4 Responses

1. Sherry M

   August 9th, 2009 at 3:36 am

   1

   First please understand that dust mites are going to happen-regardless od any "product" you use.They are not bugs you can get rid of.All houses regardless of how well they clean have them.You can reduce all your symptoms,and feel much better if you properly take care of your room.Assuming you have been tested,and you are in fact allergic to dust mites.Please get somone else to do this- if at all possible.If not wear a mask(pharmacy or hardware store)a hat,and removable outer clothing(old t shirt,etc.) Now- Take out the carpet,take out the Futon,and all cloth and fiber fabrics.Clean(with murpys oil soap or other low allergen cleaning soap) the baseboards,floors,tables,etc. any remaining surfaces should be hard furniture and wipable.If you can afford to-throw away your pillows and buy new ones-also buy allergy covers- wal mart and k mart has them at a great price- buy a allergy cover for your futon- probably will be a full or double size mattress cover.If you cannot afford to throw out the pillows-then wash in the hottest water possible with normal soap and put in the dryer on the hottest setting- do this with every cloth item in your room(you will be doing it once a week)After the room is completely dry- inspect your heating/colling vent- put cheesecloth(can get at hardware strore) on it- just unscrew and wrap a pice around the vent and screw back in.Check the light source-cieling fixtures and clean them too.If you must have any carpet or drapes make sure they are washable.(cotton throw rugs)Every curtain must be washed the same way as the bedding.This seems extreme at first but- you will get used to it and it adds only a couple hours to your cleaning once a week well worth your health! o.k. now put all allergy covers on the mattress and pillows.Then return them to the room-look around and check everything has been washed.Then ditch the dust covered clothes and shower.Since Dust mites cannot be avoided what you are doing is "trapping them" in the allergy covers so they cannot get to you.This is gross but the truth is the average pillow and mattress over 6 months old has thousands of these that come out at night and urinate and defacate on your bed-yes I am serious.It is the "droppings" people are alleric to.You will feel so much better! I would continue this pattern of cleaning throughout your house if possible and have your couch/cloth chairs steam cleaned at least twice a year.Stuffed animals,extra throw blankets,are dust mite catchers.If you have a favorite fabric thing,stick it in the freezer in a plastic bag at night(such as a stuffed bear) or during the day-whichever.This will kill them also.Make sure they get washed too.Make sure your vacum has a hepa filter and someone else does the vacuming.Good Luck this worked for me.

2. The Frugal Shopper

   August 9th, 2009 at 3:36 am

   2

   There is a company called "Norwex" they sell great products. I can put you in touch with a rep. if you want. They can get you some info (I don’t represent the company, but my dad’s wife does) and the products are GREAT! and natural.

   Worth the look.

   Email me if you want info. I can hook you up. She is in Canada, but that shouldn’t be an issue.

   

3. Suki Dee

   August 9th, 2009 at 3:36 am

   3

   "Diatomaceous Earth" is about as safe as you can get since it is not a poison. Breathing too much of any powder is not good, as you already know. It can be found where pest control supplies and garden supplies are found.

   Laundry borax may also work. Toxicity level is very low except for certain insects.

   Definitely clean everything in the room. Empty the room, throw out the carpet. Throw out the mattress and springs. Wash the linens in very hot water with bleach. Hang in the sun to dry (sunlight helps kill them.) Throw out your pillow. When you get a new mattress and pillow, keep them protected by covering them in special linens which the bugs cannot get through.

   Vacuum regularly with a good vacuum cleaner that does not blow dust back into the air. You must vacuum under the bed, chairs, etc. Most bugs live in these places because they don’t get vacuumed at all.

   Get more advice from a pest control company to prevent a re-infestation.

   Good luck.

4. cowboydoc

   August 9th, 2009 at 3:36 am

   4

   One sure cure for "dust mites" is cleanliness. Take all your bedding and wash it, three times a week. Then take your curtains and anything else you can and wash it.
   Vacuum your mattress and flip it, vacuum it again, clean all your bedframe with how water and soap, under your mattress, spray it or clean it.
   Dust mites don’t like light or fresh air, leave your bed turned down a few days.
   Do this at least once a week, my spouse does it three times a week. Let some fresh air in the room, they don’t like that.

   You don’t develop asthma, you have it or you don’t. The air in the room may be somewhat dry, get a cold air moisturizer.