They’re invisible to the naked eye, and found in every home. And, for anyone suffering from allergy or asthma, they can make your life miserable. Who or what are we talking about? None other than dust mites.
These tiny creatures nestle down deep into couch cushions, upholstered chairs, carpeting, and bedding. They live off organic matter such as dead skin and, of course, dust. And no matter how immaculate you keep your home, they are impossible to eliminate completely.
Fortunately, you can reduce your dust mite population and lessen allergy and asthma symptoms simply by changing the environment inside your home. Here are 10 tips for ridding your home of dust mites.
- Since dust mites are most commonly found in bedrooms – specifically, the bed – protect your mattress and pillows with dust mite covers.
- Wash your sheets in hot water (at least 130 degrees F) often, and at least once a week.
- Vacuum upholstered chairs, sofas, drapes, and mattresses frequently. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap allergens.
- When dusting, use a damp cloth as opposed to a dry duster. Feather dusters pretty much serve only to move dust around, and not pick it up.
- Combine 2 cups of water, 5 drops of liquid soap, and 30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a spray bottle and spray your mattress, bedding, and upholstered furniture once a day.
- Reduce dust collecting clutter in the bedroom, such as stuffed animals, books, and piles of clothing.
- Dust mites thrive in carpeting, so consider replacing wall-to-wall carpet with hardwood, laminate, or tile flooring.
- For items that are difficult to wash, such as your child’s favorite stuffed animals, place them in the freezer for 48 hours every few weeks to kill dust mites.
- Humidity provides an ideal breeding ground for dust mites, so keep humidity levels in your home below 50% either with a whole house humidity control system or a room dehumidifier.
- Ventilate your home by opening windows for at least 30 minutes a day.
Here at Optimum Air, we have numerous means to further help rid your home of dust mites, including a whole-house air filtration. More than dust mites, it will remove multiple airborne pollutants that may causing or aggravating asthma and allergy problems. Contact us today for more information or free indoor air quality proposal.