It is estimated that about 5-10% of a society is allergic to dust mites. Are you suffering from it too? This is because dust mites can be found anywhere in the house and are difficult to detect. However, there are some of the best ways to combat them. Read on to know more!
A dust mite allergy can cause several symptoms: nasal congestion, frequent sneezing, a tightening sensation, itchy eyes, or even a headache. These are all annoying complaints that often occur with dust mite allergies. While it is nearly impossible to eliminate mites, it is possible to reduce their numbers significantly.
Incidentally, the allergy itself has little to do with the animal, but with its droppings. The latter is very light and, therefore, airborne and can only be inhaled.
Here are some tips to help reduce it:
1) Daily Morning Dusting
Bedrooms are a favorite place for mites. They live on human and animal skin scales and prefer high temperatures and humidity.
A simple habit of opening your bedding in the morning can be of great help. This will allow the moisture lost during the night to evaporate properly. It is also a good idea to open the curtains and windows for a while to allow for better ventilation in the room. Animals do not like daylight or fresh air.
If windows are open, bedding can be placed outside the window. The subzero cold not only kills the mites, but it also kills their eggs!
2) Vacuum the Mattress
Okay, your bed is covered in dust mites. But how do you eliminate the mites if the mattress won’t fit in the washing machine? Well, with a vacuum cleaner. Many modern vacuum cleaners have special brushes for cleaning mattresses.
If your mattress is more than 10 years old and you suffer from allergies, you may want to replace it.
3) Ventilation
Do you have a convenient ventilation grid in your home? Then use it and leave it open all day and night if possible. This will absorb moisture and help prevent dust mites. If you do not have a grill, you should open a window daily to ventilate your home.
4) Washing Bed Linens
If you are serious about tackling the mite problem, you should wash your bed linens at least once a week at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius. No unique anti-allergy products are needed. High temperatures do the job!
You should also wash your duvet, pillows, and mattress protectors occasionally; did you know that after two years, 10% of your pillows are made up of dead dust mites? Therefore, washing them quarterly at a minimum of 60 degrees is not a wasted luxury!
5) Clean Your Clothes
Placing laundry on the floor attracts critters. Therefore, please throw the laundry directly into the laundry basket or fold it neatly in the wardrobe.
6) Filter Suction
To keep dust levels down, it is important to vacuum regularly and clean the interior with a cloth; a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or allergen filter is best. Older vacuum cleaners can spread as much dust as they suck in.
7) Furniture
Fabric items attract dust mites. Therefore, choosing furniture made of smooth (artificial) leather is best. Also, smooth floors are naturally easier to clean than carpets.
8) Change Carpet to Laminate
Like your bed, your carpet is a mite haven. Your and your pet’s dead skin will invariably stick to the carpet and become food for dust mites. If you are allergic or sensitive, it is wise to remove the carpet, as it creates a few attractive places for dust mites as possible. Laminate, parquet, and tile are suitable in this case. If it is inconvenient to have carpets, choose carpets with short piles, clean them regularly, and use mite-repellent sprays.
Let us know if these few tips have helped!
