1.21.2008

Attack of the dust bunnies

Evil lurks amongst us. Something so sinister, it dare not be mentioned.

Still, I must warn you of the calamity ahead, a blight of pandemic proportions. Turn away if you must, lest your eyes roll back into the brain’s crevices at the sight of the most grotesque, a modern-day Gorgon reminiscent of Medusa. Because this is, in fact, what inspires myth and legends.

My cursed friends, I present to you… the dust bunny.



Fearsome, I know. Living in a 1000-year old house certainly has the allure of time and history, but with its age comes microscopic layers of decay. For from dust it is, and to dust it will return.

In a seriousness, this Hausfrau could clean and vacuum everyday. As a matter of fact, I do. Nevertheless, ever morning I awake to find large clumps of dust greeting me, collecting in every nook and cranny of my abode. If I didn’t know any better, I would believe my dust bunnies are reproducing at a flesh bunny pace.

To prevent their formations, I actually go through four different levels of cleaning. First, I sweep in the hopes of picking up the dirt and grime tracked in from the day before. Then, I use a Swiffer duster to trap pet hair and dust. Finally, I follow up with a vacuum cleaner and mop until I’ve removed any spec of dust from the premises. And yet, the dust bunnies return with a vengance, sometimes only hours after I’ve cleaned.

The photograph, pictured above, was taken after I had gone through the first two levels of cleaning on my floors. This was the dust my vacuum captured from only one room. Can you believe it?

What can I do to belay this infestation? And, more importantly, if I can’t beat 'em, then what?

9 comments:

running42k said...

You managed to make the most boring blog topic exciting.

christina said...

Germany is an incredibly dusty country. There's just no getting rid of the stuff - it collects all over our house no matter what I do.

(Thanks for visiting my blog - I put you on my blog roll so I can keep up with your adventures!)

Anonymous said...

Wow - dust bunnies reproducing at massive speed indeed! I wonder if you can't get some help fro someone with a historic home like yours - maybe try a neighbor?

Panthergirl said...

Man, I was just saying the same thing about my house yesterday (and it's only 20 years old). Our problem, I think, is the dog. He doesn't shed much but there are still tumbleweeds everywhere no matter what I do!!

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I am really looking forward to my trip to Hamburg. I'm hoping to be there long enough to explore!

Sizzle said...

that's pretty impressive from a dust bunny standpoint. i feel your cleaning pain!

Jenn in Holland said...

You can't beat 'em. Really, you can't. I have just learned to live with them in--those crafty, accumulating, swiftly reproducing bunnies!
We have that dust problem in common here in the low lands.

Jamy said...

Yeesh. That's a lot of work you're putting in! I think I'd be in ignore mode already. :)

AmyB said...

Yeesh...have you thought about having the air ducts cleaned? They might be completely infiltrated with little humping dust bunnies. ;o)

Diane Mandy said...

R42k- thanks! I only wish I could make the act of actually cleaning interesting.

Christina - I'm begining to realize I'm fighting a losing battle. I've added you to my blogroll!

princess e - or maybe a housekeeper?

panthergirl- I have the same proble with my dog! I suppose he's worth it--some days.

sizzle - the dust bunnies are so bad, I'm now dreaming about them

Jenn- starting to believe this is a losin battle

Jamy - Ignore mode is rapidly approaching

Amy - there are no filters! and therein lies the problem me thinks.