Quick answer: During pollution season, clean with water, not air. Damp-dust surfaces with a microfibre cloth instead of a dry duster, vacuum before you mop, and wipe windowsills, grills and surfaces near windows every day or two, since that's where outdoor dust settles first. Keep shoes at the door, wash curtains and doormats often, and open windows only briefly when the AQI is lower. Avoid strong-smelling sprays and air fresheners, which add more chemicals to air that's already polluted.
Every winter, Delhi-NCR and much of North India wake up to grey skies, and the AQI app becomes the most opened app on the phone. Inside the house, the signs are just as clear: a fine, dark dust on the windowsill one day after cleaning, grey water in the mop bucket, and black marks on the tops of fans. You can't control the air outside, but how you clean makes a real difference to how much of that dust stays in your home.
Why pollution dust is different
Normal household dust is mostly fabric fibres, skin cells and soil. Winter smog adds fine particles from vehicle exhaust, construction, crop burning and smoke. These particles are tiny, light and often a bit oily, so they float easily, stick to surfaces, and spread back into the air when disturbed. That's why a dry feather duster during smog season can make things worse.
Mentioned in this guide
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Daily pollution-season cleaning routine
- Windowsills and grills first. Wipe them with a damp cloth every day or two. This is where outdoor dust lands first.
- Damp-dust surfaces near windows and doors: tables, TV units, shelves. Use a lightly damp microfibre cloth and fold it to a clean side often.
- Vacuum or sweep gently, starting from the far end of the room, before mopping.
- Mop the main rooms with a well-wrung mop. Change the water when it turns grey, or you'll just spread the dust around.
- Rinse cloths and mops after use so they don't spread yesterday's dust tomorrow.
Weekly and fortnightly tasks
| Task | How often in smog season |
|---|---|
| Wipe ceiling fans and light fittings | Weekly |
| Wash doormats | Weekly |
| Wash bedsheets and pillow covers | Weekly |
| Vacuum sofas, cushions and rugs | Weekly |
| Wash or vacuum curtains | Every 2 weeks |
| Clean window glass, inside and out | Every 2 weeks |
| Clean air purifier and AC filters | As the maker recommends, often more in smog season |
| Wipe balcony railings and plant leaves | Weekly |
How to clean windows and glass in smog season
Window glass collects gritty dust that can scratch if you rub it dry. Wipe the glass with a wet cloth first to lift the grit, rinse the cloth, then spray a glass and surface cleaner and wipe with a dry microfibre cloth for a streak-free finish. Clean grills and frames with a damp old toothbrush. Our guide to cleaning glass without streaks has more tips.
How to keep pollution dust out of the house
- Shoes off at the door. Footwear brings in more outdoor dust than open windows.
- Two doormats, one outside and one inside, and wash them weekly.
- Air the house at the right time. Check the AQI and open windows for 10 to 15 minutes when it's lower, often in the afternoon. Keep them shut during early morning and late evening peaks.
- Seal gaps in old windows and under doors with weather strips.
- Keep the main door shut. Entrance passages and stairwells hold a lot of dust.
- Change clothes after long time outdoors, especially before sitting on beds.
Don't add more pollution indoors
When windows stay shut, everything you spray or burn indoors stays in the air longer.
- Skip aerosol air fresheners and strong room sprays. They add fragrance chemicals to the air.
- Choose low-fume, plant-based cleaners instead of products with sharp chemical smells.
- Limit incense, dhoop and mosquito coils in closed rooms, or burn them near an open window.
- Run the kitchen chimney every time you cook. Tadka and frying add fine particles to indoor air too.
- Never mix cleaning products. Bleach with acid or ammonia releases toxic gas, which is worse in a closed room.
For natural ways to keep a closed home smelling fresh, see our guide. To understand what's in conventional cleaners, read about synthetic fragrance in cleaning products.
Indoor plants and air purifiers
Indoor plants are lovely to have, but research shows they do very little to clean indoor air at the levels found in a home. An air purifier with a true HEPA filter, sized for the room, is far more effective at removing fine particles. Keep it running with doors and windows shut, and clean or replace the filters on schedule. Wipe plant leaves weekly with a damp cloth, because dust on leaves blocks sunlight.
Extra care for kids, elders and pets
- Babies crawl through floor dust, so mop the rooms they use every day.
- Wash soft toys every few weeks, or put small ones in the sun.
- Wipe pets' paws after walks.
- Keep the bedroom of anyone with asthma the cleanest room in the house, with a purifier if possible.
Mistakes to avoid
- Dry dusting and dry sweeping during smog. It throws fine dust back into the air.
- Mopping with dirty water. Change it when it turns grey.
- Opening windows during AQI peaks in the morning and evening.
- Using strong sprays to make the house smell clean.
- Forgetting the fan blades. Dust flies off them every time they're switched on.
What we use
Our Glass & Multi-Surface Cleaner lifts pollution grime off windows, glass and surfaces without leaving a strong chemical smell in a closed room. Our Plant Based Floor Cleaner needs no rinsing and leaves a light mogra fragrance, not a sharp chemical one. Both are free from harsh toxins, parabens and synthetic VOCs, 100% biodegradable, independently lab tested and safe for kids and pets. For the full season, see our winter cleaning guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reduce dust at home during pollution?
Damp-dust instead of dry dusting, mop daily, wipe windowsills often, keep shoes at the door, wash curtains and doormats, and open windows only briefly when the AQI is lower.
Should I open windows during high AQI?
Keep them shut during morning and evening peaks. Open them for 10 to 15 minutes when the AQI drops, usually in the afternoon, to let out moisture and cooking smells.
How often should I clean during smog season?
Damp-dust windowsills and surfaces near windows every day or two, mop main rooms daily, and wash curtains and windows every two weeks.
Do indoor plants clean air pollution?
Not enough to make a real difference in a home. An air purifier with a HEPA filter is much more effective.
Are air fresheners bad during pollution?
They add fragrance chemicals to indoor air, which stay longer with windows shut. Air the room and clean the source of smells instead.
What's the best way to dust without spreading it?
Use a lightly damp microfibre cloth, work top to bottom, fold it to a clean side often, and rinse it afterwards.
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