Battle Against Dust Mites

[LuluGirl]

If I wanted to address the dust mite problem but couldn't afford to get all the stuff at once, would you think it was most important to get an air purifier or bedding protectors first? There's also wall-to-wall carpeting in the room that my husband is in no hurry to remove. Although, come to think of it, I think there is a hardwood floor underneath.......Would you put an area rug in instead? We live in the midwest and the winters are cold....

 

Lulu

[Claire]

Lulu,

 

I would wash all the bedding, and just just get a new dustmite-free pillow cover (cheap) --where his head goes--and the air filter. Save the mattress cover for later and just double sheet the bottom layer in the meantime. Wipe down the walls once to start, they get dusty. (We only do that annually).

 

If you see some improvement, then consider removing the carpeting. Otherwise, leave the filter running 24/7 at low speed. I read tight wool (not synthetic) area rugs are better than carpets. We have none in his room at all though--wood is best.

 

Claire

[LuluGirl]

Thanks, Claire. Is the pillow cover instead of the pillowcase or under it?? Any type of pillow better than the next?

 

I hate to be dense but why are we doubling the bottom sheet? Are the dustmites in the mattress?? The mattress pad?? This is grossing me out!!!

 

And, to make matters worse, he insists on sleeping with 2 comfortors on his bed. One has a duvet and one doesn't. Makes for a lot of washing.....

 

 

Lulu

[Claire]

Hi Lulu,

 

I use this site because their encasings are soft and not noisy or 'plasticy'

 

http://www.nationalallergy.com/

 

They sell special encasings. For a normal pillow, you put on the encasing which zips, then put a pillow case over that.

 

http://www.natlallergy.com/allergy/product..._Encasings.html

 

Or you can just buy the dustmite resistant pillow. I think just the encasings are cheaper.

 

We wash 2 comforters every two weeks. Yes, a lot of washing. You will notice if it makes a difference, if not, then just wash less often.

 

Yes, dustmites live in mattresses, just like they live in upholstered couches. Plus they live in pillows. Anywhere with flakes of human skin and moisture...gross me out too.

 

Claire

[Chemar]

Hi Lulu

yes, the dustmites live in bedding, mattresses, carpets, stuffed animals and just about everywhere else you can imagine....there is absolutely no way to totally eliminate them and so you just have to do the best you can.

 

As Claire has suggested, start with the bedding......if you cant afford the covers yet then double up pillow cases and sheets (use only cotton if possible) and do NOT use feather pillows!!! Cottonfiber is best.

You do need to wash often, but it really does help

 

aLSO, if you get special covers, avoid ones with plastics in them as that brings it's own problems as well as discomfort as it makes your sweat.

 

We were also advised to use Lysol disinfectant spray when our son is out of the house and spray down everything daily as it kills dustmite This is especially good for carpeting etc and those beloved plush toys

 

One can get relatively inexpensive air purifiers these days too

 

Just remember, you can only do your best and dustmite are simply a fact of life so dont go crazy over it....one step at a time as every little bit helps

[ntbowen]

Dust mites are definitely a big issue with us too! Quick ? I have pillow encasings on all our pillows. I have been just letting him sleep on that instead of putting a pillowcase overtop (it's pretty soft so he doesn't mind). Should I be doing this and how often do you wash the encasing?

[Claire]

I don't know. I think it is best to use a pillow case to reduce wear and tear on the encasing (and thus the effectiveness). Plus it is another layer. Yes, the good ones are soft.

 

I wash every 2 weeks. Unless congestion, then weekly. But I think they say to vacuum it, so just read the directions.

 

Claire

[Guest maryg]

Dust mites are BIG and BAD for me and for my son. I dust his room weekly and wash the sheets and pillows in HOT water every 2 weeks. The comfortor gets washed every month. The carpet is a HUGE problem. We ripped up all of the carpeting in our house and lucky have beautiful hardwood floors underneath. Although we live in the cold midwest (Wisconsin) we don't have any rugs in the bedrooms. If you do get a rug, get one that is washable. He did use an air filter for years and I think it helped. They really aren't too expensive. We have mattress covers but I don't like the plastic ones. They are noisy and I can't imagine that having your face in plastic all night could be good for you. Good Luck!!!!!

[Claire]

Hi Mary,

 

We tried the plastic covers a long time ago, they were terrible and a waste of money for us! Thank goodness they 'invented' the allergy proof cotton ones, I am very impressed.

 

When you say dustmites are bad for your son, do you mean asthma or congestion, or actually a tic trigger. For us, we notice the congestion big time, but never tics. Chemar noticed it as a tic trigger. Though I personally am convinced that carpeting can be a mood changer, and though air filters help, it doesn't completely change it.

 

It makes sense that anything that raises histamine levels could be a tic trigger, but trying to get a real-life sense from people who notice a reaction.

 

Claire