Dust?

[Smoky]

I'm in my second month of full timing and everthing is great but one thing I notice is that dust seems to accumulate very quickly. In the warmer months this isn't an issue since I have my windows open. I was wondering if anyone knows of a small gadget that cleans the air...perhaps with a removable washable filter? I also heard that certain plants help with the air quality and I would love to get some plants. I only have one cactus now..and its dying. I'm in the Portland, Oregon area and I don't get much sun.

Thanks for any tips.

[HankandLois]

We get a lot of dust in ours as well. But then it's parked in a campground with a dirt and gravel road. We find that doormats (inside and out) help alot with tracking dust IN the trailer. I just sweep and sweep...

Oh and it doesn't help that our electric blanket lints all over the place (despite numerous washings)... just adds to the sweeping and the dust...

Someone I know keeps a HEPA filter in his 'stream... maybe that will help?


(Eau Claire, WI... drove through there in Sept on the way to visit family in Spooner.)
/Lois

[Foiled Again]

You may not like this, but YOU are possibly the biggest source of dust in your Airstream. Dead skin cells.

Yep, dead skin cells. In such a small area there is no place else for them to go. Between showering, changing and drying your hair you create a lot of dead skin cells. Then there's the normal shedding inside your clothing and abrading against the sheets (NOW no comments about THAT! )

Of course the amount of dirt you tromp in because you don't walk on sidewalk prior to entering your door adds to the mess.

So what's the solution? Well in a small trailer only a very small vaccuum cleaner is practical. Frankly a broom and and some good microfiber dusting rags are faster and do a better job. I've tried dusting sprays and pledge - which I do like to keep water marks off the formica round the sink, but most of the time I just moisten the microfiber rag. I generally go over all the horizontal surfaces daily, and do a quick sweepdown at least two to three times a week. I find that if I don't wipe down the bare aluminum interior at least once every six weeks, it does get a film that is probably mostly breath and cooking moisture.

I have an uncarpeted A/S, and have two rugs that run down the length to keep my feet warm. I find it helps a lot to take those outside and whack them over a picnic table from time to time. I also use a very small shark vacuum on them about once a week or so. I do replace the rugs rather than trying to clean them.

Short of changing clothing outside of the Airstream and always using a bath house to shower, you're going to just have to keep up with it. Of course if you've got dry skin, a good lotion or shower gel might help.

Paula

PS: One thing I got tired of RIGHT away was a down comforter. I even tossed my down pillows and went to a high end down substitute. Those tiny little featherlets drove me crazy.

[cameront120]

During warmer weather, a lot of dust gets drawn in through my roof vents when the vent fan is on. It creates a convection that circulates the air and transfers outside air with inside air. With that comes airborn dust.

[Smoky]

hmm...thanks for the tips. I was hoping there was a magical device that I could just plug in and it would do all the work for me. I guess I'll have learn how to dust. This is a brand new concept for me.

[SteveH]

Nothing "magic" about this one, but we bought a small Dirt Devil, I believe is the brand, vacuum cleaner and keep it in the trailer, and it does a great job.

[Tim A.]

A small vacuum cleaner that we have found very good, particularly for carpets, in our Airstream is the Eureka "Quick Up" as shown here: Quick Upâ„¢ 71B | The perfect vacuum for stairs, furniture, autos and more. . For the dust that seems to get everywhere, we commonly use a damp sponge or paper towel.

[AIR-Quarius]

...we got a little shark vacuum for @ 30.00 and it has that filter system and really really sucks the tiny things out...and then you get to see them when you empty it out side...best vacuum we've ever had, got it at walmart...also we use an air ionizer while we are out and about...we've heard ups and downs about this air machine...but we give it a thumbs up. If you have a compressor you can use it to blow out the air filter trap in the vacuum too, otherwise you have to wash it out...Oklahoma is cursed with dust and wind...but the Bible says 'the wise reed bends with the wind' That cactus might be root bound. Nice to meet you.

[willyd]

A small vacumn sweeper for carpets - a new wide paint brush to clean the blinds - and a swifter for flat surfaces - works every time.

[TIMETOGO]

Yes... years ago I had a air cleaner for small rooms. It works off a - + charge and is about the size of an old VCR. Plus you can take this small wheel out and wash it. Bars have the same kind only bigger (for all the smoke). I do remember it working very well. Good luck and be well - Thomas

[wbrownrr]

Find a small HEPA filter. They are absolutely the best for filtering air... much better and much healthier than ozone filters. Some HEPA filters are even washable. I know the original post is a bit old, but others may be interested in air filters so thought I'd add my 2 cents.

[jacarape]

Paula, I bought some el cheapo carpets from w mart (rubber bottomed are superior for non slipping) and wash them occasionally in a commercial front loader. Much less expensive than replacing.

Dust is the biggest drawback to camping for me. I want to set up a digital darkroom, impossible.

[Yhottys]

Paula,

We've found that having Astroturf or an outdoor carpet set up outside the trailer helps keep the dust down. We also have woven cotton runners that run throughout the trailer. We shake them out and then wash them in our front loading washer when we get back home.

Those little spider plants are supposed to be rather efficient at providing oxygen while processing carbon dioxide and they're very easy to take care of.

Other than that we just suck it up (pun intended), blow it out and suck it up (literally) with our Rainbow vaccuum, and do an all over wipe down with damp towels.

Best of luck!