Dust Mite Control: How Regular Professional Cleaning Improves Indoor Air Quality
If you’ve been experiencing unexplained sneezing, watery eyes, or worsening asthma symptoms at home, invisible culprits could be to blame. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in soft furnishings throughout your home, and their impact on health can be substantial.
The good news is that professional cleaning can dramatically reduce these populations, creating a healthier environment for you and your family.
Understanding Dust Mites and Indoor Air Quality
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells. The real problem isn’t the mites themselves, but their droppings and decomposing body fragments, which contain proteins that trigger allergic reactions.
These allergens settle into fabrics but become airborne through everyday activities like walking on carpet or sitting on furniture. Once airborne, they can be inhaled, causing symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and wheezing. For people with asthma, dust mites are one of the major indoor triggers, with ongoing exposure potentially resulting in persistent respiratory problems
Why Carpets, Upholstery, and Curtains Harbour Dust Mites
Soft furnishings provide perfect habitats for dust mites because they offer warmth, collect dead skin cells, and trap moisture. Unlike hard flooring, carpet fibres trap allergens deep within, making them difficult to remove with regular household cleaning.
Upholstered furniture accumulates skin cells through daily use, whilst curtains collect dust over time, especially in bedrooms. These fabrics release allergens into the air when disturbed, contributing to poor indoor air quality.
How Professional Cleaning Makes a Difference
Professional carpet cleaning, particularly hot water extraction or steam cleaning methods, penetrates deep into fibres for effective dust mite removal. The high temperatures kill dust mites, whilst powerful extraction equipment removes them along with their droppings.
Professional upholstery cleaning and curtain cleaning offers similar benefits. For curtains, in-situ cleaning provides thorough results without taking them down, whilst upholstery cleaning reaches furniture fibres where dust mites hide. Many people experience noticeable reductions in allergy and asthma symptoms, better sleep quality, and overall improved wellbeing after professional cleaning.
Additional Strategies for Dust Mite Control
Maximise results by combining professional cleaning with these preventative measures:
1. Control Humidity
Keep humidity levels low using dehumidifiers or good ventilation, particularly in bedrooms.
2. Keep Bedding Clean
Wash bedding regularly in hot water and use allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows to create a barrier against dust mites.
3. Reduce Clutter
Minimise decorative cushions and throws, and clean surfaces with a damp cloth to prevent dust from becoming airborne. For rugs, professional deep cleaning removes allergens that vacuuming cannot reach.
Dust mites may be invisible to the naked eye, but their health impact is very real. For allergy and asthma sufferers, controlling dust mite populations is essential. Professional cleaning services use specialist equipment to reach areas where household cleaning cannot, whilst preventative measures help maintain results between appointments.
Ready to create a healthier home? Get in touch with Apple Clean today to discuss our carpet, upholstery, and curtain cleaning services. With over 35 years of experience in professional cleaning, we can help you breathe easier.