HELP!!!!! Dust Problems with no HVAC system in building.

Keesha Jones
by Keesha Jones

How can I keep the dust to a minimum when I don’t have a AC in my unit, the wooden floors were painted, and the screens are flimsy in which the only cross air can come in. Mind you it’s a building over 100 years old, I live in LA and to keep a cross breeze I keep the fans on and the windows in the bedroom slightly open(no direct sun there).

Blinds stay dusty

Living Room window seal

Living Room Window

Dust on leather couch and using microfiber cloths are my only option to keep the dust buildup off.

This dust buildup is a daily issue throughout my living and bedroom.

  18 answers
  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 14, 2020

    Hi Keesha, hope this helps, also you can use an electrostatic air cleaner, and follow some of these ideas

    https://www.maid4condos.com/7-tips-reducing-dust-condo-apartment/


    this air purifier is filter less so you only need to clean it

    https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/Air-Purifier-Ionizer-Air-Cleaner-Purification-device-Negative-Ion-Generators/PRD20FP0ON0I4C0

  • I would dust them regularly with a microfiber cloth.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Nov 14, 2020

    I'd get a floor oscilating fan

  • Dee Dee on Nov 14, 2020

    Purchase an air purifier at at Amazon or https://www.cnet.com/news/best-air-purifiers-for-2020-coway-dyson-molekule-and-more/

    You also need to dust with a damp microfiber cloth a few times a week if it collects as much dust as the photo weekly.


  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 14, 2020


    While it's impossible to completely rid your home of dust, here are some easy tips for keeping it at bay.

    1. Change your bedding once a week. Dust mites love to dwell in sheets, pillows and mattresses. Encasing your mattress and box spring in an allergen-proof cover, in conjunction with washing your bedding once a week, should be enough to keep bug-a-boos at bay.

    2. Keep tidy closets. Garments stored in closets shed lots of fiber. So unless you want a blast of dust confetti each time you open the closet door, it's best to store things in garment bags, plastic containers and boxes.

    3. Remove clutter from floors. Don't ignore piles of clothing, toys, magazines, books or anything else on the floor. Cleaning around them won't take care of the dust that has settled in or around them.

    4. Say "no" to carpeting. It may look gorgeous, but carpeted floors are high-maintenance and magnets for dust mites. They should be vacuumed daily, but even that may not be enough for people with severe allergies. If you're attached to your carpet, consider investing in a vacuum cleaner with a double-layered microfilter bag or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which prevents dust from being re-introduced into the air. Otherwise, stick to hardwood, vinyl, linoleum or tile flooring.

    5. Take it outside. Dust from area rugs and pillows should be beaten outdoors.

    6. Duster do's and don'ts. Feather dusters only aggravate existing dust and cause it to settle elsewhere around your home. Instead, use a damp cloth or moist towelette to wipe down surfaces.

    7. Clean from top to bottom. Clean the highest surfaces first and work your way down, so you capture any dust you missed.

    8. Air purifiers. If you have severe allergies or asthma symptoms, an air purifier can be very beneficial — but that doesn't mean you can ditch the duster! While they filter dust particles, they don't take care of dust mites (since they're not airborne). Also, for an air purifier to be effective, you'll need one for each room.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Nov 14, 2020

    Looks like part of the dust comes from the outside environment, vehicles, pollen, dirt and particles suspended in the air and a slightly open window. You might consider a hepa filter to help with the airborne particles. For the floor you could try a Roomba type sweeper, just remember it is not a walkaway machine. It gets stuck at times. Swiffers are of course cheaper, but requires manual labor.

    You might consider taking the horizontal blinds down and safely storing them, they are dust magnets, or at least store in an up position. There are lots of temporary window applications that will reduce the high maintenance you have going on with the blinds now.

  • Feel your pain! You have a bunch of excellent suggestions here. I am in dusty Castaic, North of you by Magic Mountain. Vacuum your screens, often. And as was previously mentioned, try "wet" dusting, you will be surprised, it does help, I still have a few vertical blinds left, but in the rest of the house, I switched to washable curtains. Yes, can be considered dust catchers, yet it washed often enough, it does help. Rather wash curtains than have dust circulating in the house. You must be on the West Side, it's brutal without a.c. in the summer.

    • See 1 previous
    • Know the area well. I grew up in Glendale and many many moons ago used to live in a huge 1 bedroom apartment on Russell Avenue. Glad you still get a good breeze! Makes all the difference in the world, both physically and mentally. It is hotter than the devils playground out here in summer, never any relief. Finally a bit cooler. The spritz of rain and short stretch of "California winter" for the few days felt wonderful. Hope you find a few solutions here that help you out! Nice to see a fellow LA person on this site! 🤗

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Nov 15, 2020

    They do sell air purifying systems on Amazon that can help you filter out the gunk. I found this one, but you'll have to find one that suits your needs and price range.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 15, 2020

    Hello,

    Simple answer is close all the windows and doors and gaps, then the dust will not blow about and you can Vac it up when it lands.!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Nov 15, 2020

    A humidifier will help to reduce dust. Since you are pulling in fresh air, the dust will come. Unfortunately, a humidifier will not help with temperature.

    Once you have your blinds and other surfaces clean, wipe with dryer sheets. They help to repel dust.

    To make it easier to clean, get yourself a microfiber duster that is on a pole. Make sure it is one that "grabs" dust. Then run it around surfaces. I purchased mine from QVC, it's the Campanelli brand and I love it. We have a farmhouse that is 1880's build and it's on an actual farm so dust gets everywhere. It really helps.

  • I have a great air purifier with a HEPA filter. It really does the trick on cutting down the dust. You don't have to spend a lot, but investigate the cost of the filter replacements before you buy. They can get pricey.

  • Cindy Cindy on Nov 19, 2020

    Hi Keesha. I'm Cindy. I would run a humidifier in the house. That would put moisture in the air and help to keep the dust to a minimum. I would also take the blinds down. They are creating a lot of unnecessary work. Use fabric curtains that you can throw in the washer to clean. Good luck Keesha. I hope you are well and healthy.

  • Keesha Jones Keesha Jones on Nov 20, 2020

    I truly thank everyone for their suggestions. Lord knows I’m appreciative for my place though there’s always a sacrifice and mine is this 🤦🏻‍♀️.

  • Jeremy Hoffpauir Jeremy Hoffpauir on Nov 20, 2020

    An air purifier like this one will help: https://amzn.to/2IYvS8d

  • I found this, 6 easy ways to reduce dust in your home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlCU-enLZs8

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Nov 30, 2020

    dust comes from the outside environment, vehicles, pollen, dirt and particles suspended in the air and a slightly open window. You might consider a hepa filter to help with the airborne particles. For the floor you could try a Roomba type sweeper, just remember it is not a walkaway machine.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Feb 02, 2023

    Here's are some dusting hacks that might help you https://chascrazycreations.com/dusting-hacks/