Keeping Your Office Clean: How to Get Rid of Dust in the Air

Dusting may fall at the end of your priority list when trying to keep your office tidy, but you may want to rethink that. Dust particles can include toxic chemicals and other unsavory bits and pieces that may cause asthma and even cancer.When it comes to dusting, you can't assume that wiping down every surface will do the trick. You also need to learn how to get rid of dust in the air.Air quality is an important component of the health of your employees.Read on to find out more about how to properly clean your office and rid the air of dust.

What is Dust?

For starters, let's talk about what dust is composed of.Dust isn't made of one single thing. It's an accumulation of various organic and inorganic materials.This includes dead skin and hair cells, as well as dust mites and particles from other insects. Dust also builds with the help of bacteria and materials we track in from the outdoors, such as dirt and pollen.Dust can also come from microscopic bits of plastic and the fibers from clothing, carpets, and upholstered furniture.When you're trying to keep your air clean and dust-free, you'll need to tackle the many sources of dust, not just the dust that's already there.

How to Get Rid of Dust in the Air

Now that you know a little more about what dust is, let's talk about some techniques to get rid of it. This includes both preventative measures and cleaning tips.

Ditch the Feather Duster

Feather dusters tend to be our go-to for dusting, but how effective are they?The fibers on a feather duster pick up some of the dust coating the surfaces of your office, but more than anything, they're just unsettling what has come to rest. If you've ever shaken a feather duster, you've seen this process in action. Rather than trapping the dust for your disposal, feather dusters tend to lift dust off of solid surfaces and into the air.Instead, use a damp cloth or sponge when you're dusting things like desks and fans. The weight of the moisture will prevent dust from becoming airborne, allowing you to wipe it up and throw it away.Try to avoid using cleaning supplies that contain chemicals when you're targeting dust. Water will, for the most part, achieve the same effect without releasing toxic chemicals into your office.

Go Carpet-Free

If your office has carpeting, consider pulling it up and installing linoleum or wood flooring. Not only does dust love to live in carpets and rugs, where it can nestle comfortably in the pile, but it can be exacerbated by carpets and rugs.The less fiber you have in your office, the better. While upholstered desk chairs may benefit your employees by increasing their day-to-day comfort, it's doubtful that anyone will miss the carpeting.

Don't Neglect Your HVAC System

When we think of HVAC systems, we think of temperature control. However, HVAC systems are also designed to filter the air entering the HVAC system and back out into the building.For your own part, you need to stay on top of replacing the filters used by your HVAC system. If you haven't done so in a while, go take a look at them. They're most likely coated with a thick layer of dust and grime.You may think, "Well, doesn't that mean that they're working by trapping dust from getting into the air?" However, the problem is that when too much dust builds up on a filter, it can become clogged and reach its limit of usefulness. Plus, all of that dust may come loose again and end up right back in your air.When it comes to heavy-duty HVAC maintenance, call in a professional. Messing with your HVAC system yourself can be dangerous. Plus, without the right know-how, you may actually be kicking up all sorts of nasty stuff that wouldn't have posed much of a threat to your air quality in the first place.

Keep the Outside from Coming Inside

Don't underestimate the far-reaching power of things like dirt, pollen, and bug particles.Invest in some solid doormats for your employees to wipe their feet on when they step inside. At least once a week, take the doormats outdoors and shake them out before vacuuming them.On days that you opt for fresh air, turn on some air purifiers designed to reduce allergens and dust-forming materials such as pollen.Finally, take your bug problems seriously. Whether you've got ants, gnats, or cockroaches, you need to eliminate them from your office before they reproduce and become a full-blown infestation.

Bring in a Professional Cleaning Service

You may hold the expectation that all of your employees will keep their workspaces clean, but that isn't enough to improve your air quality. Chances are, no one is performing a deep clean of the carpets, breakroom, and other dust-accumulating areas before they clock out for the day.Cleaning is not something that everyone knows how to do innately. Hire a professional cleaning service to come in several times a month to ensure that your office gets clean and stays clean. Otherwise, you may have an office that appears clean but is actually the host to all sorts of germs and illness-inducing particles.

A Dust-Free Workplace is Better for Everyone

The last thing you want is for your workplace to worsen the health of your employees. It doesn't have to be flu season for your air quality to become compromised. Learn how to get rid of dust in the air to promote a healthy, happy work environment.For more information on our services or additional customer service, contact us today. Let us help you to make your workplace even better.