Things you might not know about dust

Concierge Home Services (Ottowa) posted an article on things that you might not know about dust.  Enjoy the read and have a good day!

Things you might not know about dust

Source – https://www.conciergehomeservices.com/what-dust-10-things-you-might-not-know-about-it

What is Dust & 10 Things You Might Not Know About It

“Dust – the bane of our existence. It seems as though every time you turn around, something else is dusty.

Have you ever wondered what dust really is? In general, dust is made up of tiny particles that create a fine powder.

It can be made of anything from earth to waste and is often carried in the air, landing on surfaces it encounters. What you may not know are some of the facts about dust. Luckily, this post will help educate you!

1. Dust really is a combination of so many things.
From fibres from clothing to hair particles to that springtime pollen, they’re all factors in creating dust. It also can change depending on your local environment.

2. The average human creates approximately 2g dead skin every day.
Yep – dead skin is a big component of dust. Each person can shed up to 2 pounds of dead skin cells over the course of a year. The more people and pets in the house, the more dead skin cells are shed into the air of our homes. These combine with other dirt particles from a variety of sources to create the dust you see on your household surfaces.

3. Dust can stay suspended in the air for up to 5 days.
Dust particles are so tiny that common air currents can keep them hanging mid-air for an extended period of time. This is probably why it seems like dust is always around! It hangs in the air and our bodies create more every hour…hence the need to dust regularly!

4. Never use a dry cloth to remove dust – it puts dust through the air.
Doing so will only stir up the particles and you’ll have dust through the air! It’s best to use a damp cloth. We prefer microfibre to effectively remove dust, not just move it around. There’s a science to cleaning!

5. You’re probably not allergic to dust.
Chances are what you’re actually allergic to are dust mites. These microscopic parasites eat dead skin and it’s their decaying bodies and poop that actually cause the allergic reactions!

6. Dust isn’t just on flat surfaces.
Dust particles can accumulate anywhere – even your bedding. Those dust mites? They could be there too! A good rule of thumb is to wash your bedding once a week and put through the dryer or hang in the sun to keep them at bay. If you can’t wash your bedding, freezing it will kill the mites as well!

7. Humidity keeps dust at bay.
When skin and fabrics are dry, they produce more dust. For the best indoor air quality, keep the humidity level between 30% and 50%. This is more comfortable for you, and slows down the creation of dust.

8. Get rid of thick carpets and rugs.
All those nooks and crannies are perfect spots for dust to hide. Even with vacuuming on a regular basis, the particles are trapped until they get released into the air by someone walking on it.

9. Invest in a good vacuum.
While any vacuuming will help with controlling dust, the result is only as good as the quality of the equipment being used. We recommend changing the bag immediately when it’s full, or empty the dirt cup on a bagless vacuum with every use. Best is class is a 4-stage HEPA filters which removes 99.97% of particles – this is what our cleaning technicians use!

10. Groom your pets outside.
Pet dander can greatly add to your dust problem. By grooming them outside, you minimize flyaway fur – but only if you keep the windows closed!

If you don’t have time to fight the battle against dust, give us a call. Whether its a bi-weekly visit or you just need a deep clean, we’d be happy to help!”

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Dust Monitoring Equipment – providing equipment, services and training in dust fallout management to the mining industry.

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