New Study Proves Vacuuming Ineffective at Removing Dust Mite Allergens

Science Daily reports that a new medical study shows vacuuming to be ineffective at getting rid of dust mite allergens.

The study, done by the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, found that vacuuming was a highly ineffective means of avoiding allergens because the manner in which a vacuum removes the allergens is very inconsistent and incomplete.

Where worn carpets are concerned, the allergen risk is even greater because vacuuming, instead of removing the allergens, simply changes the distribution of the dust mites throughout the carpet, rather than actually removing it equally. Some allergens are removed, but most are just spread around.

Being that vacuuming is the most common method used to control dust mite allergen, this news is highly important to allergy sufferers because carpets are a major source of common household allergens. The most common way to remove those allergens is to vacuum.

Mr. Sercombe, one of the researchers at the institute, had this to say: "The results also help to explain why many trials aimed at reducing people's exposure to indoor allergens - some even going so far as to install new furniture - have had limited success. Although soft furnishings such as beds contain more concentrated sources of allergy causing protein produced by house dust mites (known as Der p 1), the large size of carpet means it is likely to contain a larger total amount of allergen than other items in a home. Allergen avoidance measures that rely solely on vacuum cleaning are likely to be of limited success unless more rigorous cleaning than standard home vacuuming is performed."

Vacuums that had rotating head brushes did remove more allergens and soil from the carpets than those without, but were still ineffective because these types of brushes can actually kick up dust into the air when the suction does not work properly, which occurs often.

This study showed that after several years of use in homes, carpets contained large amounts of the Der p 1 allergen and that the allergen was found throughout the carpet, with no pattern in regards to depth or location.