Sleeping with the Enemy? You May Need a Mattress Sanitizing

April 06, 2016

Dust mites are the most common allergen found in dust. If you wake up sneezing and itching with watery eyes or a runny nose, you may be allergic to indoor pollutants, including dust mites. It may come as a shock that you are constantly in direct contact with millions of dust mites that live in your mattress, bedding, pillows, rugs, curtains, and most pieces of furniture.

In fact, the number of dust mites that can be found in your bedroom is alarming—even if you don't suffer from dust allergies. Here are some quick facts to give you an idea of the extent to which you are exposed to dust mites:

•A typical mattress can contain anywhere from tens of thousands to several million dust mites.
•Up to 10% of the weight of a two-year-old pillow is made up of dust mites.
•Nearly 100,000 dust mites can live in one square yard of your carpet.

As you can imagine, dust mites easily multiply wherever they find food—flakes of shed human skin cells and pet dander—which is often found in your mattress. Dust mites are not a consequence of poor cleanliness, as they can even be found in the cleanest of homes. While these critters can be difficult to exterminate, mattress sanitizing on a regular basis can help eliminate them.

A Closer Look at Dust Mites

Mites are undetectable to the human eye, but these eight-legged, translucent, hairy creatures look scary when put under the microscope. However, they are not parasites, as they do not live on humans or pets—they just eat flakes of shed skin cells. They are so tiny that they can crawl through the fabric of your bed, and they can live in temperatures of 68-77ºF with humidity levels of 70-80%.

Despite what you may think, the dust mites themselves are not the actual problem. The problem is a protein that is found in their digestive juices and excreted in their droppings.

In other words, it is the mites' feces that cause allergic reactions, and each mite generates at least 20 droppings per day. If you multiply this by the millions of dust mites that are likely living in your mattress, there's no wonder why your allergy symptoms won't go away. These allergens become airborne when you toss and turn during the night. In fact, movement, in general, causes them to spread quite easily.

Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergies

Over 20 million people suffer from dust mite allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Since these allergies are so common, it is essential to understand how the human body reacts when it is exposed to dust mites and other allergens found in dust, including fungi and cockroach, remains.

Allergic reactions start when an allergen is perceived as a threat by the immune system. As a consequence, the body releases histamines, which are antibodies that trigger responses aimed at getting rid of the threat. The most common responses are sneezing, rashes, runny nose, watery eyes, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, skin, or throat, and more serious reactions like asthma and nasal polyps.

Dust mite allergies can be caused by constant exposure to dust mites during the first year of your life, and they can be lifelong. Several years of exposure can result in progressive sensitization. Whatever the case may be, there is no cure for dust-mite allergies—only control and prevention and that's where Germinaotr's Patent-pending process kicks in.

Germinator's Patent-Pending Process

Germinator has developed a patent-pending process that provides a new generation of microbial protection for commercial businesses and residents.

Germinator's patent-pending methodology is the most unique and cost-effective means of providing enhanced antimicrobial protection for businesses and residences. The company first tests surfaces for ATP using a luminometer to detect light that can come from cellular activity. This measurement immediately provides the level of clean on a surface.


The next step is the application of Germinator's Genesis surface treatment. Genesis is a one-step cleaner and broad-spectrum sanitizer and disinfectant treatment that harnesses the power of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Derived from naturally occurring minerals, Genesis not only eliminates odors at their source but kills a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and viruses including norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus on hard, non-porous, environmental surfaces. It meets the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) germicidal spray standards for Hospital Grade Disinfection and is on the EPA's N List of products determined to meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As a result, this treatment will eliminate bacteria and viruses that may reside in your environment without the use of harsh chemicals or fumes.

Following Genesis, Germinator applies its Shield, a water-based quaternary ammonium compound that imparts a durable bacteriostatic finish. It is EPA-registered as effective against mold, mildew, algae, and odor-causing bacteria. This application creates an invisible barrier that helps combat deterioration and discoloration and promotes freshness for up to three months.

The Genesis and Shield products are applied by using an electrostatic sprayer, which is the most efficient and effective means of delivering the products to the intended application sites. After Germinator's surface treatment and protectant services, the company retests ATP levels to help ensure the surfaces have achieved the intended results.

Our goal is to provide you and your family with a more comfortable and hygienic environment. So, if this sounds like something you want, give us a call at 855-NO-GERMZ (664-3769) or fill in the form below to contact our offices and find out more about the services we offer. Remember to always stay in touch by liking our page on Facebook at Facebook at Germinator, following us on Twitter @GerminatorMS and Instagram @GerminatorMS. If you want to stay tuned for the latest information about Germinator, subscribe to our Newsletter.