Tips to Make your Room Allergy-proof

If you are allergic to dust mites you may find this article useful. If you do not have this type of allergy – do not underestimate allergies, for example did you know that some people may be allergic to computer display screens ? Triphenyl phosphate - a chemical compound widely used as a flame retardant in the plastic of video monitors and other products - is known to cause allergic reactions in some people. The reactions can range from itching and nasal congestion to headaches.

Making your room allergy-proof is not as simple as it seems, for example some articles claim that anti allergy bedding is very efficient and some say it’s useless. The bottom line is – every little helps, so if you are serious about tackling your allergies you should go all the way and get every weapon that could reduce your exposure to dust mites.

Dust mites are abundant in almost every home, especially in bedrooms and in bedding. Pillows and mattresses can be a haven for microscopic dust mites. The average old mattress contains approximately 2 million dust mites. To reduce your exposure to dust mites encase your pillow and mattress with dust mite covers. The allergens and dust may still accumulate on the surface so wash bedding regularly and in hot water (60 degrees), dust mites may survive washings under 60C. Dust mites do not like dense structure material such as memory foam mattresses, however, there is no single proven way to get rid of dust mites so memory foam products should be considered as part of the solution only.

Dust mites thrive in areas where humidity is high so it is important to maintain the humidity level under 40% but above 25%. Air purifiers not only remove allergens such as pollen from the air, but they are also able to remove smoke, smells and bacteria. Keep in mind though that dust mites are not air borne for long time, therefore air purifiers alone will not make your bedroom allergy-proof, but it may be a very effective component of the overall battle plan. Sweeping with a regular vacuum may only redistribute allergens, you may avoid this by using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Air conditioning has its pros and cons - it can be very helpful for people with outdoor and pollen allergies, but air conditioning also prevents natural air exchange.