Dusting wipes away mess and improves air quality

I frequently get asked, "what is dust and where does it come from?" My answer is anything and everything makes up dust. That can include, but is not limited to, minute soil particles, fabric fibers, shed skin cells, animal dander, insect parts, smoke and ashes, pollen spores, fungi, bacteria and dust mites.

Almost anything you can name is dust. Some particles originate inside our homes. Others migrate in through windows, doors and air vents and can increase in quantity if there is nearby construction.

That sounds horrible, doesn't it? It can be, especially if you have asthma or allergies or if certain parts of your home act as a breeding ground for the bacteria and microscopic critters floating around in the air. Take mold, for example. It originates as a fungus present naturally in dust. When this fungus finds a hospitable location to dwell in — a dark, moist basement or crawl space, for example — it quickly settles in begins digesting cotton, leather and any other organic material it finds.

Other micro-biological creatures, like dust mites for example, live off the dead skin and hair particles they share dust space with. They hole up in upholstered cushions and the bedding we sleep in.

I think of every speck of dust wiped up as gunk that didn't make it into our lungs. Dusting is not simply getting rid of that unsightly layer that builds up on household surfaces, it's actually improving our indoor air quality.

Believe it or not, there is a correct way of dusting. We should dust from the top down, using a soft, moist cloth. When it gets soiled, rinse it thoroughly and continue until the item or area is clean. Go over hard surfaces — bookshelves, tables, chairs, picture frames, books, stereo components and knickknacks with a vacuum using the brush attachment.

Hardwood floors should be vacuumed using a brush attachment. Dust mops and brooms only spread the dust around and embed particles in cracks and crevices.

If the floor is covered with a carpet or rug, vacuum them daily for heavily-trafficked areas and weekly for less traveled areas. If rug are loose, flip them over and vacuum the back side once a week. The vacuum should have a good filtration system and a rotating beater bar for stirring up dust particles.

Vacuums today have multi-stage filtering systems. These exhaust filters keep the finer dust particles from being expelled back into the air. They remove dust more efficiently if they are emptied when they are half to two-thirds full.

Your heating and air conditioning systems do more than just heat and cool your home. They also circulate and filter the air you breathe. It is very important to replace the air filter frequently.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail him at madan@surf1.ws; or send them in to Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864; Attn: What Would Ed Do? For more information about Ed, check him out online at www.NWEES.com.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is CEO of Northwest Executive and Environmental Services.