Where dust comes from
Much household dust is made indoors – fibres from carpets, clothes and bedding, and skin cells – while the rest comes in from outside on shoes, through windows and via pets. Homes on busy roads, with lots of soft furnishings or with pets usually get dusty more quickly.
Dust the right way
Dry dusting with a feather duster mostly moves dust into the air, where it settles again. A slightly damp microfibre cloth captures it instead. Work from top to bottom – shelves, picture frames and lamps before tables and skirting boards – and vacuum last so you pick up what falls.
Vacuum well and often
Vacuum carpets, rugs and upholstery at least weekly, and more often in busy rooms or with pets. A vacuum with a good filter – ideally HEPA – stops fine dust escaping back into the room. Empty it before it's full, and clean the filters regularly. Don't forget the edges and under furniture, where dust gathers.
Stop dust at the door
Less dirt coming in means less dust:
- Put doormats both outside and inside each entrance
- Take shoes off indoors
- Groom pets outside where possible
- Keep windows closed on busy-road sides at peak times
Bedding and textiles
Bedding is a big source of fibres and skin cells. Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly and shake out duvets outside. Curtains, cushions and throws collect dust too – vacuum or wash them regularly. Fewer soft furnishings means fewer places for dust to build up.
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The places people forget
Dust quietly builds up in these spots and gets stirred up whenever air moves:
- Tops of wardrobes, kitchen cupboards and door frames
- Ceiling fans and light fittings
- Radiators and behind them
- Blinds and curtain tracks
- Behind and under the TV and electronics
- Skirting boards
- Extractor fan covers
Reduce clutter
The more objects on surfaces, the more places dust settles – and the harder it is to dust. Clear surfaces are much quicker to wipe. Our decluttering guide can help.
Humidity, ventilation and dust
Very dry air can make dust more airborne, while very damp air encourages dust mites and mould. Aim for moderate humidity – ventilating daily and using extractor fans helps keep a balance. Opening windows briefly but fully is often more effective than leaving them open a crack all day.
If you live on a busy road, ventilate at quieter times and keep windows on the road side closed during rush hour.
Dust during and after building work
Building work creates extremely fine dust that spreads through the whole home. Seal off the work area with dust sheets and close doors, turn off fans that circulate air and vacuum with a good filter. Once the work is finished, an after builders clean removes the fine layer that settles on every surface – it often keeps reappearing for days otherwise.
Regular cleaning makes the difference
Dust builds up steadily, so frequency matters more than intensity. A weekly or fortnightly regular clean keeps it under control, and a deep clean once or twice a year gets to the high and hidden places. See how often should you clean your house.
