Many New Yorkers are ready to take a breath of fresh air once the weather turns nicer, but don’t breathe too deeply.
Not only do you have to contend with seasonal allergies, but you may also notice your apartment is a little more dusty than you thought. You are not alone, though your home may not be dustier – it may just feel that way.
Below, we’ll share common causes of dust, where the dust bunnies hide, and how to keep them clean. Sometimes, it may be worth it to call a professional cleaner to jumpstart your spring cleaning.
Common Causes of Dust
There isn’t one singular reason that your NYC apartment may feel dusty, which is why it can be hard to find the root cause. The combination of the following areas may cause your home to feel dustier during the spring and summer.
Increased Pollen
Pollen season can hit New York in the spring and run through the fall. During high pollen times, it can not only cause your seasonal allergies to act up, but also cause your home to feel dustier.
You can track pollen on your shoes and clothes – even your dog can bring it in on their paws and fur. The Weather Channel offers a clear breakdown of tree pollen, grass pollen, and ragweed pollen that’s in the air in New York City. If it’s very high, you may experience more particles in your home. While it may look like dust, it could actually just be pollen.
Open Windows
While it can be tempting to open the windows and let in the fresh air, resist the urge. You may be letting in more than you bargained for. Dust and pollen can easily enter through open windows, and the breeze will carry them throughout your apartment.
If you do open your window, you may want to run an air purifier to remove some of the harmful contaminants from the air. That can help mitigate some of the effects of open windows.
Higher Foot Traffic
When the weather’s nice, more people are on the move. Whether you start to host gatherings at your home or you simply go out more, expect more dust and debris in your house the more active you and your guests are.
Higher foot traffic, especially in the entryway, living room, kitchen, and bedrooms, can cause more dust bunnies to build up, especially in the corners of your rooms.
Shedding Pets
If you have pets in your home, you know what the warmer weather brings. Pets start shedding their winter coats, and if you don’t brush them regularly, that hair can quickly build up on your floor.
The increased dander can make your home feel dustier, often making it hard to breathe without proper care. The hair can also capture other dirt within your home, trapping the particles within surfaces and making them harder to clean.
HVAC Use
Turning on your air conditioner after a long winter can dust up a lot of particles that had been dormant in the machine. The increased air flow can blow dust throughout your apartment. If you don’t address it, the same dust will continue to circulate in the air.
Even if you clean your HVAC prior to turning it on for the season, you may still experience additional dust in the short term.
Leftover Dust from Winter
During the colder months, it’s easy to stay inside and hibernate. You get so used to the dust inside your apartment that you may not notice it. With the increased sunlight and warmer weather, leftover dust from winter can become more apparent.
Your heater may have been blowing it around your apartment, and you just weren’t aware of it.
Areas Where Dust Builds Up & How to Help Keep Them Clean
Without proper attention, dust can quickly build up across your apartment. Common places it can settle include:
- Shelves, especially in between and on top of books, knick-knacks, and other items you may be keeping on the shelves.
- Fans and light fixtures, which are typically too tall for you to notice the dust build up.
- Furniture, including on and underneath cushions, as well as under the large items.
- Corners of your rooms, including on the ceiling within crown molding and on the floor, where they can collect over time.
- Windows, including the frames and sills, as well as on curtains, blinds, and other window coverings.
- HVAC and heaters, building up on the inside and outside surfaces
Even if you think you’re regularly dusting, you may not be. Traditional dusters simply kick up the dust into the air, so the surface will look clean for a little while. However, that is only temporary. As soon as the dust settles, the surfaces will become dusty again.
There are easy ways that you can dust your apartment and keep it clean.
- Use microfiber cloths. They trap dust in the fibers instead of simply moving it into the air.
- Use damp sponges or cloths for tricky areas. Baseboards, door frames, and windowsills may experience caked-on dust.
- Start from the top down. That way, you won’t have to clean your surfaces more than once.
- Don’t forget the things you can’t see. Things like fan blades, the tops of shelves, heaters, etc., can be dustier than you think. Don’t just go for the dusty surfaces that are in plain view.
The best thing you can do is develop a regular dusting routine and keep up with it. That way, the dust will not accumulate within your NYC apartment as fast.
Benefits of Regular Deep Cleaning
Regular dusting and deep cleaning won’t just keep your apartment looking cleaner. It will also help it feel better, bringing additional benefits, including:
- Improved air quality. You will remove particles from the air so you won’t breathe them in. An air purifier can also help, removing airborne germs and viruses from your home’s air circulation.
- Reduce the time for maintenance cleaning. If you regularly deep clean your home, you will be able to complete your weekly or daily cleaning tasks faster. The mess will not accumulate as fast.
- Enhanced pest protection. Pests are commonplace in New York, but if you keep your apartment clean, you can prevent them from setting up shop in your home. Remove crumbs, dirt, debris, dust, and anything else that can attract them.
- Reduced stress. Studies suggest there is a connection between clutter and your mental health. You may feel depressed, have trouble focusing, feel confused, or experience more stress if your home is cluttered and messy.
While regularly dusting and deep cleaning your apartment can be very beneficial for you and your overall well-being, it can be hard to find the time.
Homeowners may benefit from professional cleaners to help keep their apartments clean. If you find yourself unable to maintain a regular cleaning routine, dust building up in your apartment, and clutter impacting your overall mental health, you may want to engage with a professional cleaning service.
Call in the Professionals
White Glove Cleaner is the go-to cleaning company in New York City. We offer a variety of services to help with all your cleaning needs. Whether you’re looking for a deep clean, green clean, regular maintenance or something in between, we have you covered.
Cleaning shouldn’t have to be your priority when it’s our passion. We are committed to offering our clients the highest quality services so they can focus their limited time on more important things.
Contact us today to experience the White Glove Cleaner way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my apartment feel dustier in the spring?
Your apartment may feel dustier in the spring as the weather starts to change, and the natural light can highlight existing dust in your home. You may also track in additional dust through entryways and open windows.
What are the best tools to dust?
Use a microfiber cloth to trap dust particles without simply moving them into the air. You can also use static dusters and wet sponges to tackle stubborn dust and dirt.
When should I call in the professional cleaner?
If you are unable to keep up with your cleaning and your dirty apartment is impacting your lifestyle, you may want to call in a professional cleaner. Additionally, you don’t always need a reason. If you want to, that is a reason enough.