How to stop dust from collecting on your desk

Who doesn’t love a clean and dust-free desk? An organized study or work space can improve your focus. Plus, a dust-free desk helps prevent allergies and other health problems. 

Unfortunately, cleaning our desks isn’t usually on top of our to-do lists. There are even times when we might forget that dusting is an important part of cleaning, just because dirt isn’t that visible to the naked eye! 

That’s why for today, we’ll run you through some steps on how to stop dust from collecting on your desk, as well as how to keep dust off your PC.

How to avoid dust on your desk

1. Clean your carpet and floors.

If you have a carpet, having a dusty desk might mean you’re not vacuuming enough. Set up a schedule – such as once or twice a week – to make sure your carpet’s getting vacuumed regularly. 

Even if you don’t have carpets, your floors still need to be cleaned. Mop and sweep your floor to avoid dust particles settling on your desk. 

2. Clean ceiling fan blades.

Even if you don’t see them, chances are your ceiling fan’s blades are in need of a thorough cleaning. You’ll need a stepladder or a steady chair to reach the fan. You’ll also need a rag and a cleaning solution to wipe the blades. Just like your carpet and floors, it’s best to set up a regular cleaning schedule for your ceiling fan.

3. Dust the desk and other furniture.

The best way to get dust out of a desk is by wiping it with a damp cloth. Make sure to catch all the dust. After wiping the desk, spray disinfectant or cleaner on it and wipe it again. 

Repeat the process when it comes to other furniture inside the room, such as chairs, tabletops, and lamps. If a lot of dust has accumulated already, make sure to use a face mask while dusting.

4. Clean air conditioning filters.

Don’t forget that air conditioners need some tender loving care, too! Since your air conditioner filters out debris, there’s a huge chance that it has accumulated a lot of dirt over time. Depending on the type of air conditioner unit you have, it might also be necessary to replace the air filters that are only meant to last for a limited amount of time.

5. Organize items on your desk.

Minimize clutter on your desk, and sort your papers, gadgets, pens, and knickknacks into bins. Also, throw out trash and items you don’t really use. This reduces the amount of dust-attracting surfaces and allows for easier access when dusting your desk.

How to clean a dusty computer

How to avoid dust accumulation even more? Make sure to clean your computer setup! 

These days, most desks have laptop or gaming PC setups. And just like everything inside our homes or offices, computers need regular cleaning, too.

How to clean a computer screen

First, you must remember not to apply liquids directly to your device. Make sure to disconnect or turn off the device before dusting a computer. 

Then, use a microfiber cloth moistened with water to wipe your PC or laptop screen. According to Reader’s Digest, you should do this at least once every other week to prevent germs.

How to clean a keyboard 

A can of compressed air can be helpful in blowing dust and debris in hard-to-reach areas. You can buy compressed air from computer stores or online. 

The cleaning process varies depending on the type of keyboard you have: 

External keyboard

• Unplug your keyboard. 

• Dampen a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. 

• Clean around the keys. Make sure the cotton swab is damp but not dripping.

• Apply rubbing alcohol to a microfiber cloth. Wipe the tops of the keyboard keys and surrounding areas. 

Laptop keyboard (built into your laptop)

• Turn off your laptop and disconnect it from any power source. 

• Using clear tape, collect dust from your keyboard, maneuvering the tape into the spaces to get more dust. Like with external keyboards, you can use a damp cotton bud to remove dust. 

• Clean the tops of the keyboard keys with disinfecting wipes. To avoid soaking your keyboard, squeeze the wipes out before wiping the keyboard. 

After cleaning, wait for your keyboard to dry out completely before using it. 

How to clean a mouse and mouse pad

Similar to your keyboard, use a microfiber cloth dampened with mild soap and water to remove dust from your trusty mouse. 

For your mouse pad, fill a sink with warm water. Submerge the mouse pad and then pour some dish soap on it. Use a brush to clean dust and dirt from the mouse pad, then rinse and dry it thoroughly.

Hire a cleaning service to get more things done 

Of course, not everyone has the time and energy to clean their home regularly. Sometimes your schedule involves overtime at work, taking care of your pets, or running more important errands. 

Here’s the good news, though: You can always book cleaning services – not just for your desk but for your entire home or office – on Airtasker. Keeping your home clean and dust-free can be a breeze!