Where all the dust really comes from
1.11.2018
Translation: machine translated
Why is my flat dusty after two weeks' holiday, even if I vacuumed before I left? Why does the uninvited house guest exist at all? I got to the bottom of these and other questions.
It collects in every corner, usually occurs in large clusters and is of no use. We're talking about common house dust. Even if you feel like you've finally got rid of it, it'll be back in no time. No matter how often you dust or vacuum, you'll never get rid of it. Where does dust actually come from? You can find out this and much more here.
To infinity and much further
Dust consists of microscopically small particles that join together with larger particles and begin to form a unit. Each dust particle has its own origin, which could not be more different. Dust can come from the street, from buildings, from nature or even from outer space.
From fungal spores and pollen to soot, heavy metals and exhaust fumes of all kinds: tiny particles are created everywhere and find their way into your home, where they meet up with like-minded people. When you air your home in particular, whole truckloads of microscopic particles fly into your own four walls. Researchers have also discovered insects, leaves, sand, salt crystals and ash in house dust.
A homemade evil
However, the biggest producer of dust in a (pet-free) household is humans themselves. Our skin is constantly regenerating and the shed skin cells fall onto our clothes, furniture and ultimately onto the floor. We also lose around 100 hairs a day - even if you comb your hair every day, not all of the hair that falls out gets caught in the comb.
When we step into the parlour from outside, we bring more dust in with our shoes. Even when we get dressed or undressed, tiny fibre particles from our clothes fall to the floor. Yes, even when you walk across the floor in your socks, the friction causes dust to form.
Disgusting, but (mostly) harmless
Mite, lice, viruses, bacteria and traces of mould are also found in house dust. Small amounts of these can be found in house dust, even in your home. However, the whole thing sounds more dangerous than it actually is. If the concentration is negligible and you have no allergies, these microparticles cannot cause any harm.
In the long term, other substances that make up the dust are far more worrying. Certain building materials, pesticides, cleaning agents, heavy metals, flame retardants and many other tiny particles can harm your health (if you don't vacuum). The crux of the matter: the finest particles are whirled up during vacuuming and get into your lungs because the filters on the vacuum cleaners are too coarse-meshed.
How to get rid of the dust
A tried and tested method is the hoover. Robot hoovers can be programmed to start and do their job at the same time every day. This is a clever way to get rid of dust, especially when you're on holiday.
With the slightly less smart models, you have to do the work yourself, but the suction power is also significantly better. It also gives you the satisfying feeling of being responsible for the sparkling clean floors yourself.
Regular dusting can also help to avoid large amounts of dust. Although it is no substitute for a hoover, it is a very effective addition. This saves you from having to vacuum too often, which is also more expensive with bag vacuum cleaners, for example.
Damp mopping can also reduce the dust load. The particles are bound to the mop by water and can then simply be rinsed away. In still air, microparticles need a full hour to cover a distance of 30 centimetres towards the floor. They therefore barely move and are inhaled.
I personally dust once every fortnight. I need the hoover once a week for the whole flat. Of course, if I spill something somewhere, I use it more often. In summer, when I regularly have the windows open, I might add an extra vacuuming session every fortnight. If you have pets, you need to vacuum more often.
Dust never takes a holiday
By now, you should know why dust collects in your home even when you're not at home. With so many tiny particles in the air, all it takes is a tiny hole, a leaky door or a gap in a wall. What's more, many particles are still in the air when you leave. During your holiday, these will then find their way onto furniture and floors.
By the way: pictures, furniture and decorative items near walls tend to be dustier than all those things in the centre of the room. The warm air rises in the centre of the room and sinks again on the cooler walls. The dust in the air then settles wherever there is something in its way on the way down. <p
Header image: May even contain traces of extraterrestrial particles: There's more to house dust than you think.
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.
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