How To Practice Dust Mite Control In Your Home!
In case you didn’t know, dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in bedding, carpets, drapes, furniture, and just about anywhere dust accumulates. They feed off of dead animal and human skin cells, which are shed daily without our even knowing it. Dust mites and skin cells are too small to see, and it’s a good thing – dust mites are ugly critters!
Can you totally get rid of dust mites? Well, not really. Because of their tiny size, getting rid of them entirely is a bit unrealistic. But keeping their numbers and your allergic reactions down is certainly feasible. Here are a few tips:
1) Dust Regularly
This is a no-brainer! Remove the dust from your home regularly, but make sure you use a damp cloth to keep the dust from becoming airborne.
Did You Know? Dust mites are not insects, but they are arachnids, meaning they are related to spiders. Spiders are repelled by citrus scent, so when you dust, dampen the cloth with citrus-scented spray. Make your own by putting a few tablespoons of lemon juice or a few drops of lemon/orange essential oil into a 1-quart spray bottle. In addition to dampening your dusting cloth with this solution, spritz it freely around the house, including onto your mattress, furniture, and bedding.
2) Vacuum
Speaking of vacuuming, you’ll need to vacuum your floors daily if you want to decrease the number of dust mites in your home, especially if you have carpet. (If you do have carpet, getting rid of it is a good step toward keeping dust mites at bay.) If your vacuum does not have a HEPA filter, get one that does. It’s a worthy investment.
3) Wash Bedding Weekly
You’ll need to wash your bedding regularly in hot water (dust mites die at high temperatures). Weekly washings are ideal. Encase your mattress in an anti-allergy cover that is like a giant pillowcase for your mattress. Such covers are made from materials that will prevent the dust mites from passing through the mattress and into your respiratory passages. Encase pillows with similar covers. You can do a search online for “dust mite bedding.”
Did You Know? Dust mites die at freezing temperatures. A case freezer is ideal for this . . . put pillows and children’s stuffed animals in plastic bags and put them in the freezer for 24 hours. This will kill the dust mites on those items.
4) Clean Upholstered Furniture & Drapery
If your furniture has removable covers, have them cleaned or, wash them every few weeks in water that is as hot as the manufacturer recommends. If your furniture does not have removable covers, clean the fabric surface with hypo-allergenic or natural cleaner every few weeks.
If you can, invest in leather, vinyl or wooden furniture that is inhospitable to dust mites. Vacuum your furniture every few days, too.
Clean your drapes every few weeks, or remove them entirely.
5) Filter the Air
Change the filter in your heating and cooling system often, and use filters that are manufactured to keep out dust mites. And, consider investing in an air purifier to filter out airborne mites.
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Practicing these dust mite control tips will go long way toward keeping dust mites at bay and maintaining a cleaner, healthier environment.
