Tips to Dust Mite Proof your Bedroom
The detrimental dust mites are present mostly in our places with fabrics all over your home. They tend to feed on your dead skin and hair and cause infections. Various serious ailments like asthma and allergies are caused with the presence of the dust mites. The most vulnerable individuals are children and elders. Dust mites increase their growth during the pollen season making the bedroom a toxic place. Their growth during the summer and rainy season is on a peak and also there is a widespread layer of their faeces.
Dust mites generally dwell on beds, mattress and other places like a sofa, curtain, pillows and upholstery areas. They prefer warm and moist surroundings to flourish. They feed on dander (human and animal dead skin). They tend to leave behind a large amount of debris and faeces which make it possible to spread allergies. Most of the individuals are prone to dust mite allergies and suffer from various ailments like itching, watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing, Hay fever, Asthma, difficulty in breathing, Nasal congestion, facial pressure, pain, frequent awakening, swollen blue coloured skin under the eyes and so on.
Dust mites are present all-round the year, so do the allergies. The worst times are during the summer and the rainy seasons. Various conditions which are apt for the dust mite production are High humidity, poor ventilation, high temperatures, indoor air pollution and smoke. You can detect them if any of your family members tends to report allergic conditions. They are easily spread by an individual or an animal’s movement or by air. In order to avoid these destructive creatures from developing we should follow certain steps;
Bedding covers: One of the most effective ways to kill the dust mites is to enclose your mattress top and the sides with a plastic cover or any other durable material. Also dust mite impervious covers are available in the market.
Vacuum: Regularly vacuuming the beds, pillows, mattresses and all other fabrics and by covering your mattress with an airtight plastic or polyurethane cover will reduce the growth of the dust mites. It is advisable to buy mattresses covered with fitted sheets which prevent the accumulation of the human dead skin and hair for the mites to feed on. These sheets re also water proof and avoid the deposits of moisture on them.
Washing: Regularly wash your beddings and all other surrounded fabrics in hot water. They should be washed every two weeks in order to avoid the growth of the dust mites. You can also put a dust mite proof cover on your pillows. The water in which your bedding is washed has to be heated well. If your bedding is not apt for a hot water wash you can freeze them with the lowest of temperatures and kill the dust mites.
Synthetic fabrics: Make use of synthetic fabrics and replace the feather and down pillows with synthetic materials. Woollen blankets can be replaced with cotton or cellulose blankets and make sure you wash all your child’s soft toys as well. It is advisable that you cover your beddings with encasements in order to avoid bed bugs a well.
Temperature: The temperature and the humidity in your bedroom should be reduced as dust mites’ increase in warmth conditions. The thermostat in your home should be set below 70 degrees. Also make sure that every morning you leave your bedding exposed to the sun or air so as to reduce the growth of the dust mites.
Regular cleaning: Regular cleaning up of your home is advisable. You should also change your pillowcases, sheets and blankets every week followed by vacuuming. Also the floor should be cleaned and mopped with the use of a damp cloth rather than using a dry mop.
Alternatives: Materials which cannot be washed in cold or warm water should be steam cleaned. As the steam dissolves the grime and dirt and is also an economical and environment friendly method. This is one of the easiest ways to kill the mites and bed bugs.
Carpets: Avoid carpeting your floor and instead opt to install laminate flooring like wood, linoleum, tile and vinyl. Follow a regular routine to vacuum your upholstery and carpet with high efficiency filtered vacuum machine.
De- Humidifier: Usage of an HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorption) is recommended. Also you can use a de-humidifier and keep it clean to avoid the mould growth.
Pest control: Apart from these home remedies, you can also hire professional dust mite killers to get rid of the dust mites.
Also read:
How to Choose a Right Pest Control Company?
