How To Clean A House After Harmattan In Nigeria
The Harmattan season, which typically lasts from late November to March, is a defining period of the year for many West African countries, including Nigeria. Characterized by dry and dusty winds blowing from the Sahara Desert, Harmattan brings with it not only cooler temperatures but also fine dust that settles everywhere. For homeowners, this season can create an extra layer of cleaning challenges, with dust invading homes, furniture, and almost every surface imaginable.
Cleaning your house after Harmattan requires more than just the regular sweeping and dusting. You’ll need a more thorough, strategic approach to restore your home to its dust-free, sparkling condition. This blog post will guide you through effective ways to clean your home after Harmattan, highlighting cleaning strategies for different parts of your house, tools you’ll need, and tips to prevent dust accumulation during the next Harmattan season.
Understanding the Harmattan Season and Its Impact
Before jumping into the cleaning process, it's important to understand what Harmattan is and why it makes such a mess of homes. The Harmattan is a trade wind that blows from the Sahara Desert across West Africa. During this period, the atmosphere is filled with dust and particles carried by these winds, reducing visibility and drying out the air.
For homes in Nigeria, the most noticeable effects of Harmattan are:
- Dust Accumulation: Fine particles of dust settle on every surface, including floors, furniture, windows, electronics, and even bedding.
- Dryness: The air becomes very dry, causing wooden furniture and floors to crack or become brittle, and contributing to dry skin and respiratory issues.
- Cooler Temperatures: While temperatures drop significantly in the morning and night, the afternoon heat can still be intense, creating temperature fluctuations inside homes.
Given these effects, post-Harmattan cleaning goes beyond surface-level tidying. It requires deep cleaning and attention to detail, as well as preventive measures to minimize dust accumulation in the future.
Tools You’ll Need for Post-Harmattan Cleaning
Cleaning after Harmattan requires the right tools to ensure that your efforts are both effective and time-efficient. Some essential cleaning tools include:
- Vacuum Cleaner: A vacuum with good suction power will help you remove dust from carpets, rugs, upholstery, and even curtains.
- Microfiber Cloths: These cloths are great for dusting because they trap dust particles without pushing them around.
- Mop and Bucket: For cleaning floors, a mop with water and detergent is essential.
- Broom and Dustpan: While a vacuum cleaner is more effective, a broom is still necessary for sweeping areas where a vacuum might not reach.
- Furniture Polish: Wooden surfaces can lose their shine and moisture due to Harmattan. Polish helps restore the look of your furniture and provides a layer of protection.
- Window Cleaner: Dust settles on windows and mirrors, leaving them cloudy. A good window cleaner will restore their clarity.
- Face Mask: It’s advisable to wear a mask while cleaning to avoid inhaling dust particles that may still linger in the air.
- Gloves: To protect your hands, especially when handling cleaning chemicals or scrubbing stubborn stains.
Now, let’s move on to the step-by-step process of cleaning your house after Harmattan.
Step 1: Dusting All Surfaces
The first step in cleaning your home after Harmattan is dusting every surface where dust might have settled. Dusting should be done carefully to avoid simply moving the dust around. Instead, aim to trap and remove it.
Tips for Dusting:
- Start from the Top: Dusting should always start from higher surfaces like ceiling fans, shelves, and light fixtures, and work your way down to tables, chairs, and countertops. This prevents dust from falling onto freshly cleaned surfaces.
- Use a Damp Cloth: For surfaces like shelves, counters, and tables, use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to trap the dust rather than spreading it around.
- Wipe Down Electronics: Harmattan dust can easily get into electronic devices like TVs, speakers, and computers. Use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe these items, and a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment for areas like vents and speaker grills.
- Clean Walls: Harmattan dust often settles on walls, especially textured or rough surfaces. Wipe down walls using a damp cloth, or if the walls are washable, you can use a solution of mild detergent and water to scrub away the dust.
Step 2: Vacuum Carpets, Rugs, and Upholstery
Vacuuming is essential after Harmattan, especially for soft surfaces like carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Dust can deeply penetrate these materials, making it harder to clean them with just a broom or brush.
Vacuuming Tips:
- Use the Right Attachments: Most vacuum cleaners come with attachments designed for different surfaces. Use the upholstery attachment for sofas and chairs, and the floor attachment for carpets and rugs.
- Vacuum Slowly: Don’t rush through vacuuming. Take your time to ensure that the vacuum removes as much dust as possible, especially from thick rugs and carpet fibers.
- Don’t Forget the Corners: Dust often accumulates in the corners of rooms and under furniture. Move furniture where possible and vacuum underneath to remove hidden dust.
Step 3: Clean Windows, Doors, and Mirrors
One of the most affected areas during Harmattan is your windows and mirrors. The dust makes them look cloudy and reduces the amount of light entering your home.
How to Clean Windows and Mirrors:
- Use a Window Cleaner: Spray a glass cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar onto your windows and mirrors, then wipe them down with a microfiber cloth.
- Clean Window Tracks: Dust often gets trapped in the tracks of sliding windows or doors. Use a small brush or an old toothbrush to scrub out the dust from these areas.
- Wipe Down Doors: Just like windows, your doors, especially the tops and handles, can accumulate dust. Wipe them down with a damp cloth.
Step 4: Mop the Floors
After you’ve dusted and vacuumed, it’s time to mop the floors. Mopping removes any dust that may still be lingering on the floor after sweeping or vacuuming.
Tips for Mopping:
- Use Warm Water and Detergent: Mix warm water with a mild detergent for mopping. If you have tiled floors, adding a bit of vinegar will help lift the dust and grime.
- Mop in Sections: Don’t mop the entire floor at once. Work in small sections and rinse the mop frequently to prevent spreading dust.
- Focus on Corners and Edges: Just like vacuuming, dust often hides in corners and along edges. Pay extra attention to these areas to ensure a thorough clean.
Step 5: Clean Your Furniture and Upholstery
Harmattan can leave your furniture looking dull, especially if it’s made of wood. After you’ve dusted, consider polishing your wooden furniture to restore its shine and protect it from the dryness that Harmattan brings.
How to Clean and Restore Furniture:
- Use Furniture Polish: Apply furniture polish to wooden surfaces to help restore moisture and prevent cracking. It also gives your furniture a shiny finish.
- Vacuum Upholstery: For fabric sofas and chairs, vacuum to remove any dust that might have settled deep in the fibers.
- Wash Cushions and Covers: If your cushions or sofa covers are washable, remove them and wash them to get rid of any remaining dust.
Step 6: Wash Curtains, Bedding, and Soft Fabrics
Curtains and bedding collect a lot of dust during Harmattan, so they need a good wash after the season. This includes bedsheets, pillowcases, and even throw pillows.
Washing Tips:
- Machine Wash: If your curtains and bedding are machine washable, run them through a wash cycle using mild detergent. For heavy curtains, consider taking them to a professional cleaner.
- Vacuum Non-Washable Fabrics: If you have items that can’t be washed, like certain types of curtains or fabric-covered chairs, use a vacuum to remove the dust.
Step 7: Improve Air Quality
Even after cleaning, some dust may still linger in the air. Improving air quality will make your home feel fresher and reduce the chances of dust resettling on surfaces.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality:
- Open Windows for Ventilation: After cleaning, open your windows to allow fresh air to circulate through your home. This helps to clear out any remaining dust in the air.
- Use an Air Purifier: If you live in an area with particularly dusty conditions, consider investing in an air purifier. These devices help filter out dust particles and improve indoor air quality.
- Place Indoor Plants: Certain indoor plants, like snake plants or spider plants, act as natural air purifiers. They can help remove toxins and improve the air quality in your home.
Step 8: Prevent Future Dust Accumulation
While you can’t stop Harmattan, you can take steps to reduce how much dust enters your home next time around.
Preventive Measures:
- Install Window Screens: Window screens help to reduce the amount of dust that enters your home. They also allow you to keep your windows open for ventilation without letting in large amounts of dust.
- Use Door Mats: Placing door mats at every entrance can reduce the amount of dust and dirt that gets tracked into your home.
- Keep Windows Closed During Peak Harmattan: If the dust levels are particularly high, consider keeping your windows closed during the day to reduce the amount of dust entering your home.
- Regular Dusting: During Harmattan, dust your home regularly to prevent dust from building up. This makes the post-Harmattan clean-up much easier.
Conclusion
Cleaning your home after Harmattan requires patience and a well-organized approach. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can thoroughly clean your house and ensure that it’s dust-free and comfortable once the dry, dusty winds subside. In addition to restoring cleanliness, taking preventive measures during Harmattan will minimize the impact of the season on your home in the future.
