When it comes to cleaning and keeping allergies at bay, it’s important to recognize that many properties have a serious problem with dust mites. What’s worse are the misconceptions that cause people to clean them inefficiently. With some basic insight, you can clear up your property — and your allergy symptoms — from the wrath of those loathsome critters. Here are just a few common myths about dust mites it’s time to kick to the curb for good.
You can feel when a dust mite ‘bites’ you.
As one of the most common misconceptions about these pests, this needs to be addressed. The fact is, dust mites can’t bite you, simply because they don’t have actual teeth. They just have an opening that feeds on dust. They don’t chew their food, either; they secrete a special enzyme that helps to break down the dust and aid in digestion. But no, dust mites don’t actually bite humans. That being said, if you do feel an itchiness on your skin, it’s probably an allergic reaction to the proteins found in dust mites’ waste product.
You can see dust mites walking around.
Again, this is a big misconception. Dust mites are much too small to be seen by the human eye — to do so, you would need a microscope. Dust mites may attach themselves to your clothing, but you can’t actually see them. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: steam cleaning. The recommended treatment for dust mites is to launder the concerned item in water at a temperature of at least 130 degrees F, or treat the surface with a tannic acid solution — vapor systems can penetrate surfaces thoroughly with temperatures in excess of 180 degrees F.
The best way to get rid of dust mites is with chemicals.
This is a potentially harmful misconception. As mentioned, steam cleaning is by far the most efficient way to rid your home of dust mites. In fact, steam kills 99% of common household germs and bacteria like E.Coli, salmonella, and staph, as well as dust mites and bed bugs.
Ultimately, understanding dust mite habits and the proper steam cleaning systems can help you keep your property clean and free of allergens. For more information about industrial steam cleaners, contact Falcon Prosolutions.