How to Control Dust Mites
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Steps to Controlling Dust Mites in the Bedroom:
- Since you probably spend roughly one-third of your time in bed, that should be your first area of concern. Encase your pillows, mattress and box springs in dust mite proof bedding. This puts a barrier between your nose and the dust mites.
- Wash your blankets and sheets in hot water at least every two weeks. This will kill any live mites and wash out the accumulated dead mites and their feces. Allergen Wash is perfect for colors or fabrics that might fade
- If your bedroom is currently carpeted, you might want to consider replacing it with a hard, smooth surface such as hardwood, tile, or linoleum. Mites don’t fair well on these types of dry surfaces. If you can’t or prefer not to remove the carpet, vacuum very often.
- Decorative pillows, stuffed animals, and other dust mite friendly materials should be removed when possible. Eliminate their living space and you’ll see a reduction in their numbers.
- Furniture in the bedroom should be made of wood, vinyl or leather. (Nothing with cloth upholstering)
- Try and maintain humidity levels of 40% - 50%. Use a humidity gauge to monitor these levels and a humidifier or de-humidifier to control it.
- Use a certified HEPA vacuum in your home. While many regular vacuum cleaners actually stir up more dust than they capture, the HEPA vacuum sucks in and holds even the tiniest particles including the dust mites. Be wary when purchasing vacuums that claim to have HEPA “type” filters. It’s either HEPA or it isn’t.
- Use a certified HEPA purifier in the bedroom to filter out airborne particles.
- Finally, don’t place furniture over floor vents. Air carrying moisture through the vents causes moisture and mold to form on the underside of the furniture and that can fill the room with mold spores every time the central unit comes on. Check your house and make sure all vents are unobstructed.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 December 2009 )
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