Originally published Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Clearing the dust on mites
Q: My house seems unusually dusty. Do dust mites make dust? A: No. It's where they live! About 5,000 possible ingredients make up dust. They include pet and human...
Star Tribune (Minneapolis
Q: My house seems unusually dusty. Do dust mites make dust?
A: No. It's where they live! About 5,000 possible ingredients make up dust. They include pet and human hair and skin cells (which is what dust mites eat), as well as tiny particles of rock, soil and sand, fibers from clothing, carpets, drapes and furniture, mold spores, pollen and bits of plants and insects. Recent EPA research also discovered that house dust commonly is laced with toxic chemicals such as lead and flame retardants.
The composition and amount of dust in a house vary depending on what's in and around the house. For example, dust in a rural home on a gravel road is different from that in a city home by a freeway, or a suburban home with construction nearby.
If your house seems overly dusty, consider these issues:
• Carpet. Carpets shed fiber and collect dust particles. Every time you walk on it, you knock particles into the air; they circulate throughout the house on drafts and air currents, including those from forced-air furnaces. In addition, as synthetic carpets and pads deteriorate over time, they become brittle and break into fine particles, contributing considerably to dust. Replace old carpet and pads, or, when possible, remove them and use hard-surface flooring and area rugs.
• Pets. Furry pets shed hair, dander. Launder their sleeping areas frequently, and bathe and groom animals regularly.
• Ductwork. Don't worry about cleaning it unless you've had remodeling or construction work done recently, or it's never been cleaned before.
• Vacuum. Cleaning with a vacuum can help control dust, but if you don't use one with a HEPA filter you'll simply spread around the dust. A central vacuum that discharges outdoors also works well.
• Filter. The standard filter on a forced-air furnace doesn't do much to capture household dust. Replace it with a higher-efficiency pleated filter.
• Shoes. Place a mat outside entry doors so people can clean shoes before entering. Better yet, leave shoes near the entryway and wear slippers indoors.
• Jackets and gloves. Put outdoor clothing in closets and keep the door closed.
• Mop. Damp-mop or damp-wipe all smooth surfaces weekly. Don't forget those easily overlooked areas such as windowsills, door frames and baseboards.
![]()
• Shut the door. When possible, use cabinets and display shelves with doors rather than open shelving.
• Humidifiers. Beware of ultrasonic humidifiers. If you are using tap water instead of distilled water in the humidifier, it will release fine minerals or light-colored "dust" into the home.
• Candles. Limit candle burning, as it releases fine particles of soot into the air.
Fix It is an occasional feature in NW Home&Life. Send your questions to fixit@startribune.com. Sorry, no personal replies.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
The local, public face of Chase, Phyllis Campbell is trading on trust
Wine Adviser: 'Pocket Wine Book' slips into sloppy
Northwest Living: A Whidbey Island château would suit hobbits, too
Ralph Lauren outfits Winter Olympics athletes in retro garb

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
- Consortium on verge of owning Eastside railway land
- Suspect in officer's slaying shot by police
- UCLA game thread
940 - Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
389 - Weapons, bomb-making materials found in suspect's apartment
334 - Troubling portrait emerges of Fort Hood suspect
287 - Decision day for health care in the House
200 - McGinn widens lead over Mallahan in Seattle mayoral race
183 - U.S. House passes health plan
157 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
103 - Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
95 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
84
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Consortium on verge of owning Eastside railway land
- Guest columnist | Cut the South Carolina jokes, Seattle. Get ready to compete
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor
- Movie review | 'An Education' you won't forget
- Do It in a Day | Spend a cozy, homey day in Edmonds
- Practical Mac | With new features, Apple's MobileMe is worth the price
- 10 ways to take control of your health





