The dust mite is a formidable adversary because it is incredibly prolific, and its food source (dead skin) is unlimited. So how do you get rid of it and get your allergies under control? Well there's good news and bad.
The bad news is that nothing will get rid of them completely. The good news is that you can greatly reduce their population and the aggravating and sometimes debilitating allergy symptoms that result because of them. Here are 7 insider tips on how.
1. Dust mites generally camp out in the bedroom, your bed in particular. They love warm and dark, so your mattress, pillows, and bed linens are perfect nesting places. Add moisture from body perspiration and they are "snug as bugs" so to speak. One way to greatly reduce the population is to remove their food source. Cover your mattress and pillows with organic cotton encasing that prevents dust mites from entering.
2. Wash all bed linens weekly in water that is 140 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. This will kill the mites and eggs and interrupt the reproduction cycle.
3. Carpeting anywhere, and particularly in the bedroom, is a great place for mites to multiply. Replace carpet with wood floors, tile, or linoleum. These materials are easier to clean, and gives them no place to hide. Use area rugs that can be washed or cleaned often.
4. Try making the bedroom off limits to pets at least temporarily until the dust mite problem is under control. Once you feel you have reduced the mite population, you can try letting your pet into the bedroom again and monitor your symptoms. If symptoms escalate, you may be allergic to pet dander in addition to the mites.
5. If you are trying to eliminate mites from a child's room, make sure you put any stuffed animals in bags and store in the freezer for several days. Mites won't survive the cold. Use this procedure with all of the stuffed toys each week, and rotate toys from your child's room to the freezer on a weekly basis.
6. Avoid making your bed right away. Turning back the covers gives moisture a chance to evaporate, and mites are killed by sunlight. There you have it-2 official reasons for not making up the bed-at least not right away.
7. One of the best ways to reduce mite population continuously and without any effort on your part is to use a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifier. By definition it will remove airborne pollutants as small as .3 microns with 99.97% efficiency, and this includes mites.
Constantly filtering the air in your bedroom and your home will greatly reduce the dust mite population.
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