5 Simple Steps to Get Dust Mites Under Control

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Dust mites. You can’t see them, but they’re there. Distant relatives ofthe spider, the eight-legged, miniscule creatures thrive in warm, humidenvironments, and are known to take up residence in beds, curtains andupholstery.

One of the most common culprits behind household allergies, dust mitesare not dangerous themselves, but their droppings are. Causing runny noses,watery eyes and sneezing, the mites definitely know how to make their mark. Insevere cases, they can result in stubborn coughs, persistent sneezing, facialpressure and asthma attacks – they’re also a common cause of asthma in babies.

Feeding on flakes of skin shed by people and pets alike, dust mitesdon’t require unclean environments to multiply. Even the tidiest homes can besubjected to an invisible invasion. We don’t mean to scare you (honestly) butthe average person sheds 1.5 grams of skin a day – enough to feed one milliondust mites. Time to wash your bedding, maybe?

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to banish them – but you can controlthem. Here, we list the ways in which you can keep your home as mite-free aspossible. You’re welcome.

· Wash your bedding regularly, and by regularlywe mean once a week. Use hot water to ensure your sheets are as clean aspossible.

· Invest in a dehumidifier to keep moisture atbay. Place one in an area that’s prone to damp conditions, such as thebasement, and make sure the humidity in your home is always below 50%.

· Replace carpets with flooring made from tilesor wood – not only will these be easier to clean, but they’ll be less invitingto dust mites.

· Swap any old upholstered sofas and chairs withleather alternatives.

· Dispose of any unwanted soft toys, decorativepillows and other objects that are difficult to clean.

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