Dust mites, allergies and your mattress

A mattress that has been slept on for a few years contains dead skin cells, sweat, body oil and a population of dust mites feeding on the skin cells. It is the mites' waste, not the mites, that causes allergic reactions: sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes that are worst in the morning.

A mattress protector, washed regularly, is the single best prevention. Most people do not have one, and the ones who do still have years of accumulation in the mattress under it.

What cleaning does

HEPA vacuuming removes mite allergen and skin cells from the surface and seams. Heat from a professional extraction tool kills mites on and just below the surface. Extraction removes sweat and oil that mites feed on. A sanitizer treatment addresses bacteria. The result is a measurable reduction in allergen, and most people with morning congestion notice the difference within a week.

After cleaning

Put a protector on. Wash bedding weekly in hot water. Vacuum the mattress surface when you change sheets. Have it professionally cleaned every twelve to eighteen months, or sooner for kids, pets on the bed or after illness.