood Floors Get so Dusty?
Floors are areas mostly affected by dust considering human and pet traffic and all activities taking place here. If you think about it, the floor is the biggest surface in the house, so it makes sense the floor would collect dust.
Dust is also more conspicuous on surfaces such as wood and glass. Therefore, hardwood floors will appear dustier than other areas.
Despite that, there are many ways to keep a hardwood floor dust free, clean, and beautiful. This process will have to begin by defending your home against dust through the following tips:
- Use rugs: You will find plenty of debris in entryways and high traffic areas of your home. Part of them will then be blown by air or tracked in to other places of your home. Area rugs helps trap plenty of dirt and debris. Remember to clean your rugs regularly.
- Regular cleaning: Cleaning on a consistent routine will reduce the possibility of dust accumulating and harming your hardwood floors. This can be done by vacuuming, sweeping, dusting or grabbing a mop and water.
- Maintenance of filters: Cleaning and changing of vacuum or furnace filters on a regular basis makes these home appliances function properly and reduces cases of dust in your home. If you have pets in the home, you should change these more frequently.
- Extend cleaning to problem areas: If you discover dust on your floors, it is possible that other areas such as walls, ceilings, appliances, electronics, and other household items are also affected. Therefore, other than cleaning your floors, check these areas and things to ensure they are dust free.
- Be cautious: Removing your shoes and cleaning pet paws before entering your room greatly minimizes the transfer of soil and debris inside. Close windows and doors when you suspect them to be entry ways for dust.
How to get Dirt off Your Flooring Effectively
It becomes easy to get rid of dust from hardwood floors when you use the right techniques and tools.
Commonly, three devices are used in most American households. They include vacuums, brooms, and microfiber mops.
Each device has plenty of variations and therefore you’ll need to consider their features and effects on your flooring.
Vacuums
Vacuums are great cleaning appliances in many homes. They can be used to clean dust and filter air around.
They also have attachments that can be used to clean other areas such as upholstery and above the floor areas.
For a hardwood floor cleaning, you need a vacuum with bare-floor settings that prevents the beater bar from causing any damage to the floor. The beater bar should be as far away as possible from your floor.
There are various types of vacuums ranging from corded and cordless vacuums to robotic vacuums for hardwood floors.
They differ in specifications, usage, and purchase price but they all have a common function of clearing dust and dirt debris on your hardwoods.
Brooms
Sweeping is a traditional way of cleaning a floor and can effectively be used to remove dust from your home.
Since a traditional broom is seen to only push debris round the floor, more sophisticated and advanced brooms that perfectly clean have been invented. While we wouldn’t call them dustless yet, the new products do protect hardwood floors from a large amount of dust, scratches, and other problems.
Since you are dealing with a hardwood floor with a delicate finish, not just any broom can be used for sweeping.
You will need a soft bristle broom that is gentle on the floor but tough on dirt. There are also varieties of such cleaners with different features and prices as well.
Microfiber Dust Mops
Microfiber is a synthetic material that attracts and traps dirt, debris and grime.
Mops designed with these materials are great in keeping hardwood floors dust free. Best dust mops for hardwood floors should be lightweight, adjustable and washable. They are also great for taking care of a small dusting job or quick spills.
Best Techniques
To completely remove dust, you need a good cleaning technique while using any of the above stated methods.
Here are the tips:
- Dust your wood flooring last after other areas such as the ceiling and walls. This will prevent dirt particles from falling back to already clean surface.
- Always start from the farthest area of the room as you work towards the entrance. This is to avoid transferring dirt in already cleaned areas.
- Keep the size of the room top of mind when dealing with larger areas, and section things off to make the job easier. This will save you energy and help you keep track of your work.
- Avoid lazy cleaning habits such as dusting around the furniture or other appliances. There is a high chance that a lot of dust is settling under the furniture. Attempt to get to these areas and if possible remove the furniture by lifting it off the floor to a different area.
After dusting your home, you need to schedule a deep cleaning process. This should involve use of your best hardwood floor cleaner that is gentle on the floor and tough on dirt.
Dusting should be done on a daily basis in areas with high traffic while deep cleaning can be done once a month (or an amount that works with your family’s schedule).
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Create a Dust-Free Bedroom?
The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in our house because this is where we spend much time sleeping. It’s essential to create a comfortable environment so that we feel relaxed and ready to sleep at night. However, there are some common mistakes people tend to make which may cause their bedrooms to become dusty over time. Here are some ways to ensure that your bedroom remains free of dust and clutter.
1) Clean Your Mattress Every Month
If you don’t regularly vacuum your mattress, then dust tends to accumulate quickly. The first step to keeping your bedding fresh and clean is to vacuum every month. You might think that vacuuming your mattress isn’t necessary but doing so helps reduce allergens like pollen and dander. If you want to learn how to properly vacuum your mattress, check out this video tutorial.
2) Use Air Purifiers Instead of Fans
When air purifying fans aren’t enough, consider investing in an air purifier instead. An air purifier removes airborne contaminants including smoke, pet hair, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and more. These devices are effective at removing pollutants from the air without having to open windows or turn on fans. Some models even have HEPA filters that trap 99% of all particulates down to 0.3 microns!
3) Keep Clutter Out Of Sight
In order to maintain a tidy space, try hiding items away rather than leaving them lying about. For example, store books and magazines behind closed doors or drawers. Also, place toys and games inside storage boxes or baskets. By making sure that everything has its own designated spot, you’ll find yourself less likely to leave something laying around.
4) Make Sure That All Windows Are Closed During Winter Months
To minimize cold drafts coming into your bedroom during winter months, close all windows before going to bed. Closing windows will help keep heat trapped within your room, preventing any cold air from entering through cracks between window frames and glass panes.
Conclusion
Proper cleaning and maintenance not only keep hardwood floors look beautiful, but also makes them last for a very long time.
Always use the right tools and technique for a good cleaning experience and results.