Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 26, 2000 05:26pm | #1

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   I'd agree with static electricity - especially if it's on your plastics. Try a humidifier.

   The dust over your baseboards is probably from air currents caused by the heat. The more air that travels past the walls, the more dust it will deposit.

   If you've got baseboard heat, this probably won't be an option but a good filter on a forced air system will take out alot of the dust in the air.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 26, 2000 06:06pm | #3

   *I would guess that the outlet and switches you are talking about are on an outside wall. Don't know what the chemical reaction is that causes the darkness, but would guess that the problem is caused by outside air infiltration. Have the same problem and can take off the cover and feel air infiltration. I run a humidifier every winter and don't feel that low humidity is the problem. Probably need to install some of those foam things behind the covers. Don't know how you prevent it on the baseboard heaters, but have seen this happen even in hot water convectors near the baseboard.Good luck, Jared

2. 
   Anthony_Cimino | Jan 26, 2000 06:06pm | #2

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   I noticed a fine dusty/dirty film on all plastic items around the home...outlets, switches, baffles on recessed lighting and about 1 foot on the walls directly above recently installed hot water Slantfin baseboard heating. I am remodeling an older home, a room at a time, for approx. 3 yrs. and this is the first winter that I noticed this residue, someone suggested that perhaps it could have something to do with too much static electricity in my home? If so, please give some remedies or can you suggest any other causes. Very frustrated since first floor is 95% complete and already needs to be repainted.