Having your mattress cleaned will pulverize and extract all the dust mites, bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, harmful organisms and other sediment that accumulates in your mattress.
Managing House Dust Mites
House dust mites are found in most homes. They are microscopic, 8-legged creatures. They do not bited or burrow under the skin or live in skin follicles.
The concern about dust mites is that many people are allergic to them. Symptoms associated with dust mite allergies include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, stuffy ears, respiratory problems, eczema, and (in severe cases) asthma. Many people notice these symptoms when they stir up dust during cleaning activities. Dust also contains other allergens, including cat and dog dander, cigarette ash, cockroach droppings, mole spores and pollen.
How can you find out if you're allergic to dust mites? An allergist, a medical doctor who specializes in treating allergies, should be consulted for proper diagnosis.
The dust mite allergen is their tiny feces and body fragments which are composed of dust. These particles are so small, they can become airborne and inhaled when dust is disturbed.
House dust mites are so small they are virtually invisible without magnification. Female mites lay cream-colored eggs coated with a sticky substance so eggs will cling to the substrate. The entire life cycle from egg to adult takes 3-4 weeks.
House dust mites feed on human skin scales, pollen, fungi, bacteria and animal dandere. Dust mites do not drink free water, but absorb water from the air and the environment.
To thrive, dust mites must have very warm temperatures (75-80 degrees Fahrenheit) and high humidity levels - 70-80% relative humidity. One study showed when humidity is 60% or lower, the mite population stops growing and dies out.
Humans continually shed about 1/5 ounce of dead skin each week. We also spend about 1/3 of our lives sleeping, so high levels of dust mites are often associated with the bedroom, especially the bedding and the mattress. Dust mites also eat animal dander, so allergens will be plentiful in areas where family pets sleep.
Dust Mite Management
To eliminate dust mite allergens, first, take actions to reduce dust mite populations; and, second, reduce exposure to dust. No one method has been found for reducing mites and relieving allergy suffering.
Lower humidity - Reduce humidity levels to less than 50%inside your home, especially in the bedroom. Studies have shown that air-conditioned homes have 10 times fewer dust mite allergens than non-air-conditioned homes. In addition to cooling the house, air-conditioning reduces the humidity dust mites need to thrive. A study has shown using an electric blanket for 8 hours each day reduced dust mites by 50% in one month.
Avoid furry or feathered pets - Pets with fur or feathers contribute to the dander in the dust and increase food source for mites. If you are a pet lover, locate their sleeping quarters as far from your own as possible, and furnish their sleeping area so it can be cleaned easily. Hardwood or vinyl floors with washable area rugs are ideal.
Reducing air infiltration - Airing out the house with open windows allows entry of pollen, which is another allergen, as well as food for dust mites.
Cleaning/heat treatments - Wash all bedding weekly. Research has shown laundering with any detergent in warm water (77 degrees) removes nearly all dust mite and cat allergen from bedding. If you cannot launder blankets, dry clean them once a year. Steam clean non-washable carpets once a year.
Select appropriate furnishings - Avoid overstuffed furniture becuase it collects dust. Also avoid wool fabrics/rugs because wool sheds particles and is eaten by other insects. Use washable curtains and rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. If you cannot replace carpeting, have it steam cleaned at least once per year - springtime is best. This will prevent a build-up of dust mites feeding on skin cells in the carpet during the summertime. Enclose mattresses and pillows in plastic to decrease mite populations in the bed. Replace feather pillows with synthetic ones.
Dust Management
Eliminating dust from the environment is important in reducing allergens in sensitive people.
Vacuuming - The most important tool for managing house dust and dust mites is the vacuum cleaner. Regular, thorough vacuuming of carpets, furniture, textiles and other home furnishings such as draperies will help keep dust mite populations low. Vacuums with a water filter are preferable to those with a disposable paper bag because a water vacuum removes a greater range of particle sizes than the paper bag types. There are vacuums available with highly efficient filters (HEPA) designed for use by people with allergies to dust. It is better to vacuum thoroughly once a week rather than lightly on a daily basis. Vacuum mattresses and padded furniture thoroughly - 20 minutes for each mattress is not too long.
Dusting - Dust furniture before you vacuum so the dust has time to settle on the floor where it can be picked up by the vacuum. Do not scatter dust. Instead, dust with a damp cloth, rather than dry dusting. Spraying furniture polish or dusting liquid directly on surfaces reduces airborne particles by 93% compared with dry dusting.
