What are the best ways to control dust mites in the home? Air conditioners and home dehumidifiers will help make your home a hostile environment for dust mites. Staying on top of your dusting and vacuuming will remove dust mites and keep your home dust-free.
Many people suffer from allergies and asthma. People often claim that there are some outdoor culprits to blame for their suffering. While this may be some of the problem, oftentimes your home can be a hotbed of allergens that are the cause of your anguish.
One of the allergen perpetrators in your home is the dust mite. The dust mite is a tiny relative of the spider and can only be seen with a microscope. These dust mites dine on skin particles that we and our four-legged friends leave behind. Dust mites tend to take up residence in our beds, carpets, furniture and curtains, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Services.
Luckily, we can kick out most of these unwanted roommates. Although we can never fully remove dust mites from our homes, we can definitely remove most and make our homes healthier places to live. Tom Kallstrom, Director of Respiratory Care and Biometrics at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, says, "A dust mite requires 50 percent relative humidity to survive, so the most important factor is to maintain a relative humidity in your home of 50 percent. Air conditioning is one way to dehumidify your home, but if you don't have an air conditioner, or you don't want to run up your utility bill, invest in a good dehumidifier."
One of the dust mite's favorite places to snuggle up is in your bed. That is why Kallstrom recommends you "wash your sheets at least once a week in very hot water."
"Washing bed linens in water that's at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit will kill dust mites," Kallstrom says. He also warns us of stuffed animals. They can also carry dust mites and should be washed or put in the freezer overnight to kill the dust mites.
Your furniture is also a haven for dust mites. Kallstrom says that it is best to create a barrier between us and the furniture by using blankets or furniture covers on our mattresses, couches and pillows.
"Also, since carpet is a breeding ground for allergens, including dust mites, you should remove carpet and keep your hardwood floors dust free as much as possible. If that's not feasible (if you live in an apartment, for instance), then frequent dusting and vacuuming are in order. Check the Consumer Reports web site at www.consumerreports.org to find ratings for the best vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers," Kallstrom says. The National Institute of Environmental Health Services says that it is a good idea to wear a mask while vacuuming if afflicted with allergies or asthma and to use a damp cloth to dust to prevent making the dust airborne.
Although many people suffer from allergies and asthma, we do not have to be held captive by them in our homes. By following the simple procedures above we can almost completely eliminate dust mites from our dwellings.
