Fight Dust and Dust Mites in the Home
While many may believe that pollution exists only outside of the home, the truth is that the home can be one of the most concentrated areas of pollution. And some types of allergens only multiply and cause more allergic reactions. Dust mites, for instance, are a major allergen that can cause serious allergy symptoms in your home.
Dust mites are tiny with translucent bodies, measuring something between .008-.012 inches. As a part of the spider family, this creepy crawlies live in dust and feed on dead skin cells from humans. The dust mites’ gut, digestive enzymes and faeces cause humans to have strong allergic reactions. The symptoms of dust mite allergies include wheezing, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and sinus infections.
Worse yet, dust mites are hardy creatures. In fact, dust mite eggs are able to tolerate and survive freezing temperatures for extended amounts of time. However, dust mites are vulnerable to direct sunlight, hot temperatures, and water.
When you are constantly congested or sneezing, it’s very likely that your home air needs to be treated. If your HVAC system is in good working order and you’ve dealt with every other possibility for improving the air quality of your home, another step to improving your home life is to actively fight the population of dust mites in your home.
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Purchase pillow and mattress allergy barriers
Although not cheap, anti-allergy bedding creates a hostile environment for dust mites and helps to protect the place where you rest from extra allergens. This often vinyl covers zip in allergens rather than constantly exposing you to the population of dust mites within the mattress or pillow. If you have a known dust allergy, this will certainly help you as well.
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Wash sheets weekly
Of course, it’s the intention to wash bed sheets on a routine basis, but it doesn’t always happen. However, if you are dealing with extensive allergies, this small chore can greatly improve your quality of breathing. Washing the sheets in hot water will also kill off the dust mites between the hot temperature water.
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Minimize items that collect dust
When dealing with dust allergies, having fewer items that collect dust makes all the difference, especially in the bedroom. Keep stuffed animals, books, rugs, and curtains in other rooms besides the bedroom. Better yet, whatever you don’t need to have, opt to get rid of. Giving these items a new home somewhere else in the house can help keep your allergies under control.
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Ice Teddy (or other stuffed animals)
Dust mites are notorious for making homes in stuffed animals. And before you throw out all the stuffed animals, just chuck them one at a time in the deep freeze for a few hours. Extreme temperatures for long periods of time kill off the dust mite population.
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Dust and clean
Of course, this seems like a no-brainer, but when was the last time you dusted and cleaned? Can’t remember? Staying on top of the cleaning throughout your home helps cut down on airborne allergies and even the dust mite population. If you aren’t keen on chemically-based cleaners, many stores offer organic options, while the internet provides many DIY cleaners.
Preventing allergies by keeping a clean home and using these tricks will be so much easier. Say goodbye to the dust mites and the sneezing! Of course, if you want to improve your entire home’s air quality, be sure to have your HVAC system cleaned and maintained by an air specialist.
Here are a few more services to look into:
- Air Conditioning Repair Mesa
- Air Conditioning Chandler AZ
- Heating and Cooling Mesa AZ
- AC Repair Gilbert
