Dust, Lint, how do you manage it?
 

I have 350 Sq Ft in my workshop. I run a small batch cut/sew production company and am finding the dust/lint is overwhelming. I clean, sweep, vacuum and mop almost daily but that is not enough.

Is anyone using or have experience with air filtration systems?

Thank you

I don't have an answer for you on filtration systems...sorry. I know that the professional cutters in the apparel industry keep a vacuum system on their walls and clean up regularly...probably 8 or 9 times a day. At home, I've found that keeping a wet rag around to wipe up the dust as you go really helps. I'll be curious to see if anyone comes up with a filtering system.

~ C

i would do some research on a woodworking site. in my magazines there are ads for shop systems that do what you need.

I keep a air cleaner running in my sewing room. and I have several in my house also. I got the tower ones, and the newer ones are black now, from Walmart. they are pricer now, I think over $100, now, but it sure cuts down on the dusting, and the layers in the sewing room.

For that amount you may need to seek professional help. You are breathing that too - so you need a good system.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will get busy doing some research and post what I find

I would definitely buy some type of a good filtration system. DH suggested you go online and read the reviews (Best Buy, Lowe's, Home Depot) and pick the very best one. With the size of your room and the amount of dust that you are having, he suggests buying two. One suggestion I have is to find out if you can wash the filters. We have an cold air return that needs a filter and we found one that we can wash and put back in almost immediately. You have to think of all that dust that is going into your lungs. Please find something that works good and do it soon. Your health is worth it.

How often are you changing your furnace filters and is there a better one for your size? The more expensive ones do a better job. My DH tried a cheaper filter and I could tell it very quickly by how often I was dusting. He has gone back to buying the better filters and has always changed them every month.

I worked in a garment factory. We had huge filtration systems up high, near the ceiling. They had metal panels that were pulled out & rinsed off, when they got round to it. Thing is we breathed in fabric dust as it filtered from our machines up thru the air, before it got to the system. Once it's airborne you are breathing it in. These large units also cost a bundle.

This article, on a wood working site, explains about "Dust Particle Size and and Respiratory Health" & different type of filtration systems. http://www.rockler.com/skill-builder...fine-wood-dust

The best way would be to catch the dust before it gets airborne if possible.

If your set up is small you could try a box fan with a furnace filter attached to it. I know some people, that have parrots, use this method to catch all the fine talc type parrot dust. They use the cut to fit blue or green filters. Turn the fan on & it will suck the filter to it.

Another option is a company called "Gizmo Breeze". They make a filter for a "20" inch box fans that attach with magnets. They only fit 20 inch fans, that also have the knobs on top. http://www.gizmobreeze.com/home.html

What ever system you choose it should be set up close to your cutting table, if that's where the most dust is made.

Feather3