How to Control Allergies, Dust Mites and Mold With Bleach

According to the website Health and Energy, household dust that is contaminated by dust mites can cause allergies. It is estimated that dust mites may be responsible for up to 80 percent of asthma cases, as well as eczema and hay fever. Mold can cause a number of ailments, including respiratory problems, asthma, nasal and sinus congestion, watery eyes and a sore throat, according to the North Dakota State University website. Treating dust mites and mold with bleach will help to eliminate your exposure and minimize the chances of coming down with one of these ailments.

Things You'll Need

• Detergent
• Bleach
• Water
• Scrub brush
• Nonammonia soap
• Bucket

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your clothes and sheets. The Health and Energy website states that washing in warm water with detergent and bleach will remove up to 98 percent of allergy-causing material that is shed by dust mites.

• 2

  Identify areas where mold is growing. Mold can most often be found in areas where there are water leaks, flooding or high humidity levels.

• 3

  Dampen the moldy area. This will reduce the number of airborne mold spores, according to the NDSU website.

• 4

  Scrub the moldy area using a nonammonia soap or detergent. Keep scrubbing until all of the mold has been removed. Use a brush that is firm to effectively remove all of the mold.

• 5

  Disinfect the area using bleach and water. Add between 1/2 cup and 1-1/2 cups of bleach per gallon of water into a bucket. The cleaner the surface you are disinfecting, the less bleach you will need to use. Apply the bleach and water mixture, and let it stand for at least 15 minutes.

• 6

  Rinse the area with clean water. Use fans or natural ventilation so the area dries quickly.