Dusting is a common chore, but bathrooms often get overlooked. Poor ventilation and shedding fibers cause dust buildup, impacting your health in several ways. In this article, learn the harm caused by dust and get tips to keep your bathroom dust-free and protect against respiratory issues. Need to remedy the problem? Find out how Panasonic bathroom exhaust fans and energy recovery ventilators can help make the air in your home cleaner and healthier.
When it comes to your weekly chores, dusting is likely on the list. But, do you ever think of dusting the bathrooms? We'll admit that sometimes this room slips our dusting radar, but as it turns out, the bathroom is a key area where dust builds up fast (in other words: this room needs to be dusted as much as any other!).
Have you started to notice an accumulation of dust in the bathroom? It's likely cause of poor ventilation and the shedding of skin and hair fibers (we know... gross). But, with these helpful tips, you'll be able to keep this room dust-free and your health protected from the several respiratory issues that can develop if dust remains present.
Common Causes Of Dust In The Bathroom
Like other rooms, dust buildup in the bathroom comes from a variety of sources. Here are the most common ones.
Moisture & Humidity
We all know that the bathroom is the most steamy room of the house, but this steam and the moisture/humidity it creates is one of the leading causes for dust buildups. That's because the excess moisture and humidity weighs the dust particles down and causes them to stick to surfaces like the shelves, baseboards, or the top of your toilet brush cleaner.
Poor Ventilation
Along with the increase in moisture and humidity, another leading cause for a dusty bathroom is poor ventilation. Without the presence of adequate airflow, the dust has nowhere to go and settles on various surfaces. That's why ensuring your bathroom has a properly working exhaust fan or vent is important.
Hair & Skin Shedding
Like the dust bunnies under your living room couch, the dust particles in your bathroom can also come from your hair and skin shedding. Grooming in the bathroom, like shaving or styling your hair, contributes to more dust particles forming from dead skin cells or fallen out hair strands that accumulate during the day.
Towel & Toilet Paper Lint
In the bathroom, your skin isn't the only thing that shed particles that turn into dust. Your towels and toilet paper does, too! That's because these items, when they're being used, have particles that come off and settle into the air to create dust.
Panasonic's WhisperCozy bathroom exhaust fan + heater, photo courtesy of Panasonic Eco Systems
Soap/Shampoo Residue
While soap and shampoo don't create dust themselves, their residue creates the perfect sticky place for dust particles to attach to.
Health Implications Of Dust In The Bathroom
Dusting your bathroom regularly is important not only to keep the room clean, but to prevent yourself from developing any health reactions to the present particles.
Here are some of the health implications that can develop from dust in the bathroom.
Allergies & Respiratory Issues
"For people with asthma or allergies, bathroom dust can be particularly problematic because the humidity makes particles stick around longer," says Blanchard. When dust is inhaled, the particles can collect in your lungs and lead to respiratory issues. For those with allergies, these particles can be inhaled and trigger annoying symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, or itchy eyes.
Mold & Mildew Growth
Allergies and respiratory issues aren't the only health hazards that can come from dust in the bathroom. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth, too. "Dust can mix with moisture to create an ideal environment for mold and bacteria growth, which is something we often have to address in our cleaning projects," Blanchard says. "And you, the homeowner, do not want to have a lot of mold, as it can cost thousands to clean up and properly remove."
But more than the cost of removing mold and mildew, this bacteria can be detrimental to your health as well. It can also lead to allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, respiratory illness, and much more.
How To Reduce Dust In The Bathroom
So, how do you ensure you keep as much dust out of your bathroom as possible? Here are a few tips to keep in mind for a dust-free bathroom.
Improve Ventilation
Making sure your bathroom has proper ventilation is key for keeping dust out of the bathroom. That's because ventilation ensures there's a proper airflow that keeps the particles moving and from settling on any surface.
You can improve your bathroom's airflow by cleaning out the air ducts and installing an exhaust fan, or using an air purifier to remove any particles.
Control Moisture
Controlling the moisture in the bathroom is important for dust prevention and mold/mildew prevention. Running a dehumidifier or keeping the bathroom door open during a shower are great ways to reduce the moisture in the bathroom so the space stays aired out.
Clean Regularly
Of course, you can never go wrong by routinely dusting your bathroom to keep it dust-free. It's recommended that you dust the bathroom once a week or bi-weekly and all surface to swipe up all present particles.
Organize & Declutter
Reorganizing your bathroom and decluttering can be another effective dust prevention measure since it removes extra surfaces dust can settle on. Remove any countertop items like beauty organizers, jars, or decorative items from any shelves that act as a prime spot for dust to attract to.
Frequently asked Questions
What causes dust to accumulate in bathrooms?
There are several causes of dust in the bathrooms. The leading causes are shedding skin and hair particles and lint from your towels or toilet paper.
How can I reduce dust in my bathroom?
You can reduce dust in your bathroom by improving the ventilation or humidity levels and staying on top of a frequent dusting routine. It's recommended that you dust the bathroom once a week or every other week for the best results.
Are there health risks associated with bathroom dust?
There are several health risks associated with bathroom dust from allergies to respiratory issues. That's because dust particles can be inhaled to collect in your lungs and it can also lead to a buildup of mold and mildew, which cause the same risks.
What role does ventilation play in bathroom dust accumulation?
Poor ventilation in the bathroom plays an important part in dust accumulation since it keeps the dust particles weighted down. When dust is weighted down by high levels of moisture, the particles stick to surfaces much easily.
How often should I clean my bathroom to prevent dust?
You should clean your bathroom to prevent dust from building up weekly or once every two weeks by wiping down all surfaces and items.
This article was written by Ashlyn Needham from Southern Living and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
