Dust Mite Control
How do we prevent dust mites from taking over?
Old pillows and mattresses should be replaced to ease the suffering of anyone with dust mite allergies. The bodies that build up in these materials is phenomenal, and can be the cause of much suffering. Depending on how extreme your allergies are, extreme measures can be taken to protect yourself from allergic reactions to dust mites.
Plastic covers can and should be used for mattresses and furniture wherever possible. The mattress should be wiped down once a day with a damp cloth to prevent the accumulation of dust, which harbors the dust mites. Vacuuming should become almost a religion, with anything fabric (drapes, furniture, carpet, and blankets) being either vacuumed or washed at least once a week.
Carpets should be replaced with tile, hardwood, or linoleum where at all possible, since the fibers in the carpet are like dust mite high-rises. Hard floors should be swept and mopped at least once a week to keep dust down.
These measures might sound extreme, but dust mite allergies can be extremely debilitating. For the first vulnerable years of a child’s life, especially, it is important to keep exposure to dust mites to the minimum possible in order to keep them from suffering from these allergies in the future. For those of us that are already suffering, these measure might serve to make life indoors a little less painful for the future.
If you do find that you have dust mites living in your home, you can use the powders and sprays to kill them off, however, you’ll still need to prevent them from coming back. The first and most important means of prevention is to get a plastic cover, or something that dust mites can not penetrate, for your mattress. This, along with fitted sheets, will help prevent dust mites from getting inside.
You’ll also want to make sure you put your pillow through the wash every week and your sheets and blankets at least every couple of weeks. However, when you wash them, you’ll need to use very hot water, at least 130°F. The hot water will kill the dust mites, but if you have anything that can not be washed in hot water, you can kill dust mites by throwing the fabrics into the freezer for more than twenty-four hours. You’ll also want to wash the curtains every week or two, as well.
Other items that are important in the control of dust mites consist of cleaning often. Each day you should dust the plastic mattress cover and each week you’ll want to vacuum under the bed and clean the base of the bed and the frame. Always use a damp rag or a mop to do this so you don’t stir things up. You’ll also wan to vacuum your carpets every day to get rid of any dust mites living in them. If your children have any soft, fluffy, stuffed animals, you can also throw them in the freezer before you wash them, as well.
Unfortunately, dust mites aren’t easy to find, however, you can do a lot to prevent them from coming into your home. Cleaning is the number one prevention method. While they are not dangerous, they can cause allergies and if you suspect they are living with you, take care of them immediately. Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they are not there.