House dust: a microbiologist explains how it can be combated effectively

Created: 07/02/2022, 09:00

According to a study by the WHO, people often only clean when dirt and dust can be seen with their eyes.

Microbiologist Monika Stuczen explains how to prevent effectively.

Munich – Never before have people all over the world spent so much time at home as they have in the last two years.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that we spend 90 percent of our time indoors.

Does this increase our need for more cleanliness in our own four walls?

In the Global Dust Study, Dyson took a close look at cleaning behavior and cleaning habits - these are the results.

Germans clean two to three times a week

Vacuuming is effective against dust.

(Iconic image) © AndreyPopov / IMAGO

In the survey, 95 percent of people said they cleaned as much or more than they did last year.

Less than half of Germans (45 percent) clean their own four walls once or twice a week.

Only eleven percent do daily cleanses.

In contrast, 23 percent of Italians and 25 percent of French people keep their homes tidy every day.

However, 44 percent of the survey participants are only motivated to clean if their apartment has visible dust and dirt on the floor.

In 2020, this was still the case for 33 percent.

"It's a concern if people only clean when they see visible dust on the floors," says Monika Stuczen, microbiologist at Dyson.

Many dust particles are too small to see with the naked eye: "In fact, it is very likely that dust mites are in your home when people discover visible dust in the home." But cleaning can also be dangerous, like a study shows.

Those who clean a lot are said to die earlier.

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Remove dust, but correctly

House dust is made up of many individual particles: dander, bacteria, viruses, mold spores - and house dust mites and their excretions.

These particles are often not visible to the naked eye.

However, they can be found everywhere in the house, for example on floors, sofas and in beds.

According to the study, 67 percent of those surveyed use a damp cloth to combat dust and its side effects, closely followed by the vacuum cleaner (66 percent), which is also used frequently.

Using a damp cloth to clean surfaces is fine, explains Stuczen, but warns of potentially counterproductive effects: "If you dampen the dust on the floors - even the fine dust that is invisible to the naked eye - you could create a living space that favors the proliferation of house dust mites and mould.”

You forget these spots all the time when cleaning

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Don't forget sofas and beds

According to the expert, it is better to combine different tools: “Dust can be removed most effectively with a vacuum cleaner before you wipe the surfaces.

It is important that everything that is sucked up remains enclosed and is not blown back into the home.” Microscopic particles such as pet dander and dust mite allergens can therefore have a greater impact on health and well-being than particles that are caught with bare eye are recognizable.

Mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture and carpets are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of invisible dust.

However, they are often neglected when cleaning.

According to the study, 72 percent leave their mattress and 59 percent leave their sofa when vacuuming.

However, mattresses in particular should be vacuumed regularly on both sides.

This is the only way to get rid of the allergens of house dust mites - and the dander they feed on.

Bed linen should therefore also be washed regularly at 60 or 90 degrees to eliminate allergy-causing proteins.

Healthy living – one step ahead of the dust in summer and winter

When vacuuming, you should also regularly consider the places that are often neglected, such as under furniture or kitchen cupboard surfaces.

Dust can often collect unhindered there.

The same applies to cupboards and drawers in the bedroom, lamps, lights and heaters.

Significant amounts of dust are often generated behind radiators in particular, which is distributed in the room in winter by the warm air flow.

Thorough cleaning and regular airing are the best and most reliable methods of removing dust and allergens from the home - preferably before the dust can be seen with the eyes.

Another scientific study comes to a different conclusion: Cleaning is said to be just as harmful as smoking.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.