Latest news with #dustmites
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Why doing an 'autumn clean' could keep you and your home healthier this winter
Photo: 123RF As the colder months approach, experts say that doing an 'autumn clean' could keep your household healthier this winter. "Most people think 'spring clean', but actually if you think about it, an autumn clean makes more sense," scientist Dr Michelle Dickinson said. "You're about to spend maybe up to four or five months hunkered down with all your windows closed because of winter in your home. So why not make sure that hunkering down space is nice and clean and dust-free and allergen-free?" Dickinson said pollen, mold spores and dust mites were among the allergens that could lurk in the home. "So, if you want your home to be healthy over the winter, actually getting a good clean in the autumn is a great idea." Allergy New Zealand chief executive Mark Dixon said New Zealand was the "world capital" for dust mites. He said dust mites loved humidity and lived in soft furnishings such as mattresses, pillows, carpets and curtains. He said they were often found in particularly high concentrations in bedrooms. Dixon said during winter, the combination of closed windows, indoor heating and moisture from cooking and showers created a perfect breeding ground. "If you can keep your home under 50 percent humidity, you're probably winning the war against dust mites". Ventilation was also important. Dixon said opening a window for 15 minutes during the colder months would help clear the air inside the home. Dickinson said being closed up over winter could also increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the home and make its inhabitants feel drowsy and lethargic. "If you're feeling quite sleepy in your home, just crack your window open a tiny little bit, let some ventilation in. It won't freeze your house, but it will probably help you clear your head and make you feel a bit better." []Not just what you clean, but how you clean it Dickinson said many household cleaners released "volatile organic compounds" which could cause headaches and eye, nose or throat irritation. She recommended using cleaners with natural ingredients instead, and ingredients such as citric acid worked just as well as bleach. Michelle Dickinson. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin Ecostore research and development director Huia Iti said natural cleaners were not just healthier for the home, but when washed down the drain kinder to the environment. He said when purchasing a cleaner, consumers should look for products that were independently certified by credible organisations. "Unfortunately, there is a lot of greenwashing out there," he said. Some credible endorsements Iti recommended looking out for included B Corp, Eco Choice Aotearoa and Sensitive Choice. To get the best out of a clean, Dickinson advised cleaning top to bottom, so any stray dirt would fall away from the clean area and be picked up later. Cleaners, she said, also needed to be left on a surface for 10 minutes to be fully effective. "When you spray a cleaner onto a surface, the surfactants are the first to kick in. These clever molecules surround grease and oil, lifting them off your benchtop and pulling them into tiny spheres that can be wiped away easily. The disinfectants then need time to kill germs by breaking down the proteins and cell membranes that keep bacteria and viruses alive. After 10 minutes, everything is in a form that easily wipes away. "Also remember to do your high touch points, so your light switches, your door handles, and especially those areas that lots of grubby hands are going to be touching." To reduce dust mites, along with keeping the home well-ventilated, Dixon also recommended using HEPA-filter vacuums, mattress and pillow dust mite covers, and if needed swapping out heavy curtains for washable blinds. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
South China Morning Post
18-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Listen Up: Discover why your pillow case could be dirtier than a toilet seat
Questions 1. How many more bacteria did the study mentioned in the podcast find on a week-old pillowcase compared to a toilet seat? A. 170 times B. 1,170 times C. 7,100 times D. 17,000 times 2. What do dust mites eat? A. dirt B. skin cells C. mould D. hair 3. Which of the following can replace 'for good' in the podcast? A. forever B. later C. never D. shortly 4. What common mistake do people make when washing bedsheets, as discussed in the podcast? A. using too much soap B. putting too many things in the machine C. not using enough water D. putting coloured sheets with non-coloured ones 5. What could happen if you use high heat to dry your sheets? A. They can expand. B. They can become dull. C. They can get smaller. D. none of the above 6. If you 'stick with' a way of doing something, you … A. do it sometimes. B. do it all the time. C. do it only once. D. avoid doing it. 7. What does the podcast suggest wearing to bed to sleep? A. pyjamas B. sportswear C. tight clothes D. nothing 8. What is an example of a breathable fabric, according to the podcast? A. silk B. fleece C. linen D. bamboo 9. Why is it a good idea to take a shower before going to bed? A. It cools you down more quickly if your bedsheets are warm. B. It minimises the wrinkles and smells on the bedsheets. C. It keeps your body's oil and sweat away from the bedsheets D. none of the above 10. According to the podcast, what are the best materials for bedding? A. Those that do not trap dust. B. Those that do not absorb sweat. C. Those that are natural and strong. D. Those that are easy to iron. 11. Complete the summary using information from the podcast. (5 marks) It is important to change and wash your (i) ______ and pillow covers at least (ii) ______ time every week. If you sweat a lot or have allergies, it is advised to do this every three or four (iii) ______. (iv) ______ should be changed at least every two years, or when they start to lose their shape. Duvets and comforters need to be replaced every five to 10 (v) ______, depending on how good they are and how much you use them.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Expert issues urgent warning over one part of your house that may look clean - but is 'packed with bacteria'
Experts have warned that carpets and rugs that look clean could actually be packed with bacteria. People should be vigilant when it comes to cleaning the floor coverings, which require more upkeep than other surfaces in the home. This is because fabric is more prone to holding onto dirt and dust particles than other materials due to its porous texture. And the structure of carpet fibres in particular makes them particularly prone to trapping microscopic organisms like dust mites, as well as other debris particles. In order to avoid this, rugs and carpets should be vacuumed regularly, whether they look like they are dirty or not. And as well as vacuuming, brushing the fibres will help removed dirt that is more deeply embedded in the floor coverings. When it comes to smaller rugs, they should be taken outside and given a shake before they are vacuumed, for optimum cleaning. In addition, the flooring beneath where the rugs are usually placed should be cleaned, to ensure any dirt trapped beneath is removed. According to cleaning experts from Gtech, people who have furry companion animals should be even more vigilant when it comes to cleaning their carpets and rugs. This is because cats and dogs shed fur, leaving lots of pet hair lying around, which can work its way into fibres - including curtains as well as carpeting. Gtech experts also point out that those with pets who have hardwood (or other smooth) flooring should ensure they vacuum often, to make sure they are keeping on top of removing as much animal fur as possible. When it comes to pets, stray animal hairs are not the only thing to be conscious of: experts at Gtech note that some very young or very old pets may have accidents inside, or can tramp dirt through the home if they have dirty paws. The Gtech experts said: 'From muddy paw prints to puppy pee puddles, stains are a common enemy for pet owners, especially those with either very young or elderly animals. Acting fast is essential when removing pet stains, and you should start cleaning as soon as you spot them.' When it comes to liquid stains (including urine) it's best to spray the stain with cold water, before then using a paper towel or cloth to absorb the liquid. Then the area should be sprinkled with bicarbonate of soda, which should be left for an hour, before it is then vacuumed. This may have to be repeated several times, until the smell and visible stain have disappeared. When it comes to mud from dirty paws, it should be left to dry, before as much as possible is vacuumed. A blunt knife can be used to scrape away any excess mud. Once it's removed, the same cycle of using bicarbonate of soda should be used to spot clean the area. The experts added: 'For particularly tough stains, consider using cleaning agents, such as white vinegar or a carpet cleaner for serious stains. Just ensure that you use an agent that is suitable for your carpet, based on its instructions or maintenance guide.' Meanwhile, cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch previously shared a simple hack for dirty carpets - and it only costs 99p. Mrs Hinch, whose real name is Sophie Hinchliffe, recommends using a squeegee - commonly used to wipe car, bathroom or window glass - for getting the floor coverings clean. Demonstrating the technique in a video, the Essex-based influencer gently scraped the dry 'squeegee' over the carpet to lift away hair, dust and lint, then held up the shocking amount of debris that the squeegee picked up - a ball of hair and dust. Squeegees can be bought for as little as 99p, making it an extraordinary cost-effective purchase.
