Keeping the Bed Clean: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Destroying Dust Mites. – by Justin Taylor
How often do you wash your sheets? Do you ever vacuum your mattress? What level of action is really necessary? Follow these tips to ensure a great night’s sleep free from dust mites and other allergens that may infiltrate your bedding.
1. Wash your sheets in hot water at least once a week
120-130F water will kill those disgusting dust mites that dine on your dead skin cells while you sleep.
If your bedding must be washed in cooler temperatures look for additives that kill dust mites to add to your wash.
2. Protect your pillow
They can’t run, they can’t hide. Often over looked, the pillow is the kind of place a dust mite would want to retire. Many keep their pillows for years.
According to Ohio State University up to 10% of your pillow’s weight can be dead dust mites and their excretions. Pillow protectors will eliminate the ability for mites to infest your favorite pillow. A good quality and well-fitting pillow is worth investing in so be sure to protect it.
3. Protect your mattress
Either vacuum your mattress at least once a year or better yet, invest in a protector.
Protect your mattress with a mattress protector to keep dust mites, bed bugs, sweat, oils or accidents away from your mattress. Many protectors are now available that not only protect your mattress but allow you to sleep cool all night long. If you are adding a protector to a mattress that was unprotected it may be a good idea to spend some time cleaning the mattress with a vacuum to remove any dust mites you can before using the protector.
4. Throw your comforter in the dryer
Drying your comforter for 20-30 minutes can decrease the dust mite populations that live within.
5. Keep the humidity low
Dust mites love the humidity. You can slow their growth in numbers by avoiding humidifiers in the winter and running air conditioners or dehumidifiers in the summer in humid climate.
With this 5 pronged attack plan the dust mite populations in your bed shouldn’t stand a chance. Be sure to keep surfaces dusted and carpets vacuumed throughout the house to help eliminate dust mites everywhere else.
Sleep well!