THE MAGAZINE
SOME HYGIENE ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID CATCHING WINTER VIRUSES AND LIMIT DUST MITES
A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO COMBAT DUST MITES AND WINTER VIRUSES
With winter comes the cold and the snow, along with viruses and certain allergies due to dust mites. Although you can't always fight off sickness, adopting certain daily habits will allow you to limit the spread of microbes, and contend with the presence of dust mites. Here are a few tips on how to combat dust mites and winter viruses!
KILLING DUST MITES: AN ONGOING BATTLE
Dust mites are microorganisms that are particularly fond of hot and humid environments. Once the temperature rises above 20°C and the humidity level reaches 50%, they begin to proliferate. It can thus seem surprising to see them multiply in winter. However, heating and a lack of ventilation can create an environment conducive to the proliferation of dust mites. It's thus necessary to follow certain rules to best sanitise your home.
CLEAN YOUR BEDDING AND HOUSE LINENS REGULARLY
On average, we spend 25 years of our lives in bed! It's thus crucial to not neglect our bedroom hygiene. Ideally, you should wash your sheets once a week at 60°C, which is a sufficient temperature to kill dust mites. Don't forget the mattress covers and pillowcases, which are wonderful hiding places for microorganisms. It's also important to sanitise your curtains and rugs if you have any. The same goes for the stuffed toys in the children's rooms! And if they can't take washing at 60°C, then the next paragraph is for you.
IRON AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Dust mites can be found in all fabrics, but it isn't always easy to wash them at high temperatures. However, dust mites only die when exposed to temperatures equal to or greater than 56°C. In order to get rid of dust mites in your house simply and effectively, our chemical-free solution is to use Laurastar Dry Microfine Steam (DMS), which kills 100% of dust mites in just a single movement, even those deep within the fibres. What's more, the steam generators equipped with this technology are equally effective for both horizontal ironing and vertical steaming, which makes it possible to sanitise your curtains without having to remove them from the rods. This technique is ideal for sanitising fabrics that can't take washing at high temperatures, such as fine linens, or polyester or silk clothing. For people with allergies, who must limit the proliferation of these microorganisms as much as possible, ironing is a mandatory step. Investing in a quality ironing system can save you a considerable amount of time and energy.
AIR OUT YOUR HOME EVERYDAY
Dust mites love humidity, so it's necessary to air out each room of the house for at least 30 minutes a day. Not only will this remove the humidity present, it will also provide a shock of cold air that will weaken the dust mites. Also, avoid making your bed right after getting up, and leave the mattress exposed to the open air. The humidity accumulated overnight will thus evaporate more easily.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST WINTER VIRUSES AND INFECTIONS: SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES
In winter, we see the appearance of new viruses that cause a number of illnesses such as colds, the flu or even gastroenteritis. In order to limit contamination, you need to follow some simple habits.
WASH YOUR HANDS REGULARLY
This drastically helps to limit the spread of viruses since they are essentially transferred by the hands. We thus recommend that you wash them as often as possible, particularly after sneezing, going to the toilet, or taking public transport. Also make sure to wash your hands before preparing or sitting down to each meal.
CLEAN EXPOSED SURFACES
By exposed surfaces, we mean door handles, toilet seats, flush handles or buttons, taps, remote controls, telephones, etc. A simple wipe with diluted chlorine bleach will quickly eliminate viruses, so don’t ignore this step! Likewise, it's important to sanitise fabrics that often come in contact with the hands, such as sofas, throw blankets and cushions. Using a Laurastar steam generator will make the task much quicker and easier. Moreover, in order to limit the transmission of viruses and infections, and maximise the effectiveness of your washing machine, we recommend you run an empty wash once a month at 90°C.
AVOID UNNECESSARY CONTACT, AND PASSING AROUND OBJECTS
A shake of the hands or a simple kiss provides the perfect opportunity for a virus to spread from one person to another. During an epidemic, avoid physical contact and passing around objects, especially with those who are sick.
