5 Dust Allergy Management Tips for Homeowners

Dealing with dust can be a big problem, because dust is often composed of a number of other particles that can pollute the air inside your home. Dust can also cause your allergy symptoms to go off the charts. Dust is especially troublesome in the summer - when the heat causes things like dirt to go airborne and float throughout your home. But dirt is only one part of dust - it can also include pet dander, car exhaust, pollen, and even dead skin. What happens is that the dust floats through the air and then settles in your home - in your ductwork, floors and even on your bed. Dust activates your mucous membranes and you may start experiencing a runny nose, itchy and irritated eyes and coughing. Luckily, there are a lot of tips for dealing with dust. Here are five dust allergy management tips for homeowners.

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 1.  Make sure that your home is cleaned and vacuumed. When it comes to dust, one of the most effective ways to remove visible particles is to vacuum and to remove clutter. Keeping your home tidy will also prevent dust, because the particles have a tendency to settle on items that haven't moved in a long time. So, be sure to throw out old items, clean your carpets and vacuum on a regular basis.

2.  Make sure to use a duster to get rid of hard to reach dust. If you have molding in your home or if you have stationary appliances that are out of reach, there is a good chance that there are a few layers of dust building up on these items. So, it is important to use a duster to remove these layers. When using a duster, make sure to use a facemask, because the dust could activate your allergy symptoms while you are cleaning.

3.   Make sure to use an air filter. Air filters and air purifiers can do a great job when it comes to removing dust and dander in the air. An air purifier uses a filter that captures the dust particles in the air - the air goes inside the unit and comes out clean through the vent. If you have a particularly pervasive issue with mold, you may want to install a whole-home air purifier.

4.  Make sure that you let the sunshine in. Dust also includes mold and mildew particles, which are live and ready to spread. So, it is important to let unfiltered sunshine throughout your home - sunshine has UV rays that will kill these mold and mildew particles. If you live next to a major thoroughfare, you may not want to leave your windows wide open, but you do want to leave the blinds open during the day.

5.  Make sure that you get your ductwork cleaned. It is also critical that you have your HVAC ductwork cleaned on an annual to bi-annual basis. Dust can build up in your ductwork - when you turn on your air conditioner or heater, it tends to spread throughout your home. So, be sure to have your ductwork professionally cleaned - you don't want to damage your ductwork or injure yourself by doing it yourself.