Mattress Cleaning & Dust Mite Removal Systems
Besides being disgusting, dust mites can cause breathing and allergy problems. Since dust mites like to stay where it is warm and where food is abundant, they're perfectly happy sharing your bed with you. Beds are a comfortable temperature for these insects, and the dead skin you shed satisfies their hunger. That said, wouldn't you prefer to sleep alone?
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Significance
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Dust mites are nasty looking microscopic bugs that live with humans, and mattresses are one of their favorite places. Asthmatics are highly sensitive to dust mites and their feces and they may aggravate asthma symptoms. Children who don't have asthma may experience the asthmatic symptoms if they are in an environment where dust mites are present.
Identification
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The best way to see a dust mite is under a microscope, but even then it may be difficult to see these tiny creatures that have see-through bodies. Dust mites are oblong and round in shape with eight legs. They are part of the spider family and have a similar appearance.
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Facts
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Dust mites are categorized as arthropods. Also known as dermatophagoides, dust mites live in beds and eat the dead skin that humans shed. Between 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans will develop an allergy to dust mites by the time they are 14 years old. Dust mites may worsen cases of eczema and can trigger sinus conditions. All homes have dust mites, but they are usually found in larger numbers in humid climates such as Charlottesville, Virginia.
Prevention
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To prevent dust mites from invading beds, encase mattresses and pillows in plastic covers. Make sure they have zippers so the dust mites cannot get inside or come out. Avoid putting carpeting in your home as they love thick fabrics. Since dust mites usually thrive in bedrooms, make the room undesirable by not overloading the room with many fabric-covered items such as curtains, stuffed animals, throw pillows, lots of blankets and dirty clothes. If you must keep stuffed animals in a bedroom, choose ones that are machine washable. Make sure the humidity level in your home is no more than 30 percent to 50 percent by tracking it with a hygrometer. Keep the temperature in the house on the cool side.
Solution
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Unfortunately, there is no way you can clean a mattress of dust mites. They can, however, be eliminated by other measures. Start by replacing any thick rugs with thinner carpeting and vacuum the carpeting often. If possible, do not have any rugs in your home. Take down all fabric curtains and replace them with non-fabric blinds, or leave windows bare. Clean blinds before dust starts to build up on them. Wash all bed coverings in 130-degree water weekly, and wash all stuffed animals in water of the same temperature as well. If you suspect stuffed animals are infested with dust mites, place them in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer for a day.
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