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Can't see the dust mites? Click here to watch the film.
In the latest of his Sleep Watch films Michael Mosley met Rob - he often struggles to get to sleep because his asthma flares up when he goes to bed.
When expert Gary Farron takes a sample from Rob's bed it reveals flakes of dead skin.
Look closer at the flakes and they're seen to contain dust mites. Five thousand could fit on the head of a pin. Each of us shares our bed with approximately 2.5million dust mites. For asthma sufferers this can be a serious problem as dust mite excrement can trigger inflammatory responses.
So, how to reduce dust mites? Here are some tips:
• Use complete barrier covering systems on your mattress, duvet and pillow.
• Remove all carpets and replace with hard flooring.
• Vacuum all areas frequently. Use a vacuum cleaner that has good suction and a filtered exhaust that does not scatter dust. Damp dust all surfaces or use an attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Be sure to vacuum your curtains.
• Remove all soft toys from beds. Put them into a bag in the freezer for a minimum of six hours every one to two weeks to kill house-dust mites.
• Hot wash (at 60 degrees C) sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases once a week. Although some people are allergic to feathers, there is no conclusive evidence to show that synthetic, 'hypo-allergenic' pillows are any better.
• Clean your soft furnishings with anti-house-dust mite chemicals.
• Use a dehumidifier to dry the air, as this makes it more difficult for the house-dust mites to survive.
Do you have dust mite banishing tips? Are dust mites a problem in your household?
Comments
I too have the "sampler" (actually called a Baird Dirt or Demo Meter) and it is amazing how much stuff comes out of an average bed just by the simple act of vacuuming the mattress. This is actually one of the ways that a Kirby salesman demonstrates a Kirby, as used in the video (adapted with a UV steriliser), and in my view is one of the reasons why I love my Kirby collection!!! Ok with a normal upright vacuum it may look silly standing on the bed vacuuming it like it was a floor, but it is an essential part of household cleaning if you wish to remain healthy... :)
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Surely not many washing machines keep a temperature of 60 for an hour as recommended yesterday. Nor would it be economical for someone to wash one sheet and one pillowcase a week separately from the rest of the wash. Would using biological washing powder or liquid have the same effect?
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I don't think it was funny when Aggie appeared at the end in the guy's bedroom and embarrassing him by sniffing his bed! and patting his head and cheek as if he was a toddler. It puts people off from appearing on the show.
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Both myself and my partner suffer from psoriasis so we shed even more skin and at a faster rate than a person with normal skin. I'd hate to think how many dust mites are munching on us!! Have to admit, after watching last night's show, i went out and bought new pillows today! I had visions of of dust mites crawling into my mouth and swallowing them!!! lol
Rosie Pickering
Mountain Ash
S Wales
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The Dust Mite article did not stress that ordinary vacuum cleaners do not have adequate filtration to trap dust mites and their faeces. They will merely broadcast the particles all over the bedroom. Cleaners with microfilters are required. These are considerably more expensive than ordinary cleaners but asthma sufferers should be able to purchase them VAT-free.
Philip
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Just wonder how many people , myself included, couldnt wait to get home from work tonight, skipping the gym , to get their sheets etc in the wash and hoover their matresses!
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After watching your article on dust mites I've spent half the day washing bedding and hoovering mattresses. The One Show must single handedly be responsible for the deaths of several million dust mites. I would be surprised if you are not contacted soon by the NSPCDM (national society for the prevention of cruelty to dust mites).
J Jones
Manchester
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Yes, I've heard hoovering a mattress can do more damage if it doesn't have a HEPA filtration system - releasing the mattress contents into the air! Buying a special hoover, even without the VAT, seems expensive. I think a cheaper alternative would be to have the mattress cleaned by a professional who already has the specialist vaccuum cleaner.
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Entertaining piece that I'm sure had everyone reaching for their vacuum cleaners, and ensuring their pillows are horizontally plump.
I'm sure i wasn't the only person to find 'Rob' rather handsome, and felt his embarrassment being attacked by Aggie. With clean sheets, he'd make a real catch.
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