7 Responses

1. mar98949

   January 24th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   1

   I would clean out your bedroom completely and disinfect the entire thing. Go buy new bed, bed clothing etc. Put a good room air purifier in there also, it will help a lot.

2. Gal in MN

   January 24th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   2

   1. Yes, run air purifier with a HEPA filter in your bedroom – CONSTANTLY! Ours is running year round.

   2. If you live in your own home w/ furnace – change the air filter on the furnace every couple of months – if not, check with your landlord to find out how often they change such things.

   3. vacuum DAILY for a few weeks

   4. at a minimum, wash all bedding once a week in HOT water to kill the buggers – including blankets. I hate washing pillows in the winter so I tend to buy new ones every couple of months.

   5. If you can’t afford a new bed (I couldn’t) get encasements for your bed, boxspring, and all pillows – these keep the bugs that you already have in, and new ones out.

3. gherd

   January 24th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   3

   some one told me that Lavender kills dust mites. i do not know if this is true but you can put some lavender oil in a sprayer with water and spray down everything. use only about 8 drops in the water. allegedly sheep herders spray their sheep with lavender to kill dust mites (or to repel fleas).

   as a caveat the person that told me this was a pathological liar. that of course doesn’t mean everything she said is untrue. she could really have been allergic to dust mites or just trying to get me to spray my place down with lavender.

   my research indicates that Lavender does repel fleas…. but nothing so far about it’s effect on dust mites. sunlight kills both fleas and dust mites. so many of the same things may work.

4. Tigger

   January 24th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   4

   Use that air cleaner. Put your pillows in the dryer on a fluff setting to beat the dust and dandruff out of them, and get hypoallergenic covers for your mattress and pillows.

   Wash your bedding frequently, and use a damp cloth to dust often. Don’t forget to clean your blinds or curtains.

   Good luck!

5. Construction Chick

   January 24th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   5

   How are you sure it is the dust mites?? I would go have an allergen test done at your doctor to find out. It could be something else! Do you have a dog/animal? I found out when I was 20 that I was all of a sudden allergic to laundry detergent, so it could be something you wouldn’t even think of!

   A few suggestions:
   1. Go through your room and do a serious cleaning – if there is a carpet vacuum it well (with a new bag) and steam clean it
   2. How old is your mattress? Dust mites can live in your mattress regardless if you vacuum it. If your budget permits you may want to look at buying a new mattress (then get a cover for it to prevent mites from getting into the mattress)
   3. How old is your bedding? You should be replacing your pillows every 2 -3 years – if you fold your pillow in half and it stays that way, it is time for a new pillow! If you cant buy new pillows wash them and dry them on high heat to kill any mites
   4. Lastly, clean/replace the filter on your air cleaner and keep it running in your room all the time.

   Relating to your heater, anything that blows air is going to stir up dust/allergens. After you sterilize your room see what the outcome is and maybe you could use your heater a few nights per week.

   Also the key is to keep the room very clean – i would suggest vacuuming every day!

   Good Luck!

6. Frank P

   January 24th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   6

   Good clean cleaning. New bed. Wash everything. Change vacuum bag too.

7. Stan W

   January 24th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   7

   Get an air tight/dust mite tight cover for your mattress. Also get special pillow covers that that are allergen free. Remove rugs from the floor; use air filter; get new curtains or rather get blinds instead; clean the room frequently as the mites live mostly on the skin we shed; google for more ideas