Dust is more than just a build-up of dirt from outside – it’s a collection of tiny particles, from pollen, mold spores, and textile fibers to ash, dead skin cells, and even hair, that can unfortunately impact the health of babies and children.
In fact, because young toddlers often spend a lot of their time playing on the ground, and exploring the world around them by putting objects in their mouths, germs, and dirt can be ingested if adequate steps aren’t taken to keep dust around the home at bay.
While for many parents juggling the endless amount of responsibilities that come with caring for children, there are a host of simple things you can do to keep dust out of the home for longer periods of time, even when cleaning is the least of their worries.
We’ve spoken to David Chapman, founder of leading commercial mat distributor, Ultimate Mats, who has shared his insight into the different ways you can remove built-up dust around your home if you have small children around and are concerned about the potential dangers.
1. Dust surfaces around your home
Dust can be found anywhere in the home, from the top of doors, to windows, cabinets and even on your soft furnishings like curtains, beds and chairs. While it’s not everyone’s favorite task, dusting should be carried out at least once every two weeks, if not weekly, especially if you have small children in the home – as this helps to reduce mild sickness and allergies.
2. Change bedding frequently
As we know, dust can be found anywhere in the home – but one place that is surprising to many, is your baby’s bed. Bedding, mattress and pillows can actually generate and hold a lot of dust, and should be washed once a week to prevent the build up of bacteria, skin cells and other germs.
3. Sweep and mop your hard floors
An important part of your cleaning routine should be sweeping and mopping your hard floors, as in doing so you can help to create a safe and healthy living environment. Bacteria, dirt and dust can build up on your floors, which can be particularly dangerous if you have small children, as toys left on the floor can become a breeding ground for dust and bacteria.
The cleaning products you use will depend on your living environment, as if you have little ones crawling around playing on the hard floors, then creating a vinegar cleaning solution will ensure that no harmful chemicals are left on the floor. Floors should be mopped and cleaned every few days, and deep cleaned once a month to prevent dust build up.
4. Remove shoes when entering the home
As much as 80% of dust is brought into the home on the bottom of people’s shoes. So, one way to counteract that would be to ask guests to remove their shoes before entering your living space. You could even purchase a ‘remove your shoes’ sign to place in the doorway.
Another way to encourage people to remove their shoes when entering your home is to purchase a shoe rack or basket from the front door. If you are having guests over for a party or small gathering, you could even provide socks or cheap disposable flip flops at the door.
5. Purchase a mat to catch and reduce dust
Entry door mats are the most effective way to minimize dust in the home. Most of the dust in your house actually comes from outside, and it enters through shoes, clothes, hair and even via windows and doors. Waterhog mats are specifically designed to trap water and dust from under foot, before traveling further into your living space.
When placed in the entryway of your home, mats can help to prevent the spread of harmful germs throughout the house, and reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning. Mats will need to be cleaned, so they can work effectively and keep the rest of the home tidy.
6. Use a vacuum to clean carpets and mats
Vacuuming carpets, rugs and mats helps to remove dirt and dust that can build up over time. Babies can be prone to developing allergies so keeping your floors clean is an integral task, as vacuuming reduces dust on the floor and limits it from migrating into the air – making your home healthier and safer.
Vacuuming can also help to extend the life of your soft flooring and mats, as dirt and dust can cause wear and tear, so keeping on top of clearing can help remove any dislodged fibers.
7. Purchase an air purifier
Our homes are filled with airborne pollutants, dust, pollen, pet hair and more – and one way to reduce these different particles throughout the house is to invest in an air purifier. The purpose of an air purification system is to filter the air of nasty chemicals, germs and allergens and bring a flow of fresh air back into your home. The gadgets are really beneficial, as they can protect you from airborne diseases. They can also relieve symptoms of asthma and eliminate harmful chemicals, like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.
8. Change your AC unit filters
If your air conditioning filter is dirty, then this directly impacts the air quality of your home. Over time, air conditioning units can accumulate dust, bacteria and other nasty pathogens that can be damaging to both babies short and long term health. That’s why it’s important to regularly change the filter in your air conditioning system – to improve the overall quality of air that you are breathing in on a daily basis, which in term can help to prevent illness.
This article has been provided by ultimate mats
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
