| Dust mites live on shed human skin | | | | It is also essential to distinguish |
| cells, predigested by a fungus called | | | | between HEPA-tested and rated vacuum |
| Aspergillus repens. It is particularly | | | | cleaner and a HEPA filtered vacuum |
| common in carpets and bedding. General | | | | cleaner. |
| cleaning does not remove these mites. In | | | | 1. HEPA tested and rated vacuum cleaner. |
| this article, we will take a look at | | | | HEPA tested and rated vacuum cleaners |
| effective ways to control dust mites. | | | | achieve total filtration of 99.99954% at |
| Most of us take the following measures | | | | 0.3 microns. |
| to control dust mites using regular | | | | 2. HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner |
| cleaning equipment and chemicals: | | | | A HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner - only |
| 1. Regular vacuum cleaning (especially | | | | the filter system has been tested, not |
| with high-efficiency particulate air | | | | the entire vacuum system. |
| (HEPA) filters) | | | | Why is it important to distinguish |
| 2. Regular damp dusting of surfaces | | | | between the two systems? |
| 3. Replacement of carpets with vinyl or | | | | HEPA tested and rated vacuum cleaners |
| tile floors | | | | have been tested for any leaks that |
| 4. Covering of mattresses and pillows | | | | might occur - i.e. the possibility of |
| with impervious materials | | | | minute leaks in the vacuums system and |
| 5. Use of chemicals (acaricides) to kill | | | | filters where the air might bypass the |
| mites | | | | filters. That includes the canister as |
| 6. Use of fungicides to kill Aspergillus | | | | well. |
| 7. High efficiency particulate air | | | | HEPA filtered vacuum cleaners on the |
| filters (HEPA) | | | | other hand have just been tested for the |
| The use of high efficiency particulate | | | | filters itself and not the canisters. |
| air filters will assist with the removal | | | | When purchasing cleaning equipment, |
| of dust mites in household and other | | | | clients should take these factors into |
| environments. Nowadays, vacuum cleaners | | | | consideration. Questions that should be |
| are HEPA rated, so it is advisable to | | | | asked should include the following: |
| look for this rating when purchasing a | | | | Which type of application needs to be |
| vacuum cleaner. | | | | cleaned? |
| HEPA rating is a confusing term as so | | | | Must the environment be clean and |
| many manufacturers and end-users misuse | | | | dust-free? |
| it to sell their products. In Europe, | | | | HEPA filtered vacuums works well in |
| HEPA is a range of filtration from 85% | | | | commercial applications where the indoor |
| to 99,995% of particles 0.3 microns in | | | | quality of the air should be clean. In |
| size or larger. (HI0-HI4) For anything | | | | cases (for example laboratories) where |
| better than HI4, the rating scale | | | | the air must be both clean and |
| changes to ULPA (Ultra Particulate Air) | | | | dust-free, a HEPA tested and rated |
| 99.9995% to 99.999995% @ 0.3 microns is | | | | vacuum would be best to use. |
| considered ULPA in Europe. In the United | | | | Please consult with your cleaning |
| States, a HEPA filter is understood to | | | | equipment supplier when deciding upon |
| be at least 99.97% efficient at 0.3 | | | | the best equipment to use for your |
| microns. Higher efficiencies can be | | | | application. It might be worth your |
| specified, such as 99,999% but there are | | | | while to invest a bit more in order to |
| no classifications applied. (e.g. H13) | | | | obtain a clean and dust-free |
| as in Europe. | | | | environment. |