Carpets are great for what they do. They can make the room warm and comfortable. Getting out of bed in the winter on a cold floor is unbearable.
Carpets also accumulate dust and dirt. As you walk across the carpet the the dust is stirred up and the dirt is forced deeper and deeper down. That same walking also grinds the dirt against the carpet material and dust particles turning these same particles into microscopic pieces.
Now it's time to clean! Get out that vacuum! You turn it on and the first thing you do is notice that musky smell! And then, as always, you think "what's that musky smell?"
So you start cleaning and after you finish the carpet looks all clean and fresh.
So what's wrong with this picture?.
I NEED TO EXPLAIN HOW THE VACUUM WORKS.
You turn it on and it sucks up the trash and blows it into the filter bag. The air then filters out of the bag and back into the air trapping the trash inside.
But the filter can only trap the particles larger than the holes in the bag. The smaller microscopic particles go back into the air, hence your problem. This won't control dust, just make the problem worse.
And that smell, that's the mold and mildew growing on the trash from the last time you cleaned.
The solution. Get a more efficient vacuum,(very expensive), Or do what I did. RIP UP THE CARPET AND LAY SOME TILE!
Either way, problem solved. (At least somewhat!)
So you have little or no carpet.
Kids in and out and who knows what is on the feet of everybody who walks across the floor. (Well I do)
Brooms do exactly what they were intended. Move the dirt and stuff from one point to another. Very efficient.
The same walking does the same stirring and grinding action on that dirt on the floor also. When you sweep, the same thing happens. The big stuff goes into a pile and the microscopic particles go right up into the air.
Again your problem.
Solution, damp mop first to get the little particles stuck to the wet mop. Get out the broom and finish the job. The Swiffer or similar is excellent. Problem solved! (somewhat)
So from these examples it doesn't matter what the source the same result takes place.
Air conditioner filter.
Now this is what I believe to be the knockout blow to finish the job you started. Inefficient air conditioner filters. It is impossible to eliminate all the sources of dust. Lint from clothes, pets, (I don't allow inside pets) and other odd sources are going to accumulate. Let the circulation action of your air conditioner help with the task. Get a HEPA high quality filter and change it often.
3M makes an excellent one that I personally recommend. I buy them at Lowes.
I hope this will solve your problem. Healthy air is a basic for health and dust in your house is a problem easily solved. If you have a specific question contact me and I will do my best to get you a straight answer.