Home and HVAC Tips for Preventing Dust Mites

If you’re one of many people who suffer from seasonal allergies, the spring can be a rough time of year for you. This is due to the heightened presence of several possible allergens in the air, many of which exacerbate symptoms during the spring and fall periods.

At My Buddy the Plumber in Park City, we’re here to show you several ways our air conditioning repair and general HVAC services can help you and your family improve your indoor air quality and limit the risks of allergens. One particularly frustrating potential cause of allergy symptoms this time of year: Dust mites, which cause allergic reactions in over 75 percent of all normal allergy sufferers (and plenty of non-allergy sufferers, too). While dust mites don’t bite, they release harmful allergens. Here are some general home and HVAC tips we can offer on eliminating the risk of dust mites anywhere in your home this spring.

hvac preventing dust mites

Cleaning Considerations

A few general tips for cleaning various areas of your home or HVAC components with an eye toward preventing dust mite presence:

  • Beds: One area dust mites love to gather in is various areas of the bed, which present the kind of warmth they thrive on. If you’re concerned about this, consider keeping your mattress and pillows covered with allergen-resistant materials, plus wash your bedding at least once a week.
  • Ducts: Another important area to consider cleaning during spring is your ducts, which can be done by our professionals if you need assistance. The ducts help you control air quality and general allergen presence.
  • Damp rag: When cleaning any area of the home, consider a damp rag instead of a dry cloth. Instead of just wiping up surface dirt, a damp rag will also pick up allergens rather than just moving them to another location.
  • Vacuuming: Vacuuming should be done regularly for homes with carpets. We recommend wearing a mask if you have high sensitivity to dust mites or any other possible allergens, then leaving the room for a half-hour or so to let things settle before returning.

Humidity Control

Dust mites thrive in high humidity, but often cannot survive when humidity is closer to optimal human levels. Humans tend to prefer humidity levels between 45 and 55, but most dust mites cannot survive ay anything below 50. If your home is well above this range, consider a dehumidifier to control these levels.

Hardwood Flooring

Carpet serves as a nesting ground for dust mites. If you have major dust mite issues, consider replacing carpet with hardwood floors instead.

HVAC System and Filters

Finally, speak to our pros to learn whether you have the right kind of filter in your HVAC system. With the right filter, many of the allergens presented by dust mites can be eliminated before they ever reach you.

For more on preventing dust mites and their resulting allergy triggers, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at My Buddy the Plumber today.