Keeping your home clean is essential for a healthy living environment. This includes ensuring the home is free from dust and other allergens. But how should you tackle dust in your home? Should you dust or vacuum first?
The answer is dust first.
Dusting before vacuuming allows you to gather and remove loose dust from surfaces before they settle on the floor. Dusting can cause some particles to become airborne and later settle on floors or other surfaces. Vacuuming after dusting effectively cleans up any dust or debris that has fallen, ensuring a more thorough and efficient cleaning process.
What is dust?
Dust is made of fine, dry particles that include dead skin cells, soil, textile fibres, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. These tiny particles can accumulate on surfaces and become airborne, potentially causing allergies and respiratory issues.
Regular cleaning, such as dusting and vacuuming, helps manage and reduce dust levels in the home.
How often should you vacuum?
It is recommended that homes be vacuumed 1-2 times a week. The frequency of vacuuming can differ depending on the presence of pets and the type of surface being vacuumed. For example, carpets and rugs may need to be vacuumed more frequently than harder surfaces. It’s also recommended that pet owners use vacuum cleaners specially designed to cope with pet hair or with pet attachments.
Order to clean a dirty room
1. Remove clutter
Decluttering a room before dusting and vacuuming is important. It reveals hidden dust and dirt and allows cleaning equipment to reach all areas of the room. This is especially important when vacuuming, as it stops items from obstructing the vacuum's path. Decluttering makes it easier to maintain cleanliness.
2. Dust Surfaces
Using a microfiber cloth or duster, begin to dust all surfaces including furniture, windowsills, shelves, mirrors and radiators. Try to allow 1 hour after dusting to enable all particles to reach the floor; this will mean more dust is vacuumed in the long run.
3. Vacuum
Begin vacuuming the floor, working in a grid pattern, making sure to vacuum under furniture and in corners of the room. Vacuum attachments can be used to vacuum in hard-to-reach areas of the room. A vacuum cleaner with a long hose is excellent for collecting dust along skirting boards. Vacuuming twice can ensure that the most dust is collected.
4. Hard Surfaces
For hard flooring such as tiles, wood, or vinyl, a damp mop, microfibre cloth, or steam cleaner can be used to remove any remaining dust. A regular deep clean is also recommended for hard surfaces.
5. Windows & Mirrors
After dusting, windows and mirrors can be left with smudges from dust. Cleaning windows and mirrors with a microfibre cloth can ensure that smudges and streaks are removed.
6. Clean Fabrics
Bedding, cushion covers, sheets, duvets, and other fabrics can also accumulate dust. Make sure to clean fabrics regularly, placing them in hot water to remove dust particles or using a carpet and upholstery cleaner to give fabric furniture a deep clean.
7. Circulate Air
Open windows or use a fan, air filter or air purifier to circulate air in the room. Circulating air will help improve air quality and stop dust from settling.
Top Tips For Cleaning Your Home
1. Start at the top
When tackling a dusty room, you should start dusting from the ceiling and work your way down. Starting on higher surfaces like ceiling fans, fitted TVs, and and light fittings will make it quicker and easier to gather dust on the floor, ready to vacuum.
2. Wash pets frequently
Pets often bring in pet hair, dirt, and mud. Washing pets frequently means hair and dirt are less likely to build up on carpets and furniture. Brushing pets regularly can also ensure that malting pets are not leaving pet hairs around the house. For more tips on how to keep your home free from pet hair and messes, check out our blog post all about pet owner essentials for a cleaner home.
3. Introduce a ‘no-shoes’ rule
Frequent foot traffic in a home can increase the amount of dust and dirt that is brought into the house. Introducing a no-shoes rule will reduce the amount of outdoor particles entering.
4. Choosing a good-quality vacuum cleaner
Ensuring that you have the right tools for the job is important for getting the most out of your cleaning routine. When choosing a vacuum, you should consider the following factors depending on your needs:
- Vacuum strength
- Filtration system
- Cord or cordless vacuum cleaners
- Ease of use - handheld vacuum cleaners
- Noise levels
- Capacity
- Storage
- Attachments
Essentials for a dust-free home
VAX UCA1GEV1 Mach Air Lightweight Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner Hoover
RRP: £129.99 Our Price: £59.99 (Save £100)
- The Vax Mach air is a powerful, lightweight, multi-cyclonic upright with no loss of suction.
- Large 1.5L capacity, Enabling you to clean for longer with less frequent emptying.
- Lightweight and easy to carry up and down the stairs
- Includes 2 in 1 dusting brush/crevice tool
Hoover HF122GH H-Free 100 Cordless Upright Stick Vacuum Cleaner 3in1 22V
RRP: £129.99 Our Price: £59.99 (Save £70)
- Multifunctional - 3 different ways to use: floors, handheld or high reach
- Cordless Power - 22 Volt Lithium battery pack runs for up to 25 minutes non-stop, with no annoying cables getting in the way
- Easy to use - just switch on & start cleaning, no need to change any settings
- Tools on-board - crevice tool & dusting brush are stored on the handheld unit, convenient & ready to use in an instant
- Large capacity - 0. 9L bin means you won't have to stop and empty as often
Vytronix PET01 Bagless Cylinder Pet Vacuum Cleaner 3L Powerful Cyclonic HEPA
Our Price: £64.99
- With powerful suction you can be sure that you’re picking up even the most invisible dust and dirt particles
- The Included pet hair attachment is ideal for removing unwanted pet hair from your stairs and upholstery
- Portable, flexible and equipped with an 80cm telescopic extension tube alongside a 1.5 metre hose and 6 metre extra reach power cord
- easy to use on/off pedal which can be conveniently reached with your foot
By following the right cleaning sequence—first dusting, then vacuuming—thorough cleaning is ensured. By following the steps above, a clean and dust-free home will be maintained, overall providing you with the right environment for your physical and mental well-being.
At Direct Vacuums, we are passionate about finding the right vacuum for your home, needs, and budget. Make sure to look at our extensive range of new and refurbished vacuum cleaners. We have top brands, including VAX, Hoover, Numatic, and Russell Hobbs—all providing excellent performance and reliability.
