Why is dusting crucial in the summer? First of all, summer is one of the driest times of the year. This can create challenges when the dust is around. Secondly, most buildings are closed in the summer. While the conditioner is running, dust is trapped inside.
In some states, dust storms are frequent in the summer. High winds travel across dry areas and pick up dust as they go. From the air, dust settles on cars, roads, and sidewalks.
Dust storms can make it difficult for people to breath. In areas with low moisture, summer can also create dusty conditions.
Dust is a combination of dead skin cells, animal dander, pollen, bacteria, dust mites, and decomposing bug parts. It also includes fabric fibers and tiny particles of soil, wood, plaster, and paint. Many people are allergic to dust mites and pet dander, which makes dust a health hazard.
Dusting should not be an occasional activity in your building. How often should you dust in the summer to prevent seasonal allergies?
Cleaning companies recommend dusting at least once a month for accessible surfaces. Clean hard-to-reach areas such as ceilings, door frames, and high shelves every three months. Allowing dust to accumulate could cause respiratory problems to your tenants or employees.
How to reduce the amount of dust in your building
No matter how often you clean, it feels like dust is still everywhere. You cannot avoid dust, but you can prevent buildup if you are smart about it. Here are a few tips on how to reduce dirt and dust on your property.
Keep the dust outside.
Close windows and doors to keep dust outside. If you need to open a window, expose the side that is against the wind. If the wind is coming from the east, open your windows on the west side.
Place a high-quality doormat to trap dust outside your main entrance. This way, foot traffic won’t carry dust particles indoors.
Dust and wipe
Traditional feather dusters may seem to grab dust from your surfaces. But what they actually do is simply move the particles around as you go.
As the dust settles, it draws moisture from the air around it. If you do not remove it immediately, it will stick to the surface. You need to trap dust with a wet cloth and wipe it away to take it out completely. After wiping, polish the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
Dusting from top to bottom and making your way around in the same direction is the best approach.
Vacuum with a HEPA filter.
The most effective means of loose dust removal is vacuuming, followed by a microfiber cloth.
A vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can trap dust and keep it from spreading.
Rugs and carpets are great at trapping dust, so you need an excellent vacuum cleaner. Run your vacuum at least once a week. Additionally, clean your carpets with a steam cleaner twice a year to kill dust mites and allergens.
Synthetic materials are known to attract more dust than natural surfaces such as stone and wood. Vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners can suck up dust that has settled on your sofa or armchairs.
Clean the AC filter frequently.
Your air conditioner filter should be able to trap any dust particles entering the unit. It will stop working correctly when the filter is full. Even if the air conditioner continues to cool the building, the air quality will be reduced.
Check your AC filters frequently and clean them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The best strategy is to wash your filters before summer begins and again at the end of the season.
Install air purifiers.
Air purifiers are designed to collect and trap dust to make cleaning easier for you. Make sure your air purifier also has a HEPA filter. The most ideal place to install an air purifier is near the door or window.
Store paper and fabric properly.
Loose fibers from fabric and paper also contribute to dust buildup. Avoid tossing textiles around as much as possible and store linens away in a storage box. Recycle old magazines, newspapers and empty cardboard boxes. Instead of collecting recyclables inside the building, do it outside by the curb.
Change sheets and beddings often.
If you are operating a hotel or spa, changing sheets is always a priority on your daily checklist. Between human skin particles and fabric fibers, beds are a dust-generating machine. Wash the sheets and clean pillows, comforters, and mattress pads regularly.
Dust your baseboards with a dryer sheet.
Dryer sheets work better at collecting dust than regular cloth. Run the sheets along your baseboards and other flat surfaces to wipe away dust particles.
Clean curtains with a lint roller.
The same lint roller you run on your clothes can be applied to curtains. It can easily pick up dust and dirt from any type of fabric.
If dusting during summer is too much work, you may want to hire the services of a professional. Prestige Property Services has been serving Southern California businesses for more than 15 years. Ask for a free quote today.
