DIY Network

Keeping Mites Out of the Home Keeping Mites Out of the Home From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-123

One of the best ways to avoid dust-mite allergies is to create an environment that isn't welcoming to the little critters. Here are a few suggestions to help you put up a No Mites Allowed! sign.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• Enclose mattresses, box springs and pillows in protective allergen covers (figure A). These are very helpful in containing dust mites already in the home. The covers are inexpensive, last a long time and can be found both in linen stores and online.

• Mattress and box-spring covers should zip on, covering all sides of the bedding, to prevent mite residue from filtering out onto the floor (figure B). Wash the covers every six months.

• If you don't want to sleep on a plastic mattress pad, add a cotton cover for comfort. Wash the cotton cover every two weeks.

• Waterbeds can also be considered as an alternative to conventional mattresses.

• When you purchase pillow covers, check the label to make sure they protect against dust mites and allergens. Not all covers are designed to do so.

• Give pets their own place to sleep (figure C). If your pet must sleep on the bed, bathe or clean her weekly with a shampoo such as Allerpet/C (figure D). If you have a cat that won't submit to bathing, pour the product on a wet cloth and groom her with it. This product has proven to be highly effective in reducing pet allergens.

• Use microfiber mops and cloths to clean hard surfaces and down bedding covers. Thousands of fibers in the cloth trap dust particles, and the cloths can be washed in hot water as needed.

• Use HEPA filters to clean the air.

• Remove carpets, if possible.

• Don't vacuum the mattress; it just stirs up the mites.

Tip: Don't forget to wash pet bedding regularly and dry it in the dryer at the hottest setting.