Those who work in offices or businesses with many computers and electronics know that those spaces can get very dusty, very quickly. Dust can get thick if not cleaned the right way daily. Heavy dust has harmful toxins that are unhealthy for those who use a facility. Without regular maintenance, dust particles will remain collected on surfaces, and circulate in the air. For individuals who are sensitive to it, dust can cause sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and allergic reactions. Prolonged exposure to dusty conditions, however, can cause severe allergies, asthma, lung problems, and other health conditions.
Maybe you have noticed that even your household electronics, including coffee makers and televisions, get dusty more quickly that other areas of the home. Why is dust drawn to these items?
Electromagnetism is the cause of computers, electronics, and other screens getting so dusty, so fast. The science behind it deals with positively charged electronics attracting negatively charged dust particles. In short, the important thing to know when it comes to maintaining a clean business facility is that electronics attract dust particles and need to be dusted daily.
While dust may not collect on other surfaces as quickly as it does on electronics, dusting other areas of a facility is important too. Frequency depends on the surface but in general, look for dust that has collected on electronics, wood surfaces, plastic surfaces, furniture, and underneath surfaces. Removing dust will prevent health problems for those using a facility.
Below are 10 tips for reducing dust particles to keep facilities cleaner.
- Always dust before vacuuming
- Vacuum every day to remove dust from rugs and carpets
- Use microfiber cloths that hold dust rather than feather dusters that spread it around
- Remove items from a shelf before dusting, dust items before replacing them
- Spray surfaces with the right cleaner or furniture polish before wiping dust away to prevent it from spreading through the air
- Compressed air can be used on computer keyboards to get dust out, but always wipe down surfaces too
- Place rugs both outside and inside entry doors and clean them regularly
- Keep windows closed, especially during high pollen season
- Change HVAC and vacuum filters regularly
- Consider investing in additional quality air filters
While it’s not possible to remove 100% of dust, clean facilities dust regularly and do not have visible dust on surfaces or floating in the air. Dust is made up of all kinds of nasty things we should avoid breathing in including: shed skin cells, insect parts, soil particles, and fabric fibers. No one should be in contact with too much dust. Remember, dusting daily will prevent health problems and is an important characteristic to a clean facility!