Will Lysol kill dust mites? Let’s find out. Lysol is among the most popular cleaning and disinfecting products for household use. There is no doubt about its efficacy in eliminating dust mites. Are you wondering what attracts dust mites? It’s simple! Human and animal skin shedding.
As skin cells reproduce, they drop off the old skin which serves as food to dust mites. This process of skin rejuvenation happens without effort or your knowledge.
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Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mites are microscopic pests. This means they can’t be easily seen. But certain allergies will alert you to their presence. These include eczema around the eyes, mental haziness, and a stuffy or congested nose.
Other symptoms include fatigue and itchy ears. These are signs that require urgent action.
If you suffer from allergies, chances are that dust mites are part of the problem. Although these pests are microscopic, their effects are visible in common signs such as itchy throat, sneezing, coughing, red itchy skin, and postnasal drip.
Other reactions include itchy and watery eyes and runny or stuffy nose just to name a few. Our main focus here is not to dwell on what mites can or cannot do, but rather to determine if Lysol can be used to get rid of them.
Can Lysol Kill Dust Mites?
Dust mites are microscopic pests. These feed on dead skin. There’s an abundance of this in homes.
Therefore, your home is a perfect breeding spot for dust mites. Lysol kills dust mites successfully.
Using this product to control dust mites requires careful considerations. Due to toxicity and irritations, certain variants of Lysol are recommended.
Whether you’re using Lysol or any other treatment for dust-mite problems, one thing holds; dust mites cannot be eliminated. Rather, they can be minimized to the barest minimum or a tolerable level.
At such a level, their (dust mites) numbers will be insignificant to cause discomfort.
How to Kill Dust Mites with Lysol
This section of the article will be discussing the process you should use to get rid of dust mites. These are simple steps which when taken will contain the problem.
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Reducing Dust Mite Population
Before using Lysol for treatment, it is necessary to first reduce the dust mite population around your home.
So, how can you see what can’t be seen with the eye? Although dust mites are microscopic, general cleanup will contribute to reducing their population.
Normal cleaning will do, including the washing of bedding and vacuuming of carpets, couches, and floors.
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Spray Lysol on Dusty Areas
The next step to take in ridding your home of dust mites involves the application of Lysol sprays around previously cleaned dusty surfaces.
These include floors, floorboards as well as on furniture. Caution should be exercised with furniture and gadgets which might get damaged when wet.
Lysol spray is applied generously until such surfaces are visibly wet. This kills off a significant amount of dust mites and brings down the mite population to a tolerable level.
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Don’t be in a Hurry To Dry Such Surfaces
When Lysol is applied, it should be allowed to dry without wiping such a surface.
However, the only exception includes surfaces where kids touch frequently such as toys. For such surfaces, use a clean damp cloth to wipe down.
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Repeat Frequently
One-time use of Lysol to exterminate dust mites won’t be enough. You’ll need to keep their numbers under check.
The best way to do this involves the weekly repetition of the treatment. That way, their population is kept to a tolerable level, thus saving you the irritations that result from a surge in the dust mite population.
Summary
- Certain steps need to be followed for the best results.
- First off, you need to clean dusty surfaces. These are likely to harbor a huge dust mite population. Check around your floor for dust and spray a generous amount of Lysol.
- Allow this to dry up. This process should be repeated as often as possible until allergies cease.
Preventive Measures
Having supplied vital information necessary for effective dust mite extermination, we’ll now consider basic preventive measures that help prevent a re-occurrence.
These are simple tasks which should be carried out as often as necessary. However, these do not involve the use of Lysol.
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Use Dust-Proof Covers for Mattress and Pillows
Dust mites thrive on bedding which isn’t dust-proof. Hence, the best way to prevent them is by using dust or allergen-proof covers for both mattresses and pillows.
For mites already on your mattress and pillows, such covers which are typically made from tightly woven fabric prevent them from escaping out. It also prevents these pests from having a field day on your bed.
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Low Humidity Helps
Mites thrive in humid surroundings and will increase rapidly if not checked. Your best bet is to intervene by artificially lowering the humid conditions of your rooms or home. A humidifier should be set below 50%.
To know the exact measurement of your home’s humid condition, a hygrometer will serve this purpose.
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Bedding Should Be Washed Frequently
How often you wash your bedding will impact on your home’s dust mite infestation levels. Bedding should be washed weekly, and this includes pillowcases, bed covers, and bed sheets as well as blankets.
For stubborn dust mite problems, consider using hot water, not below 130 F.
This helps to kill dust mites faster and more effectively. For certain bedding that cannot be washed as frequently, such should be placed in the dryer with a temperature set above 130 F and left for about 15 minutes.
This should be sufficient enough to exterminate dust mites.
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Frequent Vacuuming
How frequent you vacuum your home will determine how effective dust mite infestations are checked or managed. Surfaces such as carpets and upholstered furniture should be targeted. This picks up mites that may have settled on such areas.
However, it is necessary to state that not every vacuum cleaner will get the job done. For an effective job, get one with high particulate air (HEPA) filter. The purpose of getting such a vacuum machine is to help reduce dust emissions from the cleaner.
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Air Conditioning Units and Furnace Should Have High-Efficiency Filters
High-efficiency media filters are essential in controlling dust mite populations. Get a filter with a rating or reporting value (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value MERV) of 11 or 12.
Such a filter should be changed as frequently (every three months) as necessary.
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Cut Down on Clutter
The more the clutter in a room, the easier and faster dust collects.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to significantly reduce such clutter from your room. That way, cleaning is less stressful and more efficiently done.
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Never Allow Dust Build Up
It is important to be on the lookout for dust buildup. The more dust piles up, the more severe your dust mite problem is likely to be. Damp clothes should be used while cleaning as they trap more dust and clean better.
We’ve seen that Lysol does kill dust mites and can be used effectively to treat infestations. However, additional preventive measures will need to be carried out also. This ensures the problem is kept in check.