HOUSE DUST MITES FACT SHEET
House dust mites primarily
live on the dead skin cells that are regularly shed from humans and their
animal pets. Dander (skin cells and scales) is usually found in
large quantities in lounges, mattresses, carpeted areas and any frequently
used soft furniture. One double bed mattress can easily house 2
million mites and a 6 year-old pillow can get one-tenth of its weight
from mites, dead mites and mite droppings.
Follow the instructions
below to help control house dust mites.
- Remove all bedding
/ coverings etc for washing.
- Decant 200mL Eureka!
Eucalyptus Oil 20% water soluble into a spray container
- Spray room including
mattresses, pillows, carpets, rugs, curtains, soft furnishing and toys
and then leave for 2 hours. (Test a small unseen patch on delicate fabrics)
- Vacuum all areas
that have been sprayed with a strong vacuum cleaner containing a very
fine filter bag.Repeat monthly.
- Add 40mL Eucalyptus
Oil to 10mL dish washing liquid (for instructions see below article)
and wash all bedding / coverings etc in warm or hot water depending
on fabrics.
13/4/1998: EUCALYPTUS - THE GOOD OIL ON DESTROYING DUST
MITES
Allergen (Brisbane)
Researchers say a bit of eucalyptus oil in the wash destroys more than
90 per cent of house dust mites in bedding. Dr Euan Tovey, from
the University of Sydney's Institute of Respiratory Medicine, has found
that eucalyptus oil is a cheap method of killing off the mites whose droppings
trigger asthma.
However Dr Tovey stresses
that regular washing of bedding to remove the allergens is more important
than trying to kill live mites. He says most dust mite allergen
is removed by regular washing, but anyone who wants to boost maintain
a lower level of mites can use eucalyptus. The study, published in the
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, concludes that the method
is effective, simple and inexpensive, and eliminates the need for very
hot water.
Dr Tovey says four
parts eucalyptus oil should be added to one part of commercial liquid
dish washing detergent -- not laundry detergent. He recommends this
solution be added to about 100 ml of water -- which will go milky -- to
stop it damaging the plastic lining of some washing machines. For more
information on Dr Tovey's research project, visit www.woolcock.org.au
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