What Is Dust Exactly—and How to Reduce It in Your Home

You see dust around corners and on shelves each time you clean your home, but do you know where those particles come from? And do you understand why maintaining a dust-free interior space can be so tricky?

Household dust can contribute not just to a messy home, but also to indoor allergies, so it's important to understand what it is and how to reduce it. Understanding the science behind those pesky dust bunnies under your couch—and the reason they're in your home in the first place—can help you take intentional steps to slow down the build-up and take back control.

What's in Dust Particles

"The dust in our homes is an inverted mirror of our lives," explains Emma Barton, the founder of Steam Cleaner Help. "It shows all of our by-products and the things we dispose of without us even being aware of them."

To better combat dust, it's important to know that it's made of a lot of things from both inside and outside your home. "It's mostly made of dead skin cells, dust mites, dead insect particles, soil, pollen, tiny plastic particles, bacteria, hair, and clothing fibers," says Natalie Barrett of Nifty Cleaning Services.

As for how these exterior elements find their way indoors? "Pollutants and contaminants waltz in through the window and settle down on the floor," Barton says. "Then sand, gravel, and dried-up goo on your shoe soles are brought in from the street." Dander and shedding from your pets and crumbs from snacks and meals contribute to dust build-up, too.

But there is one important myth to bust: While dead skin cells certainly do make up part of the dust in our homes, it's not as big of a portion as you may think. Sean Parry of Neat Services notes that people often assume that more than 50 percent of dust comes from dead skin, but in reality, "most of that is carried away by water when we bathe, ending up not on our floors, but in our sewers."

The Role of Dust Mites

Don't be alarmed, but the dust mites in your dust are microscopic arachnids that thrive in warm, dark, humid environments.

"House dust mites are commonly found indoors, wherever we live," says Dave Allamby, MD, a specialist in eye health. "Dust mites are actually tiny spider-like creatures (arachnids) whose diet is dead human skin cells. But relax, they don’t live on human beings."

Still, these dust mites are what contribute to indoor allergy irritants, so those who end up with itchy, watery eyes or asthma due to allergies may have dust mites to thank. "Dust mite droppings contain enzymes that can be released when moist, potentially creating havoc in human cells when inhaled," says Allamby. "People with asthma often test positive for dust mite allergies."

So, for those who suffer from indoor allergies, keeping surfaces and fabrics dust-free is essential because doing so removes those pesky dust mites. "Dust mites are not carried by the air," says Christine Kingsley, APRN, Health and Wellness Director of the Lung Institute. "They settle into dust or fabric, which serve as their nests. When inhaled, they can cause inflammation of the nasal passages—this is especially true for people with dust mite allergies."

Common Causes of Dust in Your Home

So, how does dust appear? Well, it makes its entrance into your home in a variety of ways.

Pets and People

Dead human skin cells (to a degree) contribute to dust but so do pet skin cells (dander) and hair. "Shedding of dead skin cells by humans and pets contributes significantly to dust, and movement and activities indoors can disturb settled dust, causing it to become airborne," says Petya Holevich, domestic cleaning expert and supervisor for Fantastic Services.

Fibers from Textiles

Over the years, it's not uncommon for fabrics (think everything from your clothing to your couches to your carpeting) to shed fibers. This adds to your dust accumulation, says Holevich. This shedding is made worse by infrequent or poor cleaning practices, which Holevich says allows dust to accumulate on indoor surfaces, leading to a visible layer of dust. See dust on some of your surfaces? Clean it!

Outdoor Particles and Pests

"Pollen, soil, and other outdoor particles can be brought inside on shoes, clothing, or through simply opening windows and doors," Holevich says. "Insects and pests can [also] contribute to dust through their droppings, shredded skin, and body parts."

Building Materials

If your home is new construction or you're in the process of renovating, the building materials might be contributing to your home's dust levels. "Construction materials, especially if a home is newly built or renovated, can contribute to dust, because of particles from drywall, plaster, and other construction items," Holevich says.

Central Heating and Air

"HVAC systems can circulate and distribute dust throughout a home if they aren’t properly maintained and equipped with effective filters," Holevich says. This is your reminder to clean your HVAC system and make sure it has a clean filter.

High Humidity Levels

Maintaining the right humidity level in your home is key for good indoor air quality, including whether or not dust will accumulate. "High humidity can create an environment that contributes to the growth of dust mites and mold, both of which contribute to the formation of dust," says Holevich.

Ways to Reduce Dust Accumulation in Your Home

It's nearly impossible to keep dust from accumulating around your home, but there are some things you can do to prevent dust buildup from occurring frequently. Attempting to clean a surface with a heavy layer of dust will only push more particles into the air during the removal process—so the goal should be to avoid accumulation in the first place.

Choose the Right Type of Furnishings

Opt for furniture that has smooth surfaces that are easy to clean and don't trap dust easily, says Muffetta Krueger, owner of Muffetta's Domestic Assistants. For instance, leather couches are less likely to have dust accumulation than upholstered couches.

Use Doormats

Placing quality doormats at the entrance to your home helps keep outdoor pollutants that have stuck to your shoes outside. The simple act of walking on them and wiping your shoes before stepping into the house goes a long way to reducing the amount of particles you track inside. Go even further and take your shoes off when you get home.

Seal Cracks and Close Windows

Prevent outdoor allergens and pollen from entering your home by making sure any gaps in your windows and doors are properly sealed, says Krueger. Also, close the windows when it's windy out: You'll prevent outdoor particles from being blown inside.

Minimize Clutter and Filter the Air

Fewer things mean fewer places for dust to settle and accumulate. The less knick-knacks you have, the less you have to clean. Additionally, a good air purifier can trap fine particles floating around in the air.

Groom Your Pets

Regular grooming and cleaning of your pets reduces shedding and the amount of pet dander in the air, says Holevich. This simple routine can dramatically reduce the amount of dust floating around.

Tips for Getting Rid of Household Dust

It's scientifically impossible to have an entirely dust-free house, but you can clean up dust and allergens more effectively by adding some of these tasks to your household cleaning schedule.

Dust Top to Bottom

The order in which you dust surfaces matters greatly. Start dusting things like your ceiling fans first, and work your way down, cleaning your floors last so that you don't miss any dust that falls.

Vacuum and Dust Regularly

"Regularly vacuum your home, wipe down surfaces, and wash bedding and blankets," Parry says. Remember to include furniture and upholstery each time you vacuum, adds Henry Paterson, the senior operations executive at Housekeep.

Launder Bedding Frequently

Wash your bedding (sheets and pillowcases) weekly in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) to reduce dust mites. Consider adding mattress and pillow protectors to inhibit dust mites from settling there.

Clean Your Walls and Ceiling

Yes, you can clean your walls and ceiling. "Try to occasionally clean ceilings and walls because dust can also accumulate on them," says Holevich.

Wash Your Curtains

Dust can accumulate in your curtains as well, so wash them in hot water (if care instructions allow it) to rid them of dust mites. You can also clean them with a clothes steamer. Be sure to add this task to your deep cleaning rotation a few times a year.

Clean Behind and Under Appliances

In the case of dust, out of sight is not always out of mind. Make it a point to shift your stove, fridge, and other large appliances somewhat regularly to remove dust buildup. Forgetting to do so might seem harmless since the dust is stuck under something, but much of it can eventually kick back into the air. You don't need to do this often, but try to get to it once every few months.