Cate in NZ Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Dust What on earth is it all about I'm not exactly ever going to win housewife of the year award, but I've been out of work for the past month and have quite enjoyed "playing house". I've cooked and cleaned and shopped to my heart's content, you could eat your breakfast off my kitchen floor it's so clean . I put my washing on the line.....and then dash out to bring it in when it rains....then I trog back out again, peg basket in hand to stick it all out again when the rain stops. Even my ironing pile is a lot less tower of Pisa-ish than is my normal style . But it's the dust.......where the heck does it come from Does it actually serve any purpose I only whipped round with the trusty microfibre cloth on Monday.....and there's dust forming again today . Is it true that I'm really a total sloven...I swear I've never dusted this much in the past....or does too much dusting actually create more dust I know, hardly a major metaphysical debate, but it's driving me crackers. Other current concerns include why do umbrellas blow inside out at the very first hint of wind and rain together. Do umbrella manufacturers not realise that quite often wind and rain occur at the same time . And why does NZ chocolate not taste as good as British Answers on a postcard please Off now to do the dusting.....again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 oh, kate, you made a huge mistake - DONT DUST IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! it doesnt matter how bored you are - dont do it. as for chocolate, I think that chocolate manufacturers change the ingredients depending on the country that the chocolate is sold in. it should always be just over melt in the mouth temperature, and melting temp changes depending on the temp outside - it shouldnt melt in the hand (does this make sense or am I waffling ) im sure that if you try all of the chocolate in the town that you live, you might find one that could be a new favourite or you will enjoy trying well done about the job cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reikiranf Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Haven't a clue though there are some horrible statistics about how much household dust is made up of dead skin cells Get yourself a nice ostrich featherduster, a quick flick round every day only takes a few minutes I can't remember the last time I actually wet dusted or got the polish out But the furniture never looks dusty (the floor's another matter ) Dh's asthma is fine he rarely uses his Ventolin inhaler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Maybe NZ dust is worse than that in the UK. Volcanic ash or summat. You won't notice it when you get back to work. As for the umbrella issue....get yourself one of those nice little plastic rain hoods that tie under the chin instead. If they don't sell them in NZ I'll send you half a dozen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I hate to say it, but think it is mainly dead skin cells I don't have enough experience dusting to answer your questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 As for the umbrella issue....get yourself one of those nice little plastic rain hoods that tie under the chin instead. If they don't sell them in NZ I'll send you half a dozen. Cheers Egluntine.....I think I might stick with the drowned rat look I remember my grandmother wearing those, and extolling their virtues to grandchildren. Not quite my style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 It is a proven fact that the action of dusting creates more dust and you should stop at once!! You can buy umberellas that don't blow inside out - I have a see-through one with a pink edge........ As Cathy says, keep testing the chocolate....... ....and Egluntine - we'll need photos of you in your rain bonnets I haven't seen one of those in years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Oh the memories come flooding back! I had a few of those as a child in Scotland, they call them Rainmates up there. I always managed to pull the wrong end and turned it into a tight knot under my chin which, when soaking wet (as is the norm in Scotland) would be a nightmare to undo! Oh the joys of childhood. What with that and the permanent red ring round my legs with wearing wellies when your socks work themselves down under your feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Does that make you old enough to remember gloves on a string through your sleeves and knitted balaclavas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I remember my mother had a particularly natty clear plastic rain hat with large green flowers on it. I also remember them appearing as gifts in Christmas crackers. Sorry Kate, dust? I find wearing long sleeves helps... any time I happen across a surface in my house that has been "missed", it gets the swift arm treatment... Of course, you could always tuck a duster down your knickers for ease of access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 ....or you could even use old pants as a duster........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Ah, but if Kate is going to be walking around her home from now on, with a duster secreted in one of her pockets, imagine how embarrassing it would be were she to whip out her "old pants" duster in company... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Does that make you old enough to remember gloves on a string through your sleeves and knitted balaclavas? I certainly am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Stick this on your fridge door - if anyone dares to mention dust in my house they are directed straight to this. Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture, write a letter bake a cake, or plant a seed ponder the difference between want and need. Dust if you must, but there is not much time with rivers to swim and mountains to climb music to hear and books to read friends to cherish and life to lead. Dust if you must, but the world's out there the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain, this day will not come round again. Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go, as go you must You, yourself, will make more dust! Author unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Does that make you old enough to remember gloves on a string through your sleeves and knitted balaclavas? Actually now you mention it............... I'm younger than I look you know!! Its all the worry over these chickens, they'll be the death of me. Now, where's my tartan balaclava.......? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) I've noticed the dust more since being on maternity leave, I'm sure there was never this much dust when I was going to work On the subject of dead skin (sorry ) I love vacuuming the mattresses with my dyson and seeing how much "dust" comes out! They get done regularly but it never fails to surprise me just how much comes out!!! (Ok, so I'm a bit odd. But I was always taught to play to my strengths!) Edited July 30, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Well, I suppose vacuuming mattresses is marginally better than dusting with old pants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 From Wikipedia...... According to the German Environmental Survey, approximately 6 mg/m²/day of house dust is formed in private households,[3] depending primarily on the amount of time spent at home. Nearly 1000 dust particles per square centimeter settle on domestic surfaces every hour.[1] Some dust consists of human skin; it is estimated that the entire outer layer of skin is shed every day or two at a rate of 7 million skin flakes per minute, which corresponds to a mass emission rate of about 20 mg/minute.[4] Kate, its all your own doing! Spend more time out of the house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Well, I suppose vacuuming mattresses is marginally better than dusting with old pants I do that too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 You lot crease me up! What a tonic you are, and an antidote to all the negativity I've been hearing lately. I needed a good belly laugh, and the stitches don't hurt any more when I cackle. Kate - get those knickers out and get polishing you sloven! I remember those plastic rain bonnets; an elderly lady of my acquaintance (no, it's not Barbara) wears them over her blue rinse. Kate, Hon... shall I post you over some Green and Blacks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 From Wikipedia...... According to the German Environmental Survey, approximately 6 mg/m²/day of house dust is formed in private households,[3] depending primarily on the amount of time spent at home. Nearly 1000 dust particles per square centimeter settle on domestic surfaces every hour.[1] Some dust consists of human skin; it is estimated that the entire outer layer of skin is shed every day or two at a rate of 7 million skin flakes per minute, which corresponds to a mass emission rate of about 20 mg/minute.[4] Kate, its all your own doing! Spend more time out of the house! There's the answer then! Go out a lot. I knew it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I suspect you stirred up the dust when you moved in and have been annoying it ever since. Let it rest. When it has rested for a good period it forms and even layer and it less noticable The only thing that gets dusted regularly in this house is the tv screen and then only when it looks like a smog has formed on all programmes It is cobwebs which annoy me, we rarely see a spider but our house is full of fine cobwebs and they catch the dust and in certain light it looks like a scene from Great Expectations, that was the one where the lady was jilted and lived in her wedding dress isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Speaking as someone more than old enough to remember rain hats and mittens on string, I think I'm probably now prohibited from shifting some of my dust on the basis it's due to be scheduled as an ancient monument and the dinosaur footprints in it make such pretty patterns ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Stick this on your fridge door - if anyone dares to mention dust in my house they are directed straight to this. Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture, write a letter bake a cake, or plant a seed ponder the difference between want and need. Dust if you must, but there is not much time with rivers to swim and mountains to climb music to hear and books to read friends to cherish and life to lead. Dust if you must, but the world's out there the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain, this day will not come round again. Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go, as go you must You, yourself, will make more dust! Author unknown That is fantastic! I'm going to have a copy in every room... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Speaking as someone more than old enough to remember rain hats and mittens on string, I think I'm probably now prohibited from shifting some of my dust on the basis it's due to be scheduled as an ancient monument and the dinosaur footprints in it make such pretty patterns ... - join the club I like the poem above as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
