How to keep house dust mites (HDM) out of beds

All doctors agree that the first step in managing allergy symptoms is the avoidance of triggers where possible. It is possible, and easy to keep mites from establishing a colony in a bed. Follow these simple instructions to protect the vulnerable from mite exposure. The most vulnerable are developing children who may think it's normal to always sneeze, wheeze or itch.

1. Put a micro-porous cover on the mattress to seal mites in and stop new ones from finding a home.
2. Place a heavy cotton quilted cover over the mattress to absorb perspiration and collect discarded skin scales and dust.
3. Put microporous covers on duvets* and pillows - these can be a home for mites as well
4. Hot wash all bed linen weekly. The quilted cover only needs to be hot washed every two weeks but it must be completely dried before being put back on the bed.
5. Micro-porous covers should be damp wiped while the bed linen is off to get rid of any dust build up.

No to house dust mites

Please remember - mites are up to 75% water, they are like a tiny water balloon - ten minutes in a hot drier will kill them dead.

Don't forget to hot wash the blankets in a pet's basket. Dogs can suffer from mite allergy as well!

*Children with eczema may need special care as the micro porous covers on duvets and pillows can be 'hot'. Alternative methods may be needed such as using high quality Egyptian cotton covers on duvets and pillows and hot wash these weekly. The weave on this fabric should have a pore size less than 10 microns to prevent adult mites from passing through.