Everything You’ve Ever Wondered About Dust and Mites

Dust is present in all homes, no matter how often we try to get rid of it. But what exactly is dust? Is it bad for health, or do we just clean it away to make things look nice? What exactly are mites, and how can they be eradicated? And what is the best way to dust?

Let's get to the bottom of dust and learn everything we need to know about the dust in our homes!

What is dust made of?

Dust is not a single thing, but consists of small particles that come from various sources. It can be particles from textiles, dead skin, pollen, soil, paper and much more. What the dust in your home consists of depends on where you live and what things you have in your home and where you live. Dust bunnies often also contain hair. Dust bunnies consist of dust held together with the help of static electricity.

Often, dust consists of ordinary things that are not particularly harmful to our health. But dust can also contain mould, bacteria, viruses, and mites, which is why it is so important to dust regularly so you do not breathe in harmful substances. This is especially relevant if you have small children who often spend time on the floor.

According to the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the dust in our homes also contains toxic substances and harmful chemicals to some extent. Among other things, phthalates have been found in dust, which come from plastic products. Some are considered hormone-disrupting and may be linked to allergies in children. These break down more slowly indoors than outdoors, as they are not exposed to the sun's UV rays. You can read more about toxins in dust here.

What are mites?

Mites are tiny arachnids that are found in all homes. Most people do not notice them, but some are allergic to mites, and what many call dust allergy is actually mite allergy. Mite allergy mainly affects the nose and causes sneezing, a runny nose, and red eyes. It is often most noticeable in the morning, since beds have the highest concentration of mites.

It is impossible to make your home completely mite-free, but there are some things you can do to reduce the number of mites. It is good to keep in mind that they thrive where it is warm, dark, and humid.

Try to keep the bedroom cool, for example by airing it every day. Also, make sure to raise the roller blind in the morning and vacuum daily. You can also air the bedclothes regularly and avoid making the bed until after you have had breakfast. This way, the bed has time to become dry and cool before you put the duvet on and trap the heat and moisture that mites like.

What is the best way to dust?

We prefer to use microfiber cloths for dusting. These work both dry and lightly dampened. Sometimes it can be convenient to use a duster if you need to dust lamps or other items that are high up. Then it is especially important to remember rule number one: start at the top and work your way downwards.

Is your home a bit dustier than you would like? Do you find it hard to keep up with the cleaning? In that case, a weekly home cleaning can make a huge difference.

Your home becomes dust-free and your life less stressful, which is great! Why not get in touch with us for a free visit so we can tell you more about our cleaning services and how we make sure dust and mites are kept to a minimum in our customers' homes?