The mere thought of microscopic creatures living throughout our homes (even in bedding) makes most people cringe. This is especially true if you’ve ever seen an image of dust mites – they are downright ugly! It’s virtually impossible to eliminate them completely which makes controlling dust mites important for those that suffer from allergic reactions.
It’s critical that we become aware of how dust mites live. They feed on dead skin cells from humans and pets alike. These skin cells are shed daily without our knowledge. So, as you might expect, the cleaner you keep your home the better control you have over the mite population. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Wash Bedding Often
Dust mites die at high temperatures. Weekly washings of bedding materials with hot water will reduce the number of mites that inhabit your beds. Another helpful tip is to use anti allergy covers for your bed and pillows. This will stop the mites on these items from passing through pillow cases and sheets and into your respiratory system.
Clean Furniture Often
You can reduce the number of dust mites on your furniture by washing the coverings (if possible) every few weeks. Washable slip covers can also be implemented that can be removed and cleaned. Vacuuming furniture often will also remove many mites. Vinyl, leather, and wooden furniture do not allow for the mites to thrive. These are options to consider if you are considering new furniture in the near future.
Vacuum Regularly
As with cloth furniture, carpets tend to harbor dust mites. Daily or every other day vacuuming of your carpets will help keep dust mites at bay. The type of vacuum you use also matters. Consider getting a machine that contains a HEPA filter if possible. These vacuums will help keep the mites you’ve removed in the bag or canister.
Dust Regularly
Removing dust from your home on a regular basis should be another priority not only for mite control but for aesthetic reasons as well. Always use a damp cloth to keep the dust from simply spreading to another location. Because dust mites are related to spiders they are typically repelled by a citrus scent. You can make your own dusting spray by putting a few tablespoons of lemon juice into a quart size spray bottle. This spray can also be freely spritzed around your home especially on furniture and bedding.
Dust mites are simply a fact of life. We cannot completely rid our homes of them but they can be controlled. For those that suffer from allergies related to dust, a well implemented control strategy comprised of these tips will help reduce the effects.
Now, off to do some dusting!
Do you have allergies? I have a free report on the increased occurrence of allergies in the environment that you may find interesting. You can get this report and my free newsletter by entering your name and email address in the form on the side of this page.
 |
|
|