Dust is everywhere. And no matter where you live, you need to dust your furnishings. Even if you don’t develop a full-blown allergic sensitivity to dust, it’s not a beneficial thing to have in your living environment.
Some elements of dust are pretty harmless – like dead skin cells, food particles, or dead insect parts. Other parts aren’t exactly what you’d like to have floating around your home. Arsenic, DDT, and lead particles commonly make up dust, as well as toxic PBDEs – flame retardants found in everything from your couch cushions to television sets.
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What can you do to reduce a dust pollution problem?
This week’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to safely and easily take on dust. Ready to get started?
Off with your shoes
A lot of dust comes from the outside in. To stop the spread of contaminants picked up outdoors, simply take off your shoes when you enter your home. If everyone takes their shoes off all the time, it becomes a safe and easy habit very quickly.
Scale back on knick knacks
What tends to collect a lot of dust in a hurry? Knick knacks. They may look wonderful, but if you want to cut back on your dusting, cut back on knick knacks around your home. Or, if you’re attached to your particular decorating style, be prepared to dust often.
Vacuum frequently
Dust and hazardous particles will easily settle in carpet – so vacuum often.
Stop smoking
This should be a no-brainer, but just in case there’s any question, stop smoking. And not just for the sake of a dusty, dirty home – but for your health.
Get some fresh air
Whether it involves simply opening a window to let some fresh air inside or by investing in an air filter, try to freshen the air in your home.
Ditch the chemical dusting and polishing sprays
As we’ve discussed this week, most spray-on polishing and dusting solutions are not healthy or safe. Switch to something simple and cheap like microfiber cloths or a homemade polish.
Talk back
How did your Dusting Challenge go? Please let me know by commenting below. Or, share your experience on Facebook.
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