Why Is My House So Dusty? The Top Tips for a Cleaner Home

Co-authored by Kadi Dulude and Amber Crain

Last Updated: February 21, 2022 References

Getting rid of dust keeps our living spaces clean and healthy, but have you ever wondered where all that dust comes from? Dust is made up of many different kinds of particles. Some of those sources probably won't surprise you, but others are pretty unexpected (and a little gross!) Below we'll answer your most common questions about household dust and give you some helpful tips on how to control it.

Question 1 of 5:

What is the main cause of dust?

1
The main indoor culprits are fabric fibers, skin flakes, and pet dander. Anything organic and capable of decay creates dust. We don’t normally think of things like carpet, bedding, and upholstered furniture as actively decaying, but they are—very slowly. Humans shed dead skin cells constantly and those tiny particles accumulate to form dust. Indoor pets shed dead skin (dander) and their fur, so they tend to be big contributors, too.^{[1]
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Research source}
- Houseplants and dead/decaying insects also create dust.
2
About 60% of indoor dust comes from outdoors, though. Eroding soil, sand, and rock are the most common sources of outdoor dust.^{[2]
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Research source} Pollen, microorganisms, and other air pollutants are also big factors.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} Anytime we go outside, we track tiny amounts of that stuff back indoors with us.^{[4]
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- Outdoor dust also gets in through open windows, loose door, and window fittings, and unsealed structural gaps.^{[5]
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Question 2 of 5:

Why is there so much dust in my house?

1
You might need to replace the air filter in your HVAC system. Dust naturally accumulates in vents and ducts; air filters help trap most of that dust so it doesn't get inside your home. To ensure your filter is working as efficiently as possible, replace it every 3 months. Go with a replacement filter that has a MERV rating between 5 and 8 for the best results.^{[6]
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Research source}
- MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values. The MERV rating refers to a filter's ability to capture particles. The higher the MERV rating, the more effective the filter is at trapping particles.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
  Go to source}
- If you have pets or kids, check the filter once a month and replace it when it looks saturated with dust.
- If there’s a significant amount of dust buildup inside your HVAC system, or if someone in your family is experiencing sudden allergy symptoms, consider getting the system professionally cleaned. Always hire a certified HVAC professional for the job since improper cleaning can make things worse.^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
  Go to source}
2
You may need to seal and weatherproof your home so dust can't get in. A significant amount of indoor dust comes in through loose windows, unsealed cracks, and air leaks around ducts and plumbing. You can seal up those leaky areas and reduce dust inside your home by doing the following:^{[9]
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Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
- Caulking and weatherstripping doors and windows
- Caulking around plumbing, ducting, and electrical wiring
- Installing foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates
- Sealing gaps around baseboards/windows with spray foam^{[10]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. Department of Energy
  Official site for the U.S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency
  Go to source}
3
If you have carpet or fabric drapes, those tend to trap a lot of dust. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting and thick fabric drapes in every room, household dust is going to be an issue since those fabrics tend to collect and trap dust particles. You can reduce the dust by vacuuming carpets and drapes at least once a week.^{[11]
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- Laundering drapes (or getting them dry cleaned) once a year also helps.
- Frequently washing other textiles like bedding, pillows, and throw blankets can prevent dust buildup.^{[12]
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  Research source}

Question 3 of 5:

Is household dust dangerous?

It can be if you let it accumulate or have a preexisting health condition. If you’re a healthy adult, breathing in low levels of household dust shouldn’t affect you at all. However, the thicker the dust and the longer you’re exposed to it, the more likely you are to develop respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and allergies.^{[13]
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Research source} The people most sensitive to household dust include:
- Babies and small children
- Elderly folks over the age of 65
- Anyone with preexisting conditions (asthma, heart disease, emphysema, etc.)

Question 4 of 5:

How do I keep my house from getting so dusty?

1
Vacuum, mop, and wipe down surfaces more frequently. Use moist paper towels to wipe down tabletops, shelves, fixtures, and other hard surfaces once a week. Vacuum carpeting every other day with a good quality vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.^{[14]
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Research source} If you have hard floors, mop or vacuum to clean them (sweeping just moves dust around).^{[15]
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Research source} You can also reduce dust on surfaces by:
- Keeping the doors and windows closed
- Placing dust mats at every entrance
- Leaving your shoes at the door before coming inside
- Replacing carpet with hard flooring
2
Restrict your pet’s access to bedrooms. Chances are, you don’t want to get rid of your furry friend because of dust. The next best thing is restricting their access to bedrooms and sleeping areas. Fabrics, like blankets and mattresses, tend to collect a lot of dust and dander. It's easier to control dust when it's contained in other areas.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Keep in mind that you spend 7-9 hours a day sleeping in your bedroom. Even if you don't have allergies, breathing in all that extra dander isn't great for your lungs.
- If your pet is indoor/outdoor, let them enjoy the outdoors a little more often.
- If possible, keep pets away from upholstered furniture and carpeted areas.
- Wash your pet's bedding once a week to reduce dander.

Question 5 of 5:

How do I get rid of house dust floating in the air?

Invest in a high-quality air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter. A portable air purifier can filter airborne dust as long as it’s large enough to handle the room's dimensions.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} Check the purifier's packaging for a CADR (clean air delivery rating) that’s appropriate for the room's dimensions. Place air purifiers in rooms where you spend a lot of time, like your bedroom and kitchen.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
Go to source}
- CADR is measured in cubic feet. The higher the CADR, the more particles the purifier can filter in a larger space. Most purifiers state on the packaging what size room it should be used in.
- For estimation purposes, the minimum CADR for 100 square feet of space is 65. If your room is 600 square feet, you'd want a minimum CADR of 390.
- Put the device on a flat, stable surface like a tabletop or floor. Make sure there's extra space around the purifier so nothing is obstructing the airflow.