Getting Rid Of Dust Mites

Dust mites are a major trigger of what causes asthma, eczema and other allergic reactions in the home.

What steps can you take in getting rid of dust mites in the home, in turn, minimising or eliminating the amount of dustmite related air borne allergens?

A recent study showed that as much as 10% of the population and 90% of allergic asthmatics had positive skin test to the house dust mite.

Fifty dust mites can fit on the head of a pin and up to 2 million can live in your mattress. They thrive in warm, dark, humid conditions in mattresses, doonas, pillows, underlays, blankets, quilts, carpets and rugs, upholstered furniture, curtains, clothes, soft toys. We spend a third of our day in bed where we inhale a large quantity of dust mites and their allergens. Dust mites allergy is a hyper-sensitivity to proteins in the faeces of dust mites. The protein attacks the respiratory passages, causing asthma and aggravate eczema.

No matter which method is used, whether dust mite spray, normal vacuum cleaning or even steam cleaning, there is no 100% effective method of eliminating dust mites.

Do not spray the house. It may worsen your symptoms. Normal vacuum cleaning, no matter how thorough, does not remove dust mites or their faeces. Steam cleaning only adds moisture to carpets, soft furnishings and bedding, providing another source of moisture for the dust mite and mould spores to thrive.

To make a difference, cover all bedding including mattress, pillows and doonas with dust mite covers. Avoid sheepskin mattress covers as they can harbour a large number of house dust mites which thrive on natural fibres, yet also can be difficult to wash and dry. If you must have a woolen underblanket, it should go inside the dust mite bedding cover.

Use bedding that can be washed often and easily, washable sheets, synthetic blankets and doonas, unlike woolen blankets and quilts.

Make sure the room is well ventilated by opening windows to reduce humidity, creating a drier environment for dust mites.

If you are sensitive to pollens, keep windows shut in the early morning and early evening when pollen counts tend to be at their highest. If security is an issue, there are alternatives available.

Replace heavy curtains and drapes with vertical blinds. If curtains are the only option, choose a cotton or muslin fabric which can also be washed in hot temperatures. This will also help people suffering from dust allergy symptoms. A tiny dust speck can contain not only dust mites but also pet dander, bacteria, material fibres, cockroach parts, mould spores, food particles and skin flakes.

Replace carpet with hard surface flooring such as vinyl, linoleum or wood, reducing dust. Not only are they easier to clean, they do not harbour dust mites. Use machine washable cotton rugs. If you must have carpet, choose a tightly woven short pile.

Minimise bedroom furniture and remove soft furnishings. Choose furniture with smooth, clean lines such as vinyl, leather and wood. Not only do they avoid the potential dust trap, but they make cleaning easier and more efficient.

Keep your pets outside. Animals in the house increase the number of dustmite. If you must bring pets in your home, do not allow them in the bedrooms.

Remove soft toys from the bedroom as they too harbour house dust mites. Place in the freezer for 48 hours, killing the dust mites.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends dust mites and their by products area major allergic factor and their control is essential in your asthma management plan.

Asthma NSW recommends that exposure can be minimised with dust mite control by using correct furniture fabrics, making housing too dry for mites to breed in, and using effective cleaning methods such a dust mites mattress treatment found at Mitey Fresh.

Getting rid of dust mites is near impossible. Avoiding them as much as possible, provides welcome relief.

Click here to see our range of dust mite covers.