Why is mattresses cleaning so important? There is a growing amount of scientific data that reveals better environmental hygiene improves health. The Environmental Protection Agency has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health, and according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, "50 percent of all illnesses are caused by or aggravated by polluted indoor air."
So what are these indoor pollutants that can negatively affect our health? They include outdoor pollutants brought inside, combustion products, contamination from chemical products used by the consumer, and biological contamination. This is why EPA statistics show that levels of many airborne pollutants can be 100 to 500 percent higher indoors than outdoors
Bio-pollutants include dog- and cat dander, dust mites and cockroach allergens. These indoor pollutants act as triggers for asthma and other respiratory ailments. Over 40 million Americans suffer from allergies due to these pollutants. Children are the most at risk, as their lungs are still in the developmental stage.
The No.1 indoor allergen source? The common house dust mite. Dust mites are microscopic, eight-legged arachnids (not insects) 0.3mm in length. They are invisible to the human eye, so small they can crawl through the weave of bedding fabrics. Dust mites feed on tiny flakes of shed human skin cells. The average adult sheds about 2 pounds of skin per year. This will feed millions of dust mites. The dust mite is not what causes the problem; this lies with a protein found in the fecal matter called Der p1. The fecal mater is lighter than air and becomes airborne when disturbed by activity like fluffing pillows and tossing and turning during the night. The airborne particles are inhaled; the protein Der p1 breakdown the protective mucous lining of the eyes, nose, lungs and skin. The allergens enter the body and cause an over-reaction of the human immune system.
According to a study published by The National Institute of Environmental Health, 46 percent of North American homes have bedding with enough dust mite allergens to cause allergies. We cannot forget pets. Proteins in a pet's dander, saliva and urine cause pet allergies. Grooming by cats cause the saliva on fur to become airborne, which in turn triggers the allergic reaction. Allergy sufferers should not have pets, but of course they do.
So what about mattresses? For allergy sufferers, the bedroom is the primary source of dust mite exposure in the home. About 60 percent of mites in the home are found in the mattress, as we spend one third of our life in bed - shedding skin and feeding dust mites. To effectively control dust mite allergens, the mattress should be regularly cleaned, about every 6 months for allergy sufferers.
Don't forget the pillows. An old pillow can contain up to 20 percent of its weight in dead dust mites, dust mite body parts and their fecal matter.
Pillows can be cleaned and treated with a dust mite-neutralizing product, or replaced every six months. Next, attention should be given to the carpets in the bedroom. Mites can be found here as we change clothes and prepare for the day, all the while depositing skin on the bedroom carpet.
