If you suffer from asthma and allergies like I do, you know that there can be more trouble in your home than meets the eye. Often you’ll complete a thorough cleaning of a new or remodeled home only to burst into a fresh spate of sneezing and watery eyes. For most people, home allergies are sparked by black mold that grows in the basement and interiors. For me, and millions of other sufferers, the real culprits are dust mites.
If you’re still hacking and hewing after having a thorough black mold inspection that turned up negative, then it’s time to consider bringing in a cleaning service or contractor to perform a deep cleaning. Deep cleaning procedures typically include a thorough scrub with industrial-grade vacuums fitted with HEPA filters. Remember, any effort to improve your living conditions is a valid home improvement project.
Cleaning interiors and protecting against mites
Adult dust mites lay up to 40 eggs each, and the eggs hatch nymphs that feed on bed dust, human dander, fungi, and tiny particles that remain from spills of human or pet food and crumbs. Experts at the Ohio State University blame dust mites for eczema, respiratory ailments and headaches. As much as 90 percent of asthmatic conditions can be attributed to mites. Dust mites are practically invisible to the human eye.
Researchers say a typical human mattress can play host to 10 million mites. That means you’ll have to constantly be cleaning—if you are allergic. One way to cut infestations is to replace all down or feather pillows with those filled with synthetic materials. Choose latex mattresses over other materials. Put on a plastic mattress cover made specifically to cut down on allergens and damp brush it daily. Use cotton bedding instead of wool products.
Vacuum frequently with a HEPA vacuum and, if possible, in lieu of carpeting, install wood flooring without any fabric that can host the mites. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you receive a skin or blood test from a physician to detect possible allergy to dust mites.
Even with deep cleaning and a bedroom home improvement project to minimize mites, you may still need to take antihistamines or decongestants. Consider installing a home air purifier. And keep the humidity in your home as low as possible. Pesticides are not a good option—especially in your bedroom.
Remember to clean, clean and clean again. Home allergies are nothing to sneeze at!
I’ve had eczema my entire life, hopefully my parents didn’t leave me alone as a baby and let termites infest me.
I clean my house thoroughly once a month because the area I am in is really dusty and because of fear of critters getting into places they shouldn’t be. That is the best precaution to take before calling in the exterminators.
I have been into come pretty nasty shops and homes. It always baffles me how many filthy places are infected. Keep a clean and safe shop and home.
Mites can be a real problem unless you handle it quickly. Not dealing with it can really make things worse.
I made it a point to vacuum the house everyday ever since my skin became itchy. The trouble is worth it.
I definitely would suggest keeping pets with their own home outside the house. Or have the pets cleaned the allowable times a week. Mites can be the worst household pet.
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Maintaining the cleanliness of the home inside and out is the primary way to get rid and prevent the parasites from coming back. We just do not know what diseases those critters bring. Trite as it may sound but prevention is better than cure.
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Keeping a clean home is important…I learned some interesting facts there about the mites. Thanks for sharing these tips!