The average person sheds 1.5 million skin cells each day, and sweats an average of one quart per day doing absolutely nothing. That means while you are sleeping, you are depositing dead skin and perspiration into your pillow and mattress where they settle and become home for dust mites. In ten years, the weight of your mattress will double with all of the human hair, secretions, animal hair and dander, fungal mold and spores, bacteria, chemicals, dust, lint, fibers, dust mites, insect parts, and particulates, including dust mite feces. Yes, dust mite poo. And your pillow, where you lay your tired head at the end of a long day? After five years, ten percent of its weight will be made up of all the same stuff. That is what you are breathing while you sleep. (Source: WebMD.com)

That just makes you want to run out and buy a new mattress and pillow, doesn't it? Nobody would blame you if you did. But, mattresses are expensive, especially good ones. Pillows aren't cheap either. Multiply the cost by the number of beds you have in your home, and the cost could easily go well into the thousands.

Dust mites are one of the top ten allergy triggers, so it is very important to keep them at bay by covering mattresses, pillows, and box springs, using hypoallergenic pillows, washing sheets weekly in hot water, and keeping the house free of dust collecting-items such as stuffed animals, curtains, and carpet.

Dust mites can cause allergies or asthma to worsen. Allergy proof mattress and pillow covers prevent anything from getting in or out, which protects you while you sleep. You may also want to consider a box spring cover.

When purchasing coverings, look for encasements (standard mattress covers and pads do not protect you from dust mites, bed bugs or allergens) with a waterproof backing, a breathable fabric barrier that will keep you from getting hot while you sleep, a three sided zipper lock and one that is machine washable and dryer safe.

One important thing to remember is don't buy cheap. If you are going to invest in a mattress encasement, it is worth the extra money to get a good product that will stand up to normal usage and numerous washings.

Washing your bedding in hot water (130° -150° F) once a week will also help protect you from allergens and dust mites.

There are a number of products on the market that will eliminate dust mites and bed bugs and others that clean and sanitize the fabric on your pillows and mattresses as well as kill insects.

Kleen Free Naturally is a biodegradable enzyme insecticide soap that is used world wide as a pest control (bio-pesticide) multi-purpose cleaner. The low toxicity and superior cleaning properties of preformed enzymes are why this type of product has been used widely in restaurant and institutional settings for many years. In the field of pest removal, enzymes are becoming widely accepted because they leave no toxic residues and the enzymatic effect on the insect is quick and safe. The enzymes clean, digest grease, organic matter and eliminate insects.

Pronto Kill Bedbugs and Dust Mites can be applied as a spot treatment to cracks and crevices around baseboards, floorboards, headboards and walls. After thoroughly cleaning and airing mattresses and springs, spot treat areas that may harbor pests, such as on tufts, folds and seams.