Although invisible to the naked eye, dust mites are small, microscopic arachnids that proliferate in our interiors. They are truly everywhere as they populate our beds, fabrics and floors, mixing with dust and feeding on our dead skin. Unfortunately, they are responsible for a large number of allergies and should therefore be avoided as much as possible. Discover our tips for getting rid of it.
How to get rid of dust mites at home?
Why should you get rid of dust mites at home?
They may be invisible, but dust mites are responsible for nearly 45% of respiratory allergies and they can also cause skin and eye allergies, including conjunctivitis. To be more precise, you should know that these small arachnids are not themselves the cause of our allergies; in fact, our body reacts to contact with their droppings and their decomposing bodies. It is estimated that about one in four people are reactive to it.
Unfortunately, dust mites are everywhere and so small that they are invisible to the naked eye with their 0.10 to 0.70 mm and getting rid of them by traditional means is not really an effective solution. Carpets, rugs, mattresses, curtains, sofas, cushions, sheets, upholstery, soft toys, toys, books, etc., they colonize our interior with a predilection for hot and humid places as well as for dusty spaces.
Dust mites are very present in our beds, because they are attracted to the heat of our bodies and to the little dead skin that we shed and on which they feed. If they only live 6 weeks, they reproduce very quickly and are problematic even when they are dead. Knowing that a grain of dust can contain 10,000 and a mattress can hold up to 2 million, which means that there are many around us!
How to get rid of dust mites? Our solutions
Tip n # 1: avoid humidity and heat
Dust mites like to nest in hot, humid places, so to avoid attracting them, ventilate your home for 10 to 20 minutes each day. This will naturally renew the air and remove moisture. If this persists, equip yourself with a dehumidifier and consider insulation work. Do not leave damp objects such as the clothes dryer, an aquarium, or plants in a room to limit water sources. In addition, limit the temperature of your rooms to a maximum of 19 to 21 ° C.
Tip n # 2: avoid rugs and carpets
True, they are warm and soft under our bare feet, but rugs and carpets are recommended to be avoided, especially in bedrooms, as they are perfect nests for dust mites. Prefer parquet or linoleum, easier to clean.
Tip n # 3: preserve your bedding
The bed is a perfect nest for the mites, because they are warm there and they can feed at will on our small flakes. Avoid buying "dust mite" bedding accessories because they are stuffed with chemicals that you breathe in while you sleep and are not really effective. Prefer to invest in a slatted base and not in fabric or springs. Every quarter, wash your duvets, pillows, blankets and mattress protectors at 40 or 60 ° C to eliminate a good part of the dust mites. As for your sheets, change them at least every two weeks.
You can also invest in the purchase of a medical cover to wrap your mattress, to be washed 3 to 4 times a year. In all cases, we opt for synthetic for all the bedding and we avoid feathers and wool.
Tip n # 4: dust off!
You have to arm yourself with your feather duster to eliminate mites. Why ? Because they are present in your dust, which is itself composed largely of your dead skin. So be careful and dust off your pieces every week, thinking of each shelf and trinket. For more efficiency, avoid conventional rags which only scatter dust. Use a damp microfiber cloth on the supporting surfaces and a dry microfiber cloth on fragile furniture, such as wood. Then vacuum, making sure not to forget anything, including under your furniture!
Tip # 5: keep clothes and lint in closed containers
The mites nest in the tissues. So be sure to keep your clothes stored in closed cupboards. If you run out of space and put your clothes out of season, store them in airtight bags.
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