All About Vacuum Cleaner

[cnimed]

Hi insider,


Thanks for the sharing. It is very impt that we get the ‘right’ vacuum cleaner because ds2 has a severe dust mite allergy and it contributes to his chronic eczema. The specifications are from the allergist.

We did borrow a rainbow to try out and while it trapped a lot of dirt, ds scratching was worse the very night. I thought the allergy test must be rubbish, but I’ve read since then that the dust mites faeces actually just get thrown out with the air bubbles and the emission is actually much worse than many other brands interms of dust mites and mold particles. I have no quarrel with its ability to pick dirt. It’s the micro organisms we’re going after. So we’re going to get a proper hepa fully sealed vacuum and try again. I understand that if the cleaner is not properly manufactured, ecen with a hepa filter it is useless because the critters will leak out again.

[Funz]

I used to use a Karcher with Hepa filter. Recently invested in a Rainbow. Not to say that Rainbow works better then Karcher but the main reason I got the Rainbow was cos my Karcher was more then 10yrs old and getting cranky. And I did not like the use of dustbags in the Karcher vacuum cleaners.


Personally, I think if they all have the Hepa filters, they are about the same. The rest of the features are frills and depends on your personal preference/believes. And to manage dust mite allergies, a good vacuum cleaner alone is not sufficient.

DD has pretty bad allergy rhinitis while DS and myself are asthmatic. Towards the end of last year, DD’s allergies got worse and she was put on daily nose sprays and I had to flush her nose out with sterimar every morning. Earlier this year, we were seeing her doctor at least once every month as her allergies got even worse. To manage our allergies these are the things that we have done

1. ban all soft toys
2. limit the number of pillows and bolsters on their beds
3. no fluffly terri cloth or fleece beddings
4. only cotton or cotton/satin mix kind of beddings
5. All beddings are changed on a weekly basis
6. Bed, pillows, bolsters & beddings are treated with anti-mite agents once a mth
7. Vacuum their beds including pillows & bolsters and comforters once a mth.

All the above regime has been in place for years and since DD’s allergies worsened, I included the following

1. added a Medklinn Asens air sterilizer in their room
2. changed from Karcher to Rainbow and vacuum their beds 2x a mth instead
3. changed their pillows, bolsters and comforters to new ones with anti-mite properties.

Since including those additional 3 things to the regular routine, DD has been off her sprays for 2 months and doing well. And with improved breathing, she is sleeping much better.

Allergies are really tedious and there is no real cure. It has to be managed but problem is once we see that the kids or ourselves are feeling better, we let our guard down and that is when the allergies flare up again and we are back in square one. I spent a bomb on all my ‘weapons’ against dust mites but it is still cheaper then the mthly medical bills when DD’s allergies flared up.

[cnimed]

Hi funz,


Glad to hear yr child is better! It IS such a constant battle and the worst is when nothing seems to work well. We have already taken all the measures - dustmite covers, weekly change, no carpets etc - except for the air purifier. btw the allergist says we should vacuum his bedding on a weekly basis, and the bed and bedroom is the key target. But in ds2’s case, it is more like a contact allergy, so that may be why.

[Funz]

deminc:

Hi funz,


Glad to hear yr child is better! It IS such a constant battle and the worst is when nothing seems to work well. We have already taken all the measures - dustmite covers, weekly change, no carpets etc - except for the air purifier. btw the allergist says we should vacuum his bedding on a weekly basis, and the bed and bedroom is the key target. But in ds2's case, it is more like a contact allergy, so that may be why.

Like that very tough. Cos anywhere that he goes, he will come into contact with mites. Another area that I will note will be the sofas. And over the years, I have changed from fabric settees and chairs to all leather. Gone are the days of warm fabric, lush carpets kinda look in my house. It is now minimalist, leather and wood.

When I started my battle with mites, it was also a weekly affair. In fact I was contemplating getting professionals to come in and do a once over for the entire house but too costly and seriously, there is no way to know if they are really getting rid of mites or just clearing cobwebs. And it is daunting as the results are not something that will happen overnite and neither will the improvement be drastic. Moreover these pesky mites are microscopic so half the time you wonder if you are fighting a myth. Initially I did not see any improvements in my kids' condition either. But all these steps became routine over time and one fine day, I realise that DS hasn't had an attack for the longest time. My inhaler expired and it was still full and DD's antihistamines in the fridge are still 1/2 full and they too have expired. That was when I realise somehow, bit by bit, they have been improving. Could also be their own tolerance and immunity maturing as they grow. But I like to think that all my effort is has not come to waste.

[ksme]

Hi. Recently some sales person called our home to arrange for appointment to demonstrate their vacuum, Brand is Kirby. You may want to do some research and see if it is per your requirements. I did not agree to the demo but if you like, can pm you the contact. Good luck with the combat against dust mites.

[Full.010894Cream]

how about instead of using the vacuum to remove them, just kill them by using a garment steamer?

[cnimed]

Funz,


ya lor. Can cry. Our sleep is broken every night, at one stage he was waking up every 30min THE WHOLE NIGHT. Even old uncles at the shopping center stop to give me some home remedy for his skin...uncles, not aunties! Even the pharmacist at Guardian tell me I better take him to a doctor - after we've already been to three!

Full.cream,
wow, must admit I didn't think of using a garment steamer though MIL did offer her steam vacuum cleaner! My problem is I don't have space to sun the mattresses after steaming them.

ksme,

you're really so kind! Thank you! I've gone to both Best Denki and Courts to look at the selection and for demos. I was told the only vacuum cleaners that are certified HEPA are dyson and miele, and only miele is fully sealed. So I think we'll probably get a miele and see if the allergist is right. A few hundred dollars experiment... fingers crossed.

[ksme]

Give us your feedback after you used Miele. Hope it works. Good luck!

[stayhome]

Deminc,


Hv you try the doctor in NUH allergy dept. Ds was diagnosed by the doctor there with dust mite allergy at 2 yr old. He only has breathing problem and need to use nebuliser. Besides routine cleaning… all the sugguestions Funz had stated, I use pillow and mattress protectors and wash them once a mth. Everynite we will on the air cleaner for a few hour in the air-con room and off it. We have to bring along the air-cleaner for our holidays, if not ds will be very sick. He is better now as what Funz said this could be our effort and/or they had grow their own tolerance and immunity.

My sis and I have childhood asthma, we out grow it. But have to remember it, cannot explose to the allergens at young age as this could do damage to the body for life term.

Beside dust mite allergry do your ds has others allergries like mushroom, seafood… This happen to me now, I was in 40+, my immunity drop. So beside the haze make my nose stuck and watery eye, if I ate the above mentioned food I will itch for a few day and sometimes cannot sleep for the first night. So I guest your ds may have others allergies.

I’m also interested in the vacuum cleaner your mentioned pls let me know your feedback.

[ming_mama]

brand new condition. please text me 9 7 9 7 9 6 6 5 asap