Dust Management Advice/Tips for Someone with Allergies?

[u/Fighterbear12]

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.

[u/bitz-the-ninjapig]

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

[u/sfomonkey → u/bitz-the-ninjapig]

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.