The best ways to keep your home dust-free with kids and pets

If you’ve got kids and pets in your home, you’re probably aware that they can both be dust machines. If you’re trying to cut down on dust around a family home, or need to minimise allergens, you need solutions that work with kids and pets.

The best ways to keep your home dust-free with kids and pets

This article covers simple ways to keep your home dust-free, which can be useful if you don’t have regular help from professionals like cleaners Woolwich. Read on to find out our top tips for getting dust under control.

1. Switch to washable furnishings

Where possible, ensure your furnishings are washable. A washable couch will make it easier to stay on top of cleaning, and you can add in throws to capture surface dust and dirt.

Similarly, make sure all your cushion covers are washable. It can also help to have washable rugs and doormats, as these can trap a lot of dust and are otherwise very difficult to clean.

2. Use HEPA filters

A HEPA filter is designed to capture 99.97% of all airborne particles, many of which contribute to what we call dust. They’re also great for allergy sufferers.

You can get HEPA air purifiers, which will help cut down on airborne dust, as well as HEPA filters in vacuum cleaners. A vacuum cleaner without a HEPA filter can push a lot of dust back into the air, so check the specification if you’re considering a new model.

3. Groom pets regularly

Pet dander is a big contributor to dust – it consists of skin cells and hair. To minimise its presence in your home, make sure your pet is groomed regularly. At the very least, this should mean brushing them, but a bath can help too.

Of course, both of these activities will generate the dander you’re trying to cut out. Do both jobs in the same room (or outdoors if possible) and then clean up straight away.

4. Don’t wear shoes in the house

Unsurprisingly, letting people wear shoes in the house can create a lot of dust and dirt. This gets tracked in on shoes and can then break down into smaller particles, which contribute to dust levels.

Have a designated space near the front door where shoes live, and make sure this rule is enforced. Short of buying shoes for your dogs and cats, the next best thing is to wipe their paws when they come into the house. A good doormat that traps dirt will help to minimise dust too.

5. Use a wet cloth for dusting

Always dust with a microfibre cloth, as these don’t shed fibres like typical fabric. Also, a damp cloth catches dust far more effectively than a dry cloth. Combine the two with a damp microfibre cloth to minimise the amount of dust that’s kicked up into the room.

6. Change bedding regularly

This is true for both kids and pets: change their bedding regularly. Bedding traps a lot of hair and skin cells, which contributes to dust. It also sheds fibres, which are a big component of dust around the home.

Change bedding weekly and air it out properly. Pet bedding shouldn’t be too much of an issue if it’s synthetic fabrics, but natural fabrics (such as cotton) should be aired out to reduce fibre shedding.

7. Get a vacuum cleaner designed for pets

Vacuum cleaners have different suction ratings, measured in air watts. A vacuum cleaner with an air watt rating of 100-200 will effectively deal with pet hair and dander. As we’ve already mentioned, a HEPA filter will also help to reduce overall dust levels.

When you vacuum, focus on corners and around areas where pets sleep. Also pay attention to vacuuming under furniture and any other spaces where dust can collect. The more effectively you vacuum, the longer it will take to build up again.

8. Clean regularly

This isn’t really a tip, but more a statement of fact: if you want a dust-free home and have kids and pets, be prepared to clean regularly.

Kids and pets create a lot of mess, which in turn can become dust if left. So, the only way to really tackle this is to clean on a regular basis.

Keeping your home dust-free when you have kids and pets involves consistency and a few clever tricks. By cleaning regularly, dusting effectively, grooming pets, and choosing practical furnishings, you can stay on top of dust and enjoy a healthier, smarter home.

What’s your top tip to keep your home dust-free?