The invention relates to an allergen remover composition containing component (a): an organic compound forming an azeotropic mixture with water and having an azeotropic point of lower than 100.degree. C. with water at 1013.25 hPa, component (b): a component which upon evaporation of a liquid component in the allergen remover, forms a solid containing a compound represented by the following general formula (1) or component (b'): a combination of potassium ion, sodium ion and sulfate ion at a potassium ion/sodium ion molar ratio of from 2/8 to 9/1 and component (c): water. K.sub.xNa.sub.y(SO.sub.4).sub.2 (1) wherein x is a number of 0.8 to 3.6, y is a number of 0.4 to 3.2, and x+y is 4.

Compositions and methods for killing dust mites are disclosed. The disclosed miticides are aqueous mixtures composed of benzyl benzoate in an amount effective for killing dust mites and a solvent having a high affinity for benzyl benzoate and for water. The amount of solvent is sufficient to maintain a stable dispersion of benzyl benzoate in the aqueous mixture. Benzyl alcohol, which is itself a miticide, is an especially useful solvent. The miticide optionally contains at least one surfactant, which along with the solvent, helps maintain a stable dispersion of benzyl benzoate in the aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture is applied to surfaces of household furnishings including bedding, carpeting, and upholstery, using conventional liquid application techniques. An important aspect of the present invention is that the miticide is a fully aqueous solution that, unlike available miticides, contains no solid particles for dispersing the benzyl benzoate.

Der-f and/or Der-p dust mite allergens are deactivated by a liquid composition comprising one or more of the following deactivants: i) cedarwood oil, ii) hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, iii) aluminium chlorohydrate, iv) 1-propoxy-propanol-2, v) polyquaternium-10 vi) silica gel, vii) propylene glycol alginate, viii) ammonium sulphate, ix) hinokitiol, x) L-ascorbic acid, xi) immobilised tannic acid, xii) chlorohexidine, xiii) maleic anhydride, xiv) hinoki oil, xv) a composite of AgCl and TiO.sub.2, xvi) diazolidinyl urea, xviii) a compound of formula I ##STR00001## xix) the compound of formula II ##STR00002## xx) a polymeric dialdehyde containing two or more of a recurring unit of the formula III ##STR00003## where n=2 to 200, xxi) urea, xxii) cyclodextrin, xxiii) hydrogenated hop oil, xxiv) polyvinylpyrrolidone, xxv) N-methylpyrrolidone, xxvi) the sodium salt of anthraquinone, xxvii) potassium thioglycolate, and xxviii) glutaraldehyde. Deactivants (i) to (xx) are effective against allergens derived from both species. Deactivants (xxi) to (xxvi) are effective against only Der-f allergens. Deactivants (xxvii) and (xxviii) are effective against only Der-p allergens.

Compositions and methods for killing dust mites and cleaning carpets and other textile fabrics are disclosed. A miticide composition concentrate for mixing with water and optionally with a carpet or fabric cleaning solution consists essentially of a solution of benzyl benzoate and a water soluble organic solvent for the benzyl benzoate such as benzyl alcohol, a surfactant and water. The amounts of the solvent, surfactant and water are selected to maintain a stable dispersion of benzyl benzoate and benzyl alcohol in the aqueous mixture. Also disclosed are aqueous carpet cleaning miticide composition comprising benzyl benzoate, at least one organic solvent which has an affinity for benzyl benzoate and water, at least one surfactant, an anti-resoiling agent, optionally, a fragrance, optionally, a chellating agent and water. The amounts of the at least one organic solvent, surfactant and water are selected to solubilize the benzyl benzoate in the aqueous mixture and maintain a stable dispersion of benzyl benzoate and solvent in the aqueous mixture. Further, the at least one organic solvent and the at least one surfactant are selected to clean dirt and grease from a carpet surface or textile fabrics. The aqueous mixture is applied to surfaces of household furnishings including bedding, carpeting, and upholstery, using conventional liquid application techniques.

A method is disclosed of removing particulate debris, including dust, dust mites and mite fecal material from non-washable items using webbing composed of any of the following: 1) fibers that have been treated in a manner such that they acquire a long-lasting electrostatic charge of any polarity (i.e., electret), or otherwise have an intrinsic electrostatic charge; 2), fibers that are charged electrostatically negative; 3) fibers that are capable of attaining a negative electrostatic charge with moderate agitation and friction, as with the tumbling agitation of an automatic clothes dryer; 4) fibers of at least two mixed types such that the fibers have an intrinsic, long-lasting embedded (electret) electrostatic charge with respect to each other, or are otherwise capable of acquiring such electrostatic charges in an environment of moderate agitation and friction (i.e., a clothes dryer), with the charges associated with at least two of the fiber types being of opposite electrostatic polarity with respect to one another, such that the fibers create a microenvironment for electrostatically retaining particulates by electrostatic attraction to either of the fiber types. A sheet composed of one of the above fiber types is placed into the drum of a conventional automatic clothes dryer along with the items to be cleaned. The rotation of the drum dislodges the dust, particulates, dust mites and fecal material into the drum, which then adhere to the fibrous sheets. The fibrous material of the dryer sheet also randomly contacts the articles as a result of the tumbling action and can electrically attract particulates from the surface of the fabric articles as well. Clothes dryer heat can also be applied within the drum during tumbling at a sufficient temperature to kill mites and eggs.