PROBLEMATIC WITH MITES

(Second par t)

DEAR RICHARD THE DESPERATE,

Now, let’s get head on with your mite problem. Remember that it’s the feces and the body par ts of the dust mites that give you the allergies. So, if you simply kill them, this won’t remove the allergens. Of course, if you reduce their number, that will be a great help. In order for you to reduce them, you have to make changes in your daily life and cleaning routines. I understand that you cannot do all of the things I’ll be listing her, but even if you just apply a few of the techniques, that will help a lot in shrinking their number in your bedroom and your ‘mit y’ problem.

1. Direct sunlight kills dust mites.

Since your room permits no sunlight, hang your beddings instead where direct sunlight is possible. If only you can hang your bedr o om wher e the sun passes through, that would be an excellent move…. hehe… However, you should also remember that allergens from the outdoors can also collect on your beddings. So, don’t forget to dust them of f when you get them back.

2. Dust mites die when the humidity falls.

Yes, when the humidity falls below 40 to 50 percent. So, use a dehumidifier if you can, when the weather is humid.

3. Wash bed linens once a week in hot water.

Make it sure that the water temperature is 130°F or higher— if you want to kill mites. You can also use chlorine af ter ever y use.

4. Steam-clean your carpets.

This could help lessen the dust mite population and prevents i ts population grow th. This is backed up by a study in Glasgow, Scotland, where there was a whopping 87 percent drop in the concentration of dust mites per gram of dust af ter carpets were steam-cleaned.

5. Vapor steam-clean

Use a small machine that heats surfaces with dr y steam. You can use electric irons with a steamer function. This can ki l l fungus, dust mi tes, bacteria, and other creatures you don’t want. You can use this to clean beddings that you can’t wash like your mat tresses. Vapor has only 5 to 6 percent of water – so, you don’t have to worr y – that i t would add up to a moist environment. Moreover, the steam penetrates whatever you want it to clean – like your upholster y, couches, carpets, mat tresses and even your dresses that can only be dried clean.

6. Choose wool beddings.

The natural lanolin in wool repels dust mites. So, get them if you can.

Whoo (for the second time)! Since we’re running out of space again, let me continue this tale in my nex t issue. Until then!

Dr. Fritz