What Causes Dust Bunnies And Can You Eradicate Them?

The name, "dust bunnies" may have a sweet ring to it, but as anyone who's ever had to deal with them will know, they're anything but. The real question is, can we get rid of them?

First things first, a note on what dust bunnies really are. Nope, they've got nothing to do with rabbits — but they sure are a pest. According to the Cleanzen Blog, they're made up of just about everything from dirt under shoes, to lint, to pet hairs and skin cells, human hair and skin cells, dead insects, and a number of other unmentionables. In other words, not something one would dream of finding in a clean home. 

However, every now and then, one (or several) appear, and it's as though your latest marathon cleaning session never happened. So, what's causing everything to culminate into a bigger ball? Speaking to Real Simple, The House Wire CEO Jeneva Aaron explained that we have static electricity to thank. That, and uncleaned air filters. Also speaking to the outlet was Modern Maids owner, Justin Carpenter, who pointed out that when filters aren't cleaned regularly (i.e. before spotting dust bunnies), they stop catching the pieces as they snowball. For that reason, cleaning out air filters would obviously be the first step for anyone hoping to be rid of the dust bunnies. That said, there are a few other ways to stop the pesky bundles of killjoys from forming in the first place. 

According to IAQ.Works, dry spaces offer a breeding ground for dust. It's not all that surprising, then, that one of the best ways to avoid dust — and thus its bigger bunny cousins — is by making the most of good old H20. 

For starters, that means avoiding a dry cloth when cleaning. As noted by Gluesticks & Gumdrops, dry cloths may make a surface look cleaner, post-wipe, but the truth is, they move dust around instead of actually removing it. On top of the fact that the dust will still be there, waiting to settle and potentially collect enough lint to create a dust bunny, there's also something to be said for the static electricity portion. As Jeneva Aaron told Real Simple, "Water prevents static electricity from building up so there won't be enough of a charge to hold the dust together." 

Surfaces like floors, tables, and countertops aren't the only things to benefit from more moisture, though. Per Real Simple, setting a humidifier at 50% humidity also goes a long way in preventing dust bunnies from forming. Granted, doing so won't prevent dust altogether. However, according to IAQ.Works, moisture in the air makes dust particles stick together. That, in turn, stops the particles from moving around, attaching to any more lint or fibers, and forming a bigger dust bunny. Dust particles will be bigger, sure — but they can be wiped up (again, with a wet cloth!) easily enough. 

While spotting a dust bunny out in the open is easy enough to rectify, oftentimes, they're already lurking under furniture, yet to be discovered. Undetected or not, though, these unwelcome visitors need to be removed, ASAP. 

Speaking to Real Simple, Emily's Maids' Abe Navas urged, "Don't leave gaps in your furniture: Here is where dust bunnies are made, and they reproduce pretty fast." Navas' solution is to prevent leaving tight spaces empty, mitigating hard-to-clean spaces wherever possible. In the case of that dreaded under-the-bed bunny nest situation, that could include a bed skirt to prevent dust buildup from the get-go. However, in the absence of some kind of filler, it's also possible to stop those dust bunnies in their tracks by moving furniture around during regular cleans. And, in the event that pushing out a bed, couch, or other piece of furniture is just too heavy (or if you're between major cleans), Slate also points out that a blow dryer can help move things out from under, so they can be easily vacuumed or swept up. 

Dust bunnies are one of the things no one wants to see in their homes, and unfortunately, we often only see them once they've reached a pretty decent size. However, with the right, regular approach, it's possible to eradicate them. Bunnies, be gone!