What the kit includes
Bust the Dust Kit is a kit for The Sims 4, released on March 2, 2021. It introduces a dynamic dust and cleanliness system that affects every floor of a Sim's home independently. The kit comes with five vacuums in two styles (handheld and floor models), two new aspirations, and a cast of dust creatures that spawn depending on how clean or messy the house gets.
How the dust system works
Homes cycle through four cleanliness states: Clean, Dusty, Dirty, and Filthy. A clean floor shimmers and gives Sims positive moodlets that improve crafting, cooking, and work-from-home performance. As rooms are used and left uncleaned, dust builds from a light film into visible piles and eventually a thick layer of grime with debris. Each stage carries its own moodlet effects. Dirty floors hinder socialization and focus, while filthy floors make Sims intensely uncomfortable.
Several existing traits interact with the system. Neat Sims vacuum more often on their own, Slob Sims refuse to vacuum, Lazy Sims ask others to clean for them, and Squeamish Sims react poorly to dusty surroundings. Maids will also autonomously vacuum when hired.
Dust bunnies and filth fiends
When a home reaches the Dusty state, dust bunnies can appear. These small creatures have button eyes and light brown noses. Sims can name them, feed them dust, pet them, and eventually befriend them. A befriended dust bunny can be asked to search for valuables like simoleons, upgrade parts, or collectibles. Up to three can live in a household.
If the home reaches Filthy, dust bunnies are replaced by filth fiends, aggressive creatures with glowing red eyes and black noses. Filth fiends with very high mischief levels risk spontaneous combustion, which can start fires in the home. Sims can try to appease them to lower their mischief.
Vacuums and aspirations
The kit adds five vacuums to buy mode, split between two handheld models and three floor models, ranging from cheap to expensive. More expensive vacuums clean faster. All vacuums need to be emptied regularly and can break from overuse. Four upgrades are available: Bottomless Pit (never needs emptying), Self-Charging Power Cell (works off the grid), Titanium Rotors (never breaks), and Vaporizing Pulse (floor vacuums only, clears dust in a radius). Children can use the handheld vacuums.
Two aspirations come with the kit. Perfectly Pristine is for Sims who want every surface spotless, while Filthy and Fabulous is for Sims who would rather let the grime build up and live alongside it.