Making your bed in the morning makes dust mites worse – and their poo triggers nasty allergic reactions
THERE'S a grim reason you need to stop making your bed this winter… dust mites.
As the temperatures drop and we crank the heating in our homes it creates the perfect environment for the creepy crawlies to breed.
Dust mites are microscopic, spider-like organisms which feed on human skin and that love to live in warm spots, like bedding, pillows, sofas and car seats.
When you make your bed every morning you’re actually creating the perfect home for them – trapping them in a warm, cosy place to live.
What’s worse is their poo… yes, their poo, can trigger nasty allergic reactions like asthma and eczema, as well as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, itching, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath.
Home safety expert Ranjen Gohri says leaving your bed un-made is a good way to let your sheets breathe and avoid a dust mite invasion.
“Dust mites love warmth humidity, which is why they thrive in winter when homes are heated,” he said.
“And your bed is a real haven for them. A typical bed might have up to 1.5 million mites living inside it.
“To survive they take on water from their humid surroundings – ie, your mattress, sheets and duvet.
“But if you remove that moisture by throwing off your sheets and leaving your bed unmade every morning – exposing your bed to cold air - the mites will simply dehydrate and die.
“It's then a case of washing bedding weekly in hot temperatures while frequently dusting and vacuuming, too.”
If you usually get allergies it’s a good idea to throw away any pillows that are more than two years old as they carry a lot of dust mites.
“If you are susceptible to allergies, you need to throw away your old pillows, too,” he added.
“If you've had a pillow for two or more years - one third of its weight could be down to dust mite droppings.
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“And remember that cold temperatures kill mites. If your child is struggling with an allergy, try putting his or her favourite soft toy in the freezer overnight once a week to prevent dust mite exposure.”
Mr Gohri, of 24/7 Home Rescue, said it’s important to regularly hoover your home, wash your sheets, towel and any throw rugs.
If your allergies are getting really bad then keep your pets out of the bedroom – and off the carpets if you can.
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