Sweep your rugs and carpets with a broom. These brooms are self cleaning because dirt doesn't stick to the natural bristles like it does to a synthetic broom. Sweep in the direction of a dustpan or a door that leads outside to help minimize the mess.

Vacuum the carpets and cloth-covered furniture to get rid of as much dust as you can. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or a special double-thickness bag, which collects dust-mite particles and pollen. Standard paper bag filters may allow the stirred-up allergens to escape back into the room.