So, you've washed your bed sheets and vacuumed the carpet — spring-cleaning your bedroom is done, right? Well, it turns out there maybe more dust lurking in your bedroom than you think, and it could be why you're waking up at 3 a.m. this spring.
"A build-up of winter dust combined with rising spring pollen levels can irritate your airways and disrupt sleep quality," warns Dr. Deborah Lee, sleep expert at Doctor Fox. But where are the hidden spots that are literally collecting dust?
To find out, I've asked Heather Snaman, cleaning co-ordinator and co-owner of Queen of To Do, for the hidden dust traps that we forget about when cleaning our bedroom. Clean these five areas today to boost your sleep quality tonight...
Key takeaways: At a glance
- In springtime, dust that builds up over winter combines with a rising pollen count.
- Bedroom dust can irritate your airways, leading to lower sleep quality and more nighttime awakenings.
- Dust accumulates on hidden, hard-to-reach areas such as headboards, ceiling fans, electronics, windows and lamps.
- To prevent dust from waking you up at night, vacuum regularly with an extension, keep your bedroom well-ventilated, and use hypoallergenic bedding.
- You might also like: I fixed my morning exhaustion by ditching my snooze button habit — here’s the expert 3-step reset that helped me
The 5 hidden dust traps to clean for better sleep
1. Celling fan
First of all, what is the No. 1 hidden bedroom spot that attracts the most dust?
"The ceiling fan for sure," replies Snaman, pointing out that spring cleaners always forget about this spot when spring cleaning as it's 3ft over their heads.
"It’s almost always out of control before you notice it," says the decluttering expert.
In fact, one study found that ceiling fans naturally collect airborne particles like dust, with scientists discovering 24 different groups of algae in the dust collected from blades.
2. Electronics
It's been proventhat static electricity causes dust to stick to surfaces. "Chargers, the tops of TVs and gaming consoles, especially the vent slots, collect dust quickly," says Snaman.
Meanwhile, research has also found that electronics, such as computers, can be major sources of synthetic chemicals found in household dust.
3. Lamps
Like electronics, glass can accumulate static electricity (particularly if you wipe it), which attracts dust. So you may want to peek inside your lampshade and checkout the dusty bulb.
According to Snaman, your lamps faithful spot on your nightstand may also be beckoning dust.
"Lamps definitely attract dust, since they don’t get moved around your room very often," warns Snaman.
"Anything that sits in place for longer periods of time will attract dust, and lampshades made of fabric may show dust more and be more difficult to clean," adds the homecare expert.
4. Bed frames
Snaman tells me that bed frames are also major dust traps (especially headboards, as they sit against a wall), which is not surprising when you consider that studies have found that that mattresses, pillows and blankets are among the surfaces where dust accumulates the most in homes.
"Natural air flow through the room pushes dust towards the walls and corners, and gets stuck behind and under furniture," she says.
5. Windows
Windows also collect a lot of dust particles, with one study showing that curtains in particular accumulated higher levels of particles, while the American Lung Association points to blinds as being one of the key areas in the home where dust frequently builds up.
Another study found that surfaces near a window pane, such as frames and drapes, can gather allergens.
Similarly, window frames can end up harboring excess dust. "Window frames are notoriously dusty because they’re out of sight, out of mind, and the layers build up quickly," says Snaman.
How to keep your bedroom dust-free in 3 easy steps
Started to notice all the dust you missed while spring cleaning? Not to worry, Snaman says there are quick, easy methods to getting rid of those sleep-disrupting allergens.
"5 minutes tops and it makes a big difference!" reveals Snaman.
1. Try a vacuum extension
Snaman says that regular vacuuming can be hugely effective for removing dust buildup. But reaching tricky spots on the ceiling or behind furniture can be awkward or downright impossible if you're working with an upright vacuum cleaner.
"Handheld vacuums with extensions are really helpful, and I also like the ceiling fan dusters on an extension pole," advises Snaman.
"For a 5-minute clean, run a handheld vacuum along the baseboards in between full room vacuuming and a hand held duster along any surfaces," she adds.
2. Open a window or turn on a fan
According to Snaman, "good air circulation will go a long way" in eliminating and preventing dust buildup.
Research has highlighted how air circulation can help lower dust levels by moving dust particles out of the home.
To boost airflow in your bedroom in just a few seconds, open your bedroom windows and doors, turn on a fan, or invest in one of the best air purifiers (granted, buying one new will take longer than several seconds, but switching it on when you have it will be just as fast).
3. Invest in bamboo bedding
As I mentioned above, your bed is a hot bed (excuse the pun) of dust, but a doctor has told me that investing in breathable anti-allergic bamboo bedding may reduce allergens.
"Bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and resistant to microorganisms and parasites like dust mites and bed bugs," says Dr. Seeta Shah, medical expert at Panda London.
Once you have it, popping on your new bedding should only take a few minutes.
