Photo by Enrico Carcasci on Unsplash.

As originally posted on MaiUupNorth here.

TOP TIPS FOR REDUCING DUST MITES IN YOUR HOME

House dust mites are present in every home and can be the reason why you are waking up every morning with that ‘bunged’ up feeling, sneezing more often, feeling wheezy and having a runny nose. These mites are known in some cases to exacerbate eczema and their droppings are a known trigger for asthma.

Did you ever notice that these symptoms tend to get worse when having a spring clean? The average mite measures in about 0.25mm, so it tends to be a case of ‘out of sight out of mind’, leaving them free to feast on human skin scales whilst multiplying rapidly within our homes.

Did you know that each mite can lay up to 80 eggs within 6 weeks?

Our humid, modern homes provide all the ingredients for 5* accommodation they will thrive in. They can be found in curtains, carpets and any dark place where food is plentiful. Their preferred stomping ground is within our mattresses. Research tells us they are up to 3 times more likely to be found in our beds than in carpets.

It is almost impossible to remove all dust mites from our homes however there are simple steps we can take to significantly lower their population and limit our exposure to them.

• Use breathable allergen-proof barrier covers on all bedding and mattresses
• Weekly wash all sheets, duvets covers etc… at 60 degrees centigrade or above
• Air your bed daily by folding back the duvet
• Use pillows filled with polyester fibers instead of kapok or feathers
• Vacuum all floors twice weekly paying particular attention to rugs and carpets
• Wash all hard floors twice weekly
• Wash throws and where possible rugs in warm water regularly
• Damp – wipe all surfaces weekly (pelmet tops, curtain poles, window sills, tops of cupboards and so forth)
• Vacuum all surfaces of upholstered furniture twice weekly
• Washable stuffed toys should be washed frequently at 60 degrees or above. Alternatively place toys in a plastic bag in the freezer for at least 12 hours once a month and then wash at the recommended temperature
• Use extractor fans in bathrooms to help get rid of condensation
• Use light washable cotton curtains and wash them frequently
• Avoid drying clothes on radiators as this creates extra humidity

It is important to remember that whilst regular cleaning maintains the reduction of house mites, your home would benefit from deep cleans every quarter. Wearing a breathable mask whilst cleaning can help reduce symptoms however for those with a proven allergy, it might be worth considering enlisting a family member or friend to help or to employ a domestic cleaner. If you’d like to see our rates please visit our booking page.