Improving indoor air quality starts with minimizing pollutants, such as dust. Here are some dusting techniques and other tools to help minimize dust and improve indoor air quality (IAQ).
Dusting Techniques
Dusting is a household chore you might not think about much, but the techniques you use could have a significant effect on IAQ. Use the following tools and tips for the best results:
- Use microfiber cloths or electrostatic dusters: The first step is to select the proper dusting tools. Old feather dusters don’t get the job done. Other more useful tools include microfiber cloths and electrostatic dusters that trap and remove dust rather than simply spreading it around.
- Dust from highest to lowest: Always start from the top and work your way down. For instance, when dusting a bookshelf, begin with the highest shelf. This way, you catch any dust that falls as you move down.
- Don’t forget hard-to-reach places: It’s easy to remember to dust tabletops, bookshelves, and desks, but don’t forget ceiling fans, door frames, bathroom vents, and baseboards. A more thorough cleaning job leads to better indoor air quality.
Tools to Further Improve IAQ
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that indoor air quality can be up to 100 time worse than outdoor air. Dusting alone is not enough to counteract this. That’s why you need other tools to improve IAQ further. These tools include:
- Advanced air filters: When your furnace or air conditioner runs, it blows dust throughout your home. Having an advanced air filter in place improves IAQ by trapping dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and more.
- Air purifiers: Another method of cleaning indoor air is with an air purifier. This uses ultraviolet (UV) light to remove airborne pollutants and kill microorganisms. Its location in the ductwork means all air passes across the germicidal UV lamp before it’s conditioned and circulated back into your home.
Clearly, there are many dusting techniques and tools to improve IAQ. To learn more about advanced air filters and purifiers, or to have one installed in your home, please contact Ace Hardware Home Services in Dayton, Ohio.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
