Invisible to human eyes, thousands of tiny creatures lurk in our homes, giving birth to allergies and respiratory issues. Among the most commonly found bugs is the notorious dust mite, which is present inside the dust accumulated in our homes. Feeding on dead skin cells of humans, they grow quickly in warm conditions with high humidity levels. If left untouched, they can wreak havoc in your family life by causing allergies like runny nose, itchy skin, cough, red eyes and sneezing.
Thus, it is vital to eliminate these microscopic bugs using organic products that do not further pollute the air quality by releasing chemical fumes.
Here is how you can get rid of dust mites in the house naturally to create a safe and sanitised space for your loved ones. Following these steps will help you learn to keep your house dust-free and reduce the burden during end of lease cleaning.
1. Regularly Clean Your Bedding
Since beds are the cosiest places with a lot of dead skin cells, they are loved by
dust mites. Therefore, washing bedcovers, duvets, pillow covers and comforters every week in hot water (60 degrees Celsius) is necessary. If you have placed stuffed toys on your baby’s bed, they must also be washed regularly.
If you have items on your bed that cannot be washed in the washing machine, you can put them in a plastic bag and freeze them for 24 hours to kill the dust mites. Also, keep your bed uncluttered with minimal bedding and pillows to avoid giving a warm environment to the bugs.
2. Ensure Your Mattresses Are Hygienic
The mattresses in your home may appear clean, but they are breeding grounds for dust mites. According to research, millions of these bugs can reside in your mattresses, depending on the hygiene levels in the house. Vacuum the mattress with a HEPA-filter cleaner, which professionals use to offer
bond cleaning Brisbane.
After vacuuming, the mattress must be wrapped in allergen-proof covers to keep the dust mites at bay. The pillows should be washed in hot water and covered in mite-proof covers. You can also replace old mattresses and pillows with the latest hypoallergenic ones to reduce the risk of allergies.
3. Keep the Humidity Levels Under Control
Dust mites are known to flourish in hot and humid environments. Therefore, keeping the humidity level in your house below 50% is essential. Using a dehumidifier is also a good idea to reduce humidity. Keep
the windows open to allow fresh air to pass through the rooms.
Make sure to use exhaust in the kitchen when cooking to stop the hot air from dissipating into the surroundings. Similarly, if you are taking hot showers, let the heat in the bathroom out through the window or exhaust fan. Use air-conditioning to reduce the heat in the house.
4. Vacuum and Remove Dust From All Surfaces
Vacuuming the house every week is necessary to maintain health and hygiene, besides driving out dust mites. All the surfaces like table tops, shelves, windows and doors must be wiped with a microfiber cloth or damp mop to minimise dust in the air. The upholstered furniture, carpets and rugs must be vacuumed because they amass the maximum dust.
Using
a steam cleaner on upholstered surfaces is recommended to remove dust effectively. These machines come in handy when working on achieving quality end of lease cleaning in Brisbane while moving out. Remember to wash the curtains frequently and switch to wooden or vinyl flooring instead of carpets and rugs.
5. Use Essential Oils To Remove Dust Mites
Essential oils like tea tree and eucalyptus oil are potent in killing dust mites. You can also try clove and rosemary oils, as they are natural products that can kill several bacteria, viruses and fungi. They also
eliminate bad odours and make your house smell good.
An effective spray for killing dust mites can be prepared by mixing two cups of distilled water with two tablespoons each of eucalyptus and tea tree oils in a spray bottle. It can be sprayed directly on mattresses, carpets, rugs, curtains and sofas to kill the mites. The bottle can be stored away from sunlight for regular use.
6. Utilise Baking Soda or Diatomaceous Earth for Mite Control
Baking soda is a
green cleaning product that serves many purposes and is often recommended for quality end of lease cleaning in Brisbane. It is an effective cleaning agent that can be sprinkled over mattresses and other upholstery and allowed to sit for a few hours. The baking soda works its magic by removing moisture and making the furnishing mite-free.
The mattresses and other surfaces must be vacuumed carefully after a few hours. Similarly, you can use diatomaceous earth (DE), which is made from silica rock and is safe to use. Follow the same process with DE to control dust mites.
Wrapping Up
Accumulation of dust in homes is inevitable. However, you can prevent the growth of dust mites by following the tips mentioned above. These natural cleaning methods ensure maximum health benefits and safety.