The buildup of dust mites, along with mold and bacteria will lead you to want to change a mattress after seven years or so for reasons of health and hygiene.
These microscopic little critters are called dust mites (not to be confused with bed bugs). If you have not purchased a new mattress from 2 Brothers Mattress in a while, chances are you share your bed with them, and the best way to get rid of them is to get a new mattress.
Work the baking soda into the surface of the mattress with a soft-bristled brush or a damp cloth. Let it sit for at least one hour and then vacuum away the dust and dust mites, and help control odors.
Though too small to see with the naked eye (only about . 33 millimeters long), dust mites are easily visible through even a cheap microscope. You can pick up an inexpensive microscope from any store that sells toys, a hobby store, or a thrift store and use it to discover whether your home has dust mites.
These can come from both animals and humans, found in mattresses, carpeted areas, lounging areas and furniture. Numerous dust mites have a short life span of 10-30 days.
Wash bedding regularly
A temperature of 122 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes kills dust mites, according to one study.
Dust mites do not bite you or carry diseases, but their presence in your home, or even worse the bed where you sleep each night, can cause severe allergy issues including: Nasal congestion. Coughing or itchy throat.
In contrast to their cousins, ticks and spiders, mites are not noticeable to the naked eye. A few assessments record them in the scopes of 0.2 to 0.3 mm long at most. So, you probably won't be able to see dust mites with only a human eye. Their translucence helps hide that creepy crawlies even more.
Use a high-temperature steam-cleaner to kill mites effectively. Products are available that can be sprayed on carpets to kill mites; these are effective but should be used with care if you suffer from respiratory symptoms, and should not be used in areas where children play on the carpet, or on soft toys or pillows.
The CDC's top recommendations for avoiding dust mites includes using an allergen-proof mattress and pillowcase covers in addition to washing your sheets weekly.
Joining you in bed are countless dust mites and bacteria, not to mention lots and lots of your own dead skin. Dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, says you should wash your sheets at least every two weeks — maybe more, depending on factors like whether you live in a warm climate and whether your pet sleeps in your bed.
Dust mites love to live in bedding as the body heat and perspiration we produce during sleep creates the perfect cosy environment for these microscopic opportunists to thrive.
Mite allergens are found in dust-filled textiles in the highest concentrations; these include upholstered furniture, carpets, curtains and plush toys as well as beds. Allergen levels are at their highest between May and October, the peak breeding season of house dust mites.
Fortunately, an air purifier is great for dust removal, including dust mite allergens, and can help you breathe easier. An air purifier also prevents sickness by killing harmful airborne germs. Being exposed to dust mites at home on an ongoing basis can have a dramatic impact on your health.
Although they may “hitchhike” on clothing, dust mites do not live on people. They feed primarily on dander, flakes of dead skin that fall from people and animals. Upholstered furniture, pillows and mattresses typically harbor more dust mites than carpeting.
DUST MITE ALLERGIES
The rate is even higher among those with asthma; 75 to 80 per cent of them also suffer from allergic rhinitis. Dust mites can infest all kinds of pillows -- feather, down, microfiber, or polyester foam. That means notone type is immune to them.
Dust Mites are one of the major indoor triggers for people with asthma. Ongoing exposure to dust mites at home can impact the health of people with asthma and those who are allergic or sensitive to mites. These allergens can trigger mild to severe allergic symptoms and can be responsible for asthma attacks.
You may not know this, but you share your bed with lots of creatures. Every home, no matter how clean, houses dust mites. These tiny insects, about 0.4 millimeters in length, feed on flakes of human skin.
There are approximately 2 million dust mites in a pillow. In fact, they say a 20-yr old pillow weighs twice the amount than its original weight because of dead skin cells, dust mites, and their waste products. That is why it is suggested to buy inexpensive pillows and replace them every 1-2 yrs.