Feeding on flakes of skin, dust mites are so tiny, they are microscopic, and they can live on your curtains, carpet, furniture, and even on your bedding. During the spring and summer, dust mites are able to thrive due to the warm and humid conditions, which is bad news for allergy suffers. While most think of outdoor allergens during this time of year, our homes are breeding grounds for dust mites. Dust mite numbers increase rapidly during the hot and humid summer months and can cause itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, and wheezing in sensitive individuals. Unfortunately, dust mites are present in everyone’s homes, no matter how much you clean. But if you have a dust mite allergy, there are steps you can take to reduce the numbers.
If you suffer from a dust mite allergy, learn more about the preventive strategies available to help you reduce the numbers in your home.
• At least once a week, wash all of your bedding and blankets in hot water to kill dust mites. If you have items that cannot be washed, you can place them in a plastic bag and freeze overnight.
• Make sure you vacuum often and use a vacuum cleaner that features a HEPA filter to trap allergens that pass through the exhaust. While vacuuming, you should always wear a mask to avoid inhaling allergens and allow the area to settle by staying out of it for 20 minutes after cleaning.
• Clean surfaces often, as the dust settles everywhere. However, when cleaning a dusty surface, make sure you use a damp mop or rag, and never a dry cloth. Using a dry cloth to clean up dust will only stir up the allergens into the air.
• Humidity levels are essential in the fight against dust mites. If the air inside your home is humid, then you need to dehumidify the air to help keep the number of dust mites down. Dust mites thrive in humidity, so purchase a dehumidifier to maintain the humidity levels in your everyday environment.
• Purchasing dust-proof, allergen-proof covers to encase your pillows and mattress can go a long way in keeping your bed impermeable to dust mites. Using covers is especially beneficial if you cannot wash or wipe down your pillow and mattress. Read this content here to get the best kind of mattress and some fluffy pillows.
• If possible, or if you are remodeling, avoid wall-to-wall carpeting and stick with bare floors, such as wood, tile, or linoleum. Also, avoiding upholstered furniture and fabric curtains can also help keep the number of dust mites down in your home.
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