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Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

such as beds and upholstered furniture, will have much higher mite populations than the rest of the house. Dust mites are microscopic and feed on skin and live in bedding, carpets, and other dust traps. Declare war on the dust mite with an easy and inexpensive dust mite mop.

Scientists with The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) reported that some simple steps can significantly reduce the levels of dust mite allergens in bedrooms.

NIEHS’ Dr. Zeldin said, “Results from an earlier study suggest that over 45 percent of U.S. homes, or approximately 44 million dwellings, have bedding with dust mite allergen concentrations that exceed a level that has been associated with allergic sensitization. We estimated that 22 million homes have bedding with dust mite allergen concentrations at a level that can trigger asthma in susceptible people. So we were eager to test ways to reduce these troublesome substances.”

The house dust mite (sometimes abbreviated by allergists to HDM), is a cosmopolitan guest in human habitation. Dust mites feed on organic detritus such as flakes of shed human skin and flourish in the stable environment of dwellings. In nature they are killed by micro-predators and by exposure to direct sun rays. Dust mites are the most common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. The enzymes they produce can be smelled most strongly in full vacuum cleaner bags. The European house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and the American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) are two different species, but are not necessarily confined to Europe or North America.

Allergies from house dust mite can be managed by immunotherapy using mite extracts in conjunction with reducing the mite population in the home of the patient. It is virtually impossible to eliminate all dust mites from a household, but areas where mites tend to congregate can be targeted. Wall to wall carpet should be reduced, and replaced where possible with smooth hard surfaces that are easy to clean. Upholstered furniture can be avoided. Bedding and curtains should be selected on their ability to withstand frequent laundering. Thorough vacuuming on a regular basis, including all mattresses, especially the seams and framework of the bed, will also help. A reduction in humidity levels by increased air circulation and ventilation throughout the house will assist in maintaining mites at a lower level.

Symptoms of allergic reaction to house dust mites
House dust mites can trigger respiratory or dermatological conditions including asthma and eczema. Symptoms can include:
Wheezing
Coughing
Breathlessness
A tight feeling in the chest
Runny nose
Itchy nose
Itchy eyes
Itchy skin
Skin rashes

The characteristics of a house dust mite include
Less than half a millimetre in length, which makes it hard to see with the naked eye.
Wingless.
Oval shaped body.
Light coloured body with fine stripes.
Life span of around two months or so, depending on the conditions.
The allergic reaction
Unlike other common household bugs - fleas, for example - dust mites don’t bite. Their bodies, secretions and faeces contain particular proteins that can trigger allergic symptoms in susceptible people.

Common hiding spots
The diet of the house dust mite includes shed skin flakes, pollen and fungal spores. It prefers warm, humid and dark environments. Common hiding spots around the home include:
Mattresses and bed linen
Upholstered furniture
Shag-pile or long-fibred carpets
Soft toys.

Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly in water hotter than 55°C. Alternatively, if washing in cold water, use a product containing essential oils, like eucalyptus or tea tree oil.
Hot tumble dry (for half an hour after dry)  - this will kill house dust mites but not the allergen they produce.
Wash blankets and non-encased doonas every two months.
Suggested to remove old sheepskin or woollen underlays and any other sheepskin products.See organic notes below. 
Remove all soft toys from the bedroom and replace with wooden toys, which can be cleaned. Or, if a soft toy is allowed, it should be washed weekly using the same method used for sheets. (Freezing soft toys overnight does not work because it doesn’t remove allergen).
Damp dust or use cloths to clean hard surfaces weekly, rather than a feather duster.
Reduce humidity - have a dry and well-ventilated house. Have adequate floor and wall insulation and avoid evaporative coolers.

Avoid upholstered furniture - leather, and wood are best.
Windows - venetian blinds or flat blinds are better than heavy curtains. Washable curtains or external shutters are other options.
Wash clothing before use if it has been stored for a long time.
Remove carpets, rugs and mats (where practical and affordable) - bare boards and tiled floors are preferable as they can be damp mopped or cleaned with electrostatic cloths.
Wash rugs and mats regularly and dry them outside in full sunshine (if possible).
Vacuum weekly, including the seams of mattresses and upholstered furniture. Vacuuming causes house dust mite allergens to become airborne for up to 20 minutes, so if you are allergic to dust mites, you should wear a mask or ask someone else to vacuum. You may air the house for an hour or so after vacuum cleaning to help clear the air.

New research conducted by the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research has shown vacuum cleaning to be largely ineffective at removing dust mite allergen. The research found that vacuum cleaning was an ineffective allergy avoidance measure because it removed dust mite allergen from carpets in an inconsistent and incomplete manner.

This is particularly true of worn carpets where the study results indicate vacuum cleaning may in fact change the distribution of dust mite allergen within the carpet, rather than removing allergen from all depths equally.

Woolcock Researcher Jason Sercombe said that given that carpets are a major reservoir of dust mite allergen and vacuum cleaning is the most common method of allergen control, the results are particularly relevant to professionals interested in limiting people's exposure to common allergens.

The acid/vinegar in this mop formula will not only help deter the dust mites, but will neutralize the parts of the dust mites that are the allergens. This handy mop can be transformed into a dusting rag:

Dust Mite Mop
One part white distilled household vinegar
One part vegetable glycerin (found in health food stores)
Clean, natural-fiber rag/cloth, such as an old cotton or linen dish towel
Mop

Combine the liquid ingredients in a bowl, then soak the cloth in the mixture until it is saturated. Wring out the cloth and attach the cloth to the mop, and mop as usual. After use, wash the cloth in very hot water, 130F or higher. The high heat will kill the mites.

Note: Don’t overuse vinegar on no-wax floors.

Ask the Mites to Tea

Splashing your floorboards with cold tea before sweeping up the dust could help allergy sufferers, according to research undertaken at sydney University. The mites in house dust contain a host of allergens and there appears to be an allergic basis for several diseases - including asthma, hay fever and eczema. the research shows that the tannic acid in tea is a known substance which completley neutralises the mite's 'allergic' effects.

What are organic mattresses and why would you want one?

There are two main types of organic mattresses:
• Coil Innerspring Mattress
• Natural Rubber Mattress

The Coil Innerspring Mattress is made of a metal coil, surrounded by natural wool which acts as a fire retardant and regulates body temperature. Surrounding the organic wool is organic cotton which makes the mattress softer.

The Natural Rubber Mattress has a core made of rubber which comes from a rubber tree in Malaysia (a completely renewable resource). This part is similar to a memory foam mattress in that it provides great support and you do not feel any movement from other people on the bed. The rubber core is surrounded by a layer of organic wool on this mattress as well – again to act as a fire retardant and to regulate moisture.

Why is an Organic Mattress Better?
• Healthier
• Better Sleep
• Better for the Environment

Organic Mattresses are Healthier for You
Regular or conventional mattresses contain a number of toxic chemicals which leach out into the air over time. This is called off-gassing.

So, what are these chemicals? Many of them are fire retardants, such as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) or boric acid. The fire retardants make the mattress less likely to catch fire. In the 1970s, governments required fire retardants to be added to mattresses (and other upolstery) to increase consumer safety. However, many of these chemicals have toxic effects.
• PBDEs have been shown to have health effects in animals and are so toxic that Europe is phasing out the use of them completely.
• Boric acid has many known health risks just due to inhalation and the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centres for Disease Control warn of reproductive, developmental and neurological damage.

In addition to the above risks, fire retardants in mattresses have been linked to the rise in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) over the past few decades. This would especially affect the 5-10% of population are super accumulators. (Globe and Mail in May 2006) And some research has linked Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) to exposure from toxic chemicals being emitted from crib mattresses.

Other than the fire retardants, other chemicals, such as those that come from the break down of polyurethane foam, are off-gased. These chemicals are known carcinogens.

So organic mattresses are healthier because there is no off-gasing, but they are also healthier for other reasons. For many people it is the benefits that these products bring for patients with asthma or allergies that is most attractive.

As you may know, dust mites are a trigger for many people with asthma. Conventional mattresses are a haven for dust mites. In fact, a plastic mattress cover is usually recommended for asthmatics that have dust mites as a trigger. This can be quite uncomfortable because the plastic does not breathe, resulting in a sweaty, restless sleep.

The benefit of the Natural Rubber Mattress is that it is naturally anti-microbial, hypo-allergenic and dust-mite resistant – dust mites are unable to survive in the rubber or wool. So for people with asthma or allergies, dust mites can be eliminated from their mattress without the plastic cover.

Why are Organic Mattresses Healthier?
• No synthetic materials so no off-gasing
• No off-gasing of fire retardant chemicals because wool acts as a natural fire retardant
• Anti-microbial, hypo-allergenic and dust-mite resistant – better for people with asthma, allergies or sensitivities

Organic Mattresses Provide Better Sleep

Another benefit of an organic mattress is a potentially sounder sleep.

In one study, it was found that people tossed and turned less and reported better sleep when sleeping on natural wool. It is hypothesized that this is because wool regulates body temperature – keeps you warm when it is cold and cool when it is warm. When you sleep on synthetic products, the experience can be similar to sleeping on a plastic covered mattress – you can wake up feeling sticky and clammy and unrested.

With natural fibers, the sweat evaporates. Wool absorbs moisture – it is able to absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture. And there are pockets in the wool which trap heat and let the air circulate near your body. In this way, your body temperature is regulated.

Organic Mattresses are Better for the Environment

As described above, organic mattresses are made of natural rubber, organic cotton, and organic wool.

Natural rubber is harvested by tapping the milk of the rubber tree. This is truly a sustainable resource because sap can be collected from the trees up to 180 days per year and the tree heals within an hour. Each tree can provide enough milk for one mattress per year.

Why Organic Cotton?

Indeed, we must mind how we "pick our cotton".Why organic cotton? http://www.organic-ally.co.uk/25949.html#Why organic cotton?

Organic wool is produced without the use of hormones or pesticides, both in the animal and in the animal’s food. Wool is a sustainable resource because the sheep are not killed; they are merely shorn each year.

Many products say “Organic” but not all organic labels can be trusted. If you want to be 100% positive that you’re choosing real organic bedding, look for the USDA Organic label. This is not to say that all other organic labels are worthless, it’s just that the USDA label is regulated.

A few places to find natural bedding:

http://www.gaiam.com/category/eco-home-outdoor/bedroom.do

http://www.annasova.com

http://www.looporganic.com/for_the_home.html

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional.