7 effective home remedies to help reduce dust and dirt in your home

How to get rid of dust in the apartment for a long time: the main places of accumulation

As a rule, most of the dust and dirt is collected in textiles: carpets, rugs, curtains, multilayer draperies. This fact has both positive and negative aspects. The pluses are that the textile quickly absorbs dust and does not allow it to fly freely in the air. She remains in the location, and it becomes much easier to get rid of her. The downside is that textile items will need to be cleaned quite often. Moreover, there will be a need for wet cleaning or with the use of a washing vacuum cleaner, or even to wash everything that is possible. Upholstered furniture and bedding can be thoroughly patted by covering them with a damp cloth. Thus, the fabric will instantly absorb the knocked-out dust and it will be possible to significantly reduce its number and thoroughly clean all dusty things.

Also, furniture can accumulate on surfaces under the ceiling, that is, places that are not easy to reach. As a rule, these are tall cabinets and other places where dust accumulates, for example, cornices. To make it easier to deal with the problem of dust on cabinets, you need to lay old newspapers or plain paper with a large format on them. When cleaning the apartment, you just need to carefully remove the sheet with dust settled on it, roll it up and throw it away. Getting rid of dust in hard-to-reach places with this method is much easier than constantly climbing on them or reaching out with a wet rag or vacuum hose.

Leather

Regardless of the type of leather product and the type of material, it is not recommended to perform the following actions when cleaning it:

- Wash under running water and leave damp for a long time. As the skin dries, it shrinks and collapses, leading to creases and cracks. - Use harsh chemicals.Solvents, household chemicals and other substances with acids will remove the protective layer, and the product will lose its appearance. - Dry the thing on a radiator or any other hot object.

As for cleaning methods, we will consider them using the example of the most common types of leather:

— Smooth and soft genuine leather. To clean it of dirt, make a solution of water and soap or dishwashing detergent. The main thing is that it should not be aggressive. Then, using a soft cloth, apply the solution to the surface, wipe off any remaining dirt with a clean damp cloth and wipe the product dry. From modern products, choose those that contain less than 5% non-ionic surfactants. - Suede and nubuck. To clean suede, you need a special brush. Easily cleans dirt from suede with a stationery eraser or talcum powder. Special shampoos are also available for cleaning this material, which should contain only preservatives, a weak solvent and water. They penetrate deep into the structure of the pile and wash out even stubborn dirt. They are also applied with a brush, after which they are erased with a cloth. - Polished leather. An ordinary soft cloth dipped in soapy water will do. - Artificial leather. To clean it, you can use a melamine sponge, wet wipes for natural or artificial leather and special stain removers for this material. You can also use the one already mentioned.

Remember that any leather does not tolerate prolonged exposure to moisture, so after cleaning, carefully wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and treat the product with a special impregnation, which is selected depending on the type of leather. It will give shine to the skin, as well as protect against the negative effects of the environment.

How to wipe furniture so that dust does not sit for a long time at home

Static electricity, caused by the friction of molecules, is present on all surrounding objects. Microparticles also have a small electrical charge. As a result, dust particles settle more intensively where the attraction is stronger.

polish

The properties of polishes, as anti-dust, are explained by its composition. Wax or paraffin creates a protective insulating film, eliminating the attraction of microparticles. Falling on a smooth surface, dust particles easily slide off it from the slightest breath of air, facilitating cleaning.

Special antistatic agents for monitors and TVs

Displays of monitors and televisions in working order are emitters of an electromagnetic field. Wiping with anti-static agents reduces the interaction of the surface of monitors and TV screens with dust, so they do not require further cleaning.

Sprays

Treating walls, carpets, curtains, curtains with an antistatic spray twice a year prevents static electricity from accumulating. The advantage of sprays also lies in the detrimental effect on dust mites.

Impregnation of upholstered furniture

Dust penetrates deep into fabric upholstery. Special impregnating compositions create a protective film that facilitates cleaning. It is enough to brush off the dust without resorting to longer procedures. But periodically the impregnation must be cleaned off so that the appearance of the furniture does not deteriorate.

Vinegar

A solution of acetic acid in a ratio of 1:4 (9% vinegar: water) helps to remove odors that have eaten into upholstery, carpets, and curtains. Processing is carried out using a spray gun.

saline solution

To refresh the dull surface of the countertop when cleaning, to destroy saprophytes in sofa upholstery, a folk remedy will help: saline solution (20 grams of salt per 200 milliliters of water). A well-moistened and wrung-out cloth wipes all surfaces.

Vegetable oil and lemon juice

From improvised cleaning products, you can prepare an antistatic agent at home. Two tablespoons of any oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice create a protective film on furniture no worse than industrial designs.

soapy water

Dirt that has eaten into the upholstery of sofas, armchairs, upholstered chairs is removed with soapy water. The foaming agent used for cleaning is a dish detergent that does not leave soapy streaks. Add 10-20 milliliters of the product to warm water, beat the foam and process the fabric bases. Then wipe with a dry cloth and leave to dry.

Ammonia solution

An ammonia solution is the best way to clean dirt and dust from windows, mirrors, glass surfaces in furniture. 1/5 of ammonia water is added to cold water and surface treatment is carried out.

Where does dust come from, why is it important to fight it?

Dust producers are people and mother nature. We obtain the bulk of microparticles as a result of natural factors:

• Deserts release millions of tons of dust into the atmosphere every year.
• Volcanic ash is no exception. Emission products from the bowels reach us in the form of the same dust particles.
• Dust comes from the ashes from fires, from the combustion products of oil and gasoline.
• Evaporation of salt waters of the seas and oceans is one of the main sources of microparticles release.
• Waste products of animals and microorganisms. After going through the process of decay, the remains turn into dust.
• Few people know that 70% of microparticles come to us from afar, in particular, from outer space.

In the course of his life, man produces dust unconsciously. The remains of keratinized skin crumble from our body in the form of the finest sand. Pet hair, upholstered furniture, carpets, blankets, soft toys are good dust collectors. There is a so-called cycle. Therefore, getting rid of dust is quite difficult. Unless to carry out regular full dry-cleaning of upholstered furniture and carpets.

Taboo on the gap in the room: why is it important

When there is a lot of dust in the apartment, the first thing to do is to check the cracks. Most likely there are a lot of them, or they are so wide that they open up constant access of dust to the house. You need to close the gaps:

• between skirting boards and walls;
• around doors;
• in windows etc.

If you need to remove dust in a private house, it is worth checking the condition of the fireplace, perhaps it is he who, with an abundance of ash and soot, becomes the main source of its formation. In apartments where an electric dryer is used, its contents should be checked regularly for dust residues from clothes. It is recommended to clean the drum not only to solve the problem of dust, but also within the framework of fire safety.

How to reduce the amount of dust in the apartment

If it is not possible to completely eliminate the formation of dust, it is worth doing everything possible to reduce its amount. For this, there are convenient and useful assistants. It is worth understanding their features in more detail.

Devices with aquafilter

Aquafilter helps to retain even finely dispersed particles. Vacuum cleaners are usually equipped with such an assistant.When working with this device, not only the surface is cleaned, but also the air. Fabric filters do not have this function. But any filter installed in the technique needs regular cleaning, otherwise it will itself become a source of pollution. They also need to be changed periodically so as not to reduce their effectiveness.

Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the timing filter cleaning and replacement

Vacuum cleaners with an aquafilter are a functional novelty in the world of household appliances, which guarantees a thorough cleaning of the space.

Ventilation system

Fresh air is necessary in the room for the comfortable well-being of any person. If the rooms are not ventilated, the settling dust will be heavier. For ventilation, it is enough to open the windows. However, then dirt from the street will get into the house. It is recommended to install a ventilation system. It allows you to purify the air without taking up much space. There will be no additional pollution from the street.

Purification takes place using the built-in filter.

Robot vacuum cleaner

A great helper for any hostess. The device performs cleaning and washing of surfaces in automatic mode. It allows you to use less time and effort in the fight against dust. It is enough to carry out general cleaning once a week to maintain a good level of cleanliness in the house. Smart gadget is suitable for cleaning almost any surface. It is more difficult for him to cope with carpets that have a long pile.

Modern robotic vacuum cleaners are able to build a map of movements without entering the battery-consuming zombie mode of aimless wall poking.

Humidifiers

Allows you to maintain a normal level of humidity in the room.This has a positive effect on the climate in the home, on the health of its inhabitants. The basis of his work is the conversion of water into steam. It all depends on the specific model. Some of them get steam by heating, others use ultrasound. The latest models are more expensive. Normalization of air humidity reduces the likelihood of the spread of colds. Also, dust settles on surfaces less. But air humidifier has a high pollution control efficiency compared to other units.

A humidifier is a compact device that will help maintain a healthy microclimate in the room.

Smart microclimate system

It allows you to fully control not only the level of humidity in the room, but also the temperature, the amount of carbon dioxide. The system analyzes the state of the room. In her arsenal there are several programs that allow you to adjust the climate so that it is comfortable to be in the room. You can control the equipment from your smartphone.

The microclimate in the room is achieved through the joint work of a whole range of devices.

Storage cases

It was noted that textiles are one of the key sources of dust accumulation. Clutter in the closet only exacerbates the problem. Therefore, a good solution would be to use special covers. It is convenient to store things in them, they allow you to organize everything in the closet correctly. There are vacuum cases to save some space.

Vacuum cover will perfectly protect your clothes from moisture, dampness, dust, stains, mold, moths, discoloration and odors.

We do not let dust into the apartment

It is no secret that dust enters the house from the street through open windows and balconies, from the soles of shoes, from the paws and hair of pets, from clothes. Therefore, if the windows of the apartment overlook the highway or the roadway, it is better not to open them at all and close them hermetically. It is enough to open the windows from the side of the courtyard. And if there are none, you will have to take care of installing an air conditioner.

The paws of pets should be washed after they come in from outside. Washing or at least wiping with wet wipes is also necessary for the soles of shoes. It is generally advisable to leave clothes after work in conditions of strong dustiness (construction, granary, etc.) at the workplace, changing into clean clothes.

Useful tricks

The practical application of special materials, devices, methods facilitates the laborious process of dust control.

Baby wipes

Sanitary napkins have a cotton base, optimal moisture, making them convenient for cleaning computer and laptop keyboards during cleaning.

Laundry conditioner

A mixture of air conditioner and water (1:4) is an excellent antistatic agent that can be used to treat any surface from time to time, including displays, glass partitions.

Cloth gloves

Gloves made of natural materials for gardening are a convenient device for cleaning small glass and ceramic products.

Cleaning from top to bottom

It is necessary to start cleaning from dust from the ceiling, cornices, chandeliers, gradually decreasing. In this case, it will not be necessary to repeatedly wipe the same surfaces.

No trinkets

When there are a lot of decorative decorations in the form of ceramic, glass, crystal products in the room, a lot of dust accumulates on them.Storage in cabinets, behind glass will reduce cleaning time and make the house cleaner.

curtains

Curtain cleaning is a must. Depending on the fabric, they need to be washed/dry-cleaned 2 times a year, vacuumed once every 2 weeks.

closed windows

With windows always open, especially in dry and hot weather, cleaning will have to be done more often. Ventilation, the use of climate systems will reduce dust in the apartment.

pure plants

artificial flowers in the house will serve as a decoration if they are wiped daily from dust. Otherwise, they will fade and spoil the interior.

Steam carpet cleaning

Carpets made from natural materials do not electrify to the same extent as synthetic ones. To prevent dust from accumulating in them, it is enough to vacuum or exhaust them on the street once a week, and to clean them with steam once a month.

Wet cleaning

Wet cleaning of the ceiling and walls once every 2/3 months will reduce the amount of dust in the house. Wiping with a damp cloth on a mop will help to clean.

Storage cases

The use of vacuum, sealed bags, covers allows you to protect seasonal, rarely used items from contamination and reduce the amount of dust that collects.

Alcohol for light bulbs

Alcohol-based liquids will keep light bulbs from tarnishing due to dust if they are wiped down once a week.

Polish - only on a rag

The polish is applied to the furniture only with a damp cloth. Otherwise, the effect will be the opposite: with direct application, the resulting film will become a magnet for dust.

microfiber

To remove dust, it is better to use special microfiber cloths.The fabric has the ability to attract microparticles to itself, removing them all from the surface.

Or clean the rugs with your own cleaner

For lovers of homemade cleaning products. Did you know that you can clean the floor mats in the salon not only with the help of household chemicals that are sold in any store, but also with the help of a natural product that you can make yourself? So, in order to get your own floor mat cleaner, do the following:

Mix:

3 tablespoons grated laundry soap

2 tablespoons of sodium boric acid (for example, you can buy Borax salt - BORAX brand)

10 drops of lavender essential oil (optional) for a pleasant scent

2 cups boiling water

Add all ingredients to a plastic bowl and stir until the soap has dissolved and the mixture is frothy. Then take a hard cleaning brush, wet it with the prepared solution and work on any part of your car with fabric upholstery. Including soft floor mats. This surprisingly simple and cheap homemade cleaner will do a great job even with difficult stains.

Moreover, the cleaning process will be tireless and much easier than, for example, when using even expensive chemicals available for purchase in a store.

What is dangerous

The sizes of dust particles are determined in the range from 0.00002 to 0.1 mm. Over forests, rivers, lakes, its content does not exceed 1 milligram per cubic meter. In cities, the dust content can reach 20 milligrams per cubic meter.The structure of dust in an apartment / house, first of all, depends on the finishing materials, the service life and quality of furniture, household appliances.

The most basic harm of household dust is an allergy, which is observed in every tenth city dweller. It is often confused with the common cold due to the similarity of symptoms. Allergies can lead to bronchial asthma.

Dust allergies are primarily caused by saprophytic mites, insects up to 0.5 mm in size. In 1 gram of house dust, there are up to 500 individuals that process the organic components of dust. Their waste products are guanine, an allergen that causes a runny nose, conjunctivitis, and asthma. In a city apartment, a person inhales 25 times more dust particles per minute than outside the city. Cleanliness in the home for citizens is important for maintaining health.

Means for cleaning the apartment

Rags can be bought at the store, or you can use old unnecessary clothes or sheets. Well, if the rag is cotton. Cotton absorbs water well and does not leave scratches on surfaces.

For embossed surfaces, prepare a brush. There is nothing better for the floor than a mop. Fortunately, now you can buy mops for washing the floor from various materials, independently twisting and with a movable head to clean hard-to-reach places.

You can buy wipes to remove dust. They are good because they are impregnated with a special agent that not only removes dust, but also disinfects.

Use sticky roller brushes to remove dirt and dust from textiles. An electric broom will use static electricity to remove dust from electrical appliances, such as TVs and computers.

Effective means:

Anti-dust polish acts as an antistatic agent.It will not get rid of dust for a long time, but it will slightly prolong the cleanliness in the house.

Airing. It should be done daily, at least twice. Wet cleaning is carried out just at the time when the windows are open. In the warm season, the minimum ventilation time is twenty minutes.

In cold weather - two minutes, but it is better to arrange a draft in these minutes.

Vacuum cleaner. It doesn't matter if it's washing or not - the main thing is to vacuum the apartment every two days. Some models of washing vacuum cleaners have an "air purification" function.

If a large amount of dust has already accumulated in the house, a universal vacuum cleaner will help clean the carpet and upholstered furniture.

air purifier

These devices purify the air, also kill bacteria, sometimes ionize the air and aromatize it. It all depends on the model you choose.

The principle of operation of the cleaner: dust and dirt settles on the filters. It is good if the purifier model provides for a HEPA filter - a dust filter.

Initially, such filters were developed for use in medical institutions, so the HEPA filter is able to retain even very fine dust.

Humidifier

Comfortable humidity level for a person - forty percent, but it is unlikely that in our apartments this mark will rise above twenty percent.

If earlier it was only possible to hang wet rags on batteries, now everything is much simpler: you can buy a humidifier.

In dry air, dust settles very slowly on the surface. You clean up, and in fifteen minutes a new portion of dust will settle out of the air. When the air is moist, the dust gets wet and settles quickly, so that it can be easily removed from the floor.

Glycerol

This is one of the few products that can prolong the effect of general cleaning, keeping the apartment clean and tidy much longer. At the same time, its price in any pharmacy is available to anyone.

The thick oily liquid is odorless and colorless. Covering all pieces of furniture with a thin protective layer, it prevents the accumulation of dust and dirt on interior items. This cleaning method is widely used in hotels, restaurants and museums.

Glycerin is very good in polishing glossy surfaces. Mirrors, laminated surfaces of tables and other pieces of furniture, as well as old parquet, will sparkle with new colors with a drop of an inexpensive product added to the water when washing.

In washing, glycerin is also indispensable. It helps to eliminate corrosive stains from berries, which in some cases can be very difficult to remove. You will have to soak the thing in glycerin for several hours, and then rinse it in water with the addition of salt. After that, the wardrobe item can be safely washed in the machine as usual.

General recommendations for cleaning the apartment

Wet and dry cleaning is the simplest and most effective remedy. Unfortunately, the miracle of cleaning products has not yet been invented, so you need to take a rag in your hands every day and destroy the dust.

Dust quickly settles on objects after cleaning, so use the “top-down” principle, i.e. start cleaning from the ceiling to the floor. First, the corners in the room so that cobwebs do not form, then go to the cabinets, then the tables and chairs, and at the end the floor.

A lot of dust settles on the curtains, so they need to be washed often. Put books in a bookcase or put them on closed shelves. Do not place soft toys, pillows, napkins, etc. in open places.

Check the window seals, they may be letting dirt in from outside. Lots of dust in carpets. Either clean them constantly or put them away.

Homemade Dust Spray Recipe

All spray ingredients are non-toxic. Vinegar is an excellent cleanser, copes with all kinds of dirt. Olive oil helps repel dust from surfaces. Essential oil will fill the house with a pleasant aroma.

Ingredients for Homemade Dust Remedy:

• 1 glass of water;
• ¼ cup of vinegar;
• 2 tbsp. l. olive oil;
• 10-15 drops of essential oil of your choice.

I chose lemongrass essential oil, it has an antibacterial effect and repels insects. You can choose any essential oil of your choice. I recommend the following oils for this dust spray: lemon, lavender, mint, cinnamon, orange, tea tree oil.

• Step 1: Mix all ingredients in an empty spray bottle.
• Step 2. Shake the bottle well before each use. Just spray the product on the surface and wipe the dust with a cloth. I choose microfiber.

Try to do it yourself natural dust spray. I am sure that this tool will at least slightly facilitate cleaning in your home.

Do-it-yourself water filter for a vacuum cleaner

Currently, aquafilters have become very popular. This is due to the fact that they are able not only to collect garbage, but also to humidify the air. The only drawback of equipment with such filters is the heavy weight of vacuum cleaners, since there is a special vessel with water inside. But as practice shows, this disadvantage is fully compensated by the quality of cleaning.

To make a water DIY vacuum cleaner filter, it is enough to have all the necessary parts and a scheme of work available. A separator, a pump, a fan and a container for water are useful for work. When choosing a fan, it should be borne in mind that the smaller its size, the less noise it will produce.

To make a filter, follow these steps:

1. First you need to install a baking powder, a dust collector, and also a drive.
2. Then attach the pump with a rubber ring, while it is imperative to monitor the gaps between the body parts.
3. It is recommended to stick polyethylene on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner. This will make the vacuum cleaner extremely silent.
4. Before use, pour water according to the marks on the container.

Dust control

To ensure that the fight against dust is completed successfully and the rooms become as clean as possible, you can use special tools and devices. Housewives often praise the usual humidifier, which is sold in any hardware store. With it, every speck of dust can be made noticeable. How does this happen. The humidifier is sprayed throughout the apartment and thereby increases the level of humidity in the room. Thanks to this process, the dust begins to settle on the surface, after which it is very easy to remove it with an ordinary wet cloth.

Often, a washing vacuum cleaner is used to solve the described problem. This is a very handy device. It is able to cleanse from dust not only surfaces, but also the air itself. To obtain such a result, it is recommended to clean with a vacuum cleaner equipped with an aquafilter.

In addition, there are antistatic polishes designed for furniture, both light and dark.Of course, such products are unable to reduce the amount of dust, but it will not appear so soon on a polished area.

Attention! Such chemistry cannot be used if allergy sufferers live in the apartment.

Every housewife can handle dust cleaning on open surfaces, but what to do with hard-to-reach places. We will talk about this further.

• Upholstered furniture, such as a sofa, can be cleaned with a wet sheet. It should be placed on top of the interior. Next, take a special beater and carefully knock out the sofa with it. All the dust particles in the sofa material will be on a damp cloth, so it will be seen whether it is worth repeating the procedure. After knocking out the furniture, it is recommended to vacuum it using a special folk remedy consisting of salt (1 tbsp. L) and water (1 l). Moisten a cloth well with this solution, which then wraps around the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Additionally, you can walk on the sofa with an iron to kill germs. It is necessary to carry out such processing of a sofa or chairs at least once a month.
• It is not easy to remove dust from books either. However, if you first walk through them with a vacuum cleaner using a lint brush included in the vacuum cleaner kit, then the home library will only need to be wiped with a damp cloth, then dried and placed under glass.
• Indoor plants also need to be periodically cleaned of dust. In the case of large-leaved flowers, wet cleaning can be dispensed with. It is enough to wipe each leaf with a wet sponge. Plants with small leaves are very difficult to wash with a cloth, so they can be safely put under the shower. Water must be at room temperature.By the way, a similar procedure can be carried out with almost all indoor flowers.
• If the blinds on the windows are dirty, then it is not necessary to remove them for washing. When cleaning, such items should be closed so that they resemble a single canvas. You can remove dust from the blinds with a vacuum cleaner or a special brush. Instead of the last device, it is allowed to use a regular glove.
• You need to regularly remove dust from the ceiling. At first glance, this may seem like a complicated procedure, but if you use a vacuum cleaner with a fluffy brush or a mop with a rag for this purpose, the task will be much easier.
• Do not forget to clean the dust and wallpaper. In addition, today almost all such material allows wet cleaning. Before washing the wallpaper, be sure to vacuum it, otherwise traces of streaks will remain on them after the water.
• If your home has wall or floor carpets, sprinkle the textile floor generously with baking soda before vacuuming them. This component will improve the result.
• Curtains should be steamed regularly. So you will not only get rid of dust and its smell, but also destroy all the microorganisms that are on these interior items.

Remember that it will be possible to clean the air of dust in the room only if it is eliminated on all surfaces. Do not forget about cornices, skirting boards, electrical equipment. Also, every time you clean, wipe the surface of the cabinets, as these places also get dirty over time.

Attention! During the cleaning process, all windows must be open, and so that street dust does not fly through them, they should be protected with a mosquito net

Metals

The biggest problem with iron surfaces is rust, which can occur even on alloyed materials. Let's start with cheap improvised means. Dissolve citric acid in warm water at a concentration of 10 grams per liter. Then put the thing in the solution and leave for a day. The next day, take it out, and if the rust has not gone away, put it back in. Then clean the damaged area, wash the item in a soapy or soda solution to prevent further oxidation and sand.

There is also a modern way with the use of chemicals. To do this, clean the surface of dirt and loose rust using an iron brush or sandpaper. Then wipe and let dry, then treat with a degreaser. When it dries, apply a rust preventive with a brush to prevent further warping.

Another problem is scale on the dishes. Citric acid will also help here. Pour the pot or kettle so that the water covers the plaque on the walls, but does not splash when boiling (about 4/5), then pour citric acid into the container at the rate of 100 grams per liter and boil. After boiling, drain the water and clean off the remaining scale with a soft sponge, and then wash the item thoroughly.

More effective for descaling are specialized products that contain lactic, citric, raspberry and phosphinic acids. Such household chemicals clean scale much more efficiently and can be used not only for kettles, but also for dishwashers, water heaters and other appliances. The principle of operation is the same: pour into a container, wait, drain and rinse from the remnants of the product.

As for household contaminants, such as stubborn fat and soot, it is worth using special gels that contain 5% non-ionic surfactants. To do this, apply the gel to the area to be cleaned, distribute evenly and wait from 10 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the freshness of the contamination), and then blot the dissolved residues with a dry sponge or napkin or rinse with soapy water. Please note that such gels are most often deactivated by water, so they should only be applied to a dry surface.