Clean the Air

• 1). Find any gaps or cracks that let in outside air and seal them. A lot of dust, including mold, spores and pollen, comes from outside your home. Keep the windows closed.
  
  
• 2). Ask a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor to check your home for negative air pressure, which increases the flow of outdoor air into your home. Also ask him to check that your gas and oil appliances are vented correctly.
  
  
• 3). Use a high-grade central air filter, which captures small dust particles as well as large ones. Electrostatic, professionally installed filters need to be changed only once a year. However, high quality disposable filters can do a good job and cost much less. Use a pleated filter and change it once a month.
  
  
• 4). Get your air ducts cleaned. Have the contractor clean the furnace/air handler and cooling oil, too.
  
  
• 5). Filter out the dust stirred up from vacuuming before it settles. Turn on the thermostat's fan for 15 minutes after you clean, then turn the fan back to automatic.
  
  
• 6
  Dust your home at least once a week.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Dust with a damp rag or disposable cloth that attracts dust. Dusting with oils and waxes can also capture dust.
  
  

Flooring

• 1). Install wood, linoleum or tile flooring wherever possible, and clean them with a damp mop. If you vacuum these floors, make sure your vacuum has a setting specifically for uncarpeted floors. Otherwise, use a canister vacuum that does not have an agitator.
  
  
• 2). Vacuum carpeted spaces and large area rugs weekly. Shampoo carpeting often.
  
  
• 3). Clear closet floors so they are easier to vacuum regularly.
  
  
• 4). Take large area rugs outside and beat them with a broom or tennis racket three or four times a year. Take small rugs outside weekly and shake them.
  
  

Bedding and Fabrics

• 1). Enclose seasonal and rarely used clothing in garment or plastic bags.
  
  
• 2). Change your sheets and pillowcases weekly, and wash them in water than is hotter than 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, take the blankets and bedspreads outside and shake them weekly. Be gentle when you change bedclothes: roll up the used sheets and lay out the new ones.
  
  
• 3). Put the box springs and mattress in dust-proof covers.
  
  
• 4). Vacuum upholstery regularly. If possible, buy furniture made of leather or vinyl that can be easily cleaned.
  
  
• 5). Replace slatted blinds with washable cotton or synthetic curtains or roller-type shades that can be easily cleaned.