Dust Mite Fight - Using the Right Vacuum

Last but certainly not least in our consideration of general household tips that can be used to battle dust mites is using a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

If you are wondering why this is an important thing to consider, there are two big reasons. 1) HEPA filters trap small particles that may affect allergy sufferers and dust mites certainly fit that description. 2) HEPA filters are tested and carry documentation right on them so you can see exactly how effective the filter is and to what degree it removes the targeted particles.

In addition to using the proper kind of vacuum, regular vacuuming is also recommended.

This series of posts has attempted to provide readers with some suggestions on how to control dust mites in the home. However, these practices have not been mentioned or recommended as a replacement to regularly having your carpets and upholstery cleaned by a professional. Rather, using these suggestions in conjunction with the regular professional cleaning will ensure that you are doing everything in your might to win the fight against dust mites.

Dust Mite Fight - The Dryer The Better

keeping the moisture level low is a practice that can keep dust mites from thriving. As counter-intuitive as that may seem, taking this step will help you in the 'dust mite fight'. Why is that the case? Well, dust mites prefer warm, moist environments, so if you can eliminate moisture in your home, then the conditions are not favorable for the enemy to thrive. So, what can be done to contribute to this dryer atmosphere?

One big thing that you can do to try to keep the moisture at bay is to utilize a dehumidifier in your home. These appliances remove the moisture from the air. This can be an effective way to remove dampness not just from one area specifically, but to keep all areas of a particular room dry. The dry air makes it more difficult for mites to live.

Dust Mite Fight - Keep Stuffed Toys Clean

In this series of posts, we are talking about practices that you can take to help with combating dust mites in your home. These regular methods for prevention in addition to regularly having your carpet cleaned by a professional carpet care company can be very effective.

In the last post we talked about the need to keep bed clothing protected and clean by washing and drying them in temperatures higher than 130 degrees along with covering them up appropriately while using them. Here we will briefly consider other items that regularly accompany your young ones that can be overlooked if not specifically mentioned.

Many children have a favorite stuffed toy that they prefer or perhaps yours is not so picky and just likes having something soft to 'cuddle with'. As result, your youngster might spend just as much time with there eyes ears, and nose against a stuffed toy as they do against their bedding. Since this is the case, the cleaning of these childhood favorites is just as necessary as as it is with there bedding.

However, not all stuffed toys are washable. Choosing washable stuffed toys for your little tykes will allow you to keep them clean and unappealing to mites.

Dust Mite Fight - Keep Bedding Clean and Covered

In this series on how to fight dust mites, we are considering a few practical steps that families can take in order to combat the effects of dust mites. While one way that we will discuss in a later post has to do with carpet care, our specialty, there are some other locations in your home that need to be given consideration. In the last post, we took a brief look at the need for bedding that is allergy resistant. However, just having hypo-allergenic bedding is not all you can do to protect you home from dust mites.

How you take care of the bedding can also work to alleviate the effects of these irritating microscopic pests. There are covers for pillows, mattresses, and box springs that can be used to prevent dust mites from taking over the bed.

Additionally, washing your pillow cases, sheets, blankets and mattress pads in hot temperatures assist with eliminating mites that may be in the bedding. The key is the heat so drying the bed clothes in temperatures higher than 130 degrees are beneficial.

These basic laundering and covering methods can go a long way toward helping with dust mite prevention.

Dust Mite Fight - Hypo Allergenic Bed Clothes

There are  a few key places that dust mites can lurk in your home in addition to the carpeting. Knowing these areas and taking some action to make conditions unfavorable for the little nuisance the better your family will literally feel.

One of these additional locations is the bed. Dust mites can live in bedding that provides a proper climate. One of the precautions that you can take is to use hypo-allergenic bed clothes and bedding. There are a number of locations on the internet that offer this kind of bedding. Making sure that the materials the bedding is construct of is not conducive to dust mite multiplication can be beneficial and you might be surprised at just how many companies are providing hypo-allergenic bedding. There are even crib mattresses that can be purchased that are made from materials that can help you in your efforts to ward off this 'micro-nemesis'.

The Fight Against Dust Mites

While most have never seen these little (microscopic) pests, many have observed the effects of them in one way or another. Whether you or a family member suffers from allergies, how dust mites affect your home can be noticed by the response of the human body. Some of the detectable symptoms are:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Facial pressure and pain
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
• In a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose

With a list of symptoms like that, you might be thinking how to protect your family from these icky little critters. In the next few posts we will consider some tips that you can employ to help combat the uncomfortable effects of the dreaded dust mite pest.