How to Clean After Harmattan Dust

From around December to February, the harmattan wind carries fine dust from the Sahara across northern Nigeria. In Yola it settles on furniture, floors, fans and electronics within hours of cleaning, and it can make allergies and breathing problems worse. You cannot stop it completely, but you can keep it under control.

Keep the dust out first

• Keep windows and doors closed on windy days, especially in the afternoon when the wind is strongest.
• Put a mat outside and inside each entrance, and shake them out daily.
• Use thicker curtains or add a layer of net over louvres and windows that do not close fully.
• Cover electronics, spare bedding and clothes you are not using.
• Leave shoes at the door so dust is not walked through the house.

Clean from top to bottom

Dust falls as you clean, so always start high and finish with the floor. Clean fans and high shelves first, then furniture and surfaces, then floors last. Otherwise you'll end up cleaning the floor twice.

Use a damp cloth, not a dry duster

A dry duster or feather duster mostly moves harmattan dust into the air, where it settles again. Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth instead, and rinse it often. For floors, sweep gently and then mop rather than only sweeping.

Room by room

Living room

• Wipe ceiling fan blades with a damp cloth (switch off first). A pillowcase slipped over each blade catches the dust.
• Shake curtains outside, and wash them every few weeks during the season.
• Wipe the TV, decoder and other electronics with a dry microfibre cloth only. Never use water on screens.
• Beat cushions and rugs outside, away from open windows.

Bedrooms

• Change and wash bedding more often during harmattan.
• Keep wardrobe doors closed, and store out-of-season clothes in bags or boxes.
• Wipe window sills and burglary-proof bars, where dust collects thickly.

Kitchen

• Keep food, plates and cups covered or in closed cupboards.
• Wipe counters before cooking, not just after.
• Cover water containers and keep drinking water sealed.

Air conditioners and fans

• Clean or rinse air-conditioner filters every week or two during the season, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wipe standing fans and their grilles, where dust builds up quickly.

Look after your health

If anyone in your home has asthma or allergies, wear a simple face mask while cleaning, keep their bedroom as dust-free as possible, and drink plenty of water. If symptoms are severe, talk to a doctor.

When to call in help

At the end of the season, dust builds up in places that are hard to reach: high fittings, behind furniture and inside frames and tracks. A deep clean clears it in one go so you can start the year fresh. For ongoing help, our house cleaning and office cleaning services keep dust under control week by week.