Why Does My Bathroom Get So Dusty?

If you’re fed up with finding dust in your bathroom within hours of having cleaned it, keep reading. In this article we look at what causes that dust and how you can get rid of it.

Your bathroom attracts dust but there are ways to cut down on that dust dramatically.

What Causes Dust In Your Bathroom?

There are a number of reasons that your bathroom, and everyone else’s bathroom is a dust magnet. Which are;

• Open Windows
• High Humidity
• Dusty Vents
• Incorrect Ceiling Boards
• Curtains And Blinds
• Clothes
• Bathroom Mats
• White Sanitary Ware
• Dusty Home
• Air Fresheners
• Improper Cleaning

Dust Comes In Through Open Windows

It’s great to open windows to allow a flow of fresh air into your home. However, that air contains dust particles from a number of sources. For instance If you live in a;

• City – The air is likely to be full of the dust created by fast moving vehicles, building sites or industrial sites (factories etc).
• Countryside – The air is likely to be full of the dust from farmers fields, industrial sites, or even sand from the beach.

All of this dust will find its way into your home if you have your windows open. Even if you don’t open any other windows, you’re likely to open the bathroom window because of the need to allow moisture to escape.

High Humidity Causes Dust To Settle On Your Bathroom’s Surfaces

We know what you’re thinking, humidity doesn’t create dust, and you’re right, it doesn’t. But high humidity or moisture causes the dust particles to stick to the water and also to each other. These airborne dust particles then become heavier and fall onto the surfaces of your bathroom.

According to the Health and Safety Executive^[1] a comfortable humidity level is anywhere between 40 to 70%

Trying to maintain the humidity between that range can be difficult especially when the whole family needs to shower at around the same time of day. The problem is that trapped humidity leads to problems including mould growth and added problems with excessive dust.

Using a dehumidifier will go some way to helping to cut down on the humidity levels in the bathroom.

Dusty Vents

If you have an extractor fan to remove moisture from your bathroom and the vents become blocked or partially blocked with dust, the moist air cannot leave. The problem is that as the air travels towards the extractor it becomes cooler and the dust particles drop onto the vents and pipes of the extractor.

Cleaning these areas can go a long way to helping to solve the moisture and dust problems.

A/C Units

If you have air conditioning in your home, the ductwork can start to develop tiny leaks which can distribute dust around your home. This can be partially resolved by keeping the vents and filters clean.

Incorrect Ceiling Boards Can Add To The Problem  

In the majority of cases the bathroom ceiling is not the reason the room is dusty. However, if the wrong boards were used on the ceiling, it could be compounding the problem. The ceiling of the bathroom should have a waterproof finish, if it doesn’t all of that hot, moist air rising from the bath or shower will get absorbed into the ceiling.

As the moisture dries, all of the dust which had collected in the damp air will now be stuck on the ceiling or, it will drop onto the surface below.

Bathroom ceilings should be painted using a satin or gloss paint to help to give the ceiling a moisture resistant surface.

Curtains And Blinds Attract Dust

We all need a curtain or blind in the bathroom for reasons of privacy. But they do attract dust and act as a physical barrier preventing dust particles from leaving your bathroom.

We would advise getting rid of your curtains and/or blinds and replacing them with a privacy film which sticks to the window glass to prevent any unwanted peepers. 

Clothes Bring In Dirt From Outside

When you come into your home, you bring dirt and dust with you from outside. If you then go into the bathroom to shower and undress in the bathroom, some of the dust from your clothes will eventually settle on the surfaces of your bathroom. This problem is multiplied if you own pets as you then carry pet hair and dust into the bathroom on your clothes too.

If possible undress elsewhere then the only dust will be attached to your body which is less likely to fly into the air and settle in the bathroom.

Some people leave their laundry basket in the bathroom and sort their dirty washing into piles for the washing machine in the bathroom. This adds to the dust problem in the bathroom by disturbing all of the dust sitting in the dirty clothes.

Bathroom Mats Harbour Dust & Should Be Cleaned Outside

Lots of dust particles settle on mats and rugs, the problem is when we use a vacuum on these mats, the dust gets disturbed, flies into the air to resettle somewhere else in the room. If you must have mats in your bathroom, take them outside to vacuum them or shake them out in the yard.

White Sanitary Ware Shows Dust

It’s well known that dirt and dust are more visible on white and black surfaces. Unfortunately most sanitary ware, toilets, baths, sinks, tiles and showers are made from a porcelain material glazed in white. Many bathroom floors are then covered in dark tiles to contrast and show less dust.

Your bathroom might not be any dustier than any other room in your home, it just shows more on the white surfaces.

Dusty Home

If all of your home is dusty, it stands to reason that your bathroom will be dusty too. What you might not be aware of is the dust from the rest of the house gets taken into the bathroom. Ways to prevent this include;

• Keeping the bathroom door closed at all times
• Dusting the rest of the home regularly
• Removing as much moisture from the bathroom as possible

Air Fresheners Can Make It Dustier

We understand the need for using an air freshener. Especially in the bathroom, but those spray cans expel particles into the air which can dry the air out too much and make it dustier.

Improper Cleaning Techniques & Products 

Even if you clean your home on a regular basis and dust it regularly too, there’s a good chance that you don’t dust the bathroom as often as the rest of the house. This will be because in our minds, the bathroom is a wet space and therefore needs a different type of cleaning, not dusting.

If you use the wrong type of cleaning products on the surfaces of the bathroom, they will become sticky and attract more dust.

How To Clean Dust From Your Bathroom

We’re not going to tell you exactly how to clean your bathroom, we’re just going to point you in the right direction. The correct way to clean a bathroom is;

1. Start With The Ceiling
   Remove any cobwebs or areas of dust using a duster and really get into all of those nooks and crannies. Ensure that your duster is clean and dust free before you start to dust the bathroom ceiling with it.
2. Wipe Down Windows, Cabinets Etc.
   Using a damp cloth, remove all of the dust from the windows, sills, shower screens, mirrors, tiles, cabinets and cupboards.
3. Clean The Sanitary Ware
   If the toilet, basin, bath and/or shower tray are dry, dust them before cleaning them. Then clean them using a proprietary cleaner or use a 2 part water to one part white vinegar solution in a spray bottle. If there is a large limescale buildup, add extra vinegar.
4. Wash The Floor
   Using a mop or scrubbing brush, clean the floor last. Be mindful of using too much water as this can be difficult to remove and could also leak onto adjoining floors. Once you’re satisfied the floor is clean, dry as much of the excess water using a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.

It’s impossible to prevent dust, but with a regular cleaning regime, it is possible to reduce the level of dust in your bathroom.

Tips To Help To Keep Dust To A Minimum In Your Bathroom

The best ways to reduce the levels of dust in the bathroom are as follows;

• Keep the bathroom windows closed when the bathroom’s not in use
• Keep the bathroom door closed at all times
• Keep the air vents and/or A/C vents clean
• Have a regular cleaning regime

Frequently Asked Questions