Itchy or watery eyes, headaches, a scratchy throat, a stuffy nose, a cough, or a runny nose upon waking are bothersome symptoms that aren’t necessarily caused by a cold.According to Statista, 5% of Germans suffered from a dust mite allergy in 2021. This makes the house dust mite allergy one of the most common allergies in Germany. This allergy is not only incredibly bothersome but also leads to chronic fatigue and low mood, as it significantly disrupts our sleep. People with allergies often have to clean their mattresses and other bedding regularly to keep their allergies under control. In this article, we’ve compiled tips to help you manage your allergies.
What Causes the Symptoms of a Dust Mite Allergy?
Tips for People with Allergies: Mattresses, Beds, and More
We all share our beds every night with unwanted roommates. Millions of mites are romping around in your bed. Even though that doesn’t sound very pleasant, it’s usually not a big deal—unless you have allergies. Mattresses, sofas, and upholstered furniture are a paradise for dust mites, as they provide the perfect breeding ground. Dust mites prefer a warm, humid environment. To prevent symptoms, it’s essential to minimize contact with these allergens.That’s why it’s important to prepare your hypoallergenic mattress, bed, and upholstered furniture so that dust mites don’t settle in them in the first place. Of course, it’s not possible to get rid of dust mites completely. However, you can keep the occasional dust mite at bay with the following tips and tricks.
The Indoor Climate in the Bedroom
The indoor climate in the bedroom should be pleasantly cool. 18–19 degrees is ideal. This is too cold for dust mites to thrive. Air out your bedroom and the rest of your home daily to create a fresh indoor environment. It’s important not to make your bed immediately after getting up, but to let the comforter and pillows air out first. This helps regulate the moisture in your bedding and allows it to dry.
Bedroom Furniture
It’s important to avoid dust-collecting items in your bedroom. Choose solid-wood bedding and avoid furniture with fabric upholstery. Smooth surfaces are easier to clean and don’t provide a breeding ground for dust mites. You should also choose bedding with antibacterial properties.
In addition to solid wood furniture, natural latex mattresses are a good choice for this purpose. Natural latex does not provide an environment in which bacteria and dust mites can thrive or multiply. As a result, natural latex mattresses have natural antibacterial properties. This makes natural latex mattresses ideal for people with allergies.
Unlike synthetic materials, natural materials are extremely breathable. The combination of natural latex and organic cotton makes this type of mattress a product with excellent air circulation and ensures effective moisture and temperature regulation. That is why it is perfect as a mattress for people with allergies. Providers such as Kipli also offer a 30-night trial period during which you can test whether you have an allergic reaction to the mattress.
Note: This mattress is not necessarily recommended for people with a latex allergy (about 1% of the population), as it is not hypoallergenic. However, a latex allergy is generally triggered only by direct skin contact with latex. Under normal use of the mattress, there is no direct contact with the latex core. If you have any doubts about whether the Kipli mattress is suitable for you despite a latex allergy, we recommend consulting an allergist before making a purchase.
Dust mites are generally found on all types of mattresses. However, a mattress’s material composition is a key factor in determining the number and severity of mite infestations. Mattresses made with materials containing animal proteins—such as horsehair or wool—are not suitable for people with allergies. In addition to the mattress core, the mattress cover must also meet certain key criteria. Many mattresses do not have a removable cover. For people with allergies, however, it is recommended to remove and wash the mattress cover regularly.
Regular washing kills dust mites and removes allergens from the mattress. Wash your mattress cover every two to three months. Some mattresses, such as the Kipli mattress, have a cover with a zipper. This allows you to separate the two halves so they’ll fit in your washing machine. Find out how to clean the mattress core naturally in this blog post.
Mites can also be found in comforters and pillows. That’s why it’s important to choose natural materials here as well. Pillows made of natural latex or comforters made of organic cotton and Lyocell—these materials are ideal because they’re breathable and have natural antibacterial properties.
It’s not just your bedding—such as pillows, blankets, and mattresses—that serves as a favorite hiding place for dust mites. Stuffed animals are also a popular home for these tiny creatures. To rid stuffed animals of dust mites, you can wash them in hot water or, if necessary, place them in the freezer for at least 12 hours and then wash them as usual. You can also put the stuffed animals in the dryer for about two hours. At a temperature of 60 °C, the mites will be killed.
Mattresses for People with Allergies: Testing for Harmful Substances and Breathability Are a Must
People with allergies often react much more sensitively to harmful substances and fragrances. That is why it is important to buy natural bedding that has been tested for harmful substances.
Synthetic mattresses are made from petroleum derivatives and contain numerous chemicals that can enter the body through the air we breathe. 90% of the mattresses sold in Europe are made from petroleum-based materials, which are produced using numerous chemicals. Synthetic mattresses can release volatile organic compounds that pollute indoor air and can trigger irritation and allergies. The Kipli mattress, on the other hand, has been tested for harmful substances by various recognized institutions.
When choosing a mattress, be sure to look for certification labels that confirm the absence of harmful substances. One reliable certification label, for example, is euroLatex. This label verifies the absence of harmful substances, such as chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, solvents, nitrosamines, and volatile organic compounds. The Kipli natural latex mattress holds this certification and has also been awarded the eco-Institut label.The natural latex used to manufacture the Kipli mattress is eco-INSTITUT certified. This ensures that the mattress is free of substances and emissions harmful to health.
The eco-INSTITUT primarily checks whether a mattress contains chemical residues or releases gases harmful to health. The tests are conducted under the strictest conditions. They examine the mattress for potentially toxic materials, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, and formaldehyde.
When purchasing a mattress, you should also look for certifications and natural materials. Natural materials such as organic cotton are particularly gentle on the skin and suitable even for people with sensitive skin. The OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Product Class 1 label is the most strictly regulated product class, which verifies whether a product is suitable for children. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is an independent, globally standardized testing system for raw materials and textile products at all stages of processing, as well as for the accessories used in their manufacture. The substances tested include azo dyes, formaldehyde, pentachlorophenol, cadmium, nickel, and lead. The testing criteria are stricter than national regulations.
Mattresses such as the Kipli mattress, which have been awarded numerous certification seals, are generally suitable for people with allergies. When purchasing bedding, also look for products made with natural materials, as natural materials—unlike synthetic fabrics—are breathable. Natural materials such as natural latex and organic cotton ensure perfect temperature and moisture regulation, thereby preventing dust mites from thriving.
Treating Symptoms Naturally
If you suffer from a severe allergy to house dust, it is always advisable to see a doctor. If your allergy is not severe, you can alleviate your symptoms with natural home remedies.
Neem oil is helpful when rubbed into your skin. The oil keeps mites away because they dislike the smell. Taking one teaspoon of black cumin oil daily for 14 days also helps relieve allergy symptoms.
A balanced, vitamin-rich diet is recommended. In particular, your body should have sufficient vitamin C to strengthen your immune system. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
You can also add a little eucalyptus oil to 10 ml of cooking oil and soak a cotton swab in it. If you rub the inside of your nose with it before going to bed, it will relieve your allergy symptoms in the morning.
Other Things You Can Do
By following the suggestions listed above, you can already significantly reduce the number of mites. An additional step to minimize the spread of mites is to regularly treat your mattress, pillows, and blankets with an anti-mite spray. Conventional anti-mite sprays available in stores often contain synthetic insecticides that can trigger further allergic reactions. If these ingredients enter wastewater, they have a long-lasting toxic effect on aquatic organisms. To prevent this and protect yourself and the environment, you can easily make your own sustainable alternative to an anti-mite spray. All it takes are three ingredients: water, essential oils, and alcohol, such as vodka:
Pour 200 ml of boiled or distilled water into a spray bottle (preferably a glass bottle or a recycled bottle) and add the same amount of clear alcohol with 40% ABV. Finally, add 50 drops of tea tree essential oil. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is effective not only against mites but also against other unwelcome guests, such as parasites. Shake the mixture well and spray it on your bedding.
Another consideration if you suffer severely from a house dust allergy is purchasing a special anti-mite vacuum cleaner. This vacuum cleaner is equipped with a special HEPA filter, which is designed to filter even the smallest particles out of the air, including dust mite eggs and feces. If you don’t want to invest in such a vacuum cleaner, it’s also sufficient to use a regular vacuum cleaner and vacuum your home frequently.
In summary, we can say:
- Before purchasing bedding, check the material composition
- Natural materials with recognized quality certifications are ideal for people with allergies. Mattresses with labels such as euroLatex or eco-Institut have been tested to ensure they are free of harmful substances.
- A removable cover is recommended for people with a dust mite allergy
- Wash this 2–3 times a month
- Clean the mattress core once a year with baking soda
- Spray your bedding with a natural anti-mite spray
- Choose smooth surfaces such as solid wood and avoid upholstered furniture
- Air out your apartment every day, preferably in the morning and evening for 10 minutes
- The temperature in your bedroom should be between 18 and 19 degrees
- Let Your Bed Air Out Properly
- Wash stuffed animals or put them in the freezer for a few hours
- Treat your symptoms with natural remedies, provided your doctor has given you the go-ahead
These tips and suggestions can help alleviate mild house dust allergies. If you suffer from a severe form of the allergy, these tips—combined with a visit to your doctor—will help improve your symptoms.