How to keep the dust in for a better night's sleep
February 11, 2010 7:34 AM Subscribe
My new roommate has been sneezing since he got here, and I think it may be the dust/dust mites that's bothering him. I suspect the inherited mattress he's using may be harboring them, although it's otherwise perfectly fine. So: recommendations for a good mattress cover that will keep in the allergens, isn't weird and crinkly and won't destroy our tiny budget? (More info and further allergy inquiries behind the cut)
We live in Brooklyn in an older building, so I'm worried there may be other problems as well. I'm already planning to dust in some neglected places -- the tops of bookshelves, for instance -- and replace the filter on the vacuum cleaner we sometimes use on the couches, but I'd love any general advice for how to reduce the negative effects my apartment is having on my friend. He works from home, so it's been pretty brutal!
(Moving isn't an option, incidentally, at least not for a few years.)
We live in Brooklyn in an older building, so I'm worried there may be other problems as well. I'm already planning to dust in some neglected places -- the tops of bookshelves, for instance -- and replace the filter on the vacuum cleaner we sometimes use on the couches, but I'd love any general advice for how to reduce the negative effects my apartment is having on my friend. He works from home, so it's been pretty brutal!
(Moving isn't an option, incidentally, at least not for a few years.)
Ugh, dust allergies. I've got that too and it sucks.
What works for me is cleaning thoroughly. Vacuum under the bed, under the desk, in corners, behind boxes, behind bookshelves, those couches ... move everything and just clean, clean, clean. Might be worth trying to dust the mattress too by whacking it about, if it's not too big.
If still sneezing, try for over-the-counter antihistamines at a pharmacy. The stuff they sell for hayfever works wonders for me.
posted by Xany at 7:53 AM on February 11, 2010
What works for me is cleaning thoroughly. Vacuum under the bed, under the desk, in corners, behind boxes, behind bookshelves, those couches ... move everything and just clean, clean, clean. Might be worth trying to dust the mattress too by whacking it about, if it's not too big.
If still sneezing, try for over-the-counter antihistamines at a pharmacy. The stuff they sell for hayfever works wonders for me.
posted by Xany at 7:53 AM on February 11, 2010
Best answer: I had two allergist recommend the products from here. Not cheap, but cheaper than a sinus infection probably.
I also got new blankets which are not as attractive as the duvet that Mrs HotBot picked out but can be washed once a week.
posted by shothotbot at 8:03 AM on February 11, 2010
I also got new blankets which are not as attractive as the duvet that Mrs HotBot picked out but can be washed once a week.
posted by shothotbot at 8:03 AM on February 11, 2010
Just to make that a bit more explicit: cover your mattress and pillows in the covers from Allergy Control and wash all sheets and blankets once a week.
posted by shothotbot at 8:04 AM on February 11, 2010
posted by shothotbot at 8:04 AM on February 11, 2010
Is your roommate new to the area? There could be new seasonal allergens.
It's also mold time, just about everywhere. Check window sills, bathrooms, fridge, etc. Anyplace that gets moist. If you find any spots, spray them with a weak bleach solution, or lysol, then wipe up. Keep windows open/fans on when showering.
Seconding a thorough cleaning, bi-weekly if you can manage. Get your property manager to put in new air filters. Chances are, they were last changed... never.
I have no idea how/if it really works, but I also make febreeze allergen control part of my cleaning routine. It helped a lot (perhaps psychosomatically) when I lived with pets. It at least makes things smell nice (not perfumey).
Also, you can find cheap generic daily allergy pills, a years supply for $20-$30, this might help his suffering until you can pinpoint the cause.
posted by fontophilic at 8:49 AM on February 11, 2010
It's also mold time, just about everywhere. Check window sills, bathrooms, fridge, etc. Anyplace that gets moist. If you find any spots, spray them with a weak bleach solution, or lysol, then wipe up. Keep windows open/fans on when showering.
Seconding a thorough cleaning, bi-weekly if you can manage. Get your property manager to put in new air filters. Chances are, they were last changed... never.
I have no idea how/if it really works, but I also make febreeze allergen control part of my cleaning routine. It helped a lot (perhaps psychosomatically) when I lived with pets. It at least makes things smell nice (not perfumey).
Also, you can find cheap generic daily allergy pills, a years supply for $20-$30, this might help his suffering until you can pinpoint the cause.
posted by fontophilic at 8:49 AM on February 11, 2010
Unless you have a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, vacuuming will just make the dust in the air worse. An alternative would be damp mopping or using a dust cloth.
posted by JackFlash at 10:20 AM on February 11, 2010
posted by JackFlash at 10:20 AM on February 11, 2010
I just bought another one of these for my futon, as I love the one I have on my mattress and pillows. I can't tell it's there and it changed my life.
I also use Honeywell tabletop air purifiers. I don't have a lot of money and a one bedroom apartment, so I have one in the bedroom and one in the living room. They're cost effective and make me feel better, though I know there are better (but more expensive) things out there. Got them from the same web site.
Dust mites are my WORST allergy, to the point that I get full body hives. I second being really careful with dusting, because that sometimes makes it worse. If you do dust, just make sure the roomate is out for a few hours after. Also, apparently very hot temperatures (150+ I think?) and I was also told white vinegar kills dust mites, so I used a vinegar/water soaked rag to wipe of dust and then washed the dust/dirt down the drain. Could be an old wives tale, but it made me feel better.
It's a pain but in at least one case when I was allergic to my new abode, a mattress cover was all I needed to do the trick and stop the sneezing.
Good luck!
posted by buzzkillington at 9:59 PM on February 11, 2010
I also use Honeywell tabletop air purifiers. I don't have a lot of money and a one bedroom apartment, so I have one in the bedroom and one in the living room. They're cost effective and make me feel better, though I know there are better (but more expensive) things out there. Got them from the same web site.
Dust mites are my WORST allergy, to the point that I get full body hives. I second being really careful with dusting, because that sometimes makes it worse. If you do dust, just make sure the roomate is out for a few hours after. Also, apparently very hot temperatures (150+ I think?) and I was also told white vinegar kills dust mites, so I used a vinegar/water soaked rag to wipe of dust and then washed the dust/dirt down the drain. Could be an old wives tale, but it made me feel better.
It's a pain but in at least one case when I was allergic to my new abode, a mattress cover was all I needed to do the trick and stop the sneezing.
Good luck!
posted by buzzkillington at 9:59 PM on February 11, 2010
As I understand it the main allergen is the dust mites' excrement, so killing them helps in that they won't be producing any more of it, and in personal satisfaction from taking revenge on (admittedly innocent) mites for the misery they cause me, but it doesn't directly get rid of the allergens.
When I move to a new place (I rent furnished flats), I hire a specialist cleaner to come in and specifically clean the bed I will sleep in and any sofas for dust mites. The last place I lived, I was gasping and sneezing and rubbing my eyes red from the itch every night to the point that I was sleep deprived and once had to go stay in a hotel for a few days. Replacing the mattress was not an option, but the dust-mite-oriented cleaning system did the trick.
I previously had a mattress cover that helped a little but not much. However, the one buzzkillington recommended looks like it might be better than the one I had.
posted by jillzilla at 4:02 PM on February 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
When I move to a new place (I rent furnished flats), I hire a specialist cleaner to come in and specifically clean the bed I will sleep in and any sofas for dust mites. The last place I lived, I was gasping and sneezing and rubbing my eyes red from the itch every night to the point that I was sleep deprived and once had to go stay in a hotel for a few days. Replacing the mattress was not an option, but the dust-mite-oriented cleaning system did the trick.
I previously had a mattress cover that helped a little but not much. However, the one buzzkillington recommended looks like it might be better than the one I had.
posted by jillzilla at 4:02 PM on February 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
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posted by Ery at 7:50 AM on February 11, 2010