Info about Dust Mite Control
Safe, non-toxic dust mite control hints for your home to control dust mite allergy:
All rooms:
1) Minimize dust collecting materials that aggravate allergies in the home as much as possible. Items made of cloth like drapes, throw rugs, and textile upholstered furniture, as well as furs, feathers and carpets provide safe hiding for dust mites. Leather furniture and hard-surface floors are desirable when dust mite allergies are a problem.
2) While difficult for most, if possible, avoid keeping pets.
3) Keep indoor humidity under 70% with a dehumidifier and have any plumbing leaks that contribute to humidity repaired.
5) Use an air filtration system to remove dust particles from indoor air.
6) Keep windows and doors closed and as weather-tight as much as possible to avoid the entry of pollen and insects.
7) Avoid wet-mopping. Vacuum with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner (dust furniture and shelves before you vacuum so any dust that falls to the floor is captured by the vacuum cleaner).
8) Use a steam extraction machine with dust mite control combined with the carpet detergent mix on all non-washable carpets every 6 months. Take your time and be careful to suck up as much moisture as possible.
Bedrooms: all of the above apply plus
1) Use mattress in plastic or spray with enzyme cleaners as needed.
2) Washing sheets, pillows and throw-rugs in hot (140 degrees F or hotter) soapy water kills mites. Anti Allergy Control Solution can be mixed right into the wash cycle.
3) Avoid sleeping with pets.
More Strategies to Manage Dust Mite Allergies:
Bedrooms may be hazardous to your health. Most people occupy their bedrooms for about 1/3 of their lifetimes coming into close contact with bedding, carpeting and other cloth material. These materials harbor the allergy sufferers biggest enemy: dust mites. These tiny, microscopic creatures, thrive in warm, humid conditions on shed skin and moisture. They excrete particles that can trigger allergy symptoms long after the insects are gone.
Your mattress generally contains the highest concentration of dust mites in your home. Pillows and blankets rank a close second. Mattresses and box springs should be encased in zippered, dust-proof covers. When you sleep, your movements send allergens into the air and they are then breathed in. As mentioned above, washing your bed linens in hot water is crucial. Water needs to be about 140 degrees F to successfully kill dust mites. This creates a challenge as many people set their hot water temperature to 120 degrees F to prevent scalding. There are "instant hot" devices available that can be installed on your washing machine hot water line only if scalding is a concern in your home. Avoid bed designs that have canopies, upholstered headboards or any other feature that may attract more dust. Do not place a directly on the floor as it can create dampness. The bed should be supported by a frame that allow circulation underneath. Some have had success leaving an electric blanket turned on high during the day to dry out the humidity and kill the dust mites within their mattress. Wash blankets in hot water every two weeks and avoid blankets that are made of wool or filled with down.
Carpeting is likely to contain up to 100 times more allergens than hard floors. Hardwood, tile and vinyl flooring provide good alternatives, but you will still need to remove dust from them. Small rugs and throws, if laundered on a regular basis do not contribute too much to the problem. Carpeting (low-pile is the best choice if you must have carpeting) requires that you use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency air (HEPA) filter to capture particles without creating exhaust dust. HEPA grade filters eliminate 99% of dust. A central or portable air purifier with an electrostatic filter (like the SilentAir) will remove particles and some airborne dust mites. Air conditioning prevent the hot and humid conditions that stimulate mite growth.
Choose washable curtains and window shades for your window treatments instead of drapes of Venetian blinds. When you cleaning, clean the corners, moldings, light fixtures, shelves and door and window tops. Animals may cause allergic reactions, so it is best to keep them out of bedrooms or use an air filter.
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