Spring is here renewing the landscape in our corner of the world. If you’re like most people you have turned your attention to refreshing your home with a thorough spring cleaning. Be sure to add one vital task to your list. No spring cleaning regime is complete without evicting the dust mites living in your mattress and pillows. You may not realize that you are breathing in dust mite feces 6-8 hours a day!
Like it or not, humans have a symbiotic relationship with dust mites. The primary function of these microscopic eating machines is to dispose of the millions of dead skins cells each of us lose every day. Unfortunately, what goes into a mite must come out. This means that regular cleaning of your bedding, pillows and mattresses is essential to your health. The most common allergen is caused by dust mite feces.
In order to keep your mite colony at bay, bed sheets should be cleaned weekly in hot water. While the sheets are off the bed, vacuum your mattress with a machine that has a high efficiency particulate air filter. HEPA filters are designed to target much smaller pollutants and particles than ordinary vacuums. If you don’t have one, hire someone who does to do the job for you. Finally, buy a new pillow. Use an indelible marker to write and “expiration date” on your pillow which will remind you to buy a new one next spring.
- After 5 years, 10% of the weight of your pillow is made up of dust mites and their feces.
- After 10 years the weight of your mattress doubles because of dust mites and dust mite feces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGwdA38IMnc
If you are allergic to dust mites, your doctor can recommend protective covers for you bedding which may help.