How to minimise dust mites and allergies in the bedroom

Have you struggled to get that much needed sleep due to your allergies flaring up in bed? Allergies can cause discomfort and disrupt your sleep, and the bedroom is a common place where allergens can accumulate, including dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.

What are dust mites?

What are dust mites? Dust mites are tiny microscopic arachnids found in nearly all indoor environments, but especially beds. They feed on dead skin cells, dust, and other microscopic organic matter, such as pollen.

While they don’t bite, dust mites produce 10-20 waste particles daily, each containing a protein that can cause various allergic reactions, including asthma, eczema, and hay fever.

How to reduce dust mites.

So, what can you do in order to reduce the number of dust mites and allergens in your bedroom and stop all that sniffling and sneezing to get that peaceful rest we all want and need?

1. Clean Regularly

Dust and allergens can accumulate quickly in the bedroom, so cleaning regularly is important. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove dust from floors, carpets, and curtains. Dust surfaces, including dressers and nightstands, with a damp cloth to avoid stirring up allergens. Wash bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, at least once a week in hot water (hotter than 60°C) to kill dust mites.

2. Control Humidity

Dust mites thrive in humid environments, so low humidity can help minimize allergies. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to control humidity in the bedroom. Keep indoor humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent.

3. Choose Hypoallergenic Bedding

Choose bedding made from hypoallergenic materials, such as cotton, bamboo, or tencel. Avoid materials that are prone to harbouring allergens, such as down feathers. Wash bedding regularly to remove allergens.

4. Keep Pets Out of the Bedroom

Pet dander is a common allergen that can accumulate in the bedroom and also provides a food source for dust mites. Keep pets out of the bedroom, especially if you are allergic to their dander. If you must have a pet in the bedroom, consider using an air purifier to remove pet dander from the air.

5. Use an Air Purifier

Air purifiers can help remove allergens from the air, including dust, pollen, and pet dander. Look for an air purifier with a HEPA filter, which can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns.

6. Encase Mattresses and Pillows

Protect-A-Bed waterproof mattress protectors and pillow protectors can be an effective way to minimize allergies in the bedroom. These protectors prevent allergens from leaving the mattress and pillow and entering the air. Encasing mattresses and pillows can help reduce exposure to dust mites and other allergens.

Say goodbye to dust dites and allergens

While it may sound daunting, following these tips can help minimize bedroom allergies and dust mites and improve sleep quality. Remember to clean regularly, control humidity levels, choose hypoallergenic bedding, use an air purifier, keep pets out of the bedroom, and encase mattresses and pillows.

Protect-A-Bed's waterproof mattress and pillow protectors can be an effective addition to your allergy-fighting arsenal, providing an extra layer of protection against allergens. The Allerzip fully encased mattress protectors and pillow protectors, seal your mattress and pillow and stop allergens entering or exiting.