Poorly illuminated spaces

Even before artificial lighting was established, natural lighting was a major concern in architecture. However, we sometimes forget that some areas (particularly in cities) may lack this vital feature. That is why it is critical to make the most of every available light source. Simple changes, such as lighter-colored drapes or strategically placed plants, can make a significant difference.

Neglected carpets

When the upholstery gets dirty, vacuuming is not enough. Because no matter how dust-free you keep the room, the curtains, or the carpet, there will always be that small area of a different color that urgently needs a deep cleaning. Nowadays, there are quite affordable methods and products, such as warm water cleaning or dry cleaning, that can help you to loosen up that stain.

Floor cracks in plain view

We don’t always have time to make big repairs to our homes. When it comes to floors, a lack of maintenance can cause a permanent look of neglect no matter how clean the space is kept. A simple trick to avoid this is to hide the cracks under a nice rug which, in addition to giving the room more personality, prevents further damage to the affected area.

Tiny stains on the stove

When we do general cleaning, the stove can be a real problem. Food stains and garbage are easy to remove, but grime and burnt oil can remain for a long time. To remove them, we have to use special products which are more abrasive, so we recommend wearing gloves and reading the instructions carefully.

Accumulation of dirt on switches and sockets

During this year, we have learned more than ever before about the importance of maintaining the outlets and switches in our home. However, the dirty feeling may be due to the natural wear and tear of the materials. A simple trick is to give them a little coat of paint to make them shine, but remember that if they are in a high traffic area, they should be replaced often.

 Stained, damaged, or cracked walls

If your wall is neglected, if the wallpaper is torn, or if the paint is starting to fall off, every time you look at this part of the house, it gives the impression that something is wrong even if you’ve just cleaned it. To avoid replacing the entire surface, a secret that will also bring life to the room is to use a plant that hides the damage. There are many that can be convenient and easy to maintain.

Dusty or foggy windows

Sometimes we clean windows and mirrors, but they get fogged up or dirtier if we don’t do it the right way. To avoid this, you need to make sure you spend extra time on these surfaces. Dry cleaning, the right products, and never forgetting to wipe both sides are the secrets to keeping these areas sparkling clean.

Messy dishes

The accumulation of dishes, whether clean or dirty, detracts from their overall cleanliness. One trick to make this part of the house shine and stand out for its tidiness is to put dishes away as soon as they are dry. But avoid storing them wet or wiping them with dirty towels because they could accumulate bacteria.

Moisture in the sink

When cleaning the bathroom, few people stop to dry those small and sometimes imperceptible places that, hours later, have soap and watermarks. The solution to this is to dry these areas well, selecting the right product for metal surfaces and a different one to maintain the shine of porcelain.

Cluttered objects in rooms

If we have many objects or decorations at floor height, they will generate a sensation of noise and disorder. The most advisable thing to do in these cases is to opt for elevated display alternatives: like shelves or furniture that allow you to free up the floor. This makes maintenance easier (like dusting) and helps you avoid the accumulation of problems that can be harmful to your health.

Dust is obnoxious. Within a day of wiping down your furniture and electronics, you’ll see those nasty specks completely covering the surfaces again. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to make your home less dusty.

Stop Dirt and Dust at the Door

It would be hard to prove, but it is commonly held that approximately half of the dirt and dust in your home gets inside on your shoes and boots. Keep mats at each exterior door, one outside and one inside to be extra careful. Shake them out away from open windows and wash or hose them down regularly.

Add Humidity

If you allow the air in your home to get too dry, you’re asking for more dust. Skin, fabrics, plants—everything will dry out and produce more dust when it’s dry. You can add moisture with a plug-in humidifier or a whole-house unit on your forced-air furnace. Also, running water in the tub or shower, boiling water in a teakettle and air-drying clothes add moisture to the air. Experts suggest you aim for an indoor humidity level of 30% to 50%.

Clean Dusty Vent Grilles

Exhaust vent grilles, especially those in bathrooms, collect lots of dust. One slick way to clean them, if they pop out easily, is to place them on the top rack and run them through your dishwasher. If you can’t easily remove that dusty grille, use a damp cloth and cotton-tipped swaps to clean off the dust. Vacuuming works, too, but be sure your vacuum isn’t spewing the dirt right back into the air.

Monitor Your Vacuum

You can vacuum all you want, but if your machine is spewing that dust right back in to the air or not sucking up the dust, you won’t ever get ahead. If your vacuum has a bag, be sure to change it when it fills up. If you vacuum is bagless, empty out the dirt cup after every use. Clean or replace filters often and if your vacuum has a belt, check to make sure it’s in good shape. If not, replace it.

Clean Your Blinds, Shades and Curtains

All window blinds, shades and curtains trap lots of dust. Why? It’s all that surface area. You can dust the blinds one blade at a time or remove them from their mounting hardware and wash them or have them professionally cleaned. Dusty shades can usually be wiped down with a damp cloth. And, curtains can be washed or professionally cleaned depending on what they’re made of.

Eliminate Thick Carpet and Rugs

You don’t want to know how much dust lurks in carpeting and rugs. Even if you vacuum and shake out rugs frequently, the dust gets trapped in there until someone walks or rolls around on them, and then that dust becomes airborne. Some will resettle in the carpet while some will end up on your horizontal surfaces. If you must buy an area rug, be warned that wool rugs shed like crazy.

Wash Bed Linens More Often Than You Think You Need To

Do you know how much you love your cozy bed? Sadly, dust mites love it just as much. Without getting too gross, our bedrooms get so dusty because that’s where we shed a lot of dead skin (dust) and that’s why dust mites live there (more dust). Bed linens, including pillows and blankets, need to be cleaned often to keep the dust from piling up.

Change Your Furnace Filter Every Month

If you have a forced-air HVAC system, put changing the filter on your monthly to-do list. It’s easy and takes very little time, but it will help greatly with dust control.

So you’re changing the furnace filter every month.

Contain Workshop Dust

If you have a woodworking shop in you home, you probably already have a dust collection system set up. However, if you do occasional projects involving cutting and sanding wood and you have a shop vacuum, you can still do a pretty good job of collecting the dust.

Cut the Clutter

If you’ve crossed the line into the pre-hoarder territory, it’s high time you got rid of a whole bunch of stuff. All of those knickknacks, gewgaws, and doodads collect dust. Unless you plan to be diligent about keeping them clean, they are adding to your dust problem. If you can’t part with some treasures, at least box them up and rotate which items you have on display at any given time. You’ll have fewer things to dust and there will be less dust in your home.

Groom Pets Outdoors

We love our pets, but they do contribute to indoor dustiness. When your pet’s fur needs brushing, it’s best to take them outside and make sure the windows downwind are closed.