Storage Hacks for Keeping Dust and Dirt off Your Clothes
One of the most aggravating situations is opening your closet only to find your clean clothes covered in dust, hair, and other particles. Often, static electricity causes particles to cling to your clothing, while air currents bring dust into those storage spaces, even when the doors are closed. Dusty clothes can harbor bacteria and allergens, which may trigger respiratory issues or allergies. So, what can you do?
Our blog will offer tips and clever hacks for keeping dust and dirt off your clothes so they stay clean and fresh. We’ll cover various types of clothing storage and provide tips on using natural repellents to maintain your clothes and eliminate dust.
Types of Clothing Storage
Garment Covers or Storage Bags for Clothes
Our first clothing storage recommendation is to keep your clothes in a quality garment cover or bag within a closet, wardrobe, or storage space. Garment bags shield your clothes from dust, dirt, and odors while keeping them in good condition, either by lying flat or hanging.
Garment covers and bags are typically made of plastic and cotton. A cotton garment bag offers ample breathability, allowing air circulation and preventing moisture buildup. If you’re in a humid environment, avoid using plastic garment covers, as they can trap moisture and lead to the growth of mold and mildew.
Airtight Containers and Plastic Drawers for Clothes
If you’re planning on putting seasonal clothes into something like a storage unit for the time being, airtight containers are among the most effective methods for preventing dust, as their seals create a barrier that stops any dust or particles from entering. While plastic drawers serve a similar purpose, they do not provide the same level of sealing as airtight containers, so you should consider whether it’s worth the risk to you.
Closet Organization for a Dust-Free Space
Cluttered closets can lead to dust accumulation, offering more spots for dust to settle. Fabrics also have a knack for collecting and holding onto dust, transforming your closet into a dust magnet. The good news? With a bit of closet organization, you can minimize the dust!
Instead of folding your sweaters and stacking them loosely on an open shelf, consider placing them in clear plastic bins. This simple change keeps dust at bay and keeps your clothes clean and visible. It’s best to avoid putting offseason clothes on the floor of your closet, as dust tends to settle downward and will likely land on those garments. Instead, using bins or a small dresser for extra clothing underneath your hanging items works wonders!
How To Remove Dust From a Room
Although we may not need to beat carpets outside every week, as was common in the 1800s, it’s still crucial to keep the rooms in our homes, offices, or even storage units clean. Regular cleaning helps prevent dust from collecting and allows us to remove it completely. Here are our top tips for removing dust from a room.
1. Dust Regularly
It goes without saying that to remove dust from a room, you should dust regularly. Use microfiber cloths or electrostatic dusters to attack the dust, which helps disrupt and clear particles from surfaces. Use microfiber cloths specifically when dusting delicate items, such as glass, electronics, and the leaves and stems of houseplants.
2. Vacuum Often
One square foot of carpet is said to hold up to one pound of dirt and dust before it becomes visible, which is absolutely overwhelming to comprehend. However, vacuuming daily or every other day helps bring dust, dirt, and other particles to the surface after they are forced down by the pressure of movement. We also recommend vacuuming other fabric surfaces, such as chairs, couches, and curtains, as dust can get trapped just as easily in them.
3. Store Items in a Clean Environment
To keep your wood floors or tile looking their best, try sweeping daily or every other day. This helps clear away dust and debris that can settle in those little cracks and crevices. A weekly mopping is also fantastic for picking up any lingering dust after you’ve swept. Don’t forget about your rugs! Giving both your indoor and outdoor rugs a good shake outside can help remove stubborn dust particles.
An indoor personal storage unit might be another place to store your belongings to help avoid dusty conditions. Self-storage units can keep everything in one place that’s not a dusty attic or closet for easy access. Some storage facilities will even offer dust-controlled storage solutions.
4. Change and Wash Bedding Frequently
Bedding, including sheets, duvets, blankets, pillow covers, and quilts, collects almost as much dust as carpeting. Humans shed 500 million skin cells daily, most of which end up in the bed, where we spend countless hours. The accumulation of skin cells, hair, and other particles attracts dust mites, which can thrive in your bedding.
Regular exposure to dust mites and their droppings can trigger allergies, asthma, and eczema in some individuals. That’s why it’s a good idea to wash your bedding every one to two weeks. To effectively eliminate pesky dust mites and remove dust from your bedding, wash it in hot water at 130° F.
5. Use an Air Purifier
Air purifiers have transformed the experience for those suffering from respiratory issues, allergies, or simply living in a dusty environment! They function exactly as intended—they reduce and remove common pollutants from the air, such as dust, pet dander, smoke, odors, allergens, and other harmful particles. This brings relief to people with asthma, lowers the risk of airborne illnesses, and enhances sleep quality, all while purifying the air.
6. Remove Clutter
Think of all the decorations, statues, and little items you have—while they can add charm to your space, they can also become magnets for dust! By regularly sifting through your belongings and letting go of things you no longer need, you can keep dust at bay. After all, if an item isn’t around, that’s one less place for dust to settle, don’t you think?
7. Close the Windows
When spring arrives and the pollen and allergens are on the rise, it’s a good idea to keep those windows closed. Doing so helps keep dust, dirt, and other allergens from drifting into your home with the breeze, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the season without the sneezes!
How To Remove Dust Naturally
There are many natural items and ingredients you can use to help repel and remove dust from your home and clothes. Houseplants, in particular, serve as effective dust removers and air cleaners. While plants are recognized for their ability to eliminate pollutants and toxins from the air, they also possess characteristics that trap dust, such as fuzzy leaves, sticky resins, and dense foliage, thus preventing it from settling elsewhere. Highly recommended plants for natural air purification include pothos, peace lilies, spider plants, snake plants, and rubber plants.
Install cedar planks to repel insects, hang lavender sachets, and place open, yet out-of-the-way, containers of baking soda to keep your clothes smelling fresh. Another excellent option is to groom your pets regularly. Washing your pup and brushing your kitty can significantly reduce hair, dander, and other particles before they fall and become airborne.
Easy-To-Make Dust and Dirt Repellant Spray
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
- 4 drops of essential oil, like lavender, lemon, or orange—optional
- A few drops of dish soap—optional
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before each use. Spray the mixture onto a microfiber cloth and wipe down surfaces. The olive or coconut oil creates a thin layer that prevents dust from adhering to surfaces again, while white vinegar effectively cuts through existing dust and grime, and it can also kill dust mites.
Invest in Dust-Proof Storage Solutions With Dust and Climate Control
Whether you’re cleaning out your offseason clothes from your closets or decluttering and starting afresh, another effective method to prevent dust and dirt from settling on your clothing is climate-controlled storage or dust-controlled storage from Premium Spaces. These specialized storage units maintain a steady internal environment to shield your garments from dust particles and keep them ready for use when needed.
Find an affordable storage unit at Premium Spaces for your clothes and rent one online today! If you’re looking for advice on preparing your clothing for storage and maximizing your storage unit, check out our storage tips.