Dust mites are a common indoor allergen. Unfortunately children and the elderly are the most susceptible to the microscopic critters that feed off hair and dead skin. Dust mites are in every home but there are ways to control the dust mite population to relieve the effects of asthma and allergy on individuals. Bed encasing, pillow encasing and eucalyptus essential oils are good tools to reduce dust mites in the bedroom.
Allergy Bed Encasing
One of the quickest ways to reduce dust mites in the bedroom is to encase the box spring and mattress. Before making a purchase, ensure the product is from a reputable company. Bed encasings are not inexpensive but it will give individuals suffering from the allergy a better nights sleep. As well, the encasing promoted at Allergy Canada only have to be washed every year. If using an encasing, it is best to tape the zipper segment to ensure limited critters invade the mattress or box spring.
Another option is to put plastic bed sheets on the bed. However, it will require more frequent washings and there is a greater chance the microscopic bugs will penetrate the bed and box spring. It is the feces and remains of the dust mites that cause allergens so it is best to ensure their bodies never reach the insides of the bed.
Reduce Dust Mites from Bed Sheets
Lightly spray the bed with eucalyptus oil on a weekly basis. Make the mist by adding 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to one cup of vodka. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and lightly mist the bed and around the bed. The properties in the eucalyptus oil kill dust mites.
Lastly, wash bed sheets weekly to reduce dust mites in the bedroom. Simply wash the linens but add about four drops of eucalyptus essential oil to each capful of laundry detergent. Wash in hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit) and either hang to dry or dry in the dryer. Heat from the sun or dryer will help reduce the population. Wash bed linen once a week to reduce dust mite populations.
Dust Mite Pillow Cases
Each night, people many hours nestled into their pillows but unfortunately so do dust mites. To reduce their population it is best to encase all pillows. Washing pillow cases in hot water will only be a minor help in eliminating the pests. Pillow covers that encase the entire pillow with a zipper is the best option. For this type of product it is best to buy from a reputable organization such as Allergy Canada.
Before encasing used pillows, it is ideal to launder the pillow to eliminate dust mites. Great natural remedy is to add four drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a capful of liquid detergent and add to the wash cycle. Wash the pillows at approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, dry in a dryer or hang to dry on a nice sunny day. The heat from sunshine kills mites. The final step is to bang the pillowcases with the back of a stick to remove the critters. Dust mites are a part of the particles seen in the air after hitting the pillow.
Reducing dust mite populations is a good strategy for individuals allergic to the microscopic bugs. Eliminating the pests in the bedroom is the initial step as about a third of the day is spent in the bedroom.
Debbie DeSpirt - Debbie DeSpirt is an Elementary Teacher for the York Catholic District School Board in Ontario, Canada. Her post secondary education ...
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