(This is the continuation of our response to the problem of Joanne, the itch on her issues with the itchiness she felt every time she hits her bed.)
Dear Joanne, the itch,
Now, moving on to more tips to get rid of itchiness in your bed…
4. Steam-clean your carpets
This could help lessen the dust mite population and prevents its population growth. This is backed up by a study in Glasgow, Scotland, where there was a whopping 87 percent drop in the concentration of dust mites per gram of dust after carpets were steam-cleaned.
5. Vapor steam-clean
Use a small machine that heats surfaces with dry steam. You can use electric irons with a steamer function. This can kill fungus, dust mites, bacteria, and other creatures you don’t want. You can use this to clean beddings that you can’t wash like your mattresses. Vapor has only 5 to 6 percent of water – so, you don’t have to worry – that it would add up to a moist environment. Moreover, the steam penetrates whatever you want it to clean – like your upholstery, couches, carpets, mattresses and even your dresses that can only be dried clean.
6. Choose wool beddings
The natural lanolin in wool repels dust mites. So, get them if you can.
7. Vacuum clean your bed
Cleaning regularly places or areas where bed bugs may be present with a vacuum cleaner is highly recommended because this will help reduce the number of adult bed bugs in your bed. Vacuum your mattress weekly to get rid of the dust and dead skin cells, which dust mites feast upon. Moreover, vacuuming can increase the life span of your mattress, as this will prevent mites from accumulating deep within your mattress, leading to wear and tear over time of your mattress.
Well, I hope that helps. Good luck!
-Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.”. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Door 11, Ebro-Pelayo Building 1, Juan Luna St., Barangay 29-C, Davao City, or you e-mail them to dokatlaw@gmail.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)