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What is Dust, Where Does It Come From, and How to Get Rid of It?
Dust, that pesky household nuisance, is composed of very fine particles of solid matter. When you look around you’ll find the stuff everywhere, from particles floating in a sunbeam to a fine layer of grime on tables, bookshelves, and TV screens.
Wipe it away and the next thing you know it’s back.
Where Does Dust Come From?
In reality, dust is composed of a little bit of everything. Dust is a product of anything that ages and decays. Natural things found outside like small pieces of rocks, plants, soil, insect parts (yuck), and even car exhaust become dust as they decay and break down. Dust that is generated inside your home may be made up of things like, pet hair, human hair, dead skin cells, paper and textile fibers, and food particles. Most homes contain a combination of indoor and outdoor dust. How much and what types of things the dust contains that you have in your home depends on several factors; what area of the country you live in, the season of the year, the number of people and pets that live in your home, and even factors like how, and how often, you clean. The dust that you find in your home is not your fault exclusively. Studies say that 60% of dust enters our homes from the outside, through open doors and windows and on our clothing and shoes.
Dust is not made up of only natural products. We create amazing quantities of dust everyday. For example, a single puff of cigarette smoke can contain four billion (4,000,000,000) dust particles. Think about all those industrial smokestacks that you see emitting clouds of smoke into the air. That smoke is actually dust particles. If you live near the east coast, those fabulous sunsets you enjoy are a result of westward winds that sweep across the Sahara desert and carry dust particles into the atmosphere and across the Atlantic Ocean to our shores. And that may be the only benefit of dust, beautiful sunsets.
Some Common Components of Dust
Pollen and Soil – Pollen, a well-known allergen, and soil enter your home riding on your clothes, shoes, hair, and even your pets. As you move around your home, you continually spread what you have brought in from the outside around your home. If you smoke indoors, well just remember what was said about cigarette smoke above. A single puff can contain up to four billion dust particles.
Pet Dander and Pet Hair – Pet dander, another known allergen, is made up of tiny pieces of dead skin cells. Almost all pets shed their hair. You may not even own a pet, but people that visit your home may have a pet and they can carry pet dander and pet hair into your home on their clothing or shoes.
Dust Mites – Dust mites are microscopic insect-like invaders of our homes that survive and thrive in the same environments that are comfortable for humans. They are responsible for generating allergens that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in many people. There could be hundreds of thousands of dust mites living in your bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets, or curtains.
Insects and Insect Droppings – Insect body parts and fecal matter are commonly found in dust. As they live, then die and decay, they add to the dust in your home. If you happen to be allergic to any of these bugs, they could aggravate the allergic reactions you are sensitive to.
Food Particles – Not every meal served in your home is eaten at the dinner table. If you have ever eaten in front of the TV (and who hasn’t), you may have dropped small particles of food that become part of the dust.
Mold and Mold Spores – Mold spores can be another microscopic ingredient of the dust in your home. Mold spores may be toxic and are easily inhaled. If you are sensitive to mold, there are numerous health concerns that you can be exposed to when you come into contact with mold.
The Affects of Breathing in Dust
It is easy to see dust as it collects on hard surfaces. But unless you see dust floating in a sunbeam, you may not realize just how much dust is in the air that you are breathing in. Most dust particles that you inhale are trapped in your natural dust filter, your nose. However the finer particles may pass through this filter and enter your lungs, where they can cause health problems. Allergic reactions to dust can include:
- Sneezing
- Runny Nose
- Nasal Congestion
- Coughing
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Eye irritation
- Increased asthma symptoms
Ways to Get Rid of Dust in Your Home
1. When attacking your dust problem, always use a damp cloth. Using things like a feather duster or a dry mop will just relocate the dust into the air where it resettle somewhere else. A damp cloth will trap the dust.
2. Always clean from top to bottom. Dust settles, so starting at the top will keep any dust from settling where you have already cleaned.
3. Don’t wear your outside shoes inside. As previously stated, 60% of the dust inside your home comes from the outside. A lot of this comes in on your shoes. Take them off outside, or just inside the door.
4. Change your bedding on a regular basis, preferably weekly. This will prevent the further buildup of dust and dust mites on your sheets, comforters, and mattresses.
5. Change air filters on air conditioners and furnaces. That’s what the filters are there for, to trap allergens and dust. Change them on a regular schedule.
There’s No End to Dust
Fighting dust buildup is an on-going, never-ending battle. If air quality in your home is less than you hope for, especially if mold spores are present, you should contact the experts at Water Mold Fire Restoration. Our certified team members can inspect any air quality issues you may be experiencing and offer solutions. Call us at 800-905-0277 or at help@watermoldfire.net.
