The control of house dust mite allergens in rugs.

Abstract

Used rugs were vacuum cleaned, "wet cleaned," "shampooed," or heated in an autoclave. The effects on the live-mite population, on the allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p I and Der p II; and Dermatophagoides farinae, Der f II) content, and on the suitability of the rugs as a habitat for house dust mites was studied. Autoclaving was most effective in all three aspects. The cleaning methods were quite inefficient for killing the mites, but a significant reduction of allergens and deterioration of the habitat quality was established. "Wet cleaning" appears particularly promising.