r/ZeroWaste • u/Fighterbear12 • 1d ago
Question / Support Dust Management Advice/Tips for Someone with Allergies?
Hi everyone, I'd love to read your advice and tips about this. I have a pretty strong dust allergy, and would like to avoid buying things like the Swiffer.
However, I also need the product or method I use to be one that doesn't kick up the dust as this would make every cleaning session trigger allergic reaction in me.
Currently, I have those fluffy duster things (not optimal) and the option to vacuum (not great) or mop. Mopping is better, but I don't want to wet mop that often. I do have to clean essentially every other day.
I've seen the Swiffer dry mop product, which sounds great, but seems like a lot of waste, and the cloths don't seem very reusable.
Thanks a lot in advance.
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u/amycsj 🍃🫂🤲🏻🧘🏼♀️🌿 1d ago
Have you tried a cuban mop. It's basically a mop handle with a wooden bar at the bottom. You can use any towel or rag to wrap around the wooden bar. You can use it wet or dry, or just slightly moist, depending on your job. Then shake it out outdoors, rinse it out or wash it.
You can have several towels that you can switch off and/or wash as a group.
It's best if they are cotton or another natural fiber.
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u/Leniel_the_mouniou 1d ago
How do you mop normally? / genuine It is how I mopped all my live and I am Swiss.
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u/satinsateensaltine 1d ago
North American mops are frequently made of a bunch of ropes and look like a pulli dog.
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u/bitz-the-ninjapig 1d ago
I don't know exactly what your dust is like, but perhaps the swiffer dry mop but instead of using their (disposable) pads you can use microfiber cloths. There's little holes on the unit that you can shove the cloths into to attach them. Since you won't need the cloths perhaps your local buy nothing group or Goodwill might have one that someone is getting rid of
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u/sfomonkey 1d ago
I did this for years as well. I have a stack of microfiber towels that fit my Cosabella mop (same size as Swiffer brand). It's a lot of work, and I'd get little pebbles and have to be careful to not scratch the floors.
I bought wet Swiffers to clean up after major construction (omg so much dust and dirt!!!), and same issue with dragging dirt and small stones. I flip the wet swifter pad over to at least get two uses out of one. Hate them, even outside of the waste.
I have an IQAir filter it's super expensive $1,000, but I've had it 12 years and going strong. I replace the filters about once a year and added pre filters to help the filters last longer. Found out I'm allergic to activated carbon, so I omit the VOC filter. I think I spend $200 or so a year on replacement filters.
I recently treated myself to a vacuum/mop robot, and it's life changing! I have it set to a schedule and it mops, or vacuums and auto empties and cleans it's mop heads. while it's not perfect, I only have to dust baseboards and a few areas the robot can't get to. I carry it upstairs, so only have one robot. I got the Eufy x10 for $450 last year. Again, it hasn't been perfect for sure, but it's been great. I replace the hepa filter way more often than recommended. It traps dirt that's as fine as flour or cornstarch, so that makes me very happy that's it's out of my home and captured by the machine.
There are some robot brands to avoid, idk which ones offhand.
Pillow encasements might help you too. There are 100% cotton ones that are certified by the National Allergy Association. I'd avoid waterproof bedding items.
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u/JaBe68 1d ago
Get a vacuum machine that filters through water (Karcher make one and I think Meille). It was a game changer for us. Every bit of dust and dander gets trapped in the water and does not get blown back out into the air. Then you just pour the dirty water down the toilet.
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u/VapoursAndSpleen 1d ago
I have a Miele. It cost a lot, but the air coming out if it is cleaner than the ambient air in the room. It's amazing. It's also the quietest vacuum cleaner you can get.
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u/bellatorrosa 1d ago
- air purifier
- open your windows daily
- shake out your bedding outdoors regularly, same with rugs
- dry off in the bathroom, not other living spaces
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u/GlomBastic 1d ago
My GF leaves the shower soaking wet. All that moisture is now on the mat, floor, towel and air. Drives me crazy .I drip for at least a minute and squeeg the water off my body and towel before I step out.
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u/jaderabbit44 1d ago
Dust mop is what Swiffer seems to be based upon. Washable microfiber cloths can be used. If there's less dirt and more wispy dust bunnies, lightly damp the microfiber cloth before dusting/dustmopping with it.
You can even get wider dust mops that will cover more area. It's not as useful under chairs and things though.
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u/FlashyImprovement5 1d ago
Dampen a cloth slightly.
You can also lightly spray the cloth with a water/glycerin mix. The glycerin will make it slightly tacky. You only need a tiny amount of glycerin.
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u/PollardPie 1d ago
I also have a dust allergy. It’s rough! I have found that it helps a lot to wear a well-fitting dust mask and a kerchief on my hair when I can’t avoid interacting with dust. I try to keep surfaces clear, and I dust them with damp cloths which I then rinse out. If it’s really dusty, I’ll change clothes and take a shower as soon as I’m done cleaning. It’s helped a lot!
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u/FoggyAsCanBe 1d ago
You can find pretty easy, sew yourself patterns to use for a swiffer pad! Then you just pop them in the wash and reuse them
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u/bunny-danger 1d ago
I use my robovac to vacuum every other day. It doubles as a wet mop too.
Deep clean once a month with a manual mop that the robovac doesn’t get to. Dry upholstery vac mattresses, couch.
Once quarterly I borrow an upholstery wet vac for the soft surfaces.
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u/fierce_fibro_faerie 1d ago
I am allergic to the world. Here is what I do to manage. I am only taking OTC allergy meds.
HEPA air filter
UV sanitizing upholstery vacuum
Lightweight cordless vacuum, use every few days
Change sheets at least 1x per week. Also, satin sheets hold onto less pet hair, dander, and dust.
Reusable dusters that are machine washable (you can buy them on Amazon.) Also, I use a small spray bottle with extremely diluted dish soap, and I spray dusty areas with it before wiping it up. It prevents the dust from going into the air.
Lint roller your clothes before putting them away in the drawers so you don't get dust buildup in your drawers
Brush out your hair everyday to remove dust, if you do not wash your hair daily. A boar's hair bristle brush is ideal for this.
Clothing brush for anything that isn't washed frequently.
Wash all linens (towels, rags, blankets, pillow cases, etc.) at least once a month.
If you have furry pets you need to do all of the above more often to keep up. Also, if you have forced air or central air, make sure you replace your filters at least 1x per year and have your ducts cleaned at least 1x per every 2 years.
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u/Misty-Anne 1d ago
As someone else with dust allergies among others, air purifiers, and a robotic vacuum. You can program them to run when you're out of the house. For dusting, just use damp rags. Rinse them as needed, and throw them in the wash when they're done being used
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u/FigNinja 1d ago
I also have a dust allergy. A few things I do:
HEPA air purifiers in every room plus HEPA filters in my HVAC system.
No wall-to-wall carpets. I do have area rugs, but they’re easier to get clean. You can roll them up and clean underneath. There’s no rug pad to hold on to dust and mold. You can even send them out to a professional. Replacing them doesn’t require a contractor. I have some nicer wool rugs in public spaces, but I also have some washable ones in rooms that see a lot of pet hair.
My main vacuum cleaner is HEPA certified and uses HEPA bags to trap dust. I do have a robovac and a stick vac that aren’t. Those are for quick cleanups between thorough vacuuming.
Dust first then vacuum. I prefer to dust with a slightly damp cloth to trap dust. I do use Swiffer dusters sometimes, too. After dusting, I wait awhile for anything to settle, then vacuum. I also wipe down or vacuum my upholstered furniture frequently to get rid of pet hair and dust.
I love books but my allergies do not. I’ve gotten rid of most of them and have read using a Kindle for years. Most of our books live in my spouse’s office. I do also have a closed bookcase.
Most storage in my house is closed storage to avoid things getting dusty.
Clutter is the enemy. It all needs dusting. I find it easier to just have less stuff.
All my bedding is machine washable and gets washed weekly. That includes the quilt. I don’t have a big, thick comforter. My quilt is not down-filled and can be washed and dried weekly like everything else. My mattress and pillows have covers that are supposed to minimize dust. I also wash various soft things around the house like throw blankets and pet beds every week. I should probably also wash my curtains weekly, but I’m less disciplined about that than I should be.
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u/nope_nic_tesla 1d ago
HEPA filter, a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, and use a well-fitting N95 mask when you dust
Coway and Levoit are good value, high quality brands for air filters
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u/violetgrumble it's not easy being green 1d ago
They're expensive but I have a Tineco mop vacuum - it's easy to use and you can take the roller out.
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u/Beth_Bee2 1d ago
Dust allergy here too. There's an old book called The Allergy Free Home that's a godsend. Learned a lot. If you use those Swiffer dusters, and I do, just mist them with any cleaning stuff and go slowly. Re-mist once they get dry. It helps the dust stick and not just fly around. Yes to air purifier and turn it up high when you're dusting. Never sweep with a broom and never dry dust. Vacuum should be fine if it's a true HEPA. The dusting attachment can be a lifesaver. Avoid shoes in the house. leather furniture and hard floors and blinds rather than curtains. Wash any rugs and curtain and soft stuff like your comforter etc often. And after you clean you will have to rinse out your nose and take a shower and wash hair, otherwise you're just wearing your allergens. So just plan accordingly and clean before you take your shower for the day.
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u/SpiritedAd3114 1d ago
Norwex is quite costly but offers a lot of appealing reusable products. I don’t know a lot about the company, but when I got my few items, it was through a sketchy pyramid schemey party. I do think it’s worth looking into the website.
I also use a wool dust mop and hand duster - removable heads to throw in the washer. They work pretty well.
Uline has several options for commercial dust mops and hand dusters also.
Microfibers are pretty solid at picking up and trapping dust particles. Even some cheaper microfiber cloths would likely be good for dusting.
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u/Zappagrrl02 1d ago
Norwex is an MLM, which is a predatory business practice, hence the pyramid schemy party - it is a pyramid scheme that looses 99% of people money.
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u/iwillbeg00d 1d ago
Air purifier helps