how does our lungs clean themselves from small things that get in them like dust?
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The cells coating the inside of your lungs (epithelial cells) have little hair-like structures called cilia which can vibrate and move a layer of fluid (mucus) produced by other cells known as goblet cells. Any irritant or pathogen can get stuck in this mucus as it is moved up to a position where it can be coughed out.
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Cilia and mucus. The dust/smoke/particles get trapped in the wet mucosa lining in the lungs. The lining and contaminants are continually pushed out of the lungs via the tiny hairs (cillia) to the throat. Big “blobs” of mucus cause a cough reflex to force the blockage out.
Boogers and coughs.
The other folk have the more scientific explanations, but when you clear your throat, the gunk thats moving around has all the little nasties trapped in it.
Ever notice how gross your boogers are after spending a day in a busy city? I notice it especially after being in London and travelling on the Tube (Subway) throughout the day. Your nose is like one of those sticky fly traps but for the particles you mention instead of bluebottles.
Your lungs are lined with tiny hairs which work together in rhythm to push particles to the top of your trachea (where your voice box is), so you can swallow them into your stomach and/or cough them up and swallow them.