More Household Tips: Dust Mites!

Dust mites creep me out. They are so common, they feed on our shed skin (we apparently shed 10 pounds of skin a year), and they cause irritations that lead to allergies and asthma.

I have home enlightenment by Annie Bond home from the library. It is seriously the bible for a healthy, simple home. I will need to take it out again and again to get through it all. But here are some of my favorite bits so far on dust mites:

1. Damp Dust Mop (to combat dust mites and allergens)- can use to wipe down floors, woodwork, walls and ceilings. Combine 1 part vegetable glycerin, 1 part vinegar and use on a soft dust-free cloth. I would imagine you should wash at a very high temperature after use to further eliminate dust mites (she recommends discarding).
2. Other ways to combat dust mites: direct sunlight, dehumidifier (below 40-50%), steam clean carpets, vapour steam clean bedding (and mattresses, couches, carpets, curtains, upholstery).
3. It recommends replacing pillows every 6 months. This seems unrealistic. So other options I would consider are to tightly seal in plastic bag and freeze. Then vigorously shake outside (this works for stuffed animals). Or buy wool filled pillows and other bedding. Dust mites don't like the lanolin.
4. Use a HEPA vacuum and/ or air filter.
5. Add 1/8 cup of castile soap to laundry- the fatty acids help kill bugs including bed bugs.