Getting your child's bedroom ready for a hot, humid summer

October is Eczema Awareness Month, a good time to think about how the warmer months feel for little ones with sensitive, eczema-prone skin. Hot, sticky nights can be uncomfortable, and many parents look for simple ways to keep the bedroom as cool and fresh as possible.

Summer in Australia means long days, warm nights and, in much of the country, sticky, humid air. It's lovely for the beach, but a child's bedroom can quickly turn into a warm, damp little room overnight, and that's exactly the kind of place dust mites love.

With a few simple changes before the heat really arrives, you can keep the room cooler, fresher and less welcoming to dust mites all summer long.

Why humidity matters

Dust mites don't drink water. They absorb moisture from the air around them. When indoor humidity stays high, they thrive. When the air is drier, they struggle.

That's why dust mite numbers tend to climb in the warm, humid months, especially in Queensland, northern New South Wales and coastal areas. Keeping bedroom humidity below about 50% is one of the most useful things you can do.

A small hygrometer (a humidity monitor) is inexpensive and takes the guesswork out of it. Pop one in your child's room and check it for a week. The results often surprise people.

Keep the air moving

Still, warm air holds moisture and heat.

• Open windows on drier days, and at opposite ends of the house if you can, to get a cross-breeze.
  
• Use a ceiling or pedestal fan at night to keep air circulating.
  
• Run the bathroom exhaust fan after baths and showers so the steam doesn't drift into bedrooms.
  

Use "dry" mode, or a dehumidifier

If you have air conditioning, try the dry or dehumidify setting. It pulls moisture out of the air without making the room icy cold.

In very humid areas, a dehumidifier in the bedroom during the day can make a real difference to how the room feels at night. Empty it regularly, keep it out of little hands' reach, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Choose breathable layers

Heavy doonas and synthetic fabrics trap heat and sweat against the skin, and warm, damp bedding is exactly what dust mites like.

• Swap to a lightweight summer quilt or a simple cotton or bamboo sheet.
  
• Choose breathable, natural-fibre sleepwear that lets heat and moisture escape.
  
• Keep the bed simple, with fewer cushions and throws.
  

Wash more often in summer

A bit of extra sweat means bedding gets damp faster.

• Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly, as hot as the care label allows.
  
• Dry bedding thoroughly, ideally in the sun or on a hot dryer setting if the fabric allows. Never put it back on the bed damp.
  
• Air the mattress for an hour or two on a warm, dry day by pulling the sheets back and letting it breathe.
  

Protect the mattress and pillow

The mattress and pillow soak up warmth and moisture night after night, and they're where dust mite allergens build up the most. Zippered allergen-barrier covers enclose them fully, and their tightly woven fabric is designed to stop dust mite allergen passing through. Put them on once, wash them every couple of months, and they keep working night after night.

A quick summer checklist

• Hygrometer in the bedroom (aim for under 50%)
  
• Air flowing: windows, fans, bathroom exhaust
  
• Dry mode or dehumidifier on humid days
  
• Light, breathable bedding and sleepwear
  
• Weekly hot washes and thorough drying
  
• Mattress and pillow protected
  

A little preparation now means a cooler, fresher room for your little one, and a far less comfortable home for dust mites, right through to autumn.

This article is general information only and isn't medical advice. If your child has allergies, asthma or eczema, please follow the advice of your GP or allergist.

A guest post from the team at Dust Mite Allergy Solutions, an Australian store specialising in allergen-barrier bedding. For more on humidity and air quality, read Dust Mite Allergy Solutions' guide to air quality and dust mites.