blondie769x asked:


i just got a new matress and all new bedding, I’m not allergic to anything, but i think dust mites are gross and i want to keep them to a minimum. my bedding is red and black and i used to keep my bed really dirty and literally never cleaned it. How often should i clean it to avoid dust mites and dirt but still keep it colorful?

peterhutch asked:


What are dust mites?

As homes are sealed tighter and tighter against the elements in order to conserve energy, house dust mites (Dermatophagoides spp.) become more of a problem. This page will help you get rid of, or at least more effectively deal with, these mites and the allergens they produce.

House dust is a mixture of ash, cloth fibers, hair, plant pollen, human and animal skin (dander), soil particles, and fungal spores. In many households, human skin flakes, alone, make up much of this debris. House dust mites use this debris as food. These tiny mites feed directly on the organic parts of house dust.

How to Control Dust Mites

Your first step is to encase your pillow and mattress with dust mite covers. Studies have shown that these covers are very effective at reducing dust mite allergens. This step has two main goals: to keep the existing dust mites trapped inside the barrier, so you won’t be exposed to them, and to prevent new dust mites from getting into your pillow and mattress.

The most important tool for managing house dust and dust mites is the vacuum cleaner. Regular, thorough vacuuming of carpets, furniture, textiles and other home furnishings such as draperies will help keep dust mite populations low. Vacuums with a water filter are preferable to those with a disposable paper bag because a water vacuum removes a greater range of particle sizes than paper-bag types. There are vacuums with highly efficient filters (HEPA) designed for use by people with allergies to dust. It is better to vacuum thoroughly once a week rather than lightly on a daily basis. Vacuum mattresses and padded furniture thoroughly; 20 minutes for each mattress is not too long.

Pleated filters are much more efficient than standard fibrous furnace filters; smaller ones do not require modification to the furnace or ductwork. But they are less efficient than electrostatic cleaners. Pleated filters should be inspected regularly and may need more frequent replacement than conventional filters.

Chemical solutions may be helpful. Acaricides (a chemical that kills dust mites) must be applied regularly to carpeting or upholstered furniture. This solution will not remove any preexisting mite droppings. A tannic acid solution, applied as directed, can help neutralize the allergen in mite droppings.

Wash your pillow every week or put a plastic cover on it. (The pillowcase goes over the plastic cover.) How hot is hot? The water used to wash your sheets and blankets should be at least 130°F (54°C). Set your washing machine to it’s hottest setting. If the water doesn’t seem to be coming out hot, you may want to check your hot water heater - you may not realize that most household hot water heaters have a knob that can adjust the temperature of the water it produces.

Eliminate or reduce fabric wall hangings such as tapestries or pennants. Purchase stuffed toys that are machine washable. Avoid using curtains, drapes or blinds on windows. Use plastic shades instead. No pesticides are currently labeled for house dust mites. However, two non-pesticide products, Acarosan and Allergy Control Solution are available for treatment of house dust mites and their allergens. The active ingredient of each is benzyl benzoate and tannic acid. Benzoic acid esters, such as benzyl benzoate, are very effective acaricides in both laboratory and field evaluations. Health risks appear to be slight as benzoates are rapidly metabolized in the body to hippuric acid, which is excreted in the urine. Most acaricidal studies for house dust mite control have been done in Europe.

pamf2 asked:

Dr. Steve Rubinstein talks about dust mites in the Camino Medical allergy education series.

Mike Krause asked:


If you travel or business or pleasure, you know how difficult it can be to travel with allergies. Your bedroom at home may be a dust mite free zone, safe from harmful allergens but you know the same won’t be true at any hotel you visit.

Whether a 5 star luxury resort or an economy motel, dust mites are waiting for your arrival. There is no telling how old the mattress, carpets, chairs or curtains are in the room.Since it is not practical to take your own mattress and pillow with you, how do you make the room as dust mite proof as possible?

Start by packing a bottle of Alkaline Laboratories ADMS Spray in your suitcase. It comes in a quart bottle, so you can’t carry it in your carry-on luggage. Many of our clients pick up a small spray bottle from Walgreens or CVS and pour some in it. Pack the bottle and sprayer in your suitcase. It is a good idea to place the bottle in the gallon size zippered plastic bag just in case the security screeners are a little rough with the contents of your bag during the screening process.

You also want to pack at least 2 king sized zippered pillow encasements. Since you have no idea what size pillows will be on the bed in your room, by taking king sized covers, you know you will be prepared.

Upon arrival, take the pillow cases off the pillows and place the zippered pillow encasements on them. Unpack your ADMS Spray and begin with treating the bed. Spray the bedspread and dust ruffle with ADMS Spray. Turn back the bedspread and lightly spray the sheets and pillowcases.

Once the bed is treated, turn your attention to the other areas of the room. If the room has a musty smell, spray the ADMS spray into the intake area of the air conditioner. Also, be sure to spray the carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. The ADMS Spray will work to rapidly deactivate the allergy causing proteins from dust mites, molds, pets, and pollen.

If your stay is extended, repeat this process at least once a week. As a matter of water and energy conservation, few hotels still change bed linens each day. Inquire as to how often the bedding is changed. You dont’t want them taking your encasings. Repeat the treatment after each bedding change.

You won’t have the perfect allergy proof bedroom like the one you have carefully created at your house, but you will have a reasonably allergy free home away from home.

Also, Don’t place your luggage on the floor or bed. We have been getting tons of calls from people who have brought unwanted guest home..Bed Bugs.