I’m Allergic to Dust—These Are the Products I Swear By
I’m Allergic to Dust—These Are the Products I Swear By
You might not be able to eliminate your allergies, but you can outsmart them.
Although all allergies certifiably suck, I think it’s pretty reasonable to say that a dust allergy is one of the worst kinds. For one, dust is everywhere, which means that, unlike food allergies, there’s no surefire way to avoid exposure. Prepare to be disgusted: “Household dust is a complex matrix of components including skin flakes, dust mites, dust mite feces, bacteria, mold, small insects, and other particles,” says Gem McLuckie, lead research scientist in microbiology at Dyson. “Hidden to the naked eye, they are widely spread on various surfaces of your home including floors, sofas, and beds.”
This can culminate into sporadic sneezing fits at random points in the day or powering through a pack of tissues, even while popping allergy pills on the daily. If you also have dust allergies, I can tell you that there are ways to mitigate the allergy curse so you can actually proceed with your daily life. If you’re looking for some sweet relief against the evil dust mites in the air, here are some of the best tried-and-true products to add to your dust-fighting arsenal.
Dyson V11 Vacuum
Dyson vacuums are admittedly pricey, but their effectiveness makes up for the sticker shock. According to McLuckie, they're engineered with a six-layered advanced filtration system that, unlike other machines, won’t leak harmful clouds of dust out while vacuuming. You also won’t have to keep vacuuming over one spot with the insane suction power—just one run will clear everything in its path.
RELATED: The Right Way to Vacuum (Yes, There Is a Right Way!)
Sheets and Giggles Eucalyptus Sheets
Considering that the average person spends one-third of their life in bed (and we typically shed 2 to 3 grams of skin each night), it’s not a surprise that mattresses are one of the most fertile breeding grounds for dust mites. Eucalyptus bed sheets are a godsend for many reasons—cooling properties, anti-wrinkle fabric, and uber-luxurious texture among them—but they’re also optimal for dust allergies. This type of bedding naturally repels dust mites, bed bugs, and pet dander so your bed is less prone to buildup.
TruSens Air Purifier
According to McLuckie, dust mites hydrate themselves by absorbing water from the air, so keeping humidity levels below 45 percent will kill most of them off. TruSens reacts in real time to the air quality in the room and adjusts its fan speed accordingly. Its filtration system goes through four levels of purification, while ultraviolet light destroys germs and viruses that can build up on the filter, reducing the re-circulation of germs.
Dyson Pure Humidify + Cool Fan
All that air purifying, while necessary, can leave the air feeling dry and stale. This can take a toll on eczema, psoriasis, or dry skin sufferers. Dyson’s advanced technology, the first humidifier-purifier certified by the National Psoriasis Foundation, blasts cool, humidified air throughout the whole room to inject moisture back. Unlike other purifiers, the device monitors humidity levels to ensure that humidity levels stay high enough to hydrate skin but low enough to prevent dust mites.
Read more about this device before purchasing.
Dust Off Compressed Gas Duster
For smaller spaces, this gas lint and dust remover is the easiest way to remove pileup without just rubbing it around like you would with a typical dust cloth. It can be used for dusting workstations, window blinds, and electronic devices that might not be compatible with other dusting tools. And don’t worry: it’s 100 percent ozone-safe and contains no harmful propane or butane.
Roborock H6 Cordless Stick Vacuum
Yes, there are two vacuum cleaners on this list because I have a carpeted apartment and vacuum religiously. If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option, Roborock’s suction power is comparable to the Dyson and can intelligently increase when a carpet is detected for more cleaning power.
