From BPA to bed bugs, your home may be filled with more unwanted guests than you'd care to think about! Here's how you can keep the most dangerous microbes to a minimum (12 Photos)
Cleveland Clinic Wellness Editors on Dec 5, 2012 at 3:28PM
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No matter how picky we are about our bunkmates, there will always be unwelcome visitors. Namely, dust mites. They love your bed just as much as you do. And since they snack on dead skin cells, they have no reason to leave. Good news is they’re harmless unless you have allergies or asthma. To keep their count down, wash your sheets in hot water regularly, and fluff your pillow in the dryer on its hottest setting. The most recent information on dust mites suggests that using a combination of physical measures -- including pillow and mattress covers, washing bedding in hot water and carpet removal, if necessary -- is better than chemical treatments. But be forewarned: At least three to six months of sustained intervention is necessary to show real benefit. Put measures in place that you can maintain over time and expect symptoms to improve gradually.
Learn more about how to create a healthy sleep environment at Cleveland Clinic Wellness.
