Why Your Bedroom is Dusty – And How to Tackle It

Ever wondered why your peaceful sanctuary – the bedroom – can also be a haven for dust? This common household nuisance is mainly composed of dead skin cells, fibers from clothing, bedding, and tiny particles from the outside environment. These elements find their way into our bedrooms, transforming the place of rest into a dust hot spot – they’re the reason why your bedroom is dusty.

But fret not, because keeping your bedroom free from these pesky particles is simpler than you might think. With regular cleaning and smart habits, you can maintain a dust-free and healthful environment that promotes better sleep and a healthier lifestyle. So, grab your cleaning supplies, and let’s get started on how to reclaim your bedroom from the unwelcome grip of dust.

If you decide – after reading this guide – that you’d rather have help to tackle your dusty bedroom, this post ends with advice for that too.

The Dustiest Places in Your Bedroom

Before jumping into how to clean your dusty bedroom, it’s helpful to start by understanding the dustiest places in the room – and how those dusty places make the whole room dusty. Here are the dustiest places in your bedroom; next we’ll cover how to clean them.

• Under the Bed – It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the space under the bed is one of the dustiest places in your bedroom. Dust tends to accumulate under the bed for two reasons. One, because there’s poor air circulation. And, second, let’s be honest, most of us overlook it even during our regular cleanings.
• Under the Furniture – Similar to under the bed, the space under the furniture is less accessible and often overlooked during regular cleanings. Also, the lack of air circulation makes it more difficult for the dust particles to move elsewhere. What’s the result? You have a thin coat of dust in your bedroom.
• Upholstered Furniture – It’s like upholstered furniture has a knack for trapping and holding onto dust. The main reason for this is that the fabric fibers create a favorable environment for dust particles to stick and accumulate, especially if the furniture is not regularly vacuumed or cleaned. And, if you have pets, there’s a high chance their hair and pet dander are making them even dustier.
• Rugs or Carpets – Rugs and carpets are well-known dust traps. And it makes sense. When people walk on them, they can stir up dust particles from the floor, which then settle into the fibers. Also, the same gravity drops all the atmospheric dust that enters through windows, doors, and heating and cooling systems on them. It’s worth mentioning that density and thickness of the yarn also make it easier for dust to hold on. 
• Pillows and Bedding – Pillows and bedding are two items that contribute to a dusty bedroom. Mainly, because they are always exposed to dead skin cells, hair, and other particles that we shed while sleeping. Also, if pillows and bedding are not washed regularly, they can become breeding grounds for dust mites, whose feces contain an allergen that can set off asthma or sinus problems in those with dust allergies.
• Lampshades and Light Bulbs – Lampshades and light bulbs are big dust magnets due to static electricity. This static charge can attract dust particles from the surrounding environment and cause them to adhere to the surface of the lampshade or light bulb. Being high up and out of reach also contributes to them being dusty as we don’t clean them as often.

Oh, and let’s not forget the air vents and your entire HVAC system. While we’re definitely not experts in keeping those parts of your bedroom (or your whole home) clean, it’s always a good idea to have regular HVAC maintenance and cleanings!

How to Clean a Dusty Bedroom

Now that we’ve covered the dustiest places in your bedroom, let’s get rid of all that dust. Below you’ll find a quick step-by-step guide you can follow to transform your dusty bedroom into a pristine sleep haven.

Wipe Down Lampshades and Light Bulbs  

Before starting the cleaning process, make sure the lamp is turned off and the light bulbs have cooled down to avoid the risk of burns or electric shock. If your lampshade is removable, detach it from the lamp base as it will be easier to cleanse this way. Then, using a microfiber cloth (it can be damp) dust lampshade circular motion to remove loose dust and debris. For light bulbs, wait until they have cooled down completely. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust or fingerprints. 

Wash Pillows and Bedding 

Keeping your pillows and bedding dust free is a matter of washing them regularly. The best thing you can do is to have a schedule and allocate a specific day in your laundry routine to wash your pillows and bedding. If you notice any visible stains on the pillows or bedding, you can pre-treat them before washing. Remember to always check the care labels on your pillows and bedding for any specific instructions.

Shake and Beat your Rug Outside

Smaller rugs are great candidates for a double-cleaning. First, start with the traditional method. Begin by taking the rug outdoors and hanging it over a clothesline or near a railing. Use a large stick or a similar object to beat the rug gently, removing accumulated dust and debris. Allow the rug to air outside for a few minutes. This will eliminate a significant amount of dust from the rug.

Vacuum rugs and carpets

Vacuuming is the number-one method for removing dust in bedroom – and pretty much any other room in the house. Make sure to empty the bag and wash the filters before you start. Then, vacuum the carpet and your rug. Work in overlapping rows, moving the vacuum cleaner slowly and steadily across the rug or carpet. Start at one end and move to the other, ensuring that you cover the entire surface. Repeat this process in different directions so not even the tiniest particle of dust is left!

Vacuum Upholstered Furniture  

Now you’ll vacuum your upholstered furniture. Begin vacuuming at the top of the furniture and work your way down. This will prevent dirt and debris from falling onto already cleaned areas. If you have upholstery attachments, use it. If not, just use smooth, gentle strokes and make sure to cover all the surfaces, including the seat, backrest, armrests, and cushions. We don’t want to damage the fabric!

Vacuum-Dust under the Furniture

Vacuuming under furniture can be a bit challenging due to limited space, but we have a few tips and techniques to help you. If your furniture is lightweight, it’s best to move it to a different location to have better access to the floor underneath. But, if you don’t feel like moving your furniture around or live in a small place, you can use a good extendable and bendable duster or a vacuum cleaner with a long nozzle to pick up all the dust, hair, and pet fur.

Keeping Your Bedroom Dust-Free

Sure, there will always be a little bit of dust in your bedroom. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn a few tricks that will help you keep it a bay for longer. 

1. Regular cleanings: try to dust surfaces in your bedroom at least once a week.if you don’t know how to tackle the cleaning session, check out our bedroom cleaning checklist. 
2. Minimize clutter: try to keep your bedroom free from unnecessary clutter as it provides more surfaces for dust to settle. The fewer unnecessary items you have on shelves, dressers, and nightstands, the easier it will be to clean and reduce the potential for dust accumulation.
3. Clean air vents and filters: Not many people remember this, but regularly cleaning and maintaining the air vents in your bedroom is crucial to keep your bedroom dust-free. Dust can accumulate in vents and get circulated back into the room when the HVAC system is in use.
4. Hiring a professional cleaning company. In this hectic life, it’s hard to keep up with your cleaning. At Summit Maids, we offer services that cover all the dusty places we just mentioned. Our cleaners will ensure that you come home to a spotless bedroom without the stress of having to do it yourself.