No matter how often you clean your apartment, dust always finds its way back into the corners.

Dust is usually composed of dandruff, pollen, dirt, and dead skin cells. It usually drifts through the air before coming to rest on a surface, where it then builds up into a visible layer.

Unfortunately, dust is also a significant allergen for many people. It can lead to itchy skin, sneezing, irritated eyes, and hives. If you have a preexisting condition like asthma, dust in the air can make breathing harder and aggravate your condition.

With that in mind, here’s a list of tips and tricks on how to get rid of dust faster.

1. Regular dusting

One of the best ways to deal with a dust problem is to clean hard surfaces habitually. When we say habitually, we mean at least once a week. For this task, all you’re going to need is one or two feather dusters, along with a damp microfiber cloth. 

When dusting, make sure your cloth isn’t too wet. If it is, it’ll keep that dust clinging to a hard surface.

dustlessYou’ll also want to use a top-down approach to dusting furniture. The reason for this? Dust particles fall downwards when disturbed, like any other object exposed to  gravity. If you start dusting lower down, you’ll probably just end up cleaning the same place twice. 

When learning how to dust, don’t forget to clean the blinds and baseboards, too.

A long-handled microfiber cloth can assist you if you can’t reach the uppermost spots by yourself. You may already have a tool similar under the sink with the rest of your household cleaning supplies. 

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2. Use a vacuum cleaner

The other surface where you need to remove dust build-up? Your floors. 

Dirty floors can add a layer of dust mites that trigger allergies. If you’re determined to learn how to clean a thick layer of dust, or you need some allergy relief, aim to vacuum at least once a week. Remove dust on ceiling fans and other tall objects first. 

While vacuum cleaners work wonders for overall cleanliness, they can be terrible for allergy sufferers because of how much dust they kick up. Larger debris is sucked in quickly, while minuscule particles are dislodged. The excellent news is that this household tool makes up for this by helping you clean carpets or hard-to-reach corners. Their practicality makes having a good vacuum an essential cleaning hack.

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3. Installing air purifiers or HEPA filters

Air purifiers may be unavailable if you don’t own your own home or control its air intake. But if you can, installing a set of working air filters reduces airborne pollutants. It’s a simple trick to eliminate dust and improve air quality. If you’re a renter, you can probably convince your landlord to install them for you.  

Once installed, all you need to do is change the filters in your air conditioning system or air vents to maintain a dust-free lifestyle. Be warned, however, that this cleaning hack can be pricier.

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4. The best way to dust? Change your bedding once a week

Dirty bedding can drastically impact the amount of dust in the room, especially in dead skin cells and dander. If the dust builds up, it attracts dust mites, aggravating your allergies. It’s an ugly cycle.

To learn how to get rid of dust mites, we recommend the following steps:

• Wash your bedding and pillowcases at least once a week.

• Use an allergen-free mattress cover for your box spring. This is an excellent method for preventing dust from settling.

• For pillows, avoid sleeping on anything damp. Keep those pillowcases dry, clean, and fluffy. Compressed pillows with a lot of dust become a breeding ground for mites. 

Along this vein, spray some dust cleaning spray or air fresheners around your room to keep your area looking and smelling fresh. Walking into a fresh, clean room is worth all of that dusting.

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5. No carpets

If you live in an apartment with carpets installed, this cleaning hack won’t be an option. If you own your home, the best dust cleaning products aren’t actually a product, but a lack of one: carpets.

Carpets harbor pet hair, dander, debris, and other dust types to excess. The weave of a rug makes it challenging to vacuum everything up. Alternative methods of dusting, such as changing your bedding or installing indoor air filters, become nominally effective in apartments or houses full of carpet. 

Aim for wood, vinyl, tile, and linoleum floors to cut back on allergen-styled debris. If you’re a renter with bad allergies, try to find a place without carpet, and if you buy area rugs, buy ones you can throw in the wash.

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6. Remove the clutter

Another way to make your home dust-free is to ditch the clutter.

A little bit of mess is a natural part of any household. It can come in many forms, from clothes left on the floor to moving boxes stacked in a corner, and these items aren’t harmful. But like any solid surface or piece of furniture, they can attract dust. 

All that clutter can contribute to a more difficult job vacuuming, too. Try to routinely clear out anything unnecessary.

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Learn how to get rid of dust the right way

You’ll always find some dust in your house or apartment. However, with these tips on hand, you can make the build-up of dustless severe.

Here are a few more tips to make your cleaning job easier:

• Clean up after your pets, especially shedding fur, frequently.

• If you have rugs in your house, shake them loose of dust outside.

• Vacuum under your furniture. This is where dust tends to hide.

• Don’t wear your outside shoes inside the house. They can track in mud, which in turn dries out and becomes dust on its own. 

• Properly moisturize and take care of your skin. Dry skin will flake more, which will worsen a dust mite problem.

Need a few more cleaning supplies to get started? Gopuff can deliver them straight to your door.