Did you know that over time your mattress will actually gain weight? it will weigh more than when you first purchased it. Do you know why? It is because of the added weight of dust mite colonies that are living inside of it. When you consider how little an individual dust mite might way and then the number of them that have to get together in order to change the weight of your mattress, it is scary, isn’t it? Yuck.
There are many things that you can do in order to reduce the dust mites, and therefore the allergens in your bedroom. It just requires some preventative care and regular cleaning in the right way to ban the little buggers, as well as eliminate other common bedroom allergens.
Okay, let us start with that mattress. Get yourself a good mattress cover. This will help to reduce the dust mites and allergens. I prefer a cloth one that can be washed frequently over the plastic ones. It is true that the plastic won’t harbor dust mites, but it can’t be washed and tends to be made of vinyl, which releases VOCs in the air, another bad thing if you have asthma or are prone to allergies. Whichever your preference, wash your bedding in hot water, and wash it frequently.
Consider replacing your mattress if it is several years old. Not only will you start out with a clean (literally) slate, but you’ll also sleep better if your current mattress is old and worn and without support.
Pillows! Pillows should have a hypoallergenic cover as well, and be washed in hot water. To prevent the pillow from getting lumpy, place a couple of tennis balls in the dryer with your pillows, to help fluff them up. (I also do this with stuffed animals.)
Be vigilant about weekly dusting and vacuuming, even under furniture. Once a month, pull furniture away from the walls and clean the backs of it, where dust can cling. You would be surprised at how much dust can collect in strange areas, such as wires and walls.
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