Overpowering Dust Mites

Seven Steps to reduce dust mites and
allergens:

> Use a pillow & mattress covers then wash
regularly.
> Wash bed linen in over 55C hot water to kill
the mites and remove their allergens.

> Remove fitted carpets, as they are a
popular breeding ground for mites.
> Replace soft furnishings such as curtains,
soft toys and sheepskins.
> Regularly put your rugs and other soft
furnishings out in the sun.
> Improve ventilation to reduce humidity and
open doors & windows to circulate air.
> Vacuum once a week to keep the mites at
bay.

Research has confirmed simple steps can
reduce the household dust mites that are
known to trigger asthma and hayfever.

The study, by researchers from the University
of Washington and Harvard University in the
United States, evaluated practical methods to
reduce dust mites in 39 low-income families
urban homes.

Pillows and mattresses were encased in
allergen-resistant covers, bedding was washed
weekly in hot water and carpets and
furnishings were steam cleaned and/or
vacuumed.

The researchers found all the measures were
effective in reducing dust in homes. Steam
cleaning produced particularly good results,
according to chief author Dr. Darryl Zeldin.

The levels of dust mites in carpet and furniture
that had been steam cleaned & vacuumed
stayed low for up to eight weeks after the
treatment, compared to four weeks for
vacuuming alone.

Zeldin said: “We believe that
the hot, dry steam kills the mites and the
vacuuming removes them from the carpet.”
The US research was published on
Wednesday, two days after Australian doctors
announced our childhood asthma rates were
the – highest in the world.

House dust mite allergy is one factor known to
increase the frequency and severity of asthma.
Dust mites live off human skin scales and thrive
in warm humid climates. The protein found in
their droppings is what causes an allergic
response in humans.
These droppings continue to cause allergic
symptoms even after the mite has died.