Pillows

• Never use feather pillows, duvets or eiderdowns, but rather synthetic foam or polyester/acrylic filled bedding.

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  Cover the pillows with a air-permeable protector, but not vinyl. Vinyl acts as a barrier to house-dust mite, but movement of the head and the body on the pillow causes a “ballooning effect, which creates a high pressure jet of allergen bearing air which then escapes through seams and stitching.
• Replace foam pillows every six months.
• Place the pillows and the mattress in the sun for five hours every week to kill the mites.

Mattress

• Cover the mattress completely with a plastic, vinyl or microporous material – use shower curtaining and sew up or seal the ends.  The disadvantages of vinyl covers include: SA’s hot climate makes it hot and uncomfortable, instead of cool and dry to prevent the mites from breeding.
• Lightweight air permeable bedding protectors have been recognised as a significant advance in the war against house-dust mites, according to the ALLSA. 
• Wash the mattress cover regularly.
• Turn your mattress monthly. If possible place in the sun every week for five hours.
• If you have double bunk beds, let the asthmatic child sleep on the top bunk.
• Wash bedding at 60 degrees Celsius to destroy mites.
• Pull the bedcovers back in the morning to allow the bed to air thoroughly.
• Avoid padded headboards and cot bumpers for babies.

Carpets and vacuum

• Vacuum bedroom carpets and all other carpets where children play, daily.
• Vacuum the whole house at least twice a week.
• Vacuum cleaners without efficient filters will disperse allergens.
• Very few living house-dust mites are sucked up because they have claws to keep them in place. “Wet” vacuum cleaning is more effective.
• Damp dust at least twice a week.
• Polish wooden floors with wax regularly to seal them.

Soft toys

• Keep soft toys to a minimum and store them in a cupboard.
• Remove dust collecting books, dried flowers, thick curtains, blinds, upholstered furniture, or keep them very clean.
• Select closed bookcases and cabinets.
• Wash soft toys every month at 60 degrees Celsius. 
• Place them in the freezer for six hours every week.
• After freezing, vacuum them to remove dead mites. 

• Make sure the room is well aired every day. Keep the bedroom windows open when possible.
• Keep furry pets out of the bedroom.

Keep humidity down

• Avoid creating excess steam in the bathroom by running cold water first. Keep the door closed.
• Keep windows open.
• Do not use humidfiyers or ionisers.
• Electric blankets in winter will help eradicate mites from the bed.
• Use externally vented tumble-dryers to avoid increasing humidity levels in the home.
• Use ventilator extractor hood or extractor fan when cooking, or open a window and close the doors to the rest of the house.

Chemical sprays to kill mites

• Chemical sprays like benzyl benzoate, tannic acid, bromopol and others can kill mites. Use them regularly.
• Dead mites can be vacuumed up more easily. This must be done.
• Conventional insecticides are of no benefit and can aggravate allergic symptoms, according to the ALLSA. 

Allergy Society of South Africa (ALLSA)

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