Dust mites are a major concern for Friendswood, Texas, homeowners, especially those suffering from asthma and allergies. Take control of your health by dust-proofing your home with the following tips.
Choose Window Treatments Wisely
The type of window treatments you choose can play a major role in whether you end up with a dust problem. Heavy drapes and curtains capture and hold dust, becoming breeding grounds for dust mites. Instead of opting for heavy treatments, consider dressing up your windows with shutters or blinds that are easier to clean.
If you do prefer curtains, take them down and wash them regularly in hot water to kill any dust mites.
Replace Air Filters
HVAC filters should be replaced every one to three months to cut down on dust. Most manufacturers recommend replacing air filters every three months, but inspecting them for debris monthly is your best bet. When you inspect your air filters, look for any accumulated dust or pet hair. If you have pets in the home, you’ll probably need to change the filters more often.
Declutter
Dust mites thrive in cluttered homes. When you have excessive clutter, it’s harder to dust and vacuum around items, which can result in dust accumulating for longer periods of time.
Even if your home is clutter-free, check closets and other storage areas for dust. You’re better off storing items in plastic containers or cloth bags to more easily keep dust under control.
Shake Out Fabrics
Cushions, pillows, and area rugs are prime spots for dust mites to thrive. Unfortunately, these items are rarely washed. To beat the dust bunnies, shake out or beat rugs and cushions outdoors on a regular basis. You can also tumble pillows in a hot dryer to control dust mites. Not only that, but the pillows fluff up nicely and are more pleasant to sleep on.
While you can’t shake out wall-to-wall carpeting, you may want to consider replacing carpet with hardwood or vinyl flooring, which is easier to clean.
Use an Air Purifier
Air purifiers act as vacuum cleaners for the air. Whether you opt for a portable or whole-home purifier, units with HEPA filters reduce airborne allergens and improve indoor air quality. When choosing an air purifier, it’s important to evaluate your home’s indoor air quality with a professional assessment. An HVAC technician can help identify your options, especially when you want to invest in a whole-home unit.
Otherwise, use portable air purifiers where needed, especially in bedrooms of asthma and allergy sufferers.
Take Care of Your Bedding
Since dust mites live off our shed skin cells, they’re more often found in bedding than any other areas of the home. This means that our pillows, sheets, comforters, and mattresses are harboring countless dust mites, and we’re exposing ourselves to them every time we crawl into bed.
To cut down on your exposure to dust mites, wash your bedding in hot water weekly and invest in washable allergen covers for your mattress, box springs, and pillows. You’ll also want to avoid sleeping with pets in the bed, since doing so can aggravate allergies and contribute to dust problems in the bedroom.
Choose Dust-Proof Furniture
Unfortunately, upholstered cloth furniture serves as a cozy home for dust mites. Vinyl, leather, and wood furniture are smarter choices if you’re looking to dust-proof your home because they’re easy to wipe down.
If you’d rather not toss out your favorite upholstered sofa, spend some extra effort cleaning it with a vacuum brush attachment and fabric furniture cleaner. It won’t eliminate dust mites, but it will help keep them in check.
Use the Right Duster
Regular feather dusters only push dust around; they can’t capture it. Certain products like Swiffers and cloths that grab onto dust are better options. You can even use dampened microfiber cloths to grab debris. Just wash the cloth out after each use.
Dust-proofing your home is essential for reducing asthma and allergy symptoms and boosting your home’s indoor air quality. While there are several steps you can take yourself, call Maxx AC & Heating at (281) 338-2653 to address those HVAC needs.
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